Rebirth: Pampered by the Lord

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

"War Prince, please take the seat of honor." Celestial Master Zhang waved his hand, making a gesture of invitation.

Unexpectedly, the War Prince made a sudden turn and walked toward Xuexue, loudly proclaiming as he went, "No need, Celestial Master, I will sit with my Consort."

Celestial Master Zhang looked pained, only just remembering that the Fourth Prince was still present, glaring fiercely at the Prince's Consort! If they were to fight, wouldn't the Celestial Master's Mansion be destroyed in the process?

At this moment, he couldn't help but feel some regret. He shouldn't have organized this gathering; it was truly a case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used to lure it.

The Fourth Prince's expression had already changed drastically when he saw the War Prince enter the hall.

This Prince with a Different Surname was truly arrogant and reckless.

He didn't regard the Royal Family at all. A few days earlier, when he went to the War Prince's Mansion to find Xuexue, not only did he not see her, but he was also thrown out by the servants, causing him to lose face completely in the Capital.

The Fourth Prince bore a grudge in his heart, all the more determined to win over Situtu Xueer, so that the War Prince would lose face and see how arrogant he could be then.

No matter how hateful he felt, he had to maintain appearances — this was the sorrow of being part of the Royal Family: a single misstep could lead to a catastrophic fall.

"War Prince, my regards!" The Fourth Prince stood up from his seat with an appearance of politeness and respect.

"Hmm!"

The War Prince responded with a nasal sound, never pausing his steps, and walked straight to Xuexue's side, sitting down next to her.

No matter what, he was an imperial prince of the present dynasty, with a mother who was the Empress. This War Prince was overly arrogant, indeed, not putting him in regard at all; the Fourth Prince ground his teeth in hatred, though outwardly, he maintained a gentle and graceful smile.

Once the War Prince sat down, without waiting for Xuexue to react, he reproached her sternly, "Beloved Consort, what were you thinking?"

"What's the matter?" Xuexue looked bewildered; she had known Long Rui for so long and had never heard him speak to her so harshly.

"You still ask what? The Princess Consort was throwing a fit in the mansion early this morning because you didn't go to pay your respects."

Xuexue blinked in confusion, not understanding what had happened. She had always treated Madam Wang as air and had never gone to pay her respects. Now Long Rui was bringing it up in front of everyone — what was he getting at?

"Woke up... late this morning and had to come to the Celestial Master's Mansion, I forgot..." In front of everyone, she certainly couldn't say, "I disdain to pay respects to that woman."

Xuexue's mind was quick, and she immediately found an excuse.

The War Prince spoke with sarcasm, "The General's Mansion has truly raised a fine daughter in you, with no understanding of etiquette, hardly the demeanor of a woman. Pragging and making trouble early in the morning, you've disgraced the War Prince's Mansion."

Even as he scolded, he glanced aside at the Fourth Prince, making it clear he was jealous.

The War Prince's sharp words made Xuexue fume with anger. She hadn't married into the War Prince's Mansion to be a doormat. Besides, she was no longer the pitiful creature she was in her previous life, subject to others' whims.

With her present capabilities, she could survive even if she left the War Prince's Mansion. However, she had many considerations: first, she and Long Rui indeed shared feelings, and second, she wanted to leverage Long Rui's strength to completely crush the Fourth Prince. Of course, this crushing had to resolve the issue at its root, not merely kill the Fourth Prince.

Who was the Fourth Prince's backing? The current Empress.

That's right, Xuexue intended to start with the Empress. Without his birth mother, the Empress, as a shield, the Fourth Prince would be like an eagle with clipped wings; by then, she could destroy him however she pleased.