Chapter 1469: Her Highness the Princess (15)

When he had plotted all of this, Lu Qing had only thought that if he and the Princess were seen embracing in public with their clothes soaked, they would be bound together.

At that point, there would be no separating them.

He had forgotten that aside from becoming a princess’s consort, there was also the possibility that the princess might reject him and have his head cut off.

“Eldest Imperial Sister, what about the second option?” Tang Xi asked anxiously. She could not bear to see Lu Qing die.

A faint smile tugged at Tang Guo’s lips. Seeing the noble and imposing aura surrounding her, Lu Qing began to regret ever provoking the Eldest Princess.

“Second, you become a nun.”

This time, Tang Xi’s face turned even paler. She gripped her sleeves tightly and bit her lip. She was only sixteen years old. How could she shave her head and spend the rest of her life in lonely seclusion?

“And the third option?” Tang Xi remembered that Tang Guo had said there were three choices.

Tang Guo narrowed her eyes. “Marry Scholar Lu. If he becomes Second Imperial Sister’s prince consort, then none of this will matter. Not only will your reputation remain intact, but Scholar Lu’s life will also be spared.”

Silence fell over the crowd, while Lu Qing quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Tang Zhi had already come over to Tang Guo’s side and was quietly asking Yingzhu about what had happened. After hearing the story, his expression darkened.

He had merely grown up in comfort, without rivals.

That did not mean he was a fool.

How could there be such a coincidence in the world?

This Lu Qing truly seemed to be no good.

Thus, he leaned toward having Lu Qing executed.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, Tang Xi declared, “Then I am willing to take Scholar Lu as my prince consort.”

Lu Qing finally relaxed completely.

Second Princess? So be it.

Having witnessed Tang Guo’s cold and terrifying side, he had given up entirely.

Although Tang Xi was not as favored as the Eldest Princess, she was still a princess, lacking only slightly in imperial favor.

Compared to the Eldest Princess, whom he could never control, Tang Xi was much easier to manipulate. At least the affection Tang Xi held for him gave him a great deal of reassurance.

“Lu Qing, are you willing to become my prince consort?” Tang Xi asked.

“To receive Second Princess’s favor is Lu Qing’s blessing. Naturally, I am willing.”

Thus, the matter ended happily for everyone.

Tang Guo glanced at Juanzhu, who was crouching beside Lu Qing, and said, “As for this personal maid of mine, her reputation has been ruined as well. Would Scholar Lu be willing to keep her by his side? If not, I will arrange a marriage for her. Should she refuse, then I can only send her to become a nun.”

There was a trace of regret in Tang Guo’s tone.

The system thought, She really acts well.

Juanzhu was utterly terrified. Looking pitifully at Lu Qing and then back at Tang Guo’s cold expression, she knew she would never be able to return to the palace.

Without hesitation, she knelt before Tang Xi.

“This servant does not wish to marry. Saving Second Princess just now was entirely voluntary. From now on, this servant will devote herself wholeheartedly to serving Second Princess and Scholar Lu for the rest of my life, with absolutely no disloyalty.”

The joy in Tang Xi’s heart instantly vanished.

With so many people present, how could she openly refuse?

When she had fallen into the lake, she had not paid attention, but it was true that Juanzhu had grabbed her and fallen in together with her.

“Then you may remain by my side and serve me from now on.”

Tang Xi felt as though she had swallowed a fly. Yet with so many witnesses having seen Juanzhu fall into the water with her and pull at her, if she refused, who knew what people would say?