[012] Favored
The four of them stood outside the bedroom door, listening to the continuous sound of loveâs melody from within. Bitter smiles appeared on their faces.
In those smiles were complex feelings toward the Crown Princess, envy of Bei Mingye, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness and self-mockery.
They knew that in this contest, they had already lostâcompletely and utterly.
Yet, they were unwilling to accept defeat. They would keep trying, hoping the Crown Princess would accept them once more.
At that moment, inside the room, passion and intimacy blossomed, while outside, a cold chill cut to the bone.
Li Luoluo gradually sank into the gentle trap that Bei Mingye had set for her, rising to the clouds with him one moment and plunging into the abyss the nextâŚ
The fire of jealousy roared in Hua Qingchengâs heart; he simply could not endure seeing Bei Mingye so favored.
The Crown Princessâs favor toward Bei Mingye filled him with envy and jealousy.
Watching Bei Mingye boldly enter the Crown Princessâs bedchamber and become her first âbeastly husband,â Hua Qingcheng felt a sharp pain pierce his heart.
His enchanting fox-like eyes swept mercilessly across Tuoba Jinghao, Huo Sianian, and Zhonghua, as if trying to see right through them.
Then, with a cold snort, he turned and strode away, leaving behind a back filled with anger and resolution.
âKeep eavesdropping all you want!â
Hua Qingchengâs voice carried a hint of disdain and irritation. âI donât have time to entertain you!â
âIâm going to prepare delicious snacks and fine fruit wine for His Highness.â
He spoke while quickening his pace, seemingly wanting to escape this place that tormented his mind.
As he turned, an uncontrollable impulse surged within himâhe truly wanted to kick down the newly installed door of the bedchamber!
That door was like an insurmountable barrier, separating him from the Crown Princess.
Yet Bei Mingye could cross it effortlessly and enter her world.
Hua Qingcheng felt like an abandoned manâlonely and helpless.
Tuoba Jinghaoâs face was as calm as still water, his sharp brows slightly raised. His steps were swift and ghostlike, and in a blink, he stood before the bedchamber door.
Without hesitation, he reached out and firmly closed the heavy door, as if sealing all the passionate scenes within, forever.
âWhat are you all standing there for?â
Tuoba Jinghaoâs voice was low and powerful, with a faint, almost imperceptible trace of annoyance.
His gaze swept over Huo Sianian and Zhonghua, and his voice carried a cold edge: âWeâre going to prepare food for His Highnessâwhy are we just standing here?â
His words were like a bucket of cold water, waking Huo Sianian and Zhonghua, who immediately nodded repeatedly.
Only Tuoba Jinghao knew that the bitterness in his heart surged like a tidal wave, almost overwhelming him.
He suddenly realized that compared to Li Luoluo, Li Yaoyao was nothing more than a ridiculous joke.
Li Yaoyaoâs scheming and malice seemed laughable at this moment.
Li Luoluo, the seemingly spoiled and capricious Crown Princess, had effortlessly played them all like pawns.
Tuoba Jinghaoâs fists clenched involuntarily, nails digging deep into his palms, sending waves of pain through him.
He took a deep breath, struggling to calm the turbulence in his heart, then turned and strode out of Xiaoyao Palace.
The attendants were left puzzledâwhy werenât these individuals causing trouble tonight?
They recalled how in the past, they had provoked the Crown Princess in various ways, only to be whipped mercilessly by her thorned whip, their flesh torn and bleeding.
The attendants shivered violently, recalling the horrific scenesâit had truly been dreadful.
Meanwhile, Li Yaoyaoâs face was red with fury, her body trembling with anger. She raised her hand with all her strength, ready to strike the one who had taken her away.
But just as her palm was about to fall, she frozeâbefore her stood her father!
âFather???â
Li Yaoyaoâs eyes widened in disbelief.
âHow could it be you? Why did you take me away?â
Her voice was full of shock and confusion, as if this entire situation had exceeded her understanding.
Chen Lie looked at her impassively and let out a barely audible sigh: âYaor, Li Luoluo is very different from before.â
âEven the Empress wanted to give up on her, but her performance today made the Empress see her in a new light.â
âEven knowing there are hidden circumstances, she chose to protect her.â
âFather has been with the Empress for yearsâhe understands her better than you do.â
âYaor, sometimes, a momentâs patience prevents a major blunder. Do you understand what Father means?â
Seeing his only daughter so arrogant, he regretted spoiling her so much over the years, allowing her to grow up with such a temperament.
âLi Luoluo has committed countless wrongsâshe doesnât deserve to be the Crown Princess of the Blue Star Empire.â
Li Yaoyao could not accept the fact that her father would stand on Li Luoluoâs side instead of hers, his own daughter.
âNo! Impossible!â
Li Yaoyao screamed hysterically, her voice echoing in the air, full of despair and anger.
âFather, how can you say that? Li Luoluo is the vile oneâshe has always been plotting against me!â
âNow is the perfect time to ruin her, so why do you hesitate?â
âAre you only concerned with gaining the Empressâs favor, ignoring the life of your own daughter?â
Her tears gushed like a breaking dam, streaming down her cheeks. Her body trembled with emotion, on the verge of collapse.
Chen Lie could hardly believe his ears. He had devoted himself entirely to pleasing the Empress, even lowering his pride and dignity, all to help Li Yaoyao ascend to the throne as Crown Princess.
Yet she showed no gratitude. Instead, she misinterpreted and misunderstood him so gravely.
His heart felt pierced by thousands of needles, the pain nearly unbearable.
Every day, he faced the formidable Empress, endured her demands and pressures, and all his efforts to flatter and please her now seemed like a cruel joke.
âYaor, in your heartâŚâ
âDo you think Father is such a despicable, shameless, and unscrupulous man?â
His voice trembled with extreme pain, each word forced out as if from the depths of his broken heart.
âNo, Father⌠Iâm sorry, Iâm sorry, Iâm sorry. I was too impatient.â
âBut where are the Grand General and the Marshal? What happened to them?â
âWasnât today supposed to be the day to impeach Li Luoluo, to reveal her true nature to the Empress and depose her as Crown Princess?â
âWhy did they suddenly leave? What happened?â
Li Yaoyao knew she could not act without her fatherâs support, yet so many unexpected events had occurred tonight. She desperately wanted to know what had truly happenedâwhat had made the Grand General and the Marshal leave the palace in such a hurry.
