46

Until she climbed into the carriage returning to the palace, Meng Changle’s lips were still curved in a smile.

Perhaps her happiness and contentment were too obvious, even Meng Qingyue couldn’t help but notice. “Is there something making you so happy today?”

Meng Changle had no intention of telling her much, but suddenly an idea struck her. She snorted coldly and, for once, took a longer look at Meng Qingyue.

Under the moonlight, the young woman’s face was delicate and refined. Though not a peerless beauty, she possessed an otherworldly grace.

Upon closer inspection, there was indeed a certain resemblance to Qiao Xian...

Realizing this, Meng Changle’s expression darkened. Knowing that Meng Qingyue was the one truly betrothed to Prince Zhao only deepened her disdain.

“Whether I have a reason to be happy or not is none of your concern, Meng Qingyue. You will never reach the heights of my life! The man I marry will be a thousand times, no, ten thousand times better than you!”

Meng Qingyue frowned slightly, uncertain why her casual question had provoked such anger.

The rest of the journey passed in silence.

Upon arriving at the Meng residence, Meng Qingyue, holding Cui’er’s hand, felt the weariness of a day filled with lessons. She only wished to return to her room and rest.

Once inside, she changed and lay down.

The moment she touched the softness of the bed, her mind stiffened, and she let out a startled cry.

The world spun wildly as she was pushed onto the bed. Heavy breaths brushed against her neck, causing a shiver of goosebumps.

The door was hastily pushed open. Cui’er, hearing the cry, rushed in. “Miss, what’s wrong... Miss...?”

Meng Qingyue’s wrist was tightly grasped, and she struggled to utter, “I... I’m fine...”

“I just mistook a porcelain vase for a wild cat... Cui’er... you should leave now...”

Cui’er glanced toward the bed, seeing her mistress lying there as if nothing were amiss. Half convinced, she quietly withdrew.

“Meng... Meng Xingzhou... what are you doing...?”

Meng Qingyue’s teeth chattered. She could never have imagined the figure hidden beneath her bed was her usually graceful and honorable older brother!

She was his sister!

No matter his feelings or intentions, she had already refused him clearly. How could he stoop to such unscrupulous acts?

Her face paled.

But today, Meng Xingzhou seemed different.

His grip was unusually strong, and her wrist ached faintly as he tightened it. His eyes locked onto hers with an unyielding stare. “Where did you go today?”

“To the palace for lessons...”

Fearful of provoking his rage, Meng Qingyue answered cautiously.

Meng Xingzhou’s expression twisted into a sardonic smile. “Yes, you went to the palace... to marry Qiao Xian...”

...

Meng Qingyue spoke gently, “If you don’t want me to marry Qiao Xian, we can talk it out. Please get off me now... otherwise, this—”

She felt nothing but shame and utter humiliation. She had been a model of propriety since childhood, never erring, yet never imagined the day would come when her own brother would pin her down...

Unless absolutely necessary, she did not want this scandal to become public. So she pleaded softly, trying to calm him.

But Meng Xingzhou did not seem to understand her intentions. His gaze remained blank, then lowered shamelessly, roaming over her brows, eyes, lips, and chest...

His face changed. He reached out and took something from her waist.

In the moonlight, it was faintly visible—a pouch.

“Whose is this?” He clearly remembered Meng Qingyue did not have this pouch before entering the palace this morning.

Terrified, she quickly fabricated an excuse. “I found it.”

Meng Xingzhou’s anger deepened. The finely crafted pouch bore an embroidered purple python—a pattern reserved for noblemen.

This belonged to a man!

She had been to the palace today and secretly met some wild man?

“Is it Qiao Xian’s?” Meng Xingzhou’s voice was low and stormy.

Cornered, Meng Qingyue knew she could not admit it belonged to Prince Zhao. Seeing his question, she nodded. “Yes, Qiao Xian’s.”

An engagement pouch was hardly too much to hide, was it?

But Meng Qingyue had gravely underestimated Meng Xingzhou’s madness.

In the next moment, the pouch that sparked the feud was flung heavily to the ground. Before she could react, the man’s kiss descended like a storm,

Leaving marks on her temples, neck, ears—everywhere his presence was etched.

Meng Qingyue had never been so terrified in her life.

Only when the heavy breaths and a scent of alcohol filled her nostrils did she suddenly realize: “You’ve been drinking today...”

But his response was only a more fierce assault, spiced with scorn. “Isn’t this what you wanted, Meng Qingyue? You prance about all day, flirting with this man, then that man. Isn’t it because you want to be taken?”

“If you hate marriage so much, fine. I’ll grant your wish! Sleep with any man you want—why not start by sleeping with me?”

Meng Qingyue never imagined words could kill, yet each word cut her heart like a blade.

She knew the pain of unrequited love, the torment of forbidden feelings. Often, she had shown Meng Xingzhou great tolerance.

But was this how he saw her?

In his eyes, was she merely a woman for any man? He professed to love her, yet refused her the most basic respect.

For some reason, even now, she felt tears welling up.

Fortunately, in the next moment, her voice rang out resolute and fierce like thunder: “Help! Someone is assaulting me!”