PNB Chapter 544: Letting Go and Finding Liberation?
Chapter 544: Letting Go and Finding Liberation?
Mu Wanyun's face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe tomato. She never expected Fang Xiaoxiao to dare to talk back like that. Her eyes burned with anger as she shrieked, "You're nothing but a lowly woman abandoned by His Highness the Crown Prince. What right do you have to spout nonsense here?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince is about to marry me. I am the future mistress of this Eastern Palace. You are nothing but a worthless loser!"
Fang Xiaoxiao's lips curled into an extremely mocking smile, like a rose with thorns. She spoke slowly and deliberately, each word like a knife: "Loser? Miss Mu, you can't even keep your own husband's true heart. You rely on nothing more than the power of your family and the shackles of your parents' orders. Isn't this the most pathetic and utter failure in the world?"
Even if Pei Yan marries you, so what? His heart will always belong to someone else. You are nothing but an empty shell, a pitiful and laughable substitute.
Your current situation is like trying to fill a basket with water—all for naught. You may seem to have gained the position of Crown Princess, but in reality, you have nothing; it's all just a mirage.
Mu Wanyun trembled violently with rage, her finger pointing at Fang Xiaoxiao shaking uncontrollably, her voice sharp as a broken gong: "You...you're talking nonsense! His Highness the Crown Prince is deeply in love with me, you're just jealous of me, jealous that I can become the Crown Princess, while you can only be abandoned!"
Fang Xiaoxiao sneered, like a lioness poised to pounce, she took a step forward and confronted Mu Wanyun, her eyes blazing, and said, word by word, "Jealousy? How could I be jealous of a good-for-nothing who relies on family protection, is ignorant and has no real talent?"
You think becoming the Crown Princess means you have the whole world? You can't even get the most basic respect and love. This status is nothing but a magnificent prison. What is there to be proud of? Look at yourself, what can you do besides attack others with vicious words?
"You dare compare yourself to me? You're like a 'sack embroidering—poorly made,' a vulgar beauty with only a gorgeous exterior, but rotten inside, utterly despicable!"
Mu Wanyun was speechless after being silenced by Fang Xiaoxiao's words. A hint of panic and helplessness flashed in her eyes, but she still pretended to be calm and said with her neck stiff, "You are just being sarcastic. Do you think you can change anything? His Highness the Crown Prince has already decided to marry me. No matter how much you struggle, it will be in vain!"
Fang Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze full of disdain, like a sharp blade, and said coldly, "I never thought of changing anything. I just can't stand your ugly appearance of being a petty person who has achieved success and a fox borrowing the tiger's power."
Remember this: what you gain through dishonest means is ultimately fleeting and impermanent. At least I once possessed Pei Yan's true heart—something you'll never achieve.
Your current smugness is nothing but a fleeting moment; those who do many evil deeds will surely perish, and sooner or later you will reap the consequences of your actions!
After saying that, Fang Xiaoxiao ignored Mu Wanyun's face, which was twisted with anger, and turned to look at Pei Yan, who had been silent all along. A resolute and determined look flashed in her eyes. "Pei Yan, I'm here today to put an end to things between us. From now on, we are completely cut off from each other and have nothing to do with each other anymore."
After saying that, Fang Xiaoxiao threw the token at Pei Yan's feet, turned around, and walked out of the back garden with her head held high and her steps firm. Mu Wanyun was left standing there, furious. Pei Yan watched her departing figure, a complex and unreadable emotion flashing in his eyes.
Fang Xiaoxiao stepped out of the tall, heavy vermilion palace gates. The sunlight shone down on her, but it did not bring her any warmth.
A few sparse white clouds drifted across the sky, seemingly blown about by the wind, moving slowly across the azure backdrop.
The bluestone road outside the palace gate was wide and flat, with a cool luster. Few people walked on the road. Occasionally, officials in official robes would pass by on horseback or in a magnificent carriage. They had serious expressions and looked straight ahead, as if the troubles of the world had nothing to do with them.
On either side of the palace gate stood neatly trimmed pines and cypresses, evergreen throughout the year, yet at this moment they exuded a solemn and oppressive aura.
In the shade under the tree, several sparrows chirped and hopped on the ground for food. Occasionally, they were startled by passersby or horses and fluttered their wings to fly away into the distance.
The palace walls stretched endlessly in the distance, their red walls and yellow tiles gleaming dazzlingly in the sunlight. The light reflected from the glazed tiles atop the walls was so bright it hurt the eyes.
In the corner, some unnamed wildflowers grew, swaying gently in the breeze, but they could not add any vitality to the somewhat desolate atmosphere.
Just then, an urgent call came.
Fang Xiaoxiao slowly turned her head, her eyes still somewhat dazed, and saw Princess Li Wan'er rushing towards her in a hurry.
Li Wan'er's hair was a little messy, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, indicating that she had run all the way here.
Fang Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes, and subconsciously followed Li Wan'er's footsteps.
When Li Wan'er ran up to her, hands on her knees, panting heavily, Fang Xiaoxiao bent down slightly, her eyes showing concern, and asked softly, "Wan'er, what's the matter that's causing you such a rush?" Her voice was gentle, with a hint of hoarseness from exhaustion.
Li Wan'er raised her head, her gaze searching Fang Xiaoxiao's face, as if trying to discern something from her expression.
She opened her mouth, but then fell silent. She simply gripped Fang Xiaoxiao's hand tightly, as if afraid that Fang Xiaoxiao might suddenly disappear.
Fang Xiaoxiao felt the warmth of Li Wan'er's palm and the tight grip, and her heart stirred slightly. She gently squeezed Li Wan'er's hand back, a slight smile appearing on her lips, a pale yet reassuring one, and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine." As she spoke, she straightened up, took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling slightly, her eyes revealing a calm and resolute feeling of having survived a close call.
Li Wan'er stared at Fang Xiaoxiao, her eyes filled with worry and concern, carefully observing her expression, trying to find a trace of vulnerability in her demeanor.
Seeing that Fang Xiaoxiao looked calm, although she was still a little haggard, she did not appear to be on the verge of collapse as expected. Li Wan'er breathed a slight sigh of relief, but still did not let go of Fang Xiaoxiao's hand.
Fang Xiaoxiao tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with doubt and inquiry, waiting for Li Wan'er to speak. Li Wan'er bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and finally mustered up her courage to ask, "Xiaoxiao, did you go to see Pei Yan?"
When Fang Xiaoxiao heard Pei Yan's name, a barely perceptible dimming flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
She nodded gently, meeting Li Wan'er's gaze with composure, and said in a calm yet firm voice, "Yes, I went to him and put an end to it. From now on, I will never be sad or shed tears for him again." With that, she slightly raised her chin, her eyes revealing a resolute determination to regain control of her own destiny.