Chapter 50: Bullied?

"Qiao Qingyun, you chose to cooperate with me, so it's up to me to decide how this cooperation works."

With these words, Yuan Zaichun immediately moved to climb atop her. Qiao Qingyun was startled; seizing the moment, she rolled herself deeper into the bed.

The noise within the chamber was so loud that Qingluo became terribly worried. Staring at the door, she reached out, intending to push it open and enter.

But Liu Fu grabbed her arm. "Are you mad? This is a matter between their lordships. If you barge in, you’ll lose your head in the next moment. And then? No one could save you!"

Hearing Liu Fu's warning, Qingluo was nearly in tears. "What do you suggest then? It’s obvious the Princess Consort is unwilling. Are we supposed to just stand by and watch the Crown Prince bully her?"

"They are husband and wife. This is not something we can interfere with. Pretend you heard nothing and mind your own station!"

Liu Fu sternly stopped Qingluo, but inside the room, the struggle continued without pause.

Qiao Qingyun kept dodging, but what use was it? The bed was only so large, and Yuan Zaichun was no ordinary man—he was a practiced fighter. If he willed it, nothing could stop him.

"I advise you to behave yourself. Perhaps you'll suffer less that way."

"Do you believe your own words, Your Highness? Have you forgotten Bu Shenglian? Weren’t you always in love with her? If something happens between us, what will you do when Miss Bu returns?"

"She’s already married. Whatever happens now is only natural; I know that well enough without your reminder. But you’re married too, so you have no right to refuse."

"You—!"

Qiao Qingyun could never have imagined someone could be so shameless, especially when that person was the Crown Prince himself.

What qualifications did he have to be the heir apparent? Was it sheer shamelessness?

As she hesitated, the man suddenly dragged her onto the bed, tearing her clothing to shreds with rough hands.

"Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me!"

Qiao Qingyun, always cautious to protect herself, could not endure such treatment. Even in the modern era, she was a conservative woman, never allowing any man to touch her so easily.

"I warn you—don’t move!"

With that, Yuan Zaichun pressed down, kissing her face again and again. This woman’s presence haunted him, stirring his heart into chaos.

Even the Empress and the Princess Yongning had succumbed; he was determined to see what made Qiao Qingyun so special.

"Yuan Zaichun! Don’t touch me! If you have any backbone, divorce me!"

"Divorce you?" The man sneered coldly. "Do you think a royal marriage can be dissolved just by saying so?"

Yuan Zaichun was breathing heavily, clearly displeased with Qiao Qingyun’s resistance.

"So what do you want? I can help you with your poison, I can assist you with many things—even in concocting more poison. But you can’t do this—"

As she spoke, Qiao Qingyun began to cry helplessly, her tears soaking her cheeks. The man observed her, feeling an unfamiliar bitterness, and shot her a cold glance. "Tch, what a killjoy."

He snatched up his clothes and strode off toward his own chambers.

Qiao Qingyun clutched the quilt, wrapping herself tightly inside and refusing to come out for anything.

Qingluo entered the room as soon as the man left.

"Your Highness, Your Highness!" she called, reaching out to pull Qiao Qingyun's clothes aside, only to be stopped abruptly.

"Don’t touch me!"

Qiao Qingyun retreated two steps. "Leave me. Go outside. Let me rest alone."

Qingluo nodded, tears pooling in her eyes. If she hadn’t spoken out of turn earlier, perhaps Qiao Qingyun would not have suffered such humiliation.

If she had to blame anyone, it was herself for implicating Qiao Qingyun.

"Yes, Your Highness. I’ll leave now."

With that, Qingluo turned and exited. The earlier commotion had been loud enough that Hongying and Zhong Shi thought something serious had happened.

When they reached the front, they found Qingluo hunched over the table, sobbing.

"What’s wrong, Qingluo?" Hongying asked, puzzled.

Qingluo lifted her head, trembling all over. "Her Highness was nearly assaulted."

"Nearly assaulted? By whom?"

Qingluo explained everything that had happened. Zhong Shi, who had initially felt pleased by the incident, suddenly grew uneasy. If the palace’s ruthless schemers learned of this, they would surely trouble Qiao Qingyun.

"And how is Her Highness now?" Hongying hurriedly asked.

Qingluo shook her head. "She won’t let me in, drove me out."

"What? And you actually left?"

Hongying started toward the room, but Qingluo called her back.

"Don’t go. Her Highness is proud. How could she want anyone to see her like this? By tomorrow, things may be better."

That night was agonizing—not only for Qiao Qingyun, but also for Qingluo and the others.

Qiao Qingyun sat on the bed, not frightened by what had happened, but pondering how to prevent Yuan Zaichun from harboring such intentions toward her.

Only by protecting herself could she hope to escape unscathed.

But reality proved this was a fantasy. To walk cleanly out of such a mire? Unless something shielded her, it was impossible.

"Your Highness?"

In the morning, Qingluo put on a composed face, her eyes ringed with exhaustion, but she pretended nothing had happened and stayed by Qiao Qingyun’s side.

"Your Highness, time to rise and dress."

"Mm."

The woman said nothing more, glancing at the sheer robe beside her. Though the undergarment had been torn, she still had the robe.

"Come help me change."

She reached out, allowing Qingluo to support her.

Looking at Qingluo’s anxious face, Qiao Qingyun understood her worries. "It’s all right. I’m not about to seek death over this. I’m thinking about how to protect myself."

"Your Highness, it’s my loose tongue that brought the Crown Prince’s attention."

"So what if he heard? The facts remain the facts. No one will really come to verify anything."

"Yes, I will protect Your Highness."

Hearing this, Qiao Qingyun only nodded quietly. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to preserve herself, to at least ensure some measure of safety.