Volume One, Chapter 2: You’ve been groveling for so long—why are you the one paying up?

“Beat him to death on the spot”—these words came coldly from Qin Yuan’s lips.

Instantly, Xu Cheng’s sycophantic followers surged forward, shoving Xie Zheng to the back, utterly forgetting the sting of those two slaps just moments before.

“Yuan’er, you’re here?” Xu Cheng simpered, but Qin Yuan frowned and landed another slap across his face.

The sharp crack rang out. Xie Zheng’s eyes widened—how could this woman strike so mercilessly? Was she not afraid of offending the Marquis of Zhenbei?

He expected Xu Cheng to return the blow like a man, but to his surprise, Xu Cheng only groveled, his flattery reaching new heights.

“Yuan’er! I was wrong, truly, I didn’t mean it. Please, don’t be angry!”

Xu Cheng took the slap, while Qin Yuan, regal as a queen, looked at him with open disdain.

“Don’t call me by my name! We have no relationship whatsoever. Please show some respect, Young Lord Xu!”

“But my father has already—”

“Don’t bring up your father in everything!”

Qin Yuan glared at Xu Cheng, her meaning clear: try to take advantage one more time, and she would not shy from beating him to death right here.

“Oh, then I shall obey the princess in all things!” Xu Cheng grinned gleefully.

Xie Zheng stared in disbelief. Was this real? Was beauty now a license for lawlessness? This world had truly gone awry.

He recalled how the Academy described Princess Qin Yuan of Anyang: “Qin Yuan of the Academy—beauty and strength both peerless!” Though she looked like she might topple kingdoms, her martial prowess placed her among the top three in the Academy.

Her threat to kill on the spot was no idle boast.

Xie Zheng looked at Qin Yuan as she approached him, each step as graceful as a lotus blooming; her fragrance enveloped him, her charm intoxicating, and she stopped directly before him.

Xu Cheng looked on, gloating. Usually, anyone who offended the princess would be beaten until unrecognizable—a sight both pathetic and ridiculous.

Yet, as everyone waited expectantly for Xie Zheng to be pummeled, Qin Yuan instead declared, “My father has told me that, by imperial decree, I am to marry you in three months’ time.”

Xie Zheng was stunned—what on earth was this woman up to?

Xu Cheng was incredulous. He rushed forward and demanded, “Yuan’er, how can this be? My father clearly went to propose marriage at the Anyang Marquis’s manor—how could you be betrothed to this worthless Xie Zheng instead?”

“You must be trying to provoke me, right?”

Xie Zheng, equally surprised, interjected, “Indeed, Princess, you should be marrying Young Lord Xu. How could you possibly be wed to a good-for-nothing like me?”

She was beautiful, but a femme fatale; offending the Marquis of Zhenbei’s household for the sake of a woman was hardly worth it. Most importantly, he only wished to keep his head down and avoid trouble.

But Qin Yuan replied with clear disappointment, “Soon enough, someone will arrive to announce the imperial edict. Xie Zheng… from now on, you can openly court me.”

Court her? He had no such desire!

Xie Zheng was at a loss for words, but at that moment, Xu Cheng grabbed him by the collar, itching to skin him alive.

“What have you done, Xie Zheng?” Xu Cheng barked, unable to contain his jealousy.

Just then, an elderly eunuch from the palace, flanked by guards, approached.

“Could it be true? Is the princess really to be married off to Xie Zheng? What right does he have?” someone whispered.

“That looks like Eunuch Xu, a close confidant of His Majesty. He’s heading straight for Xie Zheng—could this all be real?”

The academy’s students dared not speak.

Eunuch Xu strode rapidly to Xie Zheng, his duck-like voice cheerful as he announced, “Sixth Prince Xie Zheng, receive the imperial edict!”

Xie Zheng hesitated, still unused to his royal status. After a few attempts, he managed the proper etiquette—no need to kneel for an edict unless the emperor delivered it in person.

“Sixth Prince, hear the decree!” Eunuch Xu proclaimed: “By the grace of His Majesty, Princess Qin Yuan of Anyang is hereby betrothed to the Sixth Prince Xie Zheng. The grand wedding shall be held in three months. Let this be a blessing for the Great Ning!”

“Congratulations, Your Highness!” The eunuch beamed, but Xie Zheng could see an ulterior motive in his eyes. He wanted nothing to do with this decree.

Accepting meant offending Xu Cheng—which was one thing, but more crucially, it meant crossing the Marquis of Zhenbei himself. How could he hope to contend with such a power?

He glanced at Qin Yuan, noticing her sly smile—there was surely a plot afoot.

Who was laying this trap for him?

“Sixth Prince? Sixth Prince? Accept the edict!” Eunuch Xu called.

Left with no choice, Xie Zheng accepted, knowing full well he was being ensnared by the Anyang Marquis’s schemes—a fish on the chopping block.

Once the eunuch departed, Xu Cheng rounded on him, furious.

“Xie Zheng, I can’t believe you’ve played me like this—using your status to summon an imperial edict, feigning innocence all the while. You are a devious, scheming scoundrel!”

“I will not let this go!” Xu Cheng moved to strike.

Xie Zheng wanted to explain, but he already held the edict—no amount of words could change anything. He sighed; disaster had fallen from the heavens.

He thought, at worst, Xu Cheng would beat him up, but as Xu Cheng lunged, Qin Yuan appeared before him—then, another slap.

Xu Cheng reeled, four fresh handprints now blooming on his face.

“Princess, you—?”

Qin Yuan stood protectively, shielding her future husband in front of everyone.

“Young Lord Xu, don’t press your luck! The Sixth Prince is my future husband. If you dare bully him again, do not blame me for being merciless!”

Xu Cheng nearly spat blood in rage.

“Very well, Xie Zheng—just you wait. Cross me, and you cross the Marquis of Zhenbei. I will see you utterly destroyed! Come!”

He stormed off, vowing vengeance.

Xie Zheng was left alone, bewildered. What was this woman really after? When he pursued her, she was indifferent; now that he’d lost interest, she was throwing herself at him.

“Qin Yuan, what is your true intention?”

He wanted nothing more than a life of indulgence—no power, no ambition, just peace. Yet someone insisted on dragging him into trouble, leaving him deeply unhappy.

Qin Yuan’s voice was as sweet as an oriole’s song: “Did you not pursue me for this very result? Now that you have it, are you not pleased?”

“Pleased? Far from it! I’m about to be ruined—offending the Marquis of Zhenbei, how many lives do I have to spare?”

“I only wish to tend my own humble lot. What gives you the right to decide for me?”

As his agitation grew, Qin Yuan frowned; his temperament was entirely different from before. Still, she felt a pang of guilt.

The marriage alliance was her father’s scheme—Xie Zheng was nothing but a pawn, an innocent man swept into their designs.

“Xie Zheng, from now on, you are my husband. Whether in the Academy or elsewhere, if anyone dares bully you, just tell me—I, Qin Yuan, will shield you from all harm!”

Such lavish protection! Xie Zheng was dumbfounded. If she could truly keep him safe, then the Xu clan of Zhenbei would be nothing but a pack of useless fools.

“Not enough, it’s not enough!” His meaning was clear: stop wasting effort on him, end the engagement soon, and let him live quietly.

But Qin Yuan’s lovely face flushed with feigned annoyance—what a cunning fellow! He’d gotten a great deal, yet still complained.

She had once thought him honest, but now saw he was sly as well. For her father’s grand plan, she had to endure—once married, she would make him pay.

She tapped his forehead lightly, then quickly turned away, her cheeks burning.

“This is the one and only time—don’t push your luck!”

Qin Yuan left. Xu Cheng, still unwilling to give up, tried one last time, but upon witnessing this scene, clenched his fists in despair—his world utterly shattered.

“Damn you, Xie Zheng! From this day forth, I will never rest while you live!”

Xie Zheng stood there, dazed, the lingering warmth on his brow leaving him bewildered.

Was this it? Used and then taken advantage of? Qin Yuan was truly calculating!

“Oh well, I’ll accept this small loss—she’s beautiful, so I’ll let it slide for now.”

Just as he was about to turn back, one of the Academy’s venerable instructors approached.

“Xie Zheng, tidy yourself—there’s someone in the palace who wishes to see you.”

“And who would that be?”

“His Majesty!”