Commoner Queen: Falling in Love with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - Chapter 25

“The Crown Prince is inside. I am Lady Shui—why should I be denied entry? Step aside!”

Li Yingshui shoved past Xiao Zhuzi and forced her way in. Ever since she entered the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince had ignored her completely, treating her as if she didn’t exist. She had tried to see him several times, but every attempt had been in vain.

She was the niece of Princess Li—how dare he treat her with such indifference? She had held back her anger, waiting for the right moment to act. But now, she could no longer stay idle. That wretched woman, Murong Ziying, had moved before she could, securing an audience with the Crown Prince and staying with him for a long time. The mere thought of it made her bl00d boil. She couldn’t allow this humiliation. She had to reclaim her standing—for herself, for her mother, and for her father’s honor.

When her gaze landed on the scene before her, her fury reached its peak.

The Crown Prince was holding that witch in his arms, his expression soft and affectionate.

“Your Highness, forgive me—I could not stop Lady Shui,” Xiao Zhuzi said helplessly.

Yi Han gave a slight nod, signaling him to step aside, then turned to Li Yingshui with an icy stare. “Do you know where you are? This is the Eastern Palace—not the Li family estate. You cannot act so recklessly here.” His voice was sharp and authoritative.

Li Yingshui’s heart skipped a beat. She had been too impulsive.

“Your Highness, I was simply too eager to see you. My anxiety made me forget proper decorum. Please forgive my rudeness.” She quickly softened her tone, feigning vulnerability.

“Hmph. Etiquette reflects character. It seems Lord Li failed to teach his daughter well.” His expression remained cold.

Li Yingshui clenched her fists, seething with anger. “Your Highness, do you truly have no care for me at all?” she asked, her voice trembling with carefully crafted grievance.

To Yi Han, her performance was painfully contrived. He was about to make his stance clear and crush whatever hope she had left, but before he could speak, Murong Ziying gently placed a hand on his arm, stopping him.

“How could His Highness not care for you?” Ziying said with a small smile. “Just moments ago, he was speaking highly of you in my presence.” She shot Yi Han a warning glance, silently urging him to go along with it.

She didn’t want him to be too harsh on Li Yingshui. After all, if she ever returned to the modern world, she wouldn’t be able to stay by his side. If that time came, Li Yingshui would be the most suitable person to take her place.

Li Yingshui felt a flicker of joy at Ziying’s words but refused to show it. Coming from Murong Ziying’s mouth, the compliment meant nothing to her.

“If His Highness truly values me, then why has he not visited me? Why has he refused to see me, no matter how many times I have asked?” she pressed.

What truly terrified her was the reality of her situation. It had been ten days since she entered the palace, yet she had not been granted even a single night with the Crown Prince. If she remained untouched, her future was bleak.

A concubine who was never favored could easily be dismissed from the palace or spend her entire life as a low-ranking consort, doomed to obscurity. No, she couldn’t allow that to happen. She had to secure the Crown Prince’s favor—she had to become his Crown Princess.

Yi Han’s patience was wearing thin. “I have been busy with state affairs,” he replied dismissively. In truth, she hadn’t even crossed his mind. He had no interest in seeing her.

“If you are so occupied with matters of state, then how do you have time for her?” Li Yingshui’s voice was sharp with resentment, her eyes flashing with hostility as she glared at Murong Ziying.

Yi Han’s expression darkened at her blatant disrespect. He stepped closer to Ziying and pulled her protectively into his embrace.

“Ziying is different,” he declared. “She is permitted to enter at any time, without the need for announcement.”

His meaning was clear—Murong Ziying held a unique and irreplaceable position in the Eastern Palace. He would not tolerate anyone using their status to intimidate or oppress her.

Li Yingshui gritted her teeth, her nails digging into her palms. Murong Ziying!

In just a short time, she had already managed to secure the Crown Prince’s unwavering favor.

Fine. If this woman wanted a fight, then a fight she would get.

“Why does Your Highness indulge her so?” she demanded, her voice laced with jealousy.

Yi Han met her gaze with unwavering certainty. “For no other reason than this—she is the woman I love.”

As he spoke, he traced his fingers along Ziying’s lips, his touch filled with adoration.

Such soft, tempting lips…