Beast World: The Crazy Female Is Chased by Five Beast Husbands - Chapter 40

However, under the watchful eyes of so many people, he couldn’t afford to act in a manner unbecoming of a prince.

Helpless, he could only swallow this bitter pill in silence.

In truth, he had already begun plotting once the right opportunity arose, he would flee the Phoenix Clan and make Li Qinghe pay dearly.

On the surface, it seemed Li Qinghe had emerged victorious.

But in the end, she still endured thirty heavy strikes and earned Jun Mo’s lasting resentment.

Upon closer consideration, she hadn’t won at all. Instead, she had left a dangerous threat lurking by her side.

Of course, these were all matters for later.

No one cared whether Jun Mo stayed or not.

Their purpose here was to visit relatives, and now that the visit had concluded,

it was only natural they wouldn’t linger in the Phoenix Clan.

After exchanging a few words, everyone departed.

However, this did not include Lang Hua’s aunt, Shufen, or Yao Guang’s aunt, Tengluo.

One held Li Xuanyue’s left hand, the other her right, their expressions earnest and pleading.

“Princess, we entrust Lang’er to you now.”

“Yes, Princess, you mustn’t disappoint us. Yao Guang has been frail since childhood.”

Tengluo wiped her tears as she spoke. “Our hearts ache to send him here.”

Had there been any suitable candidates within their own clan,

Yao Guang would never have been sent to the Phoenix Clan for an arranged marriage.

Truth be told, Yao Guang was a pitiable child.

Neither loved by his father nor cherished by his mother had it not been for Tengluo’s care,

he might not have survived this long.

“Aunt, what are you saying?!”

Lang Hua, standing behind them, wished he could vanish on the spot at this mortifying scene.

Here he was, a grown man, being spoken of like some delicate maiden by Aunt Shufen.

If word got back to the Fox Clan, he’d never hear the end of it.

Li Xuanyue smiled faintly. “Aunt, Aunt Tengluo, rest assured. I will take good care of them. There’s no need to worry.”

“Good, good.”

Only after hearing Li Xuanyue’s promise did Shufen and Tengluo finally relax.

In contrast, Zhong’s father and Yusheng, being men, had little to discuss with Li Xuanyue.

After briefly speaking with Zhong He and Yu Mian, they bowed in farewell and left.

…

Meanwhile, Li Qinghe, bearing the marks of thirty lashes and bloodstains on her back, returned to Chaoren Hall.

Though the thirty strikes couldn’t truly harm her,

the magic infused blows had still left her internal organs throbbing with pain.

Yet she felt no regret.

Even if given the chance to do it all over again, she would make the same choice.

Beside her, Ruyue sat in silence, tears streaming down her face.

“Princess, why must you go this far?”

Heartbroken, Ruyue carefully removed Li Qinghe’s inner robe to tend to her wounds.

That Second Prince of the Serpent Clan was clearly no good.

From outside the hall, Ruyue had seen his furious, hysterical display.

hardly the demeanor of someone willing to live peacefully with Li Qinghe.

Who knew what future troubles he might bring?

“What do you know?”

Though the pain in her back momentarily clouded Li Qinghe’s thoughts, her resolve remained unshaken.

“Jun Mo is the Second Prince of the Serpent Clan, backed by his mother, Empress Lin.”

“If I don’t seize this opportunity to completely subdue him now, how can I ever compete with my dear elder sister for the Phoenix Throne in the future?”

Her actions weren’t merely about Jun Mo himself she coveted all the power and connections he represented.

“But won’t the Second Prince hold a deep grudge against you then?” Ruyue asked hesitantly. “Would he still assist Your Highness afterward?”

“Hah, do you think I care at this point?” Li Qinghe scoffed, her sidelong glance dripping with mockery. “From the moment I plotted against him, I anticipated all consequences.”

“What does his hatred matter? He’s already carrying my child in his belly.”

Ruyue finally understood Li Qinghe intended to use the child as leverage against Jun Mo. But would the Second Prince truly succumb to such tactics? Anxiety gnawed at Ruyue’s heart.

Soon, news of the Phoenix Clan’s marriage alliance with the Serpent Clan spread like wildfire across the Hundred Clans. Initial confusion gave way to shocked understanding when visitors revealed Jun Mo had been tricked into conceiving the Second Phoenix Princess’ child the true reason behind this political union.

The whispers began: “The Serpent Clan truly traded sesame for watermelon losing a prince during what should’ve been a simple diplomatic visit.” “Who masterminded this scheme? Only a true talent could devise such ruthless tactics.”

But when these rumors reached Serpent territory, they sparked a storm of fury. Empress Lin erupted in her palace chambers.

“Is this how you cared for my Mo’er?” Her crimson eyes burned with demonic rage, making maidservants tremble like leaves. “Explain this!”

Jun Mo was Empress Lin’s sole surviving child her daughter had perished before turning three. She’d pinned all hopes on her son, initially refusing his request to visit the Phoenix Clan until his repeated assurances wore her down. Now he wouldn’t return, instead carrying that Phoenix princess’ spawn—an unbearable betrayal.

“My Lady, calm yourself,” Nurse Cheng interjected, offering tea. “There may be misunderstandings. The Second Prince knows his responsibilities this reeks of foul play. Perhaps consult His Majesty.”

“Do you think the Serpent Emperor would spare me a glance?” Empress Lin’s voice cracked. “He’s likely tangled in some enchantress’ sheets right now.”

The mention ignited fresh fury. After orchestrating Consort Liu’s death and exiling her son, she’d believed no woman could steal the Emperor’s favor or threaten her son’s position as Crown Prince. How wrong she’d been after that b1tch Liu Zhaohui died, the Emperor filled the palace with new concubines, disregarding his Empress and heir entirely.

“My Lady, you mustn’t speak so.”

Mother Cheng comforted her, saying, “As the ruler of the serpent clan, it’s the Snake Emperor’s duty to favor women and expand his lineage this is a matter of great importance for the serpent race.”

“After all, the Second Prince is his own flesh and bl00d. The Snake Emperor would never stand idly by.”