Meng Anli asked, "Uncle Lu, what reason did the edict give for dismissing him from office?"
"Something about improper conduct."
Meng Anli understood. It was probably referring to bribing the teacher.
His Majesty might not have cared whether she had been beaten.
But bribery was something he could not tolerate; he could not encourage such crooked practices and evil winds.
Meng Anli's mood brightened, and even the faint ache in her chest disappeared.
"There's another piece of good news," Lu Zhiyuan said mysteriously. "The Crown Prince said he wanted to weather hardship with you, that he would find a way to condense an inner core and would not break off the engagement."
Meng Anli's good mood vanished in an instant. Her face went deathly pale as she reached for her calming medicine.
Seeing her like this, Lu Yao hurriedly said to Lu Zhiyuan, "Old man, let's not talk about this for now."
She put away the Communication Mirror, handed the pill and water to her, and cursed the Crown Prince.
"Damn it, he really knows how to put on an act."
Meng Anli had just put the pill into her mouth when she heard that. Crunch. She bit the pill to pieces, and the bitterness made her little face scrunch up.
She gulped down a mouthful of water. "How could you tell he was pretending?"
She had thought A Yao was carefree and did not understand such things.
Lu Yao gently patted her back. "If he truly wanted to share hardship with you, why hadn't he come to see you after being back for so long? Why didn't he even know you had obtained the Huan Dan Grass?"
Meng Anli curled her lips. "He didn't even know I went to Beiming."
"Now everyone is standing on your side, and Meng Liangmiao is tangled up in scandal. He's afraid of being dragged down by him, so he's putting on this devoted act to fool everyone."
Lu Yao looked thoroughly disgusted. "Once you recover, we'll go break off the engagement with that rotten persimmon."
Meng Anli cradled her porcelain teacup and shook her head. "Not yet. Right now, we can barely deal with the Meng family alone. If we anger him and he joins forces with them, all of Niuyang Mountain will be implicated because of me."
Lu Yao paced several circles around the room in fury.
"Absolutely revolting!"
Meng Anli pulled her over to sit beside her. "It's all right. Take it slowly."
After all, she had been born into this life for revenge.
The moment Shaoguang returned to his residence, his expression darkened.
That useless Meng Liangmiao had forced him to pretend to be deeply devoted before everyone.
A beautiful immortal maiden approached him. Dressed in sheer gauze, she clung bonelessly to Shaoguang's arm.
"Crown Prince, are you unhappy?"
Feeling the softness against his arm, Shaoguang's expression eased slightly. He turned and gave her a pinch.
The immortal maiden let out a soft moan. "Crown Prince~"
The Crown Prince burst into laughter, wrapped an arm around her waist, and sat down beside the low table, toying with her soft, boneless little hand.
"If Meng Anli had even half of Yinyin's charm, I would not have to trouble myself so much."
Liuyin leaned languidly against his chest. "It is only that our temperaments differ. If everyone were like Yinyin, would there still be any room for Yinyin in Your Highness's eyes?"
The Crown Prince tapped her nose. "With that clever little mouth of yours, there will always be a place for you by my side."
Liuyin shyly looped her arms around his neck and nuzzled against him.
The Crown Prince's breathing grew heavy. His hand slipped into her collar, gave her a squeeze, then he breathed softly into her ear.
"Go handle something for me first."
Liuyin said softly, "Please give your orders, Crown Prince."
"Go to the storeroom and take some medicine to reward Meng Anli with."
Liuyin looked somewhat surprised. "Me?"
"I do not want to see her. I fear she will cling to me again and insist on seeing me back. Annoying."
The Crown Prince frowned, his expression arrogant. "Take the medicine and say it is from me. That alone will be enough to make her weep with gratitude."
"This servant obeys."
Liuyin rested her hand on his shoulder and sighed mournfully. "She has long found this servant displeasing. Now that I am going there, I do not know whether I will be punished."
The Crown Prince's eyes flew wide in anger. "You are my servant. How would she dare make things difficult for you?"
Seeing the beauty's brows filled with sorrow, he pinched her waist and coaxed her gently. "I know you have been wronged. When you return, I will reward you properly."
A faint blush quickly spread across Liuyin's cheeks, her eyes and brows hazy as mist and smoke. "Thank you, Your Highness~"
The Crown Prince's Adam's apple bobbed. "Little seductress, I really want to have you right this instant."
Liuyin gave a coquettish laugh and withdrew.
Before you continue