Chapter 20: The Scoundrel Humiliated

At the Grand Tutor’s residence.

Song Junyao’s patience had completely worn thin. His tone was laced with irritation: "Fu Jinhao, why do you ignore me? I am your fiancé!"

The onlookers in the long alley were startled by Song Junyao’s harsh words. They whispered among themselves, astonished; the young General Song had claimed he came to apologize to Miss Fu, yet after waiting less than half an hour, he had grown impatient and turned so sharp-tongued and overbearing. This was no apology; it sounded more like a command. Being commoners, they did not understand the intricate politics of the nobility, but they could clearly see that the young general held no affection for the young lady.

Inside the residence, after Fu Jinhao finished breakfast with her parents, the steward reported, "Master, Madam, Miss, young General Song is standing outside, claiming he wishes to apologize to you."

Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Fu Xiangru’s eyes filled with fury. "That wretch is no longer fit to set foot at the gates of my manor! Ah-He, father will take men and drive him away!"

Because Ah-He had once been infatuated with Song Junyao, the Grand Tutor’s residence had tolerated him. But now that she no longer favored him, he was nothing.

Yu Nanwan looked at Fu Jinhao with tender concern. "Ah-He, do not be afraid; your father and I are here. Song Junyao shall never bully you again."

A warm current flowed through Fu Jinhao’s heart. Her loving family was the very foundation of her courage to rewrite the corrupted plot of the story. She would press forward with her life as the cost, unyielding and relentless. She gave Fu Xiangru and Yu Nanwan a soft smile and said, "Father, Mother, let me deal with him myself."

As she turned, her eyes grew cold and sharp. How ironic. In her past life, Song Junyao had scolded her, framed her, and even drawn his sword to disfigure her, ultimately accusing her family of treason and having them all executed. He had never felt a shred of remorse, believing only that she and her family were wicked and deserved their fate. Why, then, had he come to apologize on his own accord in this life?

At that moment, another servant arrived. "Master, Madam, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived and is already outside the gates."

Fu Jinhao’s fingertips tingled, and a faint, shimmering light sparked in her eyes. It was the Crown Prince.

Fu Xiangru turned to Yu Nanwan, saying, "Madam, please check if my robes are tidy. His Highness’s visit must be for official government business."

The household was convinced of this. Only Bizhu’s eyes shone with startling intensity; her heart pounded against her ribs as if it might leap out of her throat. Could it be that the Crown Prince heard Song Junyao was at the manor and, burning with jealousy, rushed here from the Eastern Palace? Surely, His Highness was currently filled with bitter resentment, eager to tear Song Junyao limb from limb. Ah, the drama of two men vying for a lady’s favor—it was truly thrilling and enough to make one blush.

Outside the gates, Song Junyao was seething with resentment as he waited for Fu Jinhao. How much longer did she intend to put on airs? The slight flicker of pity he had felt for her the previous night had vanished into thin air.

"His Highness the Crown Prince arrives—"

Xiao Xuanyin stepped down from his carriage. His legs were long and straight, his brow bone elegant and aloof, and his thin lips were tinged with a faint, healthy flush. He looked like a jade mountain in motion, reflecting brilliance upon all.

The crowd in the alley knelt in unison. "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Song Junyao’s pupils constricted, a sense of unease and anger rising in his heart. Why was the Crown Prince here? Was he here to see Fu Jinhao? What scandalous business had those two been conducting behind his back?

Xiao Xuanyin walked toward Song Junyao, his stature tall and his voice cold and thin. "Young General Song, why are you here?"

Struck by Xiao Xuanyin’s icy, lethal gaze, Song Junyao felt a chill run through him. His straight posture slumped slightly. "Answering Your Highness, this official has done wrong and has come to apologize to Ah-He."

The next instant, he was consumed by a wave of immense humiliation, his body trembling. He was Fu Jinhao’s fiancé; it was only natural for him to seek her out. The Crown Prince, however, was likely harboring ulterior motives! He hated having to grovel before the prince, but as the supreme heir to the throne, the prince held absolute power, and Song Junyao dared not voice his fury.

Xiao Xuanyin looked down at him, his deep eyes cold and heavy. "Your sincerity is lacking."

As the legitimate son of General Song’s house, gifted and famous from a young age, no one had ever dared to treat him with such contempt. He refused to believe the prince wasn't targeting him for Fu Jinhao’s sake. He had already come to apologize—how was that insincere?

Xiao Xuanyin’s gaze sharpened, his presence radiating an oppressive, chilling intent to kill that forced Song Junyao’s legs to buckle. Was the prince demanding he kneel to apologize? A man’s knees were worth gold; one kneels only to heaven, earth, the sovereign, and one's parents. Did Fu Jinhao deserve his kneel? She did not!

After a long, tense stalemate, Song Junyao was defeated. He convinced himself to endure the moment for the sake of long-term gains. With endless humiliation, he closed his eyes and knelt, his eye sockets burning red. He felt the arrogance he had always maintained in front of Fu Jinhao shatter completely.

Xiao Xuanyin’s emotionless voice sounded above him. "I have urgent matters to discuss with Grand Tutor Fu today. No idlers are permitted inside." He paused. "Young General Song, come back another day."

Song Junyao’s eyes snapped open, blood rushing to his head. The prince was mocking him!

With a creak, the gates of the Grand Tutor’s residence opened. The crowd in the alley gasped, "Is that Miss Fu?"

It was not just Fu Jinhao, but also Fu Xiangru and Yu Nanwan. Seeing Song Junyao kneeling on the ground, they felt only disgust. Then, looking at the elegant and graceful Xiao Xuanyin, the contrast made the Crown Prince appear like a divine being.

"Your Highness, we failed to welcome you properly. We beg for your forgiveness," the couple said respectfully.

Xiao Xuanyin waved a hand, his voice aloof. "It is of no consequence."

His gaze shifted to Fu Jinhao. She wore a skirt patterned with plum blossoms, her hair adorned with pear blossom pins and moon-pearl earrings. Her makeup was delicate, her brows like distant mountains, her lips glistening. Whether dressed heavily or lightly, she was always the image of his desire. His voice softened with an imperceptible, deep, and lingering affection: "Miss Fu."

Fu Jinhao’s eyes curved as she bowed to him. "Your Highness."

A subtle tremor rippled through her heart, flowing along her veins. Bizhu’s words, though nonsensical, lingered in her mind: The Crown Prince was as clear and bright as the moon; what kind of woman would be worthy of him? With his refined and self-respecting character, he would surely cherish his future Crown Princess, treating her with mutual respect and harmony.

The family ignored Song Junyao entirely and prepared to enter. Song Junyao, near desperation, blurted out, "Ah-He, I have something to say to you!"

Fu Jinhao turned back. Her clear eyes were like cold, pure snow, reflecting a distinct and palpable loathing. She detested him so much that she did not even want to see him or speak a single word to him.

"His Highness is visiting today," she said calmly. "I have no time to attend to you, Young General Song. Please, return home."

Her words mirrored the prince’s almost exactly.

As she finished, the gates of the Grand Tutor’s residence slammed shut with a bang, firmly and decisively blocking Song Junyao outside. Suddenly, a wave of agonizing pain surged through Song Junyao’s mind, layer upon layer, leaving him gasping for air.

Fu Jinhao’s indifferent gaze overlapped with the icy, sharp look from his dreams. Breaking into a cold sweat, Song Junyao finally panicked. He realized, at last, that he might truly be losing Fu Jinhao forever.