PFC Chapter 166 "Very well, I will marry you!"
Chapter 166 "Very well, I will marry you!"
As dusk settled like a veil, it slowly enveloped the Five Princes' Mansion. The carved beams and painted rafters of the pavilions were bathed in a warm orange glow in the afterglow, their upturned eaves seeming to spread their wings in the darkening sky.
Huan'er sat blankly on the bed, her body trembling uncontrollably. She clutched the blanket tightly, wrapping herself up completely. Her eyes revealed endless fear and despair. Her once bright eyes were now empty and lifeless. The nightmarish scene from just now kept replaying in her mind. Every detail was like a sharp knife, piercing her heart.
She huddled in a corner of the bed, her gaze wandering until it finally settled on the naked man sleeping beside her. She slowly closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face, wetting her disheveled hair.
Immediately, filled with panic, she raised her hand to gently blow her nose, then her trembling fingertips hastily wiped away the tears streaming down her face. She dared not make a sound, her movements slow and cautious as she put on her clothes one by one, every tiny movement revealing her meticulous care.
After getting dressed, she tiptoed to the door, slowly peeked out, looked around to make sure no one was outside, then breathed a sigh of relief, crouched down, and slipped out silently, her figure quickly disappearing into the dim corner.
Inside the house, Murong Han remained fast asleep. The brocade quilt on the bed was half-covered, his body stretched out, his breathing even and even, completely unaware of the commotion that had just occurred. The dim light danced across his face, illuminating his relaxed, sleeping features; he was oblivious to Huan'er's quiet departure.
The dim glow of the setting sun shone into the room. Xue Xiang nestled lazily and contentedly in Murong Che's arms, a hint of greed and smugness on her face, like a cat that had just stolen some fish. Satisfied, she hugged Murong Che even tighter.
The sudden movement startled the sleeping Murong Che. His brow furrowed, he slowly struggled to wake, his eyes still blurry and unfocused. He instinctively looked around, the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings leaving him momentarily disoriented. When he slowly leaned down and saw Xue Xiang smiling in his arms, he was struck dumb, instantly snapping awake. Terrified, he flung her away violently, staggering backward as if electrocuted, retreating to the corner of the bed, his eyes filled with astonishment and panic.
Xue Xiang was also startled by the sudden movement. She was slightly taken aback at first, then quickly reacted. The two looked at each other, and she saw Murong Che's dumbfounded and bewildered expression. Seeing this, she immediately changed her expression, pitifully feigning weakness and innocence, her eyes reddening, and she began to sob.
Murong Che's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief, and he stammered, "How could you...we...ha~what exactly happened?" He raised his hand to rub his eyes, his gaze full of confusion and shock.
Xue Xiang wept bitterly, tears streaming down her face, and said sorrowfully, "Your Highness, I am an innocent woman, and now that you have ruined my body, how can I face anyone to live on? I would rather die!" She looked at Murong Che with teary eyes, her gaze filled with weakness and helplessness, and instinctively went to bang her head against the wall.
Upon seeing this, Murong Che's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly reached out and firmly grabbed Xue Xiang, his tone anxious yet reassuring: "Xiang'er, calm down first, don't be impulsive!" His brows were furrowed, and his eyes were full of worry.
Xue Xiang turned her back, a wicked, smug smile flashing across her lips for a fleeting moment. She quickly composed herself, turned back, her eyes reddening, and looked pitifully at Murong Che, feigning sobs as she asked in a tearful voice, "Your Highness, now that things are like this, what do you say we should do?"
Murong Che's heart was in turmoil, a torrent of pain and helplessness churning within him. He kept repeating to himself: "I swore to the heavens that I would love only Wanwan in this life, yet now I've done such a thing—what a sin! If I marry Xue Xiang, how will Wanwan's spirit rest in peace? How can I face the vows I made to her? But if I don't marry her, Xue Xiang is a weak woman, her chastity ruined; how will she survive in this world? If I simply abandon her, won't I become a heartless, irresponsible person? Alas, what should I do?"
Xue Xiang stared intently at Murong Che. Seeing his lips tightly pressed together, his brows furrowed in a knot, and his bewildered expression, a sudden idea flashed through her mind. Her expression turned serious and deep as she fell into deep thought. Then, she let out a soft hum, and in an instant, she raised her voice and burst into loud sobs: "Waaah, my life is so miserable! Enough, enough! This wretched existence is worse than death!" Before she finished speaking, she suddenly stood up and made as if to smash her head against the wall.
Murong Che was shocked to see this. He rushed forward and grabbed Xue Xiang tightly, stammering, "Don't do this! Don't be impulsive! Let's talk this out. There's still room for negotiation!" His face was flushed, veins bulged on his forehead, and his eyes were filled with fear and anxiety.
"There's nothing to discuss. I know the prince won't take responsibility. My innocence is ruined, so I might as well die..." She tried her best to get up and ran towards the corner of the wall, but fortunately, Murong Che pulled her back.
After a moment of stalemate, Murong Che seemed to have exhausted all his strength. With his eyes tightly closed and his teeth clenched, he managed to utter with difficulty, "Fine, I will marry you!"
Upon hearing this, Xue Xiang was first stunned, then her face lit up with unprecedented joy. But this joy was too intense and instantly turned into rolling tears. She sobbed uncontrollably, as if she was crying tears of joy, or as if she was venting the joy of her long-standing scheme succeeding.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Xue Xiang embraced Murong Che. She had longed for this moment for far too long, spending countless days and nights in her fantasies. She buried her face in Murong Che's chest and cried out in a hoarse voice, her sobs a mixture of ecstasy and bitterness.
Murong Che stood there blankly, letting Xue Xiang hold him tightly. The complex expression of having made his decision still lingered on his face; his heart trembled uncontrollably, like a flickering candle in a cold wind. He was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
【Wanwan, I have failed you, failed our vows of eternal love. Alas, words cannot express my grief. Wanwan, I have betrayed our love. If you can know this in the afterlife, can you forgive my helpless act?】
On the other side, Murong Han slowly awoke, his consciousness still hazy. He subconsciously raised his hand, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and habitually reached out to touch the warm, soft body beside him. However, there was nothing there, only a cold, indifferent surface.
A chill ran through him, instantly clearing his head. His gaze urgently swept to his side. On the bed, besides the disheveled quilt, there was no sign of anyone. Only a glaring crimson stain spread wildly across the pristine white sheets, like a strangely blooming red plum blossom. This bloodstain was the virginity of the girl and boy after their first time together, standing out starkly in the silent atmosphere.
Murong Han's brows were furrowed, like two intertwined mountains, his deep eyes filled with a complex and unfathomable expression. He stared at the pool of blood, lost in deep thought, his expression like a deep, still lake, making it impossible to fathom his inner thoughts.