Princess Mira was so terrified by Lily Evans's frightening demeanor that she trembled all over, shivering uncontrollably. She hurriedly said, "No, that matter has nothing to do with me! Really, it's none of my business! It was my royal brother who did it, it has nothing to do with me!"
"Tsk, whether it has anything to do with you, you know, and I know." Lily Evans smiled sweetly as she stroked Princess Mira's face. Her fingers were delicate and smooth, and though her touch seemed gentle, Princess Mira felt a chill to her bones. She shook her head desperately in denial.
But Lily Evans paid her no mind, patting Princess Mira's cheek and lowering her voice: "This is just the beginning... Princess Mira, in a month you'll be married, and Charles Chu will return to the Kingdom of Chu. By then, tsk... I can play with you however I please. I am the Princess Consort of Qin, and you, an unloved Princess Consort of Ling—what can you do to me?"
Princess Mira shuddered in terror, suddenly realizing that in Jin, she was utterly alone!
Prince Ling disliked her, even loathed her, and the one he truly admired was Lily Evans.
Aside from Prince Ling, Princess Mira found herself without a single ally in Jin. If Charles Chu returned to Chu, she wouldn't even have one person on her side.
"You... I... I won't let you get what you want, Lily Evans! Just you wait, I won't let you off!" Princess Mira widened her eyes, trying to hide her fear.
"Princess Mira, you'd better think about how to save yourself first." Lily Evans smiled at Princess Mira and stepped back a few paces.
"W-what do you mean!?" Princess Mira looked at Lily Evans, a sense of dread rising in her heart.
"Your betrothal gifts and dowry were all sold behind Charles Chu's back. Now that everything's gone, how do you plan to get through this?" Lily Evans smiled, stepping back again.
"I..."
"I what, you wretch!" Before Princess Mira could finish her word, she suddenly felt a sharp pain at the back of her head—her hair was yanked up. Turning around, she saw Charles Chu, his face dark with fury.
"Royal brother!?" Princess Mira cried out in terror.
"You still dare call me royal brother! You fool, how could I have such a stupid sister!" Charles Chu was so furious his blood rushed to his head. He slapped Princess Mira hard across the face, splitting her lip and swelling her cheek instantly.
"Royal brother, you—you hit me...?" Princess Mira clutched her face in disbelief.
"If you weren't my full-blooded sister, I'd kill you! Now all of the capital knows you pawned your dowry and betrothal gifts for silver, and got swindled out of everything. You idiot, you've disgraced the entire royal family of Chu!" Charles Chu dragged Princess Mira by the hair, so furious he ignored Su Li and her group and hauled Princess Mira out, threw her into the carriage, climbed in himself, and ordered the driver to leave at once.
Lily Evans and her group stood at the doorway, waving at the carriage, shouting, "Crown Prince of Chu, Princess Mira of Chu, take care! Come visit again sometime!"
Hearing Lily Evans's voice behind the carriage, Charles Chu felt as if he were cursed. Being mocked by Lily Evans because of his foolish sister made him feel utterly humiliated.
"If you dare embarrass yourself in public again before the wedding, I'll break your legs!" Charles Chu glared fiercely at Princess Mira. She shivered and ducked her head, knowing her brother was truly angry.
"Is that Princess Mira's carriage? I have something to report—it's about Princess Consort of Qin, Lily Evans!" Just as the carriage rolled away, a young woman's voice sounded outside.