Chapter 39: Disdain

"What is happening here?"

A male voice suddenly rang out behind Tang Chaochao. The crowd turned to look. The person who had arrived was none other than the Crown Prince, Murong Bo. Murong Bo knew that Tang Chaochao was attending the snow-viewing banquet prepared by Consort Jing today, so he had rushed over as well. However, because the palace attendants at the entrance were all kneeling on the ground, no one had noticed his arrival. Seeing a crowd gathered at the entrance, Crown Prince Murong Bo asked his question.

Tang Yuntao, who had been shrinking back into the crowd, saw the Crown Prince. Her face, which had been sullen and unsightly because Tang Chaochao had not been humiliated, immediately lit up with a bashful, shy expression as she caught the Prince's gaze.

The moment Tang Chaochao turned around, Murong Bo froze. He blurted out, "Who are you?"

Murong Bo was no fool; seeing Tang Chaochao's face, he already had his suspicions. He couldn't help but glance toward Tang Yuntao again. Could it be that he had made a preconceived mistake? He had suspected as much before; he had always assumed Tang Yuntao was Tang Chaochao. In his interactions with Tang Yuntao, he had never discovered that she was the type of person capable of kidnapping the Prime Minister’s daughter. But at the time, Murong Bo had simply thought that, since Tang Chaochao was a woman, she would surely be compliant, gentle, and considerate toward the one she loved. Therefore, he hadn't given it much thought and had never sent anyone to investigate Tang Chaochao. That was how such a massive blunder had occurred.

However, once he realized he had been deceived, Murong Bo’s face darkened, and he refused to look at Tang Yuntao again. Tang Yuntao, who had been casting flirtatious glances for some time, felt a sense of crisis when the Crown Prince suddenly stopped looking at her.

Before Tang Chaochao could answer the Prince's question, Xie Tingyao stepped forward first. "Crown Prince brother, you’ve arrived!"

Her sudden display of gentleness and soft-spoken manner gave Tang Chaochao goosebumps. Strictly speaking, it was barely acceptable for Xie Tingyao to address him as "Crown Prince brother," but looking at the adoring expression on her face, Tang Chaochao could tell exactly what was going on. A thousand questions flashed through her mind. Logically, Xie Tingyao’s cousin was the Third Prince, Murong Si. The Xie family should never agree to let Xie Tingyao marry the Crown Prince. Yet, Xie Tingyao’s behavior was far too obvious. It was clear that the waters here ran very deep.

Murong Bo ignored Xie Tingyao and looked at Tang Chaochao again, asking, "Are you the second daughter of General Tang’s household? Princess Zhaonan?"

Although Tang Chaochao’s face already made everything clear, the Crown Prince still had to ask. Tang Chaochao did not bow, only replying, "Yes."

Crown Prince Murong Bo’s heart plummeted to the depths. Before he could react, another voice sounded from behind him. "Oh? It is quite lively here!"

When Liu Rulan saw the newcomer, her eyes instantly reddened, and tears began to stream down her face. The Third Prince, Murong Si, asked with curiosity, "What happened to Miss Liu’s face? Why is she crying so bitterly?"

Liu Rulan bit her lip, putting on the appearance of someone who had been bullied but was too resilient to speak of it. Tang Chaochao could not be bothered to continue this farce. The people had been dealt with, and the matter was clear; there should be nothing left for her to do here.

Crown Prince Murong Bo watched the person suddenly walking away, wanting to call out to her, but Xie Tingyao was still prattling on in his ear. "Crown Prince brother, it was just a small misunderstanding earlier. I haven't seen you for many days, and I don't know what you've been busy with. Why don't you tell me, Crown Prince brother?"

Seeing this, the Third Prince, Murong Si, curled his lips into a smile. "I shall not disturb His Highness the Crown Prince and his cousin as they catch up." After dropping those words, he did not spare another glance at Liu Rulan and headed into the main hall.

The crowd that had gathered there dispersed due to the arrival of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, leaving only Liu Rulan, who had collapsed to the ground. Liu Rulan felt such hatred that her fingernails dug into her palms. *Tang Chaochao, you have humiliated me so deeply today; I will surely kill you.*

On the other side, Tang Chaochao found an inconspicuous spot to sit down. However, no sooner had she sat than someone took the seat beside her. The Third Prince, Murong Si, poured himself a cup of wine with interest. "The Second Miss Tang is truly as bold as ever."

Tang Chaochao shifted her seat, increasing the distance between them. "It seems the Third Prince is intentionally causing me trouble!"

Just by Murong Si sitting there, many eyes in the hall immediately fell upon them. Crown Prince Murong Bo had finally managed to shake off Xie Tingyao. He had chosen a seat toward the front, but his gaze remained fixed on Tang Chaochao. Seeing Murong Si and Tang Chaochao so close, he nearly crushed the wine cup in his hand.

Come to think of it, Xie Tingyao’s family background was no less than Tang Chaochao’s. But since Prime Minister Xie was the uncle of his younger brother, the Third Prince Murong Si, even if he married Xie Tingyao, the Xie family would never assist him. Moreover, General Tang held military power.

Tang Yuntao’s handkerchief was nearly torn to shreds. Ever since the Crown Prince began speaking to Tang Chaochao, he hadn't looked at her once. Her worries had indeed been correct. Not only was the Crown Prince bewitched by Tang Chaochao’s face, but even the Third Prince was fawning over her. This scene reminded Tang Yuntao of three years ago. Tang Mumu had been the same; whenever she appeared, everyone’s gaze would be drawn to her. At that moment, Tang Yuntao loathed Tang Chaochao with a burning passion.

Tang Yaozu, who was beside her, reminded her, "Little sister, mind your decorum."

Tang Yuntao bit her lip. "Big brother, you saw it too; the Crown Prince has truly been bewitched by that wretch Tang Chaochao."

Tang Yaozu glanced toward the Crown Prince and then at Tang Chaochao. "The Prince is seeing Tang Chaochao for the first time, and she looks exactly like Tang Mumu. The Prince and Tang Mumu once had a marriage contract, so it is understandable that he would look a few extra times. Besides, a woman should be gentle and respectful! Once the Prince discovers Tang Chaochao’s crudeness and unrefined nature, he will naturally remember your virtues."

Tang Yuntao seemed comforted. She felt her brother was right; with Tang Chaochao’s arrogant attitude, it was impossible for her to truly catch the Crown Prince’s eye.

"How about becoming my Third Prince Consort, Chaochao?"

Murong Si’s sudden words made Tang Chaochao turn to look at him. "The Third Prince must have had too much to drink!"

Murong Si spread his hands, a roguish air playing on his handsome face. "It doesn't matter if you don't believe me, Chaochao; we have plenty of time."

His sudden use of their first names made Tang Chaochao feel it was far too intimate. "Do not address me like that, or the 'bloody disaster' I spoke of earlier might just come true."

Upon hearing this, Murong Si feigned a look of pity. "The Second Miss Tang is truly heartless." At the same time, a flicker of regret passed through his eyes.

Tang Chaochao looked up at the sky outside the main gate. "The Third Prince should leave; the banquet will be starting soon."

Murong Si said dismissively, "Isn't it the same wherever one sits?"

Tang Chaochao gave him a look of disdain. Stung, Murong Si stood up and said, "The Second Miss Tang is the first young lady to treat this Prince with such contempt."

Tang Chaochao ignored him. Murong Si did not get angry; he simply curved his lips into a smile and walked away.