Take This Gift Without Thanks
"Ah!!!!"
A deafening scream erupted from a woman.
On the wedding bed, Charles Chu flipped away the quilt, exposing Princess Mira in all her naked glory. Beneath her was a completely bare man.
Princess Mira's posture was anything but shy—she was straddling the man, still moving wildly even as the covers were thrown aside.
Alexander Hayes turned his head away instantly, refusing to look at the shocking scene on the bed.
But the others weren't as quick as Alexander Hayes. The makeshift squad of servants and guards from various households had never seen anything like this. They stared, wide-eyed, at the living spring palace unfolding before them.
Wow, Princess Mira is doing the unspeakable with another man on her wedding bed!
Wow, talk about excitement!
Rumors always said Princess Mira was notorious when it came to men, but seeing her now—she's not just notorious, she's downright bold and wild!
Poor Prince Ling—who knows how much grass is growing on his head now? He's greener than the grasslands!
Charles Chu and Prince Ling's expressions changed dramatically.
Prince Ling raised his sword, consumed by fury. "Wretch! I’ll kill you both, you shameless pair!"
Princess Mira was finally coming to her senses. As she looked around, she saw herself surrounded by men—and Prince Ling was swinging his sword right at her.
"Prince Ling, don’t!" Charles Chu rushed forward, blocking Prince Ling.
Princess Mira shrieked in terror, squeezed her eyes shut, and threw herself onto the man beneath her, clinging to him tightly. She shouted, "If we die together today, at least we'll be a pair of star-crossed lovers!"
Prince Ling was already furious, but Princess Mira’s scream only made him angrier. He trembled with rage. "I’ll slaughter you both, you shameless pair!"
"Prince Ling, stop! Calm down! Quick, hold Prince Ling back—don’t let him hurt our Princess Mira!" Charles Chu was at his wit’s end.
The onlookers, who had been staring at Princess Mira’s naked body, snapped out of it at Charles Chu’s shout. They rushed to help restrain the enraged Prince Ling.
The room was in total chaos. Lily Evans knew the time was right and said, "The assassin must have been caught by now—let’s go see the spectacle!"
The ladies were already curious about the audacious assassin. Hearing Princess Lily Hayes say this, their curiosity peaked. Since the assassin was caught and Prince Alexander Hayes was overseeing things, what was there to fear? Let’s go in and watch!
So a whole flock of ladies swept into the bridal chamber, eager to see the assassin.
But as soon as everyone entered, they were stunned. What in the world was going on?!
Princess Mira was tangled up with a strange man, while Prince Ling stood beside them, sword raised in fury. Charles Chu, the Crown Prince of Chu, was desperately trying to hold Prince Ling back with a crowd of helpers.
Well, this really was a show worth watching!
"Oh my, what’s going on here? Isn’t that Princess Mira, the bride? Someone tell me—what in the world happened? How could she be in her wedding chamber with a strange man on her wedding day… She’s utterly shameless!"
"Exactly! And she’s a princess, too—how disgraceful!"
"Shameless!"
...
Insult after insult rang in Princess Mira’s ears. She looked up at the crowd of women, faces twisted in scorn. One familiar face stood out, painfully conspicuous.
Su Li watched Princess Mira with a faint, mocking smile—looking down on her with pure derision. Silently, she mouthed: "It’s only fair to return a favor. Don’t forget what you did on my wedding day. Consider this my little gift to you—no need to thank me."