At Sun Fengyu’s words, Prince Ning’s phoenix eyes narrowed dangerously. This bastard—the Celestial Ascendancy belonged to the Leng family. Since when did the Sun family dare to act so arrogantly?
Seeing his smug and overbearing demeanor, Prince Ning didn’t get angry but instead smiled. His usually gentle and smiling eyes brimmed with amusement, though the warmth didn’t reach their depths.
“Is that so? Young Master Sun is so infatuated with Qing’er that he’d even die for her?”
With a light laugh, he turned the question back on Sun Fengyu.
His words left Sun Fengyu momentarily puzzled, his expression one of surprise as he looked at him.
“It seems Young Master Sun’s so-called love and devotion to Qing’er are just empty words. This prince is willing to live and die for her—do you dare, Young Master Sun? If not, how can you claim true love?”
Noting Sun Fengyu’s hesitation and bewilderment, Prince Ning smiled faintly and pressed further. Seeing Sun Fengyu’s discomfort, he scoffed disdainfully.
“Nonsense! I, Sun Fengyu, may not be some great hero, but I can certainly do that much. If Your Highness is willing to live and die for her, so can I. I’d die for her right now—do you have the guts?”
Though inwardly conflicted—was he truly as devoted to that girl as he thought?—Sun Fengyu met Prince Ning’s mocking, disdainful gaze with stubborn defiance.
“Is that so? Then I’d love to see just how sincere Brother Sun’s feelings for me are. Brother Ning is willing to test poison for me—do you dare?”
Just then, the screen inside swayed, and a petite figure emerged, supported by her maid. Wanqing had only just woken and hadn’t expected Sun Fengyu to be competing with her brother over who loved her more.
With a faint smile, she turned the question back on Sun Fengyu.
“I…”
Her sudden appearance and challenge left Sun Fengyu genuinely stumped.
“Here are two vials of poison. If you two truly want to prove who loves me more, drink them. Whoever dares, I’ll believe loves me more.”
Seeing Sun Fengyu falter, Wanqing smiled faintly. She whispered to her maid, Honglian, who nodded and fetched two identical vials of poison, placing them on the table before them.
“This…”
Sun Fengyu’s earlier bravado had been fueled by male pride. But now, faced with actual poison and Wanqing’s pale, fragile face—her lips unnaturally bloodless yet curled in mockery—his hand trembled as he held the vial.
“Ah, so much for your deep love for Qing’er. Faced with life and death, you still hesitate, don’t you? Heh…”
Prince Ning sighed lightly at Sun Fengyu’s cowardice, then elegantly picked up the other vial. With a mocking smile, he uncorked it and downed the poison in one swift motion.
Stunned by Prince Ning’s fearless sacrifice, Sun Fengyu gritted his teeth and reached for his own vial—only to freeze as Prince Ning suddenly stiffened, his face contorting in pain. The vial slipped from his fingers as he clutched his chest with a low groan.
“You… you poisonous wench! You—”
Sun Fengyu’s vial clattered to the ground as he recoiled in horror. Wanqing ignored Prince Ning’s agony, her sweet smile never wavering as she watched Sun Fengyu.
Though he didn’t understand her motives, her expression—joyful, urging him to drink—filled him with dread. Trembling, he pointed at her.
“Heh, a poisonous wench? Only now do you realize? I’m delighted. Brother Ning drank my poison, yet his love for me remains unchanged. Isn’t that right?”
Wanqing’s smile was saccharine as she gazed at Sun Fengyu’s terror. With a dismissive glance, she knelt beside Prince Ning, who was writhing in pain, unable to rise. She took his hand, her voice sweet.
“Yes. This prince’s feelings for Qing’er will never change. Even if you kill me, my heart remains yours. If it pleases you, even death is worth seeing your genuine smile. Qing’er, I’ve proven I love you more than he does. Now, will you…?”
Playing along with their earlier plan, Prince Ning’s face was ashen with pain, yet he clung to her hand, his gaze tender. Blood trickled from his lips as he whispered weakly.
“What do you say, Young Master Sun? See how devoted Brother Ning is? Even poisoned, his heart remains mine. And you? Brother Ning, I know your heart now. I believe you’ll cherish me. But alas, you’re dying. Your life hangs on my whim—should I save you, or watch you suffer? Heh…”
Wanqing’s laughter was eerie, her demeanor like a vengeful spirit. She caressed Prince Ning’s face, reveling in his agony, then turned to Sun Fengyu—who was backing away in horror.
“Don’t go, Young Master Sun. You haven’t proven your love yet—”
As Sun Fengyu fled like a man pursued by demons, Wanqing flicked her wrist. Instantly, Prince Ning’s pain vanished, his complexion returning to normal as he smirked at Sun Fengyu’s retreating figure.
Watching him scramble away, the two exchanged amused glances.
“Such a coward, thinking he could marry our lady…”
Honglian entered with pastries, stifling laughter as she recounted how Sun Fengyu had tripped at the gate—and wet himself in fear.
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