If it wasn't a sure thing, would there be such a grand display to pave the way?
Seeing Yun Shu's annoyed expression, Zhan Tianye immediately said, "My heart belongs only to you."
If these words came from any other man, they would surely be sweet talk not to be taken seriously. But coming from Zhan Tianye, they were a promise, a promise he would absolutely never break.
Yun Shu propped her hands on the table and smiled at him, "I know. That's why, from the moment I heard the news, I never doubted whether you had me in your heart."
Zhan Tianye gazed at her radiant, world-toppling beauty, his throat constricted. He directly reached out, cupped her head, and pressed his lips onto hers.
Yun Shu hadn't expected to be so brazenly kissed. "You!"
Before she could even utter the word "you," he swallowed it whole.
What followed was no room for mischief or words.
Acha, carrying tea and snacks, walked over. Just as she was about to speak, she saw the scene unfolding before her, her face instantly flushing. She quickly turned away.
She was always by her mistress's side and knew the affection between Prince Ye and her mistress. Therefore, no matter what outsiders said, she believed they were simply jealous of the mistress and Prince Ye's happiness.
And they were not going to get their way.
Her mistress and Prince Ye were doing just fine! Whatever princess from Western Xia, whoever she was, should just leave and not try to ruin their relationship!
The rumors outside were outrageous!
Hmph, she wanted to see what kind of person this Western Xia princess was, to be able to stir up so many rumors before even reaching the capital.
Meanwhile.
Outside the capital, at a cooling tea stall.
People came and went, mostly merchants.
Most travelers would stop at cooling tea stalls to rest, have a cup of tea, and then continue their journey.
Suddenly, a group of people appeared at the cooling tea stall.
They filled the entire stall.
Among this group was a woman of unparalleled beauty, an ostentatious beauty.
She sat there motionlessly, with people meticulously serving her.
The owner, seeing this, immediately understood. This young lady must be of extremely noble birth, and her escorts all looked like extraordinary individuals.
The woman looked at those serving her with arrogance.
She narrowed her eyes coldly and asked in a chilling voice, "Is this the news you just got from the capital?"
"Yes, Your Highness, Princess," the man dared not even raise his head.
But that didn't stop a swift slap from landing on his face. "Useless! Didn't you go to the capital to spread the word that this princess is the most beautiful woman in Western Xia? That Yun Shu is just a general's daughter, daring to compare herself to me?"
The man didn't dare to cover his face, instead looking at the Western Xia princess with extreme fear. "Your subordinate, your subordinate has already spread rumors in the capital. All the streets and alleys are now saying the princess far surpasses Yun Shu, but... but for some reason, no one from Prince Ye's mansion has come to inquire about the princess."
Princess Shengyue of Western Xia snorted, "They haven't inquired about me?"
"Yes, and there's also a rumor circulating that Prince Ye would absolutely not agree to a marriage alliance. Because Prince Ye only has eyes for Yun Shu. Princess, perhaps you should consider someone else? The more one understands Prince Ye, the more unfathomable he seems, not someone easy to control," the man advised earnestly. xxs壹贰
The man had initially thought his persuasion would show his loyalty to Princess Shengyue. Instead, Princess Shengyue kicked him, sending him kneeling onto the ground, his back pressed against her foot.
Princess Shengyue berated, "I've rarely taken a liking to someone, and you're asking me to switch? Do you know what you're saying? I said that Yun Shu is of humble status. For me to let her be a mere concubine would be my bestowed favor. How dare she compete with me for a man? Is she seeking death?"
Large drops of sweat rolled down the man's forehead.
He replied with his head pressed to the ground in panic, "Yes, yes, Your Highness. That Yun Shu is merely an ant on the ground. You can trample her however you wish, Princess. If you spare her life, she should be eternally grateful! She doesn't deserve to compete with you for Prince Ye."
The others nearby also chimed in with their agreement.
"The reason Prince Ye isn't sending people to inquire about the princess yet is because he hasn't seen her, hasn't realized how stunning and heavenly beautiful the princess is. That Yun Shu will surely feel ashamed of herself, perhaps even leave out of sheer inferiority."
"Yes, it's all because Prince Ye hasn't seen the princess. Once we enter the capital, everything will become clear!"
"I can't wait to see how shocked everyone in the capital will be when they see the princess."
Listening to the flattery from those around her, Princess Shengyue's expression improved. She sneered, "You've said something right. That Yun Shu will one day only have the chance to beg for mercy at my feet. Any man I desire, I have never failed to make him devoted to me. It just so happens that I will enter the capital and have a good look at this Prince Ye, to see what kind of person he is that my father and brothers fear."
Once she had tamed Prince Ye and brought him back to Western Xia, her father and brothers would surely regard her with new eyes!
At this very moment, Princess Shengyue was brimming with confidence.
She never considered what would happen if she failed.
Perhaps, she simply never considered failure.
She picked up a cup, taking a sip of the cooling tea.
She spat it out immediately.
"What a strange taste! The food in Dongning country is truly awful. Even the tea is so unpleasant!"
Princess Shengyue threw the teacup to the ground, looking with disdain at the small cooling tea stall. She stood up and commanded her servants, "Let's go. We're heading to the capital now."
"Yes!"
The group left as soon as they decided.
They didn't even consider compensating the owner of the cooling tea stall for the broken cup.
The owner of the cooling tea stall hid nearby, watching them cautiously.
He looked heartbrokenly at the shattered teacup on the ground.
He could only timidly watch the group depart.
They were clearly troublemaking nobles, and he dared not provoke them.
Just then, a man in plain clothes emerged from the side. He glanced at the departing group, then turned to the owner of the cooling tea stall and placed a few copper coins on the table.
The owner's eyes widened at the man's action.
"This is..."
The man said faintly, "Take it."
Then, he headed towards the group.
His figure quickly disappeared into the shadows.
By the time night fell.
The man arrived at Prince Ye's mansion.
Upon reaching Prince Ye's mansion, he ripped off his disguise and exclaimed, "Prince Ye, you have to give me more silver notes this time! I've uncovered another significant piece of information!"