According to the information Morgan Shangguan obtained, Mona Shangguan was indeed absent from the Prime Minister's Estate for two years. The official story was that Mona went up the mountain to study music, but it turned out she had actually been kidnapped. It seems Minister Magnus Shangguan deliberately kept this a secret—after all, such a scandal would tarnish the family's reputation. If this ever came to light, Mona's chances of becoming the Crown Princess would be ruined!
Morgan Shangguan had always known about this, but she kept it to herself. That was why Mona Shangguan felt safe enough to confide in her without hesitation.
Mona Shangguan glared at Morgan, her voice full of resentment. "Sister, tell me, why did I have to suffer while you enjoyed life in the Prime Minister's Estate? You have no idea how much it hurts to be beaten with willow branches, do you? You were never nearly disgraced, were you? Do you know what it's like to go through a freezing winter without a quilt? I've experienced all of that!"
Morgan Shangguan looked at her calmly, showing no sympathy, no guilt—nothing at all.
She didn't know how painful willow branches felt, but she knew the agony of a whip tearing open her flesh. It wasn't that no one tried to disgrace her—those people simply ended up dead by her hand. She didn't know what it was like to be without a quilt in the dead of winter, but she did know how it felt to stand in the snow for three days and nights wearing nothing but thin clothes.
Mona said that place was unfit for humans, but she had no idea what a truly merciless place was like.
Once inside that training base, no one had any privileges—even if she was the future head of the Shangguan Family, she received no special treatment. On the contrary, her training was even harsher, because she was destined to bear the weight of the entire family. She had to endure more hardship and suffering than anyone else. Nothing could be allowed to defeat her.
Hatred twisted in Mona Shangguan's eyes. "I loved martial arts, but you made it impossible for me to practice. So I want to take away everything you love. You made me suffer unimaginable pain, so I will make you suffer too. Every torment I've endured, I'll repay you a hundredfold!"
So, the first thing she did upon returning to the Prime Minister's Estate was to scheme against Morgan Shangguan, making Minister Magnus Shangguan despise her.
Later, when she learned that Morgan Shangguan liked Adrian Yarrow, she deliberately got close to him. What mattered most to her wasn't the coveted title, but making Morgan suffer.
Morgan Shangguan's lips curved slightly, her faint smile as gentle as a breeze. She spoke coolly, "You've hated the wrong person."
Other than sneaking Mona out of the estate, Morgan hadn't done anything wrong. She had only given her sister candy out of love—there was nothing wrong with that. Everything that happened afterward had nothing to do with Morgan. If Mona wanted to hate someone, it shouldn't be her.
Mona was stunned for a moment. When she came to her senses, her expression twisted. Every time she brought up this matter, Morgan would always show guilt and pain, and Mona enjoyed seeing her that way. But now, Morgan showed no reaction at all—she simply told her she was hating the wrong person.
Mona grew somewhat hysterical, but perhaps because others were present, she kept her voice low. "The wrong person? Heh... Is my dear sister trying to shirk responsibility now? If you hadn't snuck me out, if you hadn't given me candy, how would I have suffered all that shameful pain?"
Morgan still showed no reaction. A gentle breeze lifted her dark hair, making her look as if she might float away with the wind. Her ethereal presence drew many curious glances, and the nearby Orchid Barges subtly drifted closer.
In fact, people had long noticed the strikingly attractive men and women aboard this Orchid Barge. But seeing the barge itself, they knew these guests were either wealthy or noble, so no one dared approach them lightly.
Prince Ethan happened to meet Morgan Shangguan's gaze. She merely nodded at him before looking away, but his eyes lingered on her, subtle and unwavering.
With the situation now clear, Morgan no longer wanted to talk with Mona. She glanced inside the Orchid Barge at Damien Gray, whose face showed impatience, and a trace of amusement flickered in her eyes.
Only now did Mona notice the ambiguous marks on Morgan's neck. A strange smile appeared on her face as she whispered, "Sister, when you're with the Ghost King, are you thinking of the Crown Prince?"
Morgan's expression finally changed. In her view, this was a direct insult to Damien Gray!
Seeing Morgan's face darken, Damien Gray narrowed his eyes and suddenly stood up, striding outside.
Catching sight of Damien Gray, Mona Shangguan pretended not to notice. She merely frowned, her expression tinged with reproach. "Sister, I know you only love the Crown Prince. I wouldn't mind us serving him together, but now you're the Ghost King's consort. How can you show affection to the Ghost King while thinking of the Crown Prince? If the Ghost King finds out..."
Before she could finish, a flash of white appeared—Morgan Shangguan suddenly threw herself into Damien Gray's arms, hugging him tightly. "Damien, I promise I love only you. I would never care for anyone else. Please don't be angry!"
Adrian Yarrow followed Damien Gray outside, just in time to hear Mona's last words. His certainty grew that Morgan Shangguan still harbored feelings for him, and he began plotting his next move.
Morgan clung tightly to Damien Gray, but his face remained dark and forbidding. Mona saw this and felt she had achieved her goal, not realizing that if Morgan hadn't acted quickly, she might have ended up as nothing more than a bloody smear.
Prince Ethan watched the two embrace, feeling a twinge of displeasure. Yet he couldn't forget the pressure he'd sensed a moment earlier—the oppressive force had come from Damien Gray, and he was sure it wasn't his imagination.
Crown Prince Adrian couldn't help but frown, casting a questioning look at Quentin Hua.
Quentin Hua showed no reaction, only thinking to himself that Damien Gray was truly hot-tempered. Still, he couldn't help feeling a bit envious—when would his own beloved appear?
After this incident, Damien Gray had no desire to continue exchanging empty pleasantries with these people. Thus, the lake outing ended just like that.
In the carriage returning to the manor, Damien Gray's face remained gloomy. Morgan Shangguan sighed inwardly, leaned into his arms, kissed his lips, and said softly, "If you intend to keep using this identity, you can't reveal yourself now."