Nonsense! She’s Not a Bad Woman! - Chapter 59

Their eyes met, and an aura of danger crackled through the air.

He Zhiyu’s long, commanding hand gripped the carriage wall, his pale fingertips taut. The gentle, jade-like expression he usually wore was gone, replaced by a chilling frost.

Both princes had grown up in the palace, yet their relationship had never been harmonious. Due to the tension between the Empress and the Noble Consort, they barely knew each other and spoke only a few words at a time.

Being born into royalty meant there was no brotherly camaraderie—only the constant struggle for the throne.

Moreover, the Noble Consort’s family had committed a grave mistake, exposed by the Empress’s family. The two princes were effectively enemies.

If He Yanli had a proper, restrained nature, he might have offered He Yanwu face in public.

But he didn’t.

Reckless, unrestrained, and completely without regard—only Qiao Wanyan had ever been able to keep him in check. Now, no one could.

The Mingyue Pavilion’s steward was so terrified he dared not even breathe. He wanted to rush forward to close the main door.

Let the other guests inside enjoy their meals quietly. Don’t let them watch the drama for too long and become a target for these two golden, noble princes.

But he dared not move. Prince Jing hadn’t even stepped out yet.

He Zhiyu’s voice, cold as ice, carried out from the carriage, even-tempered yet piercing.

“What she does… has nothing to do with you.”

He Zhiyu’s tone remained calm, unruffled. “If someone is abandoned, they should know their place. Otherwise, they will only make themselves more detestable.”

Outside the carriage, Jing Yuan sucked in a breath, glancing toward Prince Jing.

Those words… struck straight at the heart.

He Yanli’s brow lifted slightly, his voice laced with teasing mockery. “When it comes to knowing one’s place, I certainly fall short of my brother. Slinking away quietly to avoid disturbing someone’s lunch, sitting coldly in the carriage waiting for them to come out… Such self-restraint! I must learn from my brother.”

He Zhiyu’s face remained calm, but the surrounding air seemed to darken noticeably.

He knew that Qiao Wanyan had just gone up to the third floor.

Moxiao, standing by He Yanli, lifted the corner of his mouth in quiet pride. “Well said, my lord!”

He glanced at Jing Yuan beside the carriage and gave him a look that said, Your master isn’t as formidable as mine.

Jing Yuan frowned. You little… showing off for what?

He then turned to his own prince, eyes full of urgency. Your Highness, keep going! Say more!

Qiao Wanyan had no desire to play peacemaker. All she wanted was the title of Crown Princess. By logic, she should have sided with the Crown Prince.

But… who could resist watching the thrilling clash between the Crown Prince and Prince Jing?

It was entertaining, mesmerizing… she wanted more!

Ziyuan watched her young mistress, eyes sparkling. She wanted to grab a chair for her to sit, some melon seeds and sweets for her to snack on…

But if she did, the two princes would surely turn their attention to the young mistress.

“Qiao Wanyan, come speak properly with my brother. Do you want to get into that carriage?”

Before Qiao Wanyan could respond, He Zhiyu spoke first. “A gentleman is cautious even in solitude, upright even in secret. Why bully and coerce a weak girl?”

He Yanli clicked his tongue softly. “And if I do bully her… so what?”

Moxiao nodded in silent agreement. He remembered that night when Prince Jing had returned from Qiao Mansion and locked himself alone in the study, forbidding anyone to enter.

Something felt off. That night, for some reason, his nose had detected a faint metallic scent… blood.

Daring to step into the study, he had witnessed the prince slashing his wrist—blood flowing in a shocking crimson tide.

The entire Imperial Hospital had gathered there. The head royal physician said that if they had been a moment later, the prince would have bled out completely.

After that, the prince retreated to the monastery to cultivate in seclusion, his entire being like a walking corpse, drained of vitality. Countless nights, he had nearly not survived.

How he endured those four years, only he knew.

The prince who once had clean hands, untarnished by life’s cruelty, had become a god of death, stained with the blood of men.

A little bullying now? What’s that to him? Back in Beiming City, his methods were far crueler, far bloodier—and he hadn’t even turned them on the Second Miss of the Qiao family yet.

“I will not allow you to torment her unchecked.”

He Yanli sneered coldly. “And in what capacity does your brother protect her? If memory serves me right, it’s practically common knowledge throughout the capital that your brother’s affections lie with that illegitimate daughter of the Qiao family, isn’t it?”

He Zhiyu fell silent for a moment. “Wanyan is my lifesaver. Protecting her is only natural.”

At those words, a dark gleam flashed in He Yanli’s eyes.

He swept a glance over Qiao Wanyan.

Lifesaver, huh?

How noble.

Feeling the gaze fall squarely upon her, Qiao Wanyan’s faint smile vanished instantly.

What’s going on? Why aren’t they arguing anymore?

“Wanyan, I’ll take you back. Get in the carriage.”

Qiao Wanyan didn’t respond. Earlier, at the palace, he had deliberately ignored her over a misunderstanding. And now… he gave her such a light, casual expression of goodwill? If this continued, would he come to see her as easy to handle—like Qiao Yihuan, whom he could placate with a simple smile or a small concession?

Thinking in reverse, a person like that was not someone to be taken to heart.

“I can manage the carriage myself. No need for Your Highness to trouble himself,” she said in a cool, measured voice.

He Zhiyu frowned slightly, recognizing she was still upset.

As the carriage rolled away, Ziyuan finally could not hold back. “Miss, that was too thrilling! I actually saw it with my own eyes! It was more exciting than any storybook!”

She could neither read nor had she ever seen storybooks, but when her mistress was in a good mood, she would tell her the tales.

Yet none had ever matched what had just unfolded.

When Qiao Wanyan returned to the mansion, she learned that Liu Yanran—who was supposed to be in Yongzhou—had arrived, and her target was Qiao Yihuan. She was already staying at the Mingxiang Pavilion.

“What kind of half-baked person dares to stay in our mansion?!” Ziyuan said, ready to march over to drive the doctor girl out.

Qiao Wanyan paid no mind. She made no move to stop her, simply picking up and admiring some hairpins and rings recently delivered by the Jin family.

“And Yao Yao?”

A maid replied respectfully, “Miss, Miss Yun has eaten all the pastries and sweet soup that you had prepared for her. She overate and is now complaining of a stomach ache. I sent for the doctor, who prescribed two doses of medicine. Miss Yun hasn’t come out of the latrine since.”

Qiao Wanyan frowned. “Hasn’t come out?”

The maid nodded. “She went back and forth a few times, and then finally just stayed in.”

Qiao Wanyan: “………”

Like a newborn puppy… unable to exercise any self-restraint, she had to eat everything she saw.