C117 – The Willful Overbearing Unreasonable Rich Beauty!
Tang Yue glanced around. Zhao Sanlang had chosen this courtyard because of its cliffside location. If someone stuck their head out of the window, it would be quite a fright.
He took a step back, swallowing nervously. “Are we really going to live here?”
“Afraid?” Zhao Sanlang reclined on the bed, crossing his legs. “If you’re not comfortable, you can find another place to sleep. Many would love to cozy up to the Noble Heir.”
Ping Shun’s current appearance was a drastic change in his appearance. He had a high chance of reverting back on the path. Those who hadn’t seen him in months would hardly recognize him.
Tang Yue had recently discovered that Lord Xin Ling’s choice of courtyard friends was based on looks. Only the handsome ones had the privilege of staying with him.
Upon hearing this reason, Tang Yue was left speechless. He had lost all hope in a world that placed so much importance on appearances. No wonder he was destined to marry Crown Prince Zhao.
Ping Shun wasn’t unhappy, but he usually reserved his pride for outsiders. In the past, he had been scorned by others. Now, he could hold his head high, but in front of Tang Yue and Zhao Sanlang, he remained as meek and easy to tease as ever.
Tang Yue stood by the window, taking in the calming scenery. Below was a seemingly bottomless cliff adorned with lush vines. In the distance, a range of mountains stretched out, enveloped in wispy white clouds.
Such a scene, if captured, would earn endless praise in the modern world.
“We should stay here,” Tang Yue made the decision.
County Prince, who had silently followed them, stood beside the bed, arms crossed, silently gazing down at Zhao Sanlang.
Zhao Sanlang touched his cheek and asked, “Why is County Prince always so serious? Is he not happy?”
Their relationship was unique. Zhao Sanlang had been trying to win County Princess Huizhu’s favor by pleasing County Prince. They spent a lot of time together, and over time, this dynamic of being both friends and rivals had developed into deeper feelings.
“What does it matter if he’s happy or not?”
“When you’re happy, you should laugh. When you’re not, you should still laugh. You’ve only lived for a few decades. Why let yourself dwell in perpetual unhappiness?”
Tang Yue turned and commended Zhao Sanlang, “You’re wise. County Prince knows that the liver is one of the most vital organs in the body. It detoxifies harmful substances. If the liver is harmed, it can lead to illness.”
County Prince furrowed his brow, regarding Tang Yue with newfound interest. He asked thoughtfully, “If I learn medicine from you, can I become better at discreetly causing harm?”
Tang Yue was baffled, his forehead creased. Such a young child already thinking about ways to cause harm more efficiently? The education in the prefecture lord’s manor was certainly unconventional.
“In theory, it works that way. Once you understand a person’s vulnerabilities, you naturally know how to harm them more efficiently.”
“Then teach me!” County Prince commanded in a determined tone.
Tang Yue wore a sly grin. “Apologies, I’m tied up right now. I can’t spare the time.” After all, who would be willing to impart the art of saving lives? He had no intention of nurturing a human weapon.
County Prince remained composed upon hearing this and nodded in comprehension. He then turned to Zhao Sanlang and inquired, “I’ve heard that you wish to accompany the Crown Prince. Is that true?”
Zhao Sanlang nonchalantly shrugged. “That will depend on Your Highness’s favor.”
County Prince clenched his lips, refraining from further comments, and retreated to an adjacent room. Thereafter, he seldom ventured outside.
Tang Yue had always considered his own affable nature somewhat peculiar. Now, with a point of reference, he realized how typical and endearing he actually was.
“Has County Prince always been this enigmatic?” Tang Yue inquired.
Zhao Sanlang cautioned Tang Yue in a hushed tone, “You’re about to marry into the Crown Prince Residence. Just observe these dancers and avoid any immoral thoughts!”
Tang Yue thanked him for the advice and candidly replied, “I have no interest in women!”
Zhao Sanlang crossed his arms and eyed Tang Yue warily. “Then you mustn’t entertain any improper thoughts about me!” Otherwise, even if he had ten heads, it wouldn’t be enough to escape the Crown Prince’s wrath.
Tang Yue sneered. “Don’t flatter yourself. With Crown Prince Zhao around, I couldn’t possibly favor you.”
Tang Yue had intended to use Crown Prince Zhao as a foil for Zhao Sanlang, but he had misjudged the situation. Zhao Sanlang believed that the more Tang liked Crown Prince Zhao, the more he liked him.
“Of course, of course. Compared to His Highness, my young master is like a clump of dirt. Young Master Tang has truly impeccable taste!” Zhao Sanlang huffed and joined Ping Shun for a drink.
Tang Yue awkwardly rubbed his nose. Just as he was about to follow Zhao Sanlang, he noticed someone sitting beside him.
He turned his head to see an individual whose gender remained ambiguous, donning male attire while possessing feminine features. The initial impression was far from favorable.
“And you are...?” Tang Yue inquired directly. Numerous young masters had arrived, and it was impossible for Tang Yue to recognize them all. However, judging by their demeanor, they likely held significant status.
“You’re Tang Yue?” The other person raised their chin and surveyed Tang Yue with disdain. Their words struck like a heavy blow. “You’re truly unattractive!”
Tang Yue blinked and touched his face, then grinned.
“Indeed, my looks can’t quite compare to this...young master here. Your brows resemble mountains, your eyes mirror autumn waves, and a hint of crimson on your lips makes you quite charming!”
“Impudent!” Tang Yue turned away to evade a slap, the palm’s wind grazing his face, eliciting irritation.
“I merely offered a few compliments; why the anger?” Tang Yue raised a corner of his mouth and smiled nonchalantly. “Or perhaps, this young lady requires people to call you ugly to feel content?”
He was certain that the person beside him was a girl. Thanks to her speaking, her identity became apparent beneath the high-collared attire.
He pondered why, since arriving in this world, he hadn’t encountered any conflicts with women unrelated by blood. Why had he, for no apparent reason, drawn a woman’s attention?
Could it be that the Transmigration Physique was excessively electrifying, even arousing the ire of a female tiger?
“You certainly have a silver tongue. No wonder Crown Prince contended with Father for you!”
Tang Yue was perplexed by the girl’s statement. “Firstly, may I inquire about your father’s identity? Secondly, what do you mean by ‘contended’?”
Could it be that, over the course of two millennia, the meaning of this phrase had shifted? Otherwise, how could he fail to grasp this woman’s words?
“The spawn of a wretch! She appears so plain and unremarkable, yet she wormed her way into the royal family. I truly can’t fathom whether Crown Prince is blind!” The more the young girl spoke, the more her resentment surged. Her words grew more indignant, culminating in her pounding the table to vent her anger. If a knife were at hand, Tang Yue suspected she might stab him with it.
At this juncture, he could nearly discern the girl’s identity. However, upon closer inspection, from top to bottom, left to right, he couldn’t fathom how she merited Crown Prince Zhao, except for her face.
Scrutinizing her features, her face exuded a unique allure, a rare blend of southern charm with a hint of capriciousness. It seemed more unreasonable than Tang Ya from Yueyang Marquis’s Mansion. Put bluntly, she embodied a fair and luxurious beauty, simultaneously willful, domineering, and unreasonable.
“Haha, Princess, perhaps you should direct your inquiries to Crown Prince himself. I believe he’ll furnish you with a satisfactory response.” Tang Yue rose, flicking his sleeves, and looked down at her. “Additionally, I must correct the princess: beauty is not omnipotent. It can neither satiate hunger nor clothe you. If Her Highness weds someone as empty-headed and overbearing as yourself, she’d indeed be blind!”
“You...”
Tang Yue opted not to prolong the encounter. He turned and departed, metaphorically pulling the knife from his heart and plunging it into the back of the instigator.
He mused, “Lee Zhao didn’t feign a leg injury just to dodge a kiss. This sacrifice is truly monumental, hehe!”