At this moment, Mu Qingrong finally remembered Prince Linjiang, Lin Shihengâs character.
When he loved someone, he would keep them alive. When he hates, he would instantly want them dead.
In the previous life, she was the one he loved.
And in this life...
Mu Qingrong was shaking all over because of the cold. She knelt on the ground, looked at the obedient servants, and then looked at Lin Shiheng, who was gently soothing the coughing Mu Qingrong, and finally realized it.
It was as if she had fallen into the same situation as Mu Qingling in her previous life, no matter what she did, no matter how well she did it, Lin Shiheng wouldnât recognise it.
Moreover, he wouldnât show her any mercy.
How could this happen!
Iâm obviously reborn, right?
In her previous life, she had easily captured the Emperorâs favor, trampled Mu Qingling underfoot, and relied on him when she killed the two little bastards.
Why was it in this life, having the memory of her last life, she was rejected by Lin Shiheng?
She clearly knew what he liked, what he hated, what he enjoyed, and his temperament.
It should obviously be easier.
This isn't right, this isn't right...
Mu Qingrong was lost in the confusion of her thoughts, but that didnât stop her from seeing the cold stares of the servants who had been ordered to throw her into the water, surrounding her.
She lost one of her tooth, and her mouth was filled with the taste of blood.
Mu Qingrong, with her bloody mouth, felt humiliated and collapsed. She knelt down and begged for mercy, âPlease spare me, Your Highness! Qingrong remembered wrongly, it was Qingrong who remembered wrongly.â
âIt was Poâer who pushed Qingrong, not my Elder Sister!!!â
At these words, the man standing in the pavilion above waved his hand in satisfaction, âAll right, you can leave now.â
Those servants who were about to approach her, respectfully withdrew without hesitation. Mu Qingrong was left alone on the shore below.
She looked very messy now. Because she had the idea of âhaving her innocence ruined, she had to marry Prince Linjiang as a side consortâ, Mu Qingrong deliberately wore a light-coloured dress; when she was soaked in water, it was wet and sticky, completely exposing the curves of her body.
The beauty was drenched in water and half-dressed. Her beautiful eyes were full of sorrow and pitiful tears, and she slightly leaned over, looking very pitiable.
Mu Qingrong didnât care about reputation or anything right now. She just pretended that she didn't see those servantsâ eyes glued to her body, coughed twice and softly spoke while plausibly exposing the seductive part of her body towards Lin Shiheng, âBrother-in-law, Iâm so cold...â
She was loved by two different Emperors, not just because of her sometimes-despicable methods, but because of her beautiful face.
Mu Qingrong was very beautiful. When she lowered her stature and sincerely seduced someone, even though the male servants on the shore had previously despised her for framing the Princess Consort and still acting shamelessly, they couldnât resist the tickle in their throats after seeing such a stunning beauty in her seductive pose.
Above the shore, Prince Linjiang, who was patting the Princessâs back soothingly, also seemed to be captivated.
He looked down and his clear voice said, âSmile for me.â
Mu Qingrongâs heart fluttered with joy. Even though she knew the moment wasnât right, she immediately raised her head.
As a favored consort, she used to practice the angles at which she looked most beautiful and attractive when she smiled.
In the next second, a slightly coquettish smile appeared on Mu Qingrongâs face.
In her previous life, every time she smiled like this, Lin Shiheng wouldnât be able to stop himself from taking her to bed. The two of them would fall into each otherâs arms and have a great time.
Having to do it again, she could do better than she did in her last life.
Mu Qingrong was confident. Her eyes slowly lifted with some hope and looked up at the man in flamboyant clothes, who was standing above her.
âPffft!!â
Lin Shiheng looked at her and immediately burst out laughing, "Pfft hahahahaha!! Princess, look at her, hahahahaha.â
Mu Qingling, who had been relatively calm, or rather absent minded, from beginning to end, looked over.
Then, the ever-demure woman couldnât hold back.
âPffft!"
Realising that she had made such an indecent sound, Mu Qingling hastily grabbed a handkerchief and covered her mouth. But her lips the corners of her lips couldnât come down.
Mu Qingrong was irritated and puzzled by their laughter, and a feeling of unease rose up in her heart.
Having been nervous about being silenced, she didnât care about anything else. Now that her life was no longer threatened, and with the couple above her laughing themselves into a frenzy, Mu Qingrong was finally able to spare a moment to check out what was wrong with her.
And she quickly found out what was wrong.
The drenched Mu Qingrong stuck her tongue against the left side of her front teeth, which was empty.
She dodged the bamboo pole and desperately swam for it, and with one powerful grit of her teeth, she snapped this one off.
If it were a molar it would be fine, but it was right next to the front teeth, which it would be perfectly visible whenever she spoke or smiled.
So in the eyes of Lin Shiheng and Mu Qingling, it was a stunning beauty showing her teeth and then revealing a black gaping hole in her row of white teeth...
Mu Qingling looked down at the incredulous person whose face was gradually showing despair, and the anger she felt at being framed earlier was gone before it could even rise.
After all, it happened so fast.
From the time Mu Qingrong was pushed into the water, to the time Lin Shiheng came over, she didnât even have time to figure out any âproof that she didnât push someone into the waterâ. In fact, Lin Shiheng simply settled the matter for her.
Now, looking at Mu Qingrong, who was missing a tooth, it was hard for Mu Qingling to hate her, she just wanted to laugh.
It was like an ant coming from thousands of miles away to step on someone, but it didnât hurt the person, instead it broke its own bones. The situation was very funny.
Mu Qingrong had lost a tooth in such an important position. It was impossible to go through life without speaking or showing oneâs teeth, and nowadays, women with scars have difficulty marrying. In Mu Qingrongâs case, it could be called a great flaw.
At least, she would never be accepted by a respectable family. Even if she was beautiful, she wouldnât be able to smile with a gaping tooth.
The capital was full of respectable families. Who would want such a daughter-in-law? Not only would they not be able to hold their heads up, they would also be laughed at out in the streets.
Thinking of the other younger sisters who were still unmarried, Mu Qingling looked to her husband, âYour Highness, todayâs matter...â
âPrincess, donât worry. As long as Miss Mu doesnât say anything herself, no one will know about todayâs incident.â
Lin Shiheng was very confident.
As a Prince, he certainly traveled with his own personal guards. Even when he arrived at the Princessâs maiden home, as an imperial family member, they were still taken to wherever he went.
And since Mu Qingling was married to him, she was also a member of the Imperial family. Earlier, when she was enjoying the flowers, all the people in the garden were scattered to ensure her safety. Those personal guards even surrounded the entire garden in three layers, to ensure that no one could disturb the Princess Consortâs enjoyment.
It was for that reason that Mu Qingrong had asked Mu Qingling to enjoy the flowers, rather than trying to have a chance encounter.
So now, it was a case of Lin Shiheng trying to drown the first young lady of the Marquis in the Marquisâs garden. No one could do anything about it.
It wouldnât be an exaggeration to say that even if Mu Qingrong did drown today, as long as Lin Shiheng ordered that it be kept quiet, no one would ever know that she didnât die from losing her footing and falling into the water.
Just like in Mu Qingrongâs previous life, the Emperor himself killed the Empress, and everyone thought the Empress had died from a serious illness.
Mu Qingrong covered her mouth in shame and looked up at Mu Qingling who was laughing above her. Her heart was full of anger.
That privilege should have belonged to her.
The position of Princess Consort, and even the future Empress, should belong to her, Mu Qingrong.
But now, it was taken away by Mu Qingling.
Prince Linjiang had seen enough of the hilarity. After warning Mu Qingrong a few times, he left the garden with his own Princess Consort.
Mu Qingrong wouldnât dare to show up in this condition now. If the servants of the Marquisâs residence saw her, how was she going to keep her reputation?
She could only cower behind the fake rockery, shivering while waiting for her clothes to dry.
Hatred made her mind wander.
Everything was the same as in her previous life. Lin Shiheng fell in love with her at first sight at the temple, but why, when they met a second time, did he look at her with nothing but disgust and coldness?
In her previous life, Mu Qingrong had served him for so long, and had done so much to keep his favor. She could confidently say that she definitely knew Lin Shiheng well.
Lin Shiheng had always been tolerant towards beauty. He only treated those with unpleasant appearance with disdain and criticism.
Mu Qingrong was absolutely confident in her looks. Although Mu Qingling was also considered a beauty, if she was compared to her, she would overshadow her in every aspect.
According to Lin Shihengâs personality, why would he help Mu Qingling in dealing with me?
What went wrong?
Mu Qingrongâs clothes were finally dried and she returned to her courtyard in disarray, but she was greeted by the maid who was serving her with frightened eyes.
âMiss, Poâer seems to have angered the Prince and was sent back after numerous beatings.â
She actually survived.
Mu Qingrongâs heart was full of anger towards the maid who failed to do her job. She was about to tell her that she shouldnât ask the doctor and to leave her to fend for herself, when she suddenly thought of something. She slightly narrowed her eyes and said, âIâll go and see her.â
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw the girl in front of her staring at her teeth with her jaw dropped. A chill flashed in Mu Qingrongâs eyes and she slapped her straight across the face.
âWhere are the rules youâve learnt?!!â
The maid covered her face in grief and knelt on the ground, âThis maid knows Iâve done wrong."
Even though she had wanted to ask why the third young lady was missing a tooth, she was afraid to ask now.
Mu Qingrong arrived at Poâerâs room, and as soon as she entered, she caught a whiff of blood and frowned. There was a hint of impatience in her eyes.
Poâer was lying on her bed, dying, and was being carefully tended by three maids. When they saw Mu Qingrong enter, they rushed forward to greet her, âMiss."
âAll right, all of you, withdraw.â
âYes.â
With everyone gone, Mu Qingrong wanted to sit on the edge of the bed. When she looked at the bed, she really detested the maidâs bed, so she stood to one side and looked down at Poâer, whose forehead was covered in cold sweat. She saw her struggle to get out of bed and bow.
âWhat happened? The Prince was obviously fond of you before, how did you anger him?â
Poâer saw the coldness in Mu Qingrongâs eyes very clearly, and her heart flinched. She hastily endured the pain and responded in a fragmented whisper, âI donât know. It was obvious that the Prince was very fond of this maid before, but not even half an hour later, his eyes were filled with disgust for this maid.â
She coughed and tried to ignore the pain coming from her femurs, âMiss, this maid truly did as you ordered, but the Prince, he...â
âAll right!â
Mu Qingrong was expecting to get some useful information from her, but it turned out that she didnât know anything. The coldness in her eyes increased.
She figured that this girl knew too much about her and, having seen her in that state of disarray, couldnât be kept. Otherwise, she would be a liability.
Since she happened to be seriously wounded, it was only logical that she would be âtoo injured to be healed.â
Poâer didnât miss the flash of murderous intent in Mu Qingrongâs eyes, and her body sharply tensed up as her mind raced.
Seeing Mu Qingrong turn to leave, her desire to live made her cry out, âMiss! This maid! This maid remembers something!!!â
âBefore, the Prince was very fond of this maidâs appearance. He was full of praise, and that look was definitely not faked. But when we met a second time, it was as if he didnât know this maid anymore. He even asked the Princess Consort who I was.â
âItâs only been less than two hours between the two!! Even if the Prince is forgetful, I donât think he could forget me that quickly.â
Mu Qingrong stood still, Lin Shiheng didnât have that problem in her previous life.
Vaguely feeling that she had grasped something, she immediately asked, âAnd beyond that? Is there anything else unusual about the Prince?"
âYes! There is!â
Poâer immediately said, âThe Prince praised this maidâs beauty before, but in the garden, he himself said that I looked ugly. While I may not look as good as you, Miss, but I wouldn't suddenly become extremely ugly in one day!â
She speculated, âIâm afraid the Prince is suffering from some strange illness that caused him to treat Miss like this.â
Mu Qingrongâs eyes narrowed and her heart rippled.
How could there be a strange disease? In the previous life, I had served him for so long.
A suspicion was growing deeper in her mind.
Why didn't Lin Shiheng approach her and even dislike her in this life? Why was he so protective of Mu Qingling? Why did he change so much?
Mu Qingrong clenched her fist in a deadly grip.
âMu Qingling must have used some kind of demonic spell on the Prince!â