Chapter 28

When Cheng Ruyi first laid eyes on the Princess Consort of Prince Rong, she couldn’t help but frown. The Princess Consort was indeed very beautiful; despite being nearly forty, she looked barely twenty, radiating a charming and sophisticated elegance.

However, Cheng Ruyi sensed a jarring dissonance. She felt as though everything she saw was a mere facade. People said the Princess Consort was the embodiment of gentleness and kindness, that her every move made one feel as comfortable as a spring breeze. So why did Ruyi feel so strange? She sensed a dense, murky “black energy” clinging to the woman, an aura far less pleasant than that of her own mother.

Ruyi had seen many beauties, especially those with water or light-based supernatural abilities in her past life; they truly possessed an aura that was genuinely soothing and refreshing. Having experienced the “genuine article,” Ruyi found herself utterly uninterested in this Princess Consort, who wasn’t even a convincing counterfeit.

No wonder her father said this woman was not simple and was ruthless at heart. She was indeed ruthless enough to manifest such dark energy.

She had heard that the Princess Consort visited Xiangguo Temple every year to chant sutras and pray for her deceased elder sister. What a performative hypocrite. The high monks at Xiangguo Temple must be frauds propped up by flattery, Ruyi concluded arbitrarily, without a shred of real talent.

What Cheng Ruyi didn’t realize was that her ability to perceive these auras was a byproduct of her supernatural powers. Ordinary people couldn’t detect such subtle differences; most were completely fooled by the Princess Consort’s performance.

“This must be young Lady Ruyi. She is truly lovely; just looking at her brings joy,” the Princess Consort said with a warm smile as soon as she saw Ruyi’s face. Her voice was gentle and soft, like a breeze over the water.

Cheng Ruyi felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. The Princess Consort’s eyes seemed full of affection, but Ruyi felt the woman was looking at her like a piece of property with a bit of utility value.

“Even if you praise me until I turn into a flower, I won’t like you, and I certainly won’t become your goddaughter. You can give up on that idea right now,” Ruyi blurted out. She was incredibly blunt, giving the Princess Consort no face at all.

Rong Susu shuddered, desperately trying to suppress a laugh. On the surface, she feigned a reprimand: “Child! How can you speak like that? Apologize to the Princess Consort at once.”

There were only the three of them in the room, with the maids and nannies guarding the door outside. Rong Susu’s heart naturally biased toward her daughter. Doesn’t the Princess Consort pride herself on being the kindest and most gentle? Surely she won’t ruin her image by bickering with a young girl, Susu thought. One had to admit, Rong Susu had a mischievous streak of her own.

Cheng Ruyi rolled her eyes; she had no intention of apologizing to this woman. “No, Mother. I don’t like her!”

If it were any other elder, Ruyi wouldn’t be so rude. But this Princess Consort gave her a terrible feeling. In the woman’s eyes, Ruyi was just a fish on a chopping board waiting to be slaughtered. Since her family already had a reputation for being eccentric and unrefined, she didn’t feel like compromising for the sake of manners.

The Princess Consort showed remarkable restraint. Hearing such blunt rejection, she didn’t take offense; instead, the “fondness” in her eyes seemed to deepen. “Madam Cheng, please don’t scold her. I actually like this temperament—pure and simple.”

Cheng Ruyi was disgusted. This woman was so good at acting; it was infuriating. “So fake!”

Rong Susu struggled to keep a straight face. My daughter is amazing! “Stop acting up!” she said aloud. “Princess Consort, this child has been spoiled by me. Please don’t take it to heart.” The indulgence in her tone was impossible to miss.

The Princess Consort choked slightly, her brow twitching. This Cheng Ruyi was far too stubborn and had a truly disagreeable personality—no wonder her reputation was so poor. And this Madam Cheng’s favoritism was far too blatant. The Marquis Changle’s family was indeed difficult to deal with.

She replied with a smile, “It’s quite alright, Madam. I truly do like her personality.”

Cheng Ruyi was annoyed. Is this woman ever going to give up? Should I give her a little lesson so she stops obsessing over me?

Rong Susu was also displeased. Seeing her silence, the Princess Consort pressed on, her voice remains soft and melodic. “Madam Cheng, I am sincere about wanting to adopt your daughter. Please consider it for a few more days before giving me an answer.”

“Mother, you don’t need to consider it. I don’t want to be anyone’s goddaughter. I want to be Mother’s little ‘padded jacket,'” Ruyi said firmly, her eyes full of undisguised loathing as she looked at the Princess Consort. She had long sensed the thick malice radiating from the woman.

Like me? In your dreams!

“Princess Consort, as you can see, my daughter has no wish for this, and I will not force her,” Rong Susu said with an apologetic expression, though internally she was cheering for her daughter’s quick wit.

Having been rejected and insulted multiple times, even the Princess Consort’s expert composure faltered, her smile turning stiff. “Then I have overstepped. Let us speak no more of it.” With that, she took her leave.

Once she was gone, Marquis Changle and Rong Mo entered. The Marquis had been eavesdropping outside. While eavesdropping might damage his “heroic and divine” image, he felt it was justifiable out of concern for his wife and daughter.

“Daughter, you were brilliant!” The Marquis gave her a big thumbs-up as soon as he walked in.

Cheng Ruyi tilted her chin up proudly and then looked expectantly at her cousin.

Rong Mo’s lip twitched slightly. “…Cousin was very impressive.”

Ruyi immediately beamed with joy. Rong Mo’s gaze softened, and he couldn’t help but reach out his large, well-defined hand to rub her head. Ruyi leaned into it, enjoying the touch. Rong Mo’s lips curled into a smile.

Watching the interaction, the Marquis and his wife exchanged a knowing look and smiled.

“By the way, Cousin, Father, Mother—I have something to tell you,” Ruyi said suddenly.

Rong Mo arched an eyebrow. “What is it?” He was secretly pleased that she addressed him first.

“I felt that the aura on the Princess Consort was very strange. There was black energy, and it was very uncomfortable. They say she goes to Xiangguo Temple for half a month every year to pray for her sister. Do you guys know what’s actually going on?” Ruyi asked curiously.

The Marquis and Rong Susu were both startled. Rong Susu finally understood why her daughter had been so blunt with her dislike.

Rong Mo’s brow furrowed, his handsome face darkening. He knew Ruyi was mysterious, but he hadn’t expected her to be able to sense such things. This Princess Consort was indeed suspicious. He would have to make sure Ruyi kept her distance.

“Daughter, remember you are an engaged woman. You can’t go and become a nun!” the Marquis said nervously, fearing she might suddenly decide to join a temple.

Rong Susu was exasperated. “What nonsense are you talking about? Why would she become a nun?”

The Marquis looked at his wife sheepishly. “Didn’t she say she could see black energy? That’s the kind of ability only legendary high monks have! I’m just afraid some ‘enlightened master’ will come along and whisk her away.”

Rong Mo’s temple throbbed. “Uncle, you’re overthinking it.”

Cheng Ruyi was speechless. “Dad, Cousin is right. I love eating meat too much to ever become a nun.” Her father’s imagination was truly off the charts.

The Marquis realized she was right. His daughter loved meat and hunting; since Buddhists were vegetarians who avoided killing, convincing her to become a nun would be harder than reaching the heavens. He finally relaxed.

However, the Princess Consort remained a hidden threat. They didn’t know if she had truly given up. They needed to act faster, but the Heir of Prince Rong was notoriously difficult to catch in a scandal, let alone the Princess Consort herself. It was quite a headache.

While the Marquis and Rong Mo worried, Cheng Ruyi’s way of doing things was always simple and direct. The eighth day of the eighth month was the anniversary of the death of the Princess Consort’s elder sister. The Princess Consort would definitely be at Xiangguo Temple, which would make things much easier for Ruyi.

For the next few days, Ruyi was in a fantastic mood. Of course, that was only a small reason; the main reason was that she snuck into the Bamboo Garden every night to “cultivate feelings” with her cousin. Her Da Jiejie had told her that a marriage without affection was like eating plain white rice every day—no flavor, just a hopeless, endless cycle. It sounded terrifying. Thus, Ruyi decided to put her sister’s “husband-taming” methods into practice.

That night, after Moxiang lit the incense and left, Ruyi immediately hopped out of bed, slipped on her shoes, and nimbled slipped through a crack in the door. It had rained during the day, and a light drizzle still fell, making the air exceptionally fresh.

In the Bamboo Garden, Rong Mo, dressed in white, stood by an open window as if waiting for someone. He had already dismissed his attendants. Suddenly, there was a sound at the door.

His heart leaped—his cousin was here.

Over the past few days, she had been sneaking into his courtyard every night. The first time, he had been shocked and flustered. The second time, he was secretly delighted. Now, he found himself anticipating the fall of night every single day.

“Cousin, I’m here! Did you miss me?” Ruyi ran toward him joyfully the moment she entered.

Rong Mo’s lips curled up as he opened his arms to catch his little fiancée. Her body was soft and delicate, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance. “I did. Very much.” He kissed her hair, his eyes warm with a gentle smile.

He thought back to his clumsy reaction the first time she hugged him and chuckled inwardly. Having such a passionate little fiancée was truly a “sweet burden.”

Cheng Ruyi was very satisfied. After these past few days, her cousin had finally made some progress; he was becoming accustomed to her frequent hugs. But she needed to keep up the momentum.

Her small hands began to skillfully roam over Rong Mo’s body, wandering lower and lower. After holding back for a few days, Ruyi decided to go all the way. Her Da Jiejie had said that a “harmonious life” was very important. What if there was something wrong with her cousin “down there”? Especially since he had suffered from that strange poison for eight years—if something was broken, she could treat it in advance. It would be a total mood-killer to find out and have to start treatments on their wedding night.

She might not have actual experience, but Cheng Ruyi considered herself a seasoned veteran in theory.

As she felt around, her mind wandered into wild territory.

“Cousin… what are you touching?” Rong Mo’s body flushed with heat under her touch. His breathing became ragged, and his voice turned hoarse with suppressed desire. In the flickering candlelight, fine beads of sweat appeared on his handsome face.

It wasn’t the first time she had touched him, but this time was different. Her hand seemed to be heading straight down…

“I’m checking to see if you’re functional!” Ruyi blurted out.

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