The Princess Who Married The Crown Prince(GL) - Chapter 19

There was a rich scent of violets on Gong Luoyun, mixed with another overly sweet fragrance. As she approached, the smell rushed straight at Lu Fangting, much stronger than the natural scent of real flowers. It made him feel slightly uncomfortable, and his brows instinctively furrowed.

“Brother Fangting, why do you treat me so coldly now… When we were young, we were the best of friends. Whenever you had something tasty, you always saved some for me. You used to carry me on your back to play…” Gong Luoyun complained coquettishly as she noticed the deliberate distance Lu Fangting was keeping.

“Princess Luoyun, we’ve both grown up. Things aren’t the same as when we were children. Men and women are different now, and besides, I’m already married. For the sake of your reputation, I can no longer behave as I did back then… You should go and enjoy yourself with your sisters. I carry illness with me—I wouldn’t want to pass it on to you,” Lu Fangting said calmly.

When she mentioned their childhood, his hardened heart did stir for a moment. Back then, “she” wasn’t pretending to be a “he” yet—she was simply a carefree girl. At the time, war raged across the southern and northern borders, and the Duke of the South (Prince of Zhen’nan) held supreme military power. Even the Emperor addressed him as a brother and treated him with the utmost courtesy. But those days were long gone.

“Brother Fangting, I’m not afraid… And please don’t call me ‘Princess’—that title feels so distant to me. Call me ‘Luomei,’ like you used to when we were kids, okay? If you don’t call me that, I won’t let you go. If Mother sees us like this, I’ll just say you bullied me…” Gong Luoyun pouted, grabbing onto Lu Fangting’s sleeve.

Princess Gong Luoyon gazed foolishly at his handsome face, regretting how she hadn’t done more to stop his wedding when she’d first heard of it. Or maybe, deep down, she knew it was impossible, but she still wanted to act on a selfish whim—just to hear the answer she longed for, to soothe her heart a little.

Everyone else had gone to the poetry and lantern festival, and the main hall where Lu Fangting was staying was sparsely populated. That’s why Gong Luoyun became bolder.

She had originally planned to make Su Qiuqiu look bad, but Lu Fangting had unexpectedly helped her. Their zither-flute duet had openly displayed their affection and further infuriated her. She already harbored feelings for him and could no longer tolerate it.

“…Luomei, you’re being naughty again. I’m still ill, and not nearly as strong as you are…” Lu Fangting said helplessly, in a soft tone.

As Gong Luoyun leaned closer, Lu Fangting noticed the fragrant sachet at her waist. The overwhelming scent grew stronger. He shook his head slightly—when did this once-pure princess start liking such heavy perfumes? It wasn’t pleasant at all…

“Brother Fangting, I want you to be my prince consort! I’ll ask Father and Mother to arrange it!” Gong Luoyun said, her cheeks flushed with shyness, but her face was glowing with hope.

“Luomei, you must be joking. I already have a wife, the daughter of the Marquis of An Ning,” Lu Fangting replied, having had his suspicions but still surprised she would say it so directly.

“I don’t care! I want you to divorce her and marry me!” Gong Luoyun insisted stubbornly.

“Luomei, why put yourself through this? I’m in poor health—I don’t even know how long I have left. You’d only suffer if you were with me. His Majesty and Her Highness would never agree. Don’t say such things again,” Lu Fangting said bitterly. Inwardly, he sighed. Gong Luoyun was truly the cherished daughter of the Emperor and Empress. Had no one told her about the situation in the palace or the downfall of the Lu family?

The royal family had long since stopped tolerating the Lu family. After the southern rebellion was quelled, the Lu family lost its value and became an obstacle to the imperial power. Suppression came in all forms—openly and in secret. His “frail health,” his aunt’s suffering in the palace, his cousin Gong Xiyuan’s “foolishness”—which of these wasn’t orchestrated by that exalted Emperor?

A tiger does not eat its cubs, but this Emperor… He even turned on his own son. What more needed to be said?

Had the Lu family not retained some influence in the military and respect among the people, they would have long been annihilated after several false charges of treason.

Now, if the Lu family did not act, it would perish in this generation.

The Emperor’s most beloved daughter marrying into the Lu family? Impossible!

Even if she weren’t frail, even if she were truly a man, he would never marry such a spoiled princess.

“Father and Mother love me the most. I’m willing to beg them. If I stake my life on it, they’ll agree—as long as you’re willing.” Gong Luoyun said, biting her lip, her brow furrowed.

“Thank you, Princess, for the unmerited affection. If you still cherish those childhood memories and wish for me to live a few more days, please don’t do this. You know Their Majesties will never allow it…” Lu Fangting bowed deeply, his face filled with sorrow.

What a joke—if Gong Luoyun really did plead with the Emperor, of course he’d refuse. But he’d also blame her. He might even believe she had seduced the Princess.

Still, she didn’t expose the truth—that he would never marry her.

If it made the Princess resent the imperial family, perhaps that wasn’t such a bad outcome.

“You…” Gong Luoyun felt wronged. As a princess, she had always gotten what she wanted—except in marriage. Deep down, she knew her parents would never agree. But Lu Fangting didn’t even try to comfort her; instead, he said all these hurtful things, as if her love would only bring him trouble. Her heart ached. She stomped her foot and ran off.

Lu Fangting quietly sighed in relief. He hoped the little princess wouldn’t cause more trouble—and certainly wouldn’t take it out on Su Qiuqiu. They had already endured enough.

Everyone had gone off elsewhere. Lu Fangting, having no one close by, didn’t mind it. She planned to have a eunuch help her to get a warmer place to rest and leave as soon as everything was over.

She had only taken a few steps when a figure blocked her path.

A man—around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, tall and lean—stood there in a python-embroidered robe and golden crown. His handsome face carried a lazy smirk tinged with indecency.

“What? Don’t recognize me?” He raised an eyebrow.

“…Greetings, Your Highness the First Prince,” Lu Fangting said with a lowered gaze, with her fists clenched.

This was Gong Xicheng, the Emperor’s eldest son, sent away from the capital years ago. Born to a maid before the Emperor ascended the throne, his mother’s low status had excluded him from succession. Wild and unrestrained, he had always been disliked by the Emperor.

“So you still remember me. I didn’t expect you, Brother Fangting, to grow even more beautiful over the years. I’d believe it if someone said you were a woman. That pale face… just looking at it makes me ache. If you don’t mind, I could look into your illness. I’ve learned a bit of medicine during my time away.” Gong Xicheng smiled and walked closer, his hand landing on Lu Fangting’s shoulder in a familiar gesture.

“…Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern. The imperial physicians have already examined me. It’s likely incurable. There’s no need to trouble yourself,” Lu Fangting replied, feeling a growing discomfort in her body. The familiar sensation made her heart jolt.

The poison was acting up again. It wasn’t due to strike for several more days—why now?

She couldn’t let anyone see her like this. Especially not this man.

“I don’t mind the trouble. Imperial physicians don’t know everything. Everyone has their strengths—you might as well try. If I were still in the capital, I’d have searched the whole empire for rare herbs to heal you…” Gong Xicheng pulled her closer. Lu Fangting wanted to move away, but her body grew heavier.

“Your Highness, I feel unwell… cough… Please excuse me…” She tried to step back, but Gong Xicheng grabbed her arm.

“You’re ill, all the more reason I should help. I’ve studied massage. It’s very effective, I promise,” he smiled, eyeing her pale face with undisguised interest. Without waiting for her consent, he began dragging her away.

His intentions were too obvious. Lu Fangting wished she could draw her sword and cut him down right there. But since he wanted to take her to a secluded place, she might as well follow—for now—and look for a chance to escape.

Lu Fangting had always been too beautiful. Women adored her, and some men, too—those with twisted tastes. When the Lu family still held power, who would have dared treat her like this? Even a prince had to think twice.

But now? The Lu family was in decline. She had endured this sort of humiliation before. Back then, she had people by her side and didn’t appear so weak. It was easier to avoid. But this time, the poison had struck. She needed to escape. As they walked, she kept scanning the area, searching for a place to hide.

“You were always good-looking, even as a child. I liked you then. After I was sent away, I didn’t see you for years, and now you’ve become even more stunning. Tsk… your skin is even better than the top courtesan of Chunyi Pavilion,” Gong Xicheng murmured as they reached a quiet spot, his lecherous gaze blatant.

“Your Highness, how could you compare me to someone like that…?” Lu Fangting snapped in anger.

“Of course, they don’t compare to you. You’ve never known the pleasures of a woman, have you? But those women aren’t worth much. What you need is a strong man like me to serve you…” he whispered.

“Your Highness, how could you— Ah! Second Prince, what are you doing here?” Lu Fangting suddenly cried out, looking behind Gong Xicheng with shock.

Gong Xicheng blinked, confused by her surprised expression. He turned quickly—only to see that no one was there. He chuckled and turned back—only to find Lu Fangting had stumbled several steps away.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he called, chasing after her.

Lu Fangting didn’t look back. She ran with all her might, slipping into an artificial rock garden before he could catch up.