Chapter 4: She Was a Woman Who Could Not Offer Comfort

There is a certain kind of person who never quite knows how to console others, simply because she is inherently cold-hearted. When faced with someone who cannot express themselves well, she typically responds as she does now:

“Do you want to die that badly?” The woman cast a glance at Wan Qi Haoyu, who lay on the bed pretending to be dead, her tone indifferent.

“...” Wan Qi Haoyu remained silent, still unwilling to open his eyes.

Yun Qiange carefully examined the man on the bed—a habit born of her profession, where upon seeing someone, she instinctively mentally assigned them a score. His entire body was covered by a pale blue quilt, his jet-black long hair spread out, framing his snow-white neck. Moving upward, there was his face—graceful and striking like a startled swan. His facial features were excellent: sharply defined angles, a straight nose bridge, lips neither too thin nor too full.

Yun Qiange leaned in slightly and caught sight of his long, thick, dark eyelashes, so beautiful that even she, a woman, envied them. Truly a handsome man—an incarnation of Pan An himself. Not having seen his full figure yet, she assigned him an initial fifty points. Straightening up, she curled her lips slightly: “Even if you were to die, you wouldn’t want to marry me?”

His thick, dark lashes fluttered like butterfly wings a few times but still did not open. His thin lips parted slightly as he responded calmly and indifferently, “I only seek death.”

His voice was clear and cold, like droplets of water striking warm stone—resonant and precise. In this spacious room, it sounded exceptionally crisp, much like the man himself: cold, detached, and emotionless.

Yun Qiange arched her brow and added five points for his voice.

“Impudent! Who do you think you are, failing to bow before the princess and speaking to her like that? If you want to die, so be it. For the princess to have noticed you is a blessing you’ve begged for over eight lifetimes.” Xiangcao snorted coldly, defending her mistress. She had been assigned as the princess’s guard since childhood by her father. He had always said that no matter what, the princess was her lifelong charge. How could she tolerate anyone disrespecting the princess so blatantly?

The surrounding servants secretly thought that Young Master Haoyu was in for serious trouble. Everyone knew that Steward Xiangcao was fiercely loyal to the princess and always took her side. Sighing inwardly, they hoped that Young Master Haoyu would at least leave a whole corpse behind.

Sure enough, their princess spoke again.

“Why don’t you want to marry me?” The woman bent down, using her hand to lift the man’s chin. Her touch was delicate and smooth, exquisitely pleasant.

Those present dared not speak openly, but inwardly they shook their heads. Princess, aren’t you just asking for trouble? You are so stunningly beautiful that you could move heaven and earth, yet your personality is ruthless and cruel. What decent man would willingly follow you? Young Master Haoyu, don’t you dare tell the truth—otherwise, you might not survive this encounter.

“The princess is not the kind of woman Haoyu likes.”

“Then what kind of woman do you like?”

“...” The fingertips beneath the quilt trembled, and with them, his heart fluttered in response to Yun Qiange’s question. His mind involuntarily conjured the image of that extraordinary woman—Yun Xiyan. Wan Qi Haoyu whispered her name softly in his heart. In this world, only the Second Princess, so outstanding in both civil and martial talents, was a fitting match for him, someone he could truly be with. It would never be the cruel woman beside him now.

Unwilling to speak? Quite proud, then. Well, for such backbone, add another five points. Appearance fifty, voice five, character five—sixty points. Hmm, just passing. Well, the conclusion is that she did not dislike this slightly proud man.

“I heard there are over two hundred people in the Minister’s residence.” Yun Qiange’s fingers still lingered, gently stroking Wan Qi Haoyu’s chin. She quite enjoyed teasing handsome men, especially those with distinct personalities.