Chapter 5: Men Have Always Been Fickle

Xie Nanzhou looked at Sheng Xiayi. He didn’t even reach out to help; instead, a few traces of disdain appeared on his face. A single slap had left her in such a state—unsuitable for any refined occasion, utterly at odds with the image she had always cultivated before him. She was never worthy of him!

Xie Nanzhou felt a wave of disgust.

In contrast, Sheng Xiayan stood tall and unyielding, no longer the timid, frightened fool she once was. After delivering that decisive slap to Sheng Xiayi, she stood coldly to the side, a mocking smile barely concealed at the corner of her lips. Dressed all in red, her laughter was audacious and scornful, revealing the malice that radiated from her very being.

Xie Nanzhou was unexpectedly shaken.

Sensing his unusual reaction, Sheng Xiayan’s heart brimmed only with derision. The original mistress had been attracted to such a selfish man, who always put his own interests first, no matter the time or place.

She turned and instructed her personal maid, Liuzheng, “Bring paper and pen. Write a letter of annulment.”

“Yes, miss.”

Liuzheng, snapping out of her shock, hurriedly nodded and fetched the supplies, handing them to Sheng Xiayan.

After finishing the letter, Sheng Xiayan passed it to Xie Nanzhou. “Sign.”

Xie Nanzhou stared at the annulment letter before him, finally coming back to his senses, disbelief flickering in his eyes. Sheng Xiayan had once been desperate to marry him, yet now she took the initiative to dissolve their engagement!

He met her gaze, only to find the love that once dwelled there had vanished, replaced by boundless indifference and contempt.

His heart inexplicably felt hollow.

“Are you really going to annul our engagement? Sheng Xiayan, think carefully. If I sign this, there will be no turning back. Don’t regret it later! If you beg me now, I might still give you another chance!” Xie Nanzhou burst out in frustration.

“Sign it, or I’ll kill you,” Sheng Xiayan’s voice was laced with deadly intent.

She had thought her body had recovered, but after the recent ordeal, she still felt intense discomfort. Her strength was truly depleted. All she wanted now was to go to the Night King’s mansion to recuperate properly before settling scores with these people.

“You!” Xie Nanzhou was taken aback by her threat and strangely felt a thrill. Sheng Xiayan seemed like a heroine, and he couldn’t help but desire to conquer her. Yet, under the watchful eyes around them, he could not afford to lose face. He pointed at Sheng Xiayan, “Very well, as you wish! But don’t regret it!”

He took the letter and signed it.

“That’s enough. Leave,” Sheng Xiayan said, taking back the annulment letter. Secretly, she sprinkled a powdered medicine from her space onto Xie Nanzhou’s wrist. It was colorless and tasteless but would make him feel as if ants were crawling all over his body, unbearably painful.

She could not use a strong poison—after all, Xie Nanzhou was the crown prince. If he died suddenly after contact with her, she would be the prime suspect. The assassination of Xie Nanzhou could not be rushed.

Xie Nanzhou cast a long, deep glance at Sheng Xiayan and then turned away without even sparing a glance at Sheng Xiayi, who collapsed to the ground wailing like a madwoman.

Since ancient times, men have often been heartless.

Watching Xie Nanzhou’s retreating figure, Sheng Xiayan kicked Sheng Xiayi mockingly before returning to her room.

She had barely rested when the door was pushed open.

Sheng Xiayan recognized the visitor as Madam’s attendant, Nurse Gu.

Eyeing her with disdain, Nurse Gu sneered, “Second miss, who told you to disgrace yourself? Madam has ordered you to go to the Dream Pavilion to apologize to the third miss! The master said you are to be disciplined by family law. After you’ve apologized to the third miss, you must go to the ancestral hall to receive your punishment!”

Hearing this, Liuzheng immediately grew anxious.