Commoner Queen: Falling in Love with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - Chapter 18

“Forget it, Father. I’ll go to the palace.” Murong Ziying sighed. There was no point arguing. She could only leave things to fate.

“Ziying, wait!” Murong Madam called after her.

“Mother, is there something else?”

Madam Murong hesitated, finding it difficult to speak. But she had to warn her daughter. “Ziying, if the Crown Prince chooses you… of course, it’s unlikely, and I know you understand that. But just in case—you must refuse. Our Murong family… cannot afford the consequences.”

She was reminding Murong Ziying that if she were chosen as the Crown Prince’s consort, her ill fate—destined to bring misfortune to her husband—could spell disaster. If she were to bring calamity upon the Crown Prince, their entire family would suffer.

Murong Ziying forced a bitter smile. “I understand.” Her shoulders drooped, and each step forward felt unbearably heavy. Was her fate truly this cruel? Even her parents had to live in fear because of her… She had read countless novels with stories like this, but now she was living one herself.

“Your Highness, the young lady from the Murong family has arrived. She’s waiting outside.”

A servant named Xiao Zhuzi rushed in with the report.

“She’s finally here.” Yi Han had been waiting impatiently. He had been just about to go fetch her himself. “Bring her in immediately!” he ordered eagerly.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Xiao Zhuzi quickly went to summon Murong Ziying into the hall.

Murong Ziying walked in with a composed yet cold expression, head held high. She didn’t care about the stares around her—she was only here to endure their mockery. Once they had finished their amusement, she would take her leave.

But when her gaze met that of the Crown Prince seated above, she froze.

It’s him?!

She stared in shock, taking a few hesitant steps forward, needing to see him more clearly—convinced that she must have been mistaken.

“Stop right there! How dare you disrespect the Crown Prince?”

The palace guards immediately drew their blades and stepped forward to block her.

Her heart pounded. What was she doing? How could she be so reckless? She stood motionless, staring at the sharp blade now resting against her neck.

“Stand down! Withdraw your weapons!” Yi Han commanded sharply. He quickly pushed the blade away from her throat. He wouldn’t allow even the slightest chance of her getting hurt. “Did I frighten you?” His voice carried a rare trace of apology.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he gently pulled her toward a seat beside him.

Murong Ziying snapped out of her daze and quickly jumped away. “Your Highness, this is improper!”

The weight of the hundreds of envious and resentful gazes in the hall made her feel like she was walking on needles.

“Improper? When I offer a seat, who dares say it is improper?” Yi Han insisted, motioning for her to sit down.

He then turned to his attendants. “Bring some ginseng tea to help calm her nerves. My guards were too reckless just now.”

To Murong Ziying’s astonishment, he personally handed her the tea.

She panicked, hesitating to accept it. “Your Highness… I must apologize for my rudeness that day.” She lowered her head anxiously.

She never imagined that he was the Crown Prince. That day by the lake, she had been completely disrespectful toward him. Was this why he had summoned her? Was he planning to get revenge for her offense? She was suddenly filled with unease. Had she unknowingly offended someone she could never afford to offend?

Yi Han chuckled, his eyes filled with warmth. “You didn’t know who I was. There’s nothing to apologize for. I never held it against you.” He reached out and gently helped her up.

He’s not angry about that day?

Murong Ziying was puzzled. “Then… why did Your Highness summon me?” she asked cautiously.

Before Yi Han could answer, Xiao Zhuzi grinned and spoke up cheerfully. “His Highness invited you to participate in the consort selection. He wants to choose you!”