110: Chapter 77: Banquet Invitation_2 110: Chapter 77: Banquet Invitation_2 No one knew what had happened to Meng Hongjin at Princess Yongning’s place; only the mad Meng Hongjin and Princess Yongning themselves could know it all.
No one dared to question or accuse Princess Yongning, not even Meng Youde, as long as he still sought a future, Hongjin was doomed to be a meaningless sacrifice.
…
The Princess’s Mansion was brightly lit, a stark contrast to the darkness of the Meng Mansion.
In the hall, young dancers clad in sheer garments danced gracefully, their veils partially covering their faces, revealing eyes as alluring as rippling waters, all glances directed at the man in the very center of the room.
That central man, with a high nose, deep-set eyes, thin lips, and bushy brows, was strikingly handsome yet bore an unapproachable coldness due to his narrow face.
This was Prince Cheng.
“Big brother, whichever one you like, you can take from me,” Princess Yongning said weakly.
Prince Cheng glanced at her and said, “Why the listless appearance?”
“There are no interesting matters, so of course, I’m listless,” said Princess Yongning, propping her head in her hand, her eyes soft and seductive.
She seemed to think of something that agitated her.
Prince Cheng said, “Didn’t you bring that girl from the Chengxuan Envoy’s Mansion back a few days ago?
Why are you still bored?”
At these words, Princess Yongning looked surprised and said, “I’m surprised you would notice such a thing.” She picked at her nails and said, “Forget about it, that Meng Hongjin might seem tough, but she’s actually all bark and no bite.
I just took her to the Penal Prison of the Princess’s Mansion, didn’t lay a finger on her, and she was so scared she wet herself.” Princess Yongning showed a disgusted expression, “Looking at her like that, I had no fun tormenting her, so I sent her back.”
“The horrors of your Penal Prison are such that even men might not withstand it,” Prince Cheng chuckled, “No wonder she went mad after you showed her those things.”
The Penal Prison of the Princess’s Mansion held those who had displeased Princess Yongning, those whom she loathed but didn’t wish to kill immediately.
They were kept there for her to devise torturous methods, like skinning half a face or gouging out kneecaps, resembling the punishment of boiling, turning the place into nothing short of hell on earth.
Although Meng Hongjin was usually arrogant and domineering, in the Meng Mansion, at most she had seen a few maids beaten to death.
Such live horror was enough to shatter her bravery, becoming a perpetual nightmare in her heart.
“It’s boring,” Princess Yongning scoffed, “Torturing someone is only fun when it’s done slowly under your watch, especially when they struggle desperately.
It’s most amusing to see them cling to a glimmer of hope for survival and then,” she blew a breath of air, snuffing out the flame in the small lamp before her, as if greatly amused, then she chuckled, “like this, extinguishing their last bit of hope, plunging them into despair.
That’s what’s truly interesting.
Prey that knows how to resist and struggle…
is the best kind of prey.”
Prince Cheng smiled lightly, “You’re talking about Xue Fangfei, aren’t you?”
Princess Yongning pouted, about to reply, when someone outside reported, “Assistant Head Writer, Lord Shen, has arrived.”
Her eyes lit up at the news, and the weariness in her gaze vanished instantly.
She spoke with glee, “Let him in quickly!”
Prince Cheng silently picked up the teacup before him and took a sip, without a word.
After a moment, Shen Yurong was led in.
He first bowed to Prince Cheng, then turned to Princess Yongning and said, “Your Highness.”
Seeing him, Princess Yongning’s face lit up with joy, her demeanor even more approachable than before.
She said to Prince Cheng, “Lord Shen was invited by me.
Big brother, you mentioned the other day that the Wenchang Pavilion was short on staff…”
Prince Cheng frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with Princess Yongning’s impatience.
Fortunately, only Princess Yongning was overly eager.
Shen Yurong stood respectfully in the center of the hall, somber and upright, attracting Prince Cheng’s approval.
Princess Yongning and Prince Cheng shared a close bond, and she could clearly see he was pleased with Shen Yurong.
She was delighted and a little proud on behalf of Shen Yurong.
Since the day she was wounded by Hongjin’s arrow at the archery field, many had come to the Princess’s Mansion to inquire after her health, except for Shen Yurong.
Now an Assistant Head Writer and favored by Emperor Hongxiao, Shen Yurong had only recently lost his wife.
Being seen too close to her, a princess, would not reflect well on him.
Princess Yongning was not oblivious to this, but she simply couldn’t help longing for him.
Shen Yurong’s treatment of her was not exactly flattering, nor was it as ingratiating as other men’s, yet the colder he was towards Princess Yongning, the more she adored his demeanor.