No sooner had the words been spoken than Ningshuang behind Xiao Yunran raised a subtle eyebrow, anticipating Zhou Ruoxi's tearful, humiliated collapse.
Yet, nothing happened.
Zhou Ruoxi showed neither shock nor grief—she did not even lift an eyelid.
Instead, a faint, mocking smile touched her lips.
"Is Your Highness truly aware of what you are saying?"
"Ruoxi, I know this is difficult for you," Xiao Yunran replied, "but Ningshuang and I share true affection. You were the one who forced your way between us. The position of principal wife—you seized it from her."
Hearing this, Zhou Ruoxi felt nothing but disgust.
In her past life, she had been brainwashed into believing that she had indeed interfered in their love, burdened by guilt and constant compromise.
But Ningshuang was a woman from the pleasure quarters—the imperial family would never allow such a one to become a prince's consort. Had it been possible, Xiao Yunran would have married her with full ceremonial honors long ago.
Back then, Zhou Ruoxi, the legitimate daughter of the General's household, had been deeply infatuated with Xiao Yunran. The Emperor, on close terms with her father Zhou Tiancong, eventually received a personal appeal from General Zhou to arrange the marriage.
Her father, unable to withstand her pleading, reluctantly brought the matter to the throne.
The Emperor, partly to honor General Zhou's love for his daughter and partly to crush Xiao Yunran's unsuitable desire to marry Ningshuang, granted the request.
But before issuing the decree, the Emperor himself asked Xiao Yunran in the study of the palace:
Are you willing to marry her?
It was Xiao Yunran who agreed with his own words.
Not for love—but because the Zhou family's military prestige was unmatched. In the fierce struggle for the throne, Xiao Yunran needed their support.
Yet after the marriage, he feigned reluctance and bitterness, acting as though he had been forced, blaming all his dissatisfaction on her.
He wanted the power of the Zhou family, yet also wished to cling to his so-called true love.
Xiao Yunran—what a truly despicable hypocrite.