Chapter 579 - 282: Prefers the Hard Way

Chapter 579: Chapter 282: Prefers the Hard Way

But when she thought of Chen Sheng’s words, and the consequences should this matter come to light, she knew she had to crush the anger rising within her, no matter how much it suffocated her.

Yu Nanzhi could not afford to take this gamble.

She didn’t dare.

If word got out about their collusion with the Taiping Dao rebels...

And if it incurred the Emperor’s thunderous wrath...

The entire Prince Xiang’s Mansion and the whole of the Yu Clan would face the danger of complete annihilation.

At this thought, the defiance Yu Nanzhi had shown moments ago melted away. Her tone softened considerably, and she even managed to force a smile as she apologized to Chen Sheng.

"Lord Chen, please don’t take offense at the words of a mere woman like me."

"You are no ordinary woman, Princess Consort. You are Princess Consort Xiang, holder of a First-Grade Imperial Decree, and the legitimate daughter of the great Yu Clan of Yunzhou."

Chen Sheng let out a soft laugh.

His true feelings were impossible to discern.

"I misspoke earlier, Lord Chen. Please pay it no mind. If I have caused any offense, I am willing to offer you my apologies," Yu Nanzhi said, feeling utterly humiliated.

But now, circumstances were against her. She could only submit.

Seeing her so submissive...

Chen Sheng couldn’t help but smile, a smirk playing on his lips.

"I don’t like this kind of apology."

"What do you mean?"

Princess Consort Xiang froze for a moment, not quite understanding the meaning behind his words.

Chen Sheng paid her no mind. He rose from the center of the Spirit Pool, his powerful physique shimmering with a faint golden light as he slowly, deliberately, walked toward her.

"An apology needs to look like a proper apology!"

Chen Sheng had figured her out.

This Princess Consort was a contrary sort—if you tried to lead her, she wouldn’t budge, but if you pushed, she’d only back away.

If he wasn’t firm with her, she would take a mile for every inch he gave.

But if you were forceful, she had no choice but to be weak.

Of course, this was mainly because Chen Sheng had the upper hand.

Neither the Prince Xiang’s Mansion nor the Yu Clan could touch Chen Sheng.

Her threats were completely useless.

With the Nie Family backing him, he was untouchable unless he went too far. They weren’t just his patrons; they were a gilded amulet.

As Chen Sheng drew closer, Yu Nanzhi instinctively took a small step back, her eyes filled with wariness.

Chen Sheng remained silent, his gaze fixed levelly on hers.

The atmosphere between them grew tense, locking them in a stalemate.

Seeing that Chen Sheng had no intention of backing down, Yu Nanzhi grit her teeth.

"Lord Chen, how would you have me apologize?"

"I don’t want us to be at eye level."

Chen Sheng said, enunciating each word.

’Not at eye level?’

Yu Nanzhi’s expression changed dramatically.

’The meaning is clear: he wants to look down on me.’

’But if he were to look down, wouldn’t that mean I would have to kneel?’

"You... You want me to kneel?!"

Yu Nanzhi pointed at Chen Sheng, her voice laced with disbelief.

She never imagined Chen Sheng could be so arrogant, so utterly unrestrained.

’Utterly... insolent!’

"I imagine you are also eager to discuss that shipment of military arms and illicit goods, madam? As long as you can show the proper attitude, Princess Consort, I am willing to discuss this matter with you properly."

Chen Sheng’s tone was placid, devoid of any emotion.

"Chen Sheng, don’t you go too far! I am a Princess Consort, a member of the Imperial Family! How... how can you humiliate me like this?"

Princess Consort Xiang’s fingers trembled with rage.

She had expected Chen Sheng to be arrogant.

After all, he had achieved fame at a young age and came from a powerful background. A bit of youthful arrogance was only to be expected.

But she had never imagined he would go this far.

This was a blatant insult.

"If we talk, this matter can be resolved. The Prince Xiang’s Mansion and the Yu Clan can be saved."

"If we don’t, then when your family is ruined and your clan is destroyed, don’t come to regret the choice you made today."

Chen Sheng’s gaze was dark and intense as he stared at her.

"If I kneel, will you drop this matter?!"

Yu Nanzhi took a deep breath and looked at Chen Sheng intently.

If that were the case, she... she could grit her teeth and accept it.

"If you refuse to submit, I see no sincerity, and there’s nothing more to discuss."

Chen Sheng said bluntly.

"Can I not kneel?"

If Chen Sheng had promised to drop the matter, she could have swallowed her humiliation and knelt. But for a mere *chance* to talk? How could she submit so easily?

"You were the one who threatened me, Princess Consort. You may not know this about me, but I don’t take kindly to threats."

Chen Sheng smiled.

But that smile sent a chill down Yu Nanzhi’s spine.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Every moment was torture for Yu Nanzhi.

After they’d been locked in a standoff for nearly a minute and Yu Nanzhi still hadn’t made a decision, Chen Sheng stopped pressing. An impatient look crossed his face.

"You may leave, Princess Consort."

"Wait..."

Seeing that Chen Sheng truly left no room for compromise, Yu Nanzhi suddenly stopped him. Gritting her teeth, she slowly bent down, her trembling legs giving way as she knelt before him.

Her body shook with anger and humiliation.

Her heart was in turmoil.

"Speak. What is it you really want?!"

Princess Consort Xiang tilted her head up to look at Chen Sheng, an almost unnoticeable sheen of tears in her eyes. The indignation and humiliation of this moment were the worst she had ever known.

Chen Sheng looked down at the Princess Consort, her face a mask of humiliation and grievance. His expression grew serious, and he couldn’t help but nod in appraisal.

"Seeing you like this, Princess Consort... it’s a truly heart-wrenching sight."

Chen Sheng meant no double-entendre with this statement.

It was a genuine, heartfelt feeling.

But to Yu Nanzhi, his words struck like a bolt from the blue.

’Chen Sheng was finally showing his true colors!’

’So he really was after me!’

Beneath her sleeves, Yu Nanzhi’s fists clenched tightly, a pained conflict warring in her eyes.

"What I want isn’t such a difficult choice for you, Princess Consort. If you’re willing to make an effort, we can quickly turn from foes to friends."

Now that she had submitted, Chen Sheng saw no need to continue pressuring her.

After all, he had said all that just to force her to bow her head and compromise.

Once she compromised, she would do so again.

Only then would he have the chance to force the Prince Xiang’s Mansion to hand over the Three-Color Treasure Lotus.

Otherwise, this would drag on for a long time.

And as Prince Xiang’s most beloved woman, Chen Sheng believed that as long as she was willing to work for it, with the Heir of Prince Xiang assisting her, the chances of getting the Three-Color Treasure Lotus were very high.

But to Yu Nanzhi, Chen Sheng’s words sounded like another blatant insinuation.

The main reason for this was a deep-seated misunderstanding. Based on intelligence from the White Tiger Hall, she had formed a negative impression of Chen Sheng long before they met. Consequently, the moment he spoke, her imagination ran wild.

She was prone to overthinking.

For a moment, the struggle in Princess Consort Xiang’s eyes intensified, her nails digging deep into her flesh.

But Chen Sheng mistook this for her trying to stall for time. He frowned, his tone carrying a hint of warning and a threat.

"Princess Consort, you wouldn’t want the matter of the Prince Xiang’s Mansion colluding with the Taiping Dao rebels to be completely exposed, would you?"

BOOM!

Chen Sheng’s words made Yu Nanzhi abruptly raise her head.

She instantly recalled the scene from her dream last night.

’The dream came true!’

Chen Sheng had really threatened her.

The words echoed in Yu Nanzhi’s ears. She lost all track of time before finally, numbly, nodding her head.

"I... understand."

A corner of Chen Sheng’s mouth lifted, his smile widening.

’Good that she understands.’

’Now that she understands, I can bring up the Three-Color Treasure Lotus.’

However, before Chen Sheng could mention it...

He suddenly noticed something was off about the kneeling Princess Consort. Her body leaned forward slightly.

At the same time, she casually tugged at her collar, revealing a sliver of her fair neck. Faintly, Chen Sheng could see some small characters tattooed there.

’Prince Xiang Zhao Zhen?!’

’What does the Princess Consort mean by this?’

A flicker of understanding dawned on Chen Sheng.

To be honest, Chen Sheng wasn’t the type of man to be blinded by beauty. With his status and power, what kind of beautiful woman couldn’t he have?

Realizing the Princess Consort had misunderstood, Chen Sheng’s first instinct was to explain himself. But as his eyes fell on the words ’Prince Xiang Zhao Zhen’, his explanation faltered.

He even felt a faint flicker of excitement.

He immediately shut his mouth, deciding to see what she would do.

’In any case, I haven’t said anything.’

’Nor have I done anything proactively.’

’If anyone’s at fault here, it’s the Princess Consort Xiang.’

Princess Consort Xiang had originally intended to use the words on her neck to deter Chen Sheng, hoping he would lose interest in her after seeing them.

If it worked, she might have been able to escape her current predicament.

’But what is happening now?’

Yu Nanzhi could feel it very clearly.

If Chen Sheng’s gaze had been normal before, it had clearly changed the moment she revealed the words.

If she wasn’t mistaken...

That was a look of undisguised excitement...

Gritting her teeth, the last shred of hope in Yu Nanzhi’s heart was completely shattered.

She closed her eyes, silent tears streaming down her face, and took hold of the leverage that would decide the survival of the Prince Xiang’s Mansion.

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