On this day, Lacey Shen sat gloomily to one side, silent, her gaze drifting again and again toward the doorway, clearly lost in thought.
"Sis," Ivy Shen walked over slowly.
"Xin'er!" Lacey hurriedly stood up and smiled at her. In private, she still called her Xin'er, but in front of outsiders, she addressed her as Empress.
"Where's Big Sis?" Not seeing Yvonne Yun, Ivy was a little puzzled. After all, Big Sis always liked to chat with Lacey, clearly trying to cheer her up.
"She went to see Little Snowball just now."
"Oh." Ivy nodded, then smiled at her and said, "Sis, are you really not going to consider Xiska Mon anymore? You know better than anyone what kind of person he is!"
At this, Lacey's eyes flickered with panic and she stammered, "Xin'er, I've said it so many times—I can't possibly be with him!"
Seeing this, Ivy didn't press further and just smiled. "Well, if that's how you feel, I won't push you. But Xiska Mon dismissed all his concubines for you—he just wants to be with you. If you're not interested, then so be it."
"Xin'er!" At that moment, Yvonne Yun walked over with a smile.
"Granny!" Ivy quickly called out with a smile.
Auntie! Lacey also quickly called out sweetly.
Yes! Yvonne Yun nodded in agreement; she truly liked these three Shen sisters.
Xin'er, I have something to discuss with you," Yvonne Yun suddenly remembered and spoke up.
Oh? What is it?
Didn't you ask me to introduce a girl to Xiska Mon? Yesterday I met the daughter of an old friend, now eighteen and in the prime of youth. She saw Xiska Mon recently and claims it was love at first sight—she says she won't marry anyone else. Since Lacey isn't interested in Mon, and he's been drinking alone every day, which is hardly fitting for a king, I've arranged for them to meet tonight. If they're compatible, I'll send them back to Flame Valley and they won't need to come back." Yvonne Yun rambled on in a rush.
Really? That's wonderful, isn't it, Sis?" Ivy Shen smiled and turned to Lacey, only to see her face twisted in pain and indecision.
Sis?
Ah?
Let's go together tonight," Ivy invited.
I... I don't feel well. I don't want to go," Lacey lowered her head, looking hurt.
Seeing this, Ivy Shen and Yvonne Yun exchanged a knowing smile, then continued, "How can you not go? You say you don't like him, but he's still your savior, right? You want him to be happy too, don't you? Come on, let's see what this girl is like."
"That's right, Lacey. Mon is truly devoted to you. If you don't decisively reject him, he'll never give up. You don't want him waiting forever, do you?" Yvonne Yun could only play the villain according to Ivy's script.
Hearing this, Lacey's heart clenched, but she forced herself to smile. "Fine, I'll go!"
*****
Ivy Shen glared unhappily at the seven men crowded around a table. Why were these guys here making trouble? Hadn't she told them tonight was just an act? Too many people would only mess things up.
The seven men grinned sheepishly. "We just wanted to see what the 'soy-sauce-making' girl looks like!"
Ivy snapped, "You all need to leave now, or you'll just mess up the play." Before the main cast arrived, she hurried to chase them out.
"Xin'er."
"Anyone who disagrees is banned from sharing my bed!" Ivy pulled out her ultimate threat.
At this, the seven men's faces changed and they stood up, clearly displeased.
Just then, Yvonne Yun entered with the 'soy-sauce' girl, followed by Lacey, then Xiska Mon, and behind him his two 'tails'—Fire God and Ice God!
"Not bad," said Adrian Night, nodding.
"Yeah, she's okay!" Lucian Vane nodded.
"She's alright," Caleb Miles frowned.
"Not as good as wifey," Liam Willow said honestly.
"She's passable," Ethan Chu muttered.
"I'm sleepy, going back to bed," Eli Crane gave his final verdict. So, while Xiska Mon was left bewildered, the men left.
On their way out, they dragged Fire God and Ice God with them.
The room was quiet at last.
"What's going on?" Xiska Mon sat down, glancing at Ivy Shen, Yvonne Yun, and the unfamiliar girl, completely confused.
"Mon, this is Miss Lucy Snow. Her family is respectable—they run a brocade shop." Yvonne Yun smiled as she introduced her.
Xiska Mon frowned slightly, not understanding what they were getting at.
Seeing this, Ivy Shen stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "My sister says she doesn't like you and doesn't want you clinging to her. You make her uncomfortable, even sick to her stomach. So we discussed it and decided to introduce you to another girl. My sister thinks she's nice, so she's recommending her to you. Isn't that right, Sis?" Ivy rattled off in one breath.
At this, Xiska Mon's expression changed. He looked at Lacey Shen, disbelief in his eyes.
Lacey glanced at Ivy, flustered. Ivy spoke too quickly—she never said Mon made her sick, she just felt...
"Sis, this girl's pretty good, right? If she and Mon get together, maybe she'll give him children," Ivy deliberately hit Lacey's sore spot.
At this, Lacey's heart ached so much she could barely breathe.
"Thank you, Princess Lacey of Paintings, for your blessing." Lucy Snow smiled at Xiska Mon. "I'm willing to follow you." With that, she blushed and bowed her head shyly.
Xiska Mon said nothing, just stared at Lacey Shen, his expression hard to describe.
Seeing Xiska's face, Lacey felt stabbing pain in her chest. She glanced at Lucy Snow—her skin was fair, she was beautiful and poised, and her legs were graceful and perfect.
"Right, Sis?" Ivy pressed, already seeing Lacey's trembling and pained expression, but determined to push her further.
"Yes!" After a long moment, Lacey finally blurted out the word.
Xiska Mon looked at her and gave a bitter smile. "Is this really what you want?"
"Yes!" she admitted again, painfully.
"Fine. Very well," Xiska Mon smiled faintly, then rushed out.
Lacey collapsed onto the bench, speechless. Yvonne Yun quickly led the 'soy-sauce' girl away.
"That's it, it's all over. You should be happy, right?" Ivy took her hand and helped her up. "Come on, let's go back to the palace and celebrate. Now he won't cling to you anymore—it's a good thing!"
Lacey followed Ivy numbly, lost in thought, feeling as if she'd lost consciousness.
That night, as if the heavens sensed everyone's mood, a torrential rain poured down, cold and relentless in winter.
Then Yvonne Li rushed in, hair dripping wet. "Something's happened—Xiska Mon, Xiska Mon..."
"What happened to him?" Lacey hurriedly stood up to ask.
"He... he got drunk and collapsed at the alley entrance. No one can get him up. Looks like he's trying to kill himself!" Yvonne Li exclaimed.
"What?" Lacey panicked and dashed out.
"The alley on the left!" Yvonne Li called after her.
After speaking, she smiled at Ivy Shen. "How was Big Sis's acting?"
"Mm, awesome!"
"Xin'er, Xin'er!" Yvonne Yun grabbed three umbrellas and hurried over. "Hey, why are you two standing around? Go watch the show!"
With that, the two nodded, grabbed umbrellas, and dashed out.
In the room by the alley, the Seven Husbands watched the man lying outside, unsure how to feel.
"Should we help him up? It's raining hard and freezing," Liam Willow (the 'little white rabbit') worried as he looked out the window at the alley.
"Are you looking for trouble? Be careful, wifey will beat you!" Felix Bloom (the 'butterfly') warned.
"Mmm mmm mmm!" came angry noises from the corner—the source was Fire God and Ice God.
The two were tied up with ropes, silver needles stuck in their arms, making them completely powerless.
Still, their worried and angry faces clearly warned the others: let us go, we need to save our king!
"Hey, you two, chill out, okay? You think we'd let him die? We're helping your king—his love life has been way too rough." Caleb Miles shook his abacus as he spoke.
"Yours hasn't been that smooth either," Ethan Chu suddenly interjected, leaving Caleb speechless.
"The leads are here!" Eli Crane, who'd been silent at the window, smiled and turned to them. "Come on, the good show is starting."