The Husbands Arrive One After Another (3)

"Dad, what are you even saying?" Julia Shang couldn't believe her ears.

"I'm going to see that girl and apologize for you." Butterfly Rogue had snuck into the palace at dawn, hoping to use his daughter's visit as an excuse to see Ivy Shen, but instead got blindsided by Julia's 'happy' chatter. His jaw almost hit the floor.

"You little brat! You messed up and still don't get it?" Furious, he swung his hand and landed a slap on Julia Shang so loud it echoed through the palace.

It was Butterfly Rogue's first time smacking a woman, but honestly, he felt like he could slap her all the way to next week and still not be satisfied—how dare this wicked girl hurt his precious wifey! (He was ready to go full drama mode.)

"Dad..." Julia Shang, smacked silly, collapsed to the floor in a daze. Her maids just stood there, mouths hanging open, completely speechless.

"All of you, scram!" Butterfly Rogue roared at the palace maids, practically breathing fire.

The maids scattered like startled chickens, bowing as they fled.

"Dad..." Julia Shang had just gotten permission from the Empress for her dad to visit and thought he'd come to celebrate with her—so how did things get flipped upside down like this?

"You... Hurry up and take me to her!" Butterfly Rogue shouted, totally freaking out—his anxiety level was over 9000, he couldn't wait another second.

Seeing this, Julia Shang frowned in confusion. "Dad, why are you acting so weird today? What's gotten into you?"

Butterfly Rogue froze for a second, then glared at her. "Are you seriously this clueless? The Crown Prince is obsessed with that girl—do you really think she's just some random nobody? Even if the Empress hates her guts and wants her dead, don't forget who's going to run Soaring Phoenix in the end! If the Crown Prince is this hung up on her, she might be Empress one day! If you keep poking the bear, you'll drag the whole Shang family down!" (Julia's face did a full horror-movie transformation.)

"Dad..."

Seeing her so shocked, Butterfly Rogue dialed it back a notch: "We can't go burning bridges here. Always keep your options open. If the Empress kills her, sure, that's a win for you. But if the Empress gets dumped by the Crown Prince, that girl's gonna be the last boss. You get it or not?"

"So you want me to butter her up, Dad?"

"No, I'm telling you to play both sides—don't piss off anyone. That's how you win the palace game." Butterfly Rogue had never been an official, but even he knew the basics of survival. For now, just keep Julia in check and hope for the best.

Hearing this, Julia Shang paused, then mumbled, "Your daughter is clueless, never thought about all that." Yeah, the Crown Prince just snatched her away right in front of the Empress, and the Empress didn't even dare say a word. So really, the Crown Prince was the big boss. If that girl actually keeps leveling up, then wouldn't she...

Suddenly, Julia Shang felt a chill crawl down her spine and looked at her dad in terror. "Dad, what do I do? I don't wanna die!"

"Then hurry up and take me to her! I'll apologize for you, and she'll probably forgive you. From now on, just be nice to her—don't get mixed up in whatever the Empress does. That's your safest bet. Got it?" Butterfly Rogue said, putting on his best Lord Shangguan impression.

"But... will the Crown Prince even let you see her? Last night, he looked at me like he was ready to send me to the next life!"

"That's exactly why I need to go apologize—so the Crown Prince doesn't erase you from existence!" Seriously, this girl was so slow, just getting her to lead the way was costing him a lifetime's worth of saliva.

"Okay, okay, I'll take you right now!" Hearing the word 'silenced' and remembering the Crown Prince's icy stare, Zhuju figured the faster she apologized, the better.

So the two of them hurried to the Crown Prince's palace. Zhuju didn't need any urging—she walked so fast Butterfly Rogue could barely keep up. Watching her rush ahead, he couldn't help but snark: she and her old man really were father and daughter, both scared to death!

"Lord Shangguan!" Gavin Wang, standing outside, was visibly shocked to see him. Then he bowed to Zhuju, "Greetings, Noble Lady Mei."

"Is His Highness inside?" Zhuju quickly asked.

"Yes, His Highness is inside with Miss Sheng'er," Gavin replied honestly.

"Could you please announce me to His Highness? I'm here to apologize to Miss Sheng'er on my daughter's behalf," Butterfly Rogue said, itching to rush in but knowing he had to follow palace rules.

Gavin was stunned. He could hardly believe his ears. "Lord Shangguan, you... you want to apologize to Miss Sheng'er?" Wow, the always-arrogant Lord Shangguan—what was he playing at?

"That's right." Seeing Gavin's shocked face, Butterfly Rogue realized he didn't believe him, so he pulled him aside and whispered, "To be honest, I heard His Highness cares a lot about that girl Sheng'er, even ignores the Empress for her. I think the Crown Prince really likes her. The future of Soaring Phoenix is basically his, and since my daughter offended that maid, well... you get what I mean." He left the rest unsaid, trusting Gavin would figure it out.

Sure enough, all suspicion vanished from Gavin's face. "Lord Shangguan, you're really thinking ahead!"

"Haha, not at all—it's just how officials survive!" (Seriously, are you going or not? If you don't, I'll kick you! Why so much nonsense?)

Seeing this, Gavin hurriedly said, "Then please wait here a moment, Lord Shangguan. I'll go report." With that, he bowed and went inside.

"Dad, I'm scared..." Zhuju crept closer and nervously grabbed Butterfly Rogue's sleeve—only for him to shake her off, clearly annoyed.

"This is the palace! Show some dignity!" he snapped, looking thoroughly displeased. One day, he'd definitely teach this troublesome daughter a lesson!

Just then, Gavin hurried back out. "Lord Shangguan, please come in," he said, gesturing for them to enter.

Butterfly Rogue and Zhuju quickly followed him inside.

The first thing Butterfly Rogue noticed was the strong smell of medicinal herbs. His heart leapt to his throat—just how badly was she hurt, for the whole place to reek of medicine?

"Lord Shangguan?" Song Zhijue, sitting in his wheelchair, looked over at the sudden arrivals, his voice clearly annoyed.

Seeing this, Butterfly Rogue knelt down, "Your servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"This servant greets Your Highness," Zhuju quickly knelt, not daring to lift her head.

"You may rise," Song Zhijue said, still looking displeased but letting them up. Gavin promptly brought him a cup of tea.

Seeing this, Butterfly Rogue smiled, "Your Highness, I only just learned this morning that my daughter committed such a terrible offense. That's why I rushed over at dawn to beg forgiveness—please, have mercy on her."

Song Zhijue gave a cold snort. Gavin had already relayed Butterfly Rogue's reason for coming—typical old geezer, just scared of dying!

"Your Highness, please spare me. I was foolish and I apologize to Miss Sheng'er." Even standing, Zhuju didn't dare meet Song Zhijue's eyes—his gaze was just too terrifying, like he might eat her alive.

"Lord Shangguan, how would you feel if I beat you half to death, then apologized and said it was all a misunderstanding?" Song Zhijue took a sip of tea, sounding thoroughly annoyed.

"Uh..." (What does this have to do with me, you crippled jerk? If I weren't worried about Xin'er, I'd kick you right now! Acting in court is a hundred times more exhausting than stealing!)

"Your Highness..." Suddenly, a soft voice came from the bed. Instantly, both Song Zhijue and Butterfly Rogue were on high alert.

Song Zhijue hurried in, pushed by Gavin. "Master," he called.

"The medicine's been applied," Silver Consort said with a slight smile, carrying out the fresh herbs.

"Your Highness, don't blame her—it was me, I was the reckless one... Please don't blame Lord Shangguan."

"Sheng'er..." Song Zhijue looked at the kind-hearted Sheng'er, at a loss for words. Finally, he said, "Lord Shangguan, come in."

Hearing this, Butterfly Rogue rushed over so fast that Zhuju was left gaping in surprise.

Rounding the screen and seeing the pale Shen Bingxin lying on the bed, Butterfly Rogue's heart shattered—he was stunned, unable to even describe the feeling.

"Lord Shangguan, what's wrong?" Song Zhijue frowned, noticing his odd reaction.

"I'm so sorry—I never thought my daughter would cause you so much harm. I'm truly sorry," Butterfly Rogue bowed and apologized.

"No need to apologize, Lord Shangguan. Really, it was my fault." (Being a 'kind-hearted' palace maid is exhausting!)

Seeing this, Butterfly Rogue scooted closer to Song Zhijue, using his body to block his view. "I'm just here to apologize with my daughter, really sorry! Here, this is a box of premium ginseng as compensation—please accept it." He quickly pulled out an ornate box and placed it by the bed. As he bent down, his lips silently mouthed something.

That silent gesture stunned Shen Bingxin—she clearly saw him mouth the word 'Xin'er...'

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PS: Updates are back to 6000 words per day. Done~!