Degrading a Wife to a Concubine (2)
Ye Yichen's expression turned dark, and he spoke patiently with drooping eyelids, "You have been unwell for many years, and your weak body wouldn't allow you to marry into a good family even if the engagement were to be called off. We have a marriage contract, and after waiting for me all these years, I assure you that I will never mistreat you. Marrying into Prince Jing's Mansion would make you the first concubine, just slightly below the main consort..."
"Being the first concubine is still being a concubine. I, Murong Xue, the legitimate daughter of Marquis Zhen Guo's Mansion, will never become someone's concubine no matter how dire the situation. The marriage contract between us was arranged by our parents, and it cannot be easily changed."
Murong Xue's voice was stern as she vehemently refused, her eyes filled with a hint of anger. She had stated her position clearly, yet Ye Yichen persisted in wanting to take her as a concubine. Did he truly fail to understand her intentions, or was he pretending to be ignorant?
Ye Yichen was young and handsome, with remarkable military achievements and considerable military power. Many noble women in the capital were willing to give up the position of the main consort and become his concubine. However, Murong Xue was not one of those women!
Her cold voice pierced through his ears and reached his heart. Ye Yichen's body stiffened, and he frowned as he gazed at Murong Xue. She was dressed in a delicate smoke-colored gown that accentuated her slender figure. Her long, black hair cascaded down, and her fair complexion contrasted with her cold and determined eyes, resembling stars in the night sky.
Three years had passed, and the fragile and sickly girl he remembered had transformed into a breathtaking beauty. Her gentle nature had turned cold and aloof, and her gaze towards him lacked any trace of affection or longing. This noble and distant Murong Xue, exuding elegance and serenity, was like a red plum blooming in the harsh winter, silently displaying her beauty, captivating in its understated presence.
By expressing her desire to break off the engagement, she genuinely intended to dissolve their marriage contract, rather than seeking attention or playing games.
Her stubbornness led the situation in a completely different direction from what he had anticipated, rendering it completely out of his control. He disliked this feeling immensely.
A trace of gloom flickered in Ye Yichen's eyes as he looked up at Murong Xue. "Our engagement was arranged by our parents and the matchmakers. It cannot be easily changed."
"The marriage contract set by our parents was for me to marry Prince Jing, not to become his concubine. By demoting me to a concubine, Ye Yichen, you are already defying the orders of our parents!" Murong Xue retorted fiercely, her voice growing louder. How dare Ye Yichen accuse her of not obeying her parents' orders after publicly abandoning their engagement in front of the civil and military officials? Marrying someone like him, even as a main consort, held no appeal for her.
A tinge of darkness flashed in Ye Yichen's eyes. "Are you blaming me?"
Blaming him for being heartless essentially meant that he was wasting her time. She simply wanted to draw a clear line between them and have no further involvement.
"Prince Jing is marrying Princess Moyu for the sake of the people of Qingyan, not to blame you, Prince. I took the initiative to break off the engagement in order to fulfill Prince and Princess, with the hope of bringing peace between Qingyan and Mobei. Isn't that right?" Murong Xue's voice carried a mocking tone as she emphasized her words. Did Prince Jing not find it enough to accept his beloved Princess Yuyan as a concubine? Did he also want to accept his former fiancée as a concubine and enjoy the blessings of two nations?
The last few words were deliberately spoken louder, laced with indescribable mockery. Ye Yichen's handsome face darkened instantly, and a sinister glint flickered in his deep-set eyes. The blessings of two nations were not something he coveted. He was willing to accept Murong Xue as a concubine for a different reason...
"Miss Murong, please don't be angry. It's all this palace's fault..." A gentle female voice suddenly interrupted the tense atmosphere, resonating throughout the hall.
Murong Xue looked up and noticed a beautiful woman standing in the pavilion behind the jade platform. She had a petite and delicate figure, adorned with a celestial hairstyle and exquisite butterfly hairpins. Her elegant long skirt was interwoven with embroidered begonia flowers, accentuating her slender figure. Her face carried an apologetic expression as she spoke, "The palace was unaware of Miss Murong's engagement with Prince Jing and came to Qingyan for peace. I apologize for the misunderstanding."
Qin Yuyan, the object of Ye Yichen's deep affection and mutual admiration, must have given everything to him already. How could Qin Yuyan be unaware of the marriage contract between him and Murong Xue?
Moreover, they had debated about the marriage contract for most of the day, yet Qin Yuyan remained silent until now, when Ye Yichen was cornered and had nothing more to say. It was clear that she was trying to help him out.
Murong Xue sneered inwardly, maintaining a calm expression as she responded, "Princess Yuyan, please don't take it to heart. Your visit to Qingyan is for the sake of peace between our nations and the well-being of our people, not for personal gain or to sabotage other people's marriages. There is no need for you to apologize."
Qin Yuyan's embarrassment was evident, and her eyes flickered with unease.
Ignoring her discomfort, Murong Xue continued, "As a woman, I am seriously ill and unable to contribute to the country's well-being. The only thing I can do is break off the engagement with Prince Jing, fulfill Princess Yuyan and Prince Jing's union, and assist the people of both nations in a small way. I am willing to step back from this marriage, and no one is forcing me. The princess need not blame herself!"
Qin Yuyan smiled softly and urgently explained, "Miss Murong, Prince Jing is a good person, and if you marry him, he will treat you well."
Murong Xue inwardly laughed at the notion and replied coldly, "But I don't want to become a barrier between the princess and Prince Jing, hindering your marriage. I also don't want to subject myself to ridicule for being foolish and blind, obstructing the union of a talented and beautiful couple. The princess no longer needs to stop me from breaking off the engagement!"
After speaking, Murong Xue bowed slightly to the emperor and said with determination, "I request the emperor to issue a decree to annul the marriage contract between your subject's daughter and Prince Jing!"
Her resolute and cold voice echoed through the hall, surprising the courtiers. Murong Xue truly intended to break off the engagement. The God of War, Prince Ye Yichen, adored by countless girls in the Blue Flame Capital, was cast aside by her as if he were something detested and unwanted.
Qin Yuyan froze in place, her gentle and enchanting smile frozen awkwardly on her face.
Ye Yichen's expression grew even gloomier, and the darkness in his eyes intensified beneath his lowered eyelids.
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