CHAPTER 43: THE SLAP THAT NEVER FELL

Hearing Rong Tieshan’s voice, Xie Lianhua quickly tugged on Rong Yuelin’s sleeve signaling her to stop.

"Fifth Prince, my younger sister is still young and ignorant. Please forgive her," Rong Tieshan said softly, trying to calm the situation.

More and more people gathered around Wanbao Treasury Shop.

For the sake of Beirong’s reputation, Rong Tieshan had no choice but to show some apology but he carefully attributed Rong Yuelin’s rude behavior to youthful ignorance.

"Since you are apologizing, at least make it sincere, right?" Yue Mingxuan’s eyes glimmered with disdain as he looked at Rong Tieshan.

If he wanted to defend Rong Yuelin, then Yue Mingxuan wouldn’t hold back.

He would make sure she paid dearly, just as interest for all the insults she had thrown at him.

"Fifth Prince, the goods in this shop today are yours to choose freely," Rong Tieshan said sincerely while locking eyes with Yue Mingxuan. "Consider this my younger sister’s way of making amends to you."

If it weren’t for his mother insisting, Rong Tieshan would never have accompanied Rong Yuelin and Xie Lianhua today.

He had only come to fulfill a duty, but now, a spark of amusement arose inside him.

This former fiancée of his was nothing like the dull person rumors had painted him as.

Even though he had a face that was always painted in powder and rouge, he had a pair of sparkling star like eyes.

Thinking of this, a faint smile appeared on Rong Tieshan’s face.

"Really, I can choose freely?" Yue Mingxuan asked while glancing at the smiling Rong Tieshan.

For some reason he felt a strange and nexplainable sensation in his chest.

"Of course," Rong Tieshan replied politely while standing aside like a true gentleman radiating the unspoken message: Choose anything you like, it’s all on me.

Xie Lianhua who is watching their interaction twisting the handkerchief in her hands in frustration, unsure what to say.

"Shopkeeper, wrap up all the matching jade jewelry sets for me," Yue Mingxuan instructed with a smile, noticing the jade bracelet Rong Yuelin still wore. "I want them all, no matter the price."

"Yue Mingxuan, don’t go too far!" Rong Yuelin understood Yue Mingxuan’s intention clearly.

She then stepped forward angrily while raising her hand high.

Xie Lianhua didn’t stop her, which only encouraged Rong Yuelin’s action further.

Seeing Rong Yuelin lift her hand, Yue Mingxuan felt a surge of anger, not just for himself but for the original owner of this body.

Just because he was a hostage in another country, did that mean he could be humiliated so easily?

Yue Mingxuan’s eyes darkened with rage.

He clenched his fists tightly.

If that slap landed on his face, Rong Yuelin would have to pay dearly for it.

However, before Rong Yuelin’s slap landed on Yue Mingxuan’s face it was caught midair by Rong Tieshan.

"Xiaolin, you’ve gone too far!" he said coldly.

"Royal Brother, we already gave in, but this shameless person just keeps going against me!" Rong Yuelin’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke, she looked pitiful after being stopped.

"It seems Father and Mother have spoiled you too much," Rong Tieshan said sharply, his voice carrying anger. "You’ve become rude and ignorant, unable to tell heaven from earth. As a princess of beirong, how dare you use such vulgar words? I’ll report this to Mother later and have someone teach you proper manners."

"Prince Rong, please don’t be angry," Xie Lianhua quickly stepped forward, pretending to act gentle as she tugged lightly on Rong Tieshan’s sleeve. "Sister Yuelin only lost her temper because her jewelry was taken. She’s still young. Please forgive her this once."

Then she turned to Yue Mingxuan and said softly, "Younger Brother Mingxuan, this whole matter started because of you. Sister Yuelin is still a child and she offended you without thinking. Please, don’t take it to heart, alright?"

"Elder Sister, don’t beg to him!" Rong Yuelin muttered resentfully while pulling Xie Lianhua’s hand, but she didn’t dare say anything harsher under Rong Tieshan’s glare.

Yue Mingxuan couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh as he watched Xie Lianhua act like a saint and smoothing things over as if she were the victim.

Now she played the role of the peacemaker, making it sound like he was being petty and unforgiving.

What a clever tongue.

"This is a family matter of beirong," Yue Mingxuan said coolly. "I’m just an outsider, it has nothing to do with me." He easily brushed off her subtle accusation and kept his tone calm.

Rong Tieshan studied Yue Mingxuan quietly and he noticed the small medicine pouch slung by his side still speckled with bits of dirt.

The sight made Yue Mingxuan look rather pitiful.

A wave of guilt rose in Rong Tieshan’s chest.

If it hadn’t been for his insistence on breaking off the engagement, Yue Mingxuan as a prince of another kingdom would never have ended up like this, living humbly as a hostage in a foreign land.

"Shopkeeper," Rong Tieshan said with a frown, "why are you still standing there? Hurry up and wrap everything including all the jade jewelry."

"Royal Brother..." Rong Yuelin bit her lip, both angry and wronged, but she knew her brother too well. Among all the royal sons, he was the most strong willed. Once he decided something, no one could change his mind.

So she could only whisper a soft protest and remain silent.

Soon, the jewelry was neatly packed.

Wanbao Treasury Shop truly lived up to its name as the best jewelry shop in the capital, even the boxes for the jade pieces were beautifully crafted and elegant.

Rong Tieshan took the box from the shopkeeper and handed it to Yue Mingxuan.

Yue Mingxuan didn’t hesitate; he accepted the box, slipped it into his medicine bag, and walked straight out of Wanbao Treasury Shop’s doors.

Xie Lianhua stared at Yue Mingxuan’s departing figure and her fists clenched tightly. Her nails dug so deep into her palms that they broke.