WBSGVS Chapter 154 V1

Yuegui Courtyard

The night was quiet throughout the compound, except for the faint sounds of sobbing coming from the room where Mu Lan’er stayed.

She couldn’t sleep.

The first night she found out that Xie Rongyun had been with Concubine Xu, she had tossed and turned, hurt and restless, unable to sleep at all. The next morning, she was so emotionally overwhelmed that she fainted on the spot.

She’d spent the entire day in bed, dazed and heavy-headed. But every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was him being intimate with another woman.

It hurt too much. The pain kept her wide awake. And when night fell, she questioned her maid. Even though the maid tried to avoid answering, she eventually gave in under pressure:

Yes, Xie Rongyun had gone to another concubine’s room tonight.

Mu Lan’er had been crying ever since. She wept until the moon rose high, her eyes swollen and sore, still curled up on her pillow, unaware that the bed curtains had been drawn aside.

Xie Rongyun stood quietly by, watching. There was a bitter satisfaction in his heart.

The daughter of his enemy, crying like this in front of him—it was almost poetic.

But she was also the woman he couldn’t help but like, even after swearing he wouldn’t.

He couldn’t bear seeing her like this. Every day, he thought about breaking that vow. And now that he was here, he told himself he should leave.

But his feet wouldn’t move, as if they’d grown roots.

After struggling with himself for a while, he sighed.

That soft sigh startled Mu Lan’er. Her body stiffened under the covers, and her sobbing abruptly stopped.

“Why are you crying?” Xie Rongyun asked.

Mu Lan’er wiped her face in embarrassment and sat up, hiding her body beneath the blanket. Only her tear-stained, puffy red eyes peeked out. She mumbled, “It’s nothing.”

“You’re upset I went to the concubines,” he said directly.

Mu Lan’er stayed silent, but her tears began to fall again—this time, silently.

“If you’re unhappy, just say so,” he said gently. “Maybe if you tell me, I’ll listen.”

He even chuckled after saying that. If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t care. But Mu Lan’er was different.

Hearing that, Mu Lan’er’s eyes lit up, but she was still anxious and hesitant, afraid to speak.

Xie Rongyun didn’t rush her. He simply looked at her.

The silence dragged on. In the end, it was he who couldn’t take it.

He had to be up before dawn for work at the Ministry of Revenue. The place was notorious for being overloaded—books to balance, records to check. And he wasn’t a deputy minister who could pass tasks on to others. He had to do it all himself.

On top of that, he’d been worn out the past few nights with all the “duties” involving his concubines.

And now, in the middle of the night—he’d barely finished with a concubine—he still came here, worried about Mu Lan’er. He was exhausted.

So he resorted to his usual tactic—a little threat.

“If you don’t speak, I’m leaving.”

That got to her. Mu Lan’er panicked. Her already foggy mind blanked out, and she lunged into his arms, crying out the truth from her heart:

“I don’t want you to touch any other women! Not even my third sister!”

Xie Rongyun smiled, lips curling. “Then are you staying by my side?”

Mu Lan’er hesitated, then nodded slowly.

The bed curtains fell shut.

A maid outside heard the movement, blushed, and quietly slipped away to give them space.

The Royal Racetrack

The Jin Dynasty had lasted over two hundred years. Many emperors had come and gone during that time, and with peace and prosperity firmly in place, entertainment and leisure had flourished.

Among the nobility, competitions were held regularly, almost every few days.

Horse racing, in particular, was a highlight. After all, owning and maintaining a good horse was a symbol of wealth and status. Breeding, care, and training—it all required enormous expenses.

The current emperor himself had a fondness for equestrian sports. When someone performed particularly well in a race, he often personally rewarded them. As a result, horse racing became the hottest sport of the moment.

And right now, a major race was underway.

Only… the atmosphere wasn’t great.

Many young lords and ladies were throwing sideways glances toward the area where several princes were gathered. Their expressions were a mix of curiosity and amusement, like they were waiting for some drama to unfold.

Just fifteen minutes ago, the Sixth Prince had personally led out his prized purebred Ferghana horse. Its coat was snow white, its muscles sleek and powerful—clearly well-cared-for. The sight of it drew murmurs from the crowd.

It was a reward the Sixth Prince had received two months ago from the Emperor himself, after a brilliant display of riding skills. He hadn’t shown the horse before now because he’d been building familiarity with it.

Now that it was out? The crowd went wild.

The competition was over before it began.

That horse’s bloodline, its condition—who could compete?

While everyone was buzzing with envy and admiration, the Third Prince approached and asked to try riding the imperial gift horse.

The Sixth Prince was famously gentle and generous—the kind of man who always had everything and rarely said no.

So everyone expected him to agree.

But instead, he turned the Third Prince down.

Flatly.

The Third Prince felt humiliated. His face darkened, and he declared that he would challenge the Sixth Prince—this time, he wouldn’t lose.

Naturally, the Sixth Prince agreed in his usual calm and courteous manner.