"Su Qianmo, you've finally arrived. I've been waiting for ages!"
Murong Haoyue looked at Su Qianmo with doting affection.
"Oh?"
Su Qianmo raised an eyebrow indifferently. "In that case, shouldn't you show some appreciation?"
"Appreciation for what?"
"I'm going to the engagement ceremony of Su Wanting and Li Xuanhao. Will you accompany me?"
Su Qianmo blinked her big, watery eyes, looking at Murong Haoyue with feigned innocence.
"You want this prince to act as your escort?"
Murong Haoyue raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"Uh-huh, any problem with that? We're engaged, aren't we!"
Su Qianmo deliberately put on a nonchalant act.
Upon hearing this, Murong Haoyue's expression shifted drastically, his eyes instantly turning cold.
He stared at Su Qianmo, his voice chilling, "Su Qianmo, don't think that by doing this, you can escape my grasp!"
Su Qianmo pouted. "You think I'd escape your grasp? Let me tell you, you're overthinking it. I simply want a shield."
A shield?
Murong Haoyue sneered, "You think this prince would be used as a shield by you?"
"What do you want? Do you intend to do something to me?"
Su Qianmo retorted with disdain.
Murong Haoyue narrowed his eyes. "This prince is rather curious to find out!"
As the words fell, he suddenly grabbed Su Qianmo's slender neck and lifted her off the ground.
Su Qianmo felt her breath being choked, her feet leaving the floor. She struggled desperately.
"Murong Haoyue, what are you doing? Let her go!"
A guard beside Murong Haoyue shouted.
The moment the guard finished speaking, Su Qianmo exerted her strength.
She sharply kicked Murong Haoyue in the groin.
Murong Haoyue grunted and released Su Qianmo.
Su Qianmo immediately sprang away from Murong Haoyue and retreated a few steps.
"Murong Haoyue, you dare lay a hand on me? Believe it or not, I'll have my brother cripple you!"
Su Qianmo accused him indignantly.
"Su Qianmo, what right do you have to threaten this prince?"
Murong Haoyue snorted coldly.
"My brother might not be able to do anything to you, but don't forget, you are the daughter of the Su family. Your life is not entirely your own."
Saying that, Su Qianmo drew her soft sword from her waist, preparing to duel Murong Haoyue.
"You all can withdraw. This prince wishes to speak with the Second Miss Su alone."
Murong Haoyue said to the servants behind him.
The servants immediately bowed and retreated.
"What do you want?"
Su Qianmo glared at him warily.
"This prince wants you to be his side consort."
"Dream on!"
Su Qianmo spat out the two words without mercy.
"Su Qianmo! You are truly too arrogant!"
Murong Haoyue looked at her coldly. "You refuse to appreciate a good offer!"
"Murong Haoyue, do you think you're worthy of receiving a curtsy from me?"
Su Qianmo frowned unhappily.
She had never bowed to anyone before. Who was Murong Haoyue to demand such a thing?
"Fine! This prince remembers this."
Murong Haoyue glared fiercely at Su Qianmo.
He was determined to find a way to get this Second Miss Su into his bed and then torment her thoroughly!
Seeing him about to leave, Su Qianmo quickly called out, "Wait! Murong Haoyue, if you don't give me an explanation today, you won't be stepping out of the Su manor!"
Murong Haoyue paused and turned back, looking at Su Qianmo coldly.
"Su Qianmo, do you really think you are the Second Miss of the Su family now?"
"So what?"
Su Qianmo tilted her chin up, looking at him proudly. "Am I no longer allowed to be the Second Miss of the Su family?"
"Su Qianmo, are you insulting your parents?"
"Heh. And how much more noble do you think you are than them?"
Su Qianmo sneered.
"Murong Haoyue, don't forget, I am the legitimate eldest daughter of the Su family! And you? You are merely born of a concubine! What right do you have to lecture me?"
"You..."
Murong Haoyue gritted his teeth in anger. He, a son of a concubine, was being lectured by a legitimate daughter.
Seeing his reaction, Su Qianmo let out a cold laugh and turned away, ignoring him.
Seeing this, Murong Haoyue flicked his sleeves angrily and turned to leave.
"Second Miss Su, you are truly formidable."
As soon as Murong Haoyue left, Zhao Wenjun approached Su Qianmo, praising her.
"What does Miss Zhao mean by that?"
Su Qianmo looked at her.
"Second Miss Su, I overheard you telling the prince earlier that you would be hosting a banquet at the Su manor to welcome the Third Young Master. I presume you are very fond of the Third Young Master? After all, the Third Young Master is the renowned dissolute prince of Southern Yue!"
Zhao Wenjun looked at Su Qianmo with a suggestive gaze, her eyes filled with envy and jealousy.
"You're overthinking it."
Su Qianmo glanced at her indifferently.
Zhao Wenjun was taken aback.
She hadn't expected Su Qianmo to be so dismissive.
"Second Miss Su, don't deny it."
Zhao Wenjun smiled. "Who in our Southern Yue doesn't know that the Third Young Master is a notorious playboy? He has a particular fondness for women from the brothels. His bedroom antics must be quite exciting. You must enjoy them, mustn't you?"
"Zhao Wenjun, I think you've lived long enough."
Su Qianmo narrowed her eyes.
"Su Qianmo, I'm just speaking the truth. Not only do you like men, but you even like to toy with them. How depraved! Do your parents know about this?"
"My affairs are none of your business!"
Su Qianmo snorted coldly.
"Second Miss Su needn't be so angry. I was merely showing my concern."
"Concern?"
Su Qianmo sneered. "Miss Zhao, you've got it all wrong. I don't need your concern. You're merely leveraging your brother's influence in the court to throw your weight around at the Su family."
"Su Qianmo, don't push it too far!"
"So many of you surrounding one woman. If this gets out, won't it become a laughingstock?"
Murong Haoyue walked into the hall with a cold laugh.
"Su Qianmo, tonight you won't escape this prince's clutches!"
Su Qianmo glanced at Murong Haoyue with a cold gaze.
"Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
"However..."
Su Qianmo's tone shifted.
"If you are willing to kowtow to me nine hundred and ninety-nine times, perhaps I'll consider it."
"Second Miss Su, please conduct yourself with dignity."
Murong Haoyue's face turned cold.
"Hmph! Dignity? I think it's you who wants dignity! Don't forget, your legs are crippled! You're a cripple. What right do you have to demand I bow to you?"
Su Qianmo looked at Murong Haoyue mockingly.
"Su Qianmo, it's not that this prince looks down on you, but you're a mere nobody. It's normal for this prince not to fancy you!"
"Is that so? Then kneel down!"
Su Qianmo curled her lips. "If you're willing to kneel and beg me, I might consider bowing to you!"
"Never!"
Murong Haoyue shouted coldly.
"Since you're unwilling, I'll have to have someone escort you out!"
Saying that, Su Qianmo signaled her maid to step forward and usher Murong Haoyue out.
After Murong Haoyue left, Su Qianmo instructed the maid to close the door.
"Second Miss, what are we going to do?"
Qiuyue looked at Su Qianmo worriedly.
"It's fine. If he wants to wait here for me, then let him wait."
Su Qianmo appeared indifferent.
She wanted to see how long Murong Haoyue could hold out.
Su Qianmo waited until nightfall.
Murong Haoyue had still not left.
Su Qianmo couldn't help but frown.
Was he playing hard to get?
Damn it!
However, she wasn't a girl who could be easily dismissed!
"Qiuyue, help me get ready."
Su Qianmo stood up and instructed Qiuyue.
Upon hearing this, Qiuyue hurried to prepare bathing supplies.