Willow on the Palace Wall (Lily ABO) - Chapter 11

011: What Does Your Highness Think of Muchu?

Sneaking out to have fun? Why not go to the picturesque Jiangnan region or the rolling mountains of the North? What sense did it make to run to this desolate border camp?

Was she here for Su Ce?

A Beta woman held absolutely no attraction for an Omega.

Or had the traditionally neutral Prince of Huainan aligned himself with the Sixth Prince?

Su Ling pondered. Su Ce, being a Beta woman, was fundamentally eliminated from any chance of succession. Historically, the Great Yan Dynasty had always been ruled by an Alpha. No matter how great her military achievements or how much the common people praised her, it was impossible. However, if she, with her powerful military forces, were to join the Prince of Huainan and stand with the Sixth Prince, her position as Crown Prince would be instantly overthrown!

“Um… Your Highness, do you happen to know what the Sixth Prince is like?” Hua Muchu suddenly asked. Su Ling’s expression hardened. Was she right? Did the Prince of Huainan actually intend to marry Hua Muchu to the Sixth Prince?

Her heart churned like a raging sea, but outwardly, she chuckled as if nothing had happened.

“My Sixth Brother is kind-hearted, intelligent, and skilled in both letters and martial arts, it’s just that…”

“Just what?” Hua Muchu couldn’t stand Su Ling’s deliberate hesitation and pressed her for an answer.

“It’s just baseless gossip, you know. They say he’s gotten a little too close to his personal Alpha attendant. Sixth Brother only recently differentiated as an Alpha, so it’s normal that he doesn’t know any better…”

“That’s awful! My father keeps telling me what a great catch the Sixth Prince is and urging my mother to visit the Imperial Noble Consort. It makes me so mad!”

Hua Muchu couldn’t tolerate this. She immediately spoke rashly, stamping her foot childishly in annoyance. She took the opportunity to steal a glance at Su Ling, whose suspicious, tense expression had clearly softened.

“I’ve only heard rumors. Chu’er, you don’t need to worry too much. Perhaps it’s just brotherly affection?”

Su Ling knew Hua Muchu’s personality—she was arrogant and wouldn’t tolerate any dirt in her eye. With that comment hanging in the air, a marriage between her and the Sixth Prince was completely off the table.

“So, does that mean Chu’er is going to become my younger sister-in-law?” Su Ling teased her on purpose.

“Not at all! Your Highness, you’re thinking too much!” Hua Muchu adopted the coy demeanor of a young woman, twisting the edge of her robe. She secretly and vigorously rubbed the scented pouch hidden in her breast pocket. Inside was a specially mixed osmanthus sweet scent that smelled almost exactly like an Omega’s pheromones. Sure enough, Su Ling’s gaze softened, losing three parts of its caution and gaining five parts of pity.

“Muchu is merely a Kunze, and a woman at that,” Hua Muchu slowly moved closer to Su Ling, gently placing a delicate finger on her wrist. She looked up at Su Ling, half-shy and half-adoring. “My father said that it would be best if I could marry into the royal family. I’ve been thinking… what does Your Highness think of Muchu?”

Su Ling was momentarily speechless. She never expected Hua Muchu to set her sights on her.

Marry her? Su Ling had considered it. Hua Muchu’s looks, though not as stunning as her capital-renowned Royal Sister’s, were certainly pleasing to the eye. The position of secondary consort would be enough, and it would also secure the influence of the Prince of Huainan—a win-win situation.

However, Hua Muchu’s usual conduct was far too unrestrained. One slight misstep, and she could become the subject of endless common gossip. Su Ling could not afford to take that risk!

Take her habit of keeping male companions, for instance. Most unmarried Kunze women in royal and noble families kept a few male companions in secret. After all, drinking the pheromone-suppressing tonic too much damaged one’s health and went against nature. Enjoying physical intimacy with another Kunze was far more comfortable.

But most of them were discreet about it to protect their family’s reputation. The spoiled daughter of the Prince of Huainan was different. She seemed eager for everyone to know about her male companions. Just a few days ago, two Alphas were reportedly fighting over her in the streets, resulting in a public brawl. The loser nearly slit his own throat.

The storytellers in the capital had been embellishing the tale for half a month, earning quite a bit of silver in the process.

Author’s Note:

Xiao Chu: “Sister, look how perfectly I can play the role of a trashy Omega for you!”