After refusing marriage, she was pampered by the prince who acted as a shield.

Chapter 264: I Will Never Take a Concubine in This Life

The Jinglie Prince's Mansion at this time.

"Your Highness, please accept the imperial decree." The eunuch's voice finally fell after the imperial decree was read aloud.

Lin Rusi's expression, which had been blank for a long time, suddenly brightened, her eyes still holding a hint of disbelief.

She slowly raised her head, accepted the yellow scroll, and respectfully kowtowed in thanks, her eyes slightly reddening.

Watching the eunuch leave, Lin Rusi finally let the tears of emotion she had been holding back flow.

She covered her mouth and wept silently, choking back sobs as she murmured Li Jingyang's name, a sweet and happy smile spreading across her face.

A couple who are together for life, Lin Rusi and Li Jingyang.

Her lifelong dream has finally come true.

She never thought she was petty, even though it was perfectly normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines.

But if Lin Rusi's husband really wanted to take a concubine, she would rather remain unmarried for life, no matter how much she loved that person.

Lin Rusi gently stroked the characters on the imperial edict, repeatedly etching Li Jingyang's name in her heart, tears streaming down her face.

She was so happy that even her tears tasted sweet. She couldn't wait to see Li Jingyang.

The news that Prince Jinglie, Li Jingyang, had received an imperial decree promising him that he would never take a concubine for the rest of his life quickly spread throughout the capital. Everyone was discussing it, with some in favor, some against, and some even cursing Princess Jinglie for being ungrateful.

When unmarried women heard this, they all began to fantasize about their future husbands, hoping that they could also have a loyal and devoted husband like Li Jingyang.

Many married women envied Lin Rusi, as they were constantly battling wits with their husbands' wives and concubines, living in misery every day.

I'm afraid to even sleep soundly, for fear that I'll be decapitated at any moment.

The vast majority of men still had multiple wives and concubines. As men themselves, they could understand why each other kept taking concubines.

But basically no man could understand what Li Jingyang really meant.

Logically speaking, as the Prince of Jinglie, he held a high position and great power, and was handsome. There should have been many women who admired him. The women who wanted to marry him could stretch from inside the capital to outside the capital. There was no shortage of daughters of powerful noble families. Why would he give up beauty, wealth, and power to marry just one Lin Rusi?

No one could understand him; some even thought that Lin Rusi had used her seductive arts to lure Li Jingyang into listening to her and believing her lies.

Many older people were shocked when they heard this. In their minds, a man should have three wives and four concubines, and only then would he be blessed with many children and grandchildren. What does this "never taking a concubine" mean?

The news caused a sensation in the capital, and everyone was talking about it.

Lin Rusi has been attracting all sorts of attention lately when she goes out, some with envy, some with incomprehension, and some with dissatisfaction. But she doesn't care about any of it and just lives her simple, ordinary, happy and fulfilling life as a princess.

The Empress was furious when she heard about this.

She thought of Lin Rusi with resentment, cursing her fiercely as if she wanted to tear her to pieces.

I'm having such a hard time, but she's thriving. Why is that?

So she secretly summoned Yuan Shao's father, her expression cold and resentful.

"Uncle, would you be willing to do me a favor and make things difficult for Lin Rusi? She's been really standing out lately. Doesn't she understand the saying 'the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind'?"

Her gaze drifted lightly toward Yuan Shao's father. When the man met her emotionless black eyes, he trembled and felt a chill run down his spine.

He nodded hastily, readily agreeing to the Empress's request.

Lin Rusi extorted a large sum of money from him and caused him to lose his son. Of course, Mr. Yuan would never forget this hatred.

The two conspired in the palace all night. When the man left, the empress had a satisfied yet cruel smile on her face, like a ruthless executioner who was about to cut down her mortal enemy with the guillotine at any moment.

……

Meanwhile, Su Xiangqing finally learned about the imperial edict from someone else, and she was overjoyed when she heard it.

She watched as Lin Rusi and Li Jingyang's relationship blossomed, fearing that another woman might ruin it. They had been through so much together; they had to make it work.

Moreover, she knew Lin Rusi's wish and was genuinely happy for Lin Rusi to have her wish fulfilled.

Su Xiangqing boarded the carriage and hurried to the Jinglie Prince's Mansion, where Lin Rusi quickly came out to greet her.

"Rusi, you've finally achieved your wish. You must be very happy. You and Prince Jinglie must stay together. You've endured so many hardships together, which proves that you are destined lovers."

Su Xiangqing blinked, her eyes filled with envy and happiness for her friend, gentle yet radiant.

Lin Rusi smiled, genuinely happy to have such a considerate friend.

The two talked until the sun was about to set, and the afterglow of the setting sun slanted down on Lin Rusi. Su Xiangqing stared blankly at her friend, somewhat lost in thought.

Lin Rusi raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Su Xiangqing shook her head and said with a smile, "Rusi, I've noticed that you've become much gentler."

She raised her hand, her fingers resting on Lin Rusi's brow, her eyes seeming to hold a hint of nostalgia.

"You used to always have a furrowed brow, as if you had an unresolved sorrow. Even though you tried to hide it, I could still see it."

She gently stroked Lin Rusi's cheek and said, "But now you've softened up completely, becoming gentle and peaceful. You've improved a lot compared to before."

Lin Rusi must be very happy, which is why she looks like this.

Lin Rusi smiled slightly, pursed her lips, and remained silent, as if she had tacitly agreed.

The two chatted for a long time, sharing their joys and sorrows, until very late.

Later that evening, Li Jingyang also returned.

"Sisi, I'm back." Li Jingyang was holding pastries, but as soon as he entered the door, he saw Su Xiangqing.

Why are you still here?

The man didn't frown; he just looked over with a puzzled expression.

Seeing this, Su Xiangqing simply smiled and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Your Highness, Xiang Qing is here to see me too. Besides, it's getting late tonight, so why don't you let her sleep with me?"

Lin Rusi's eyes sparkled; the two of them hadn't seen each other for a long time, and they had so much to talk about.

"Then this king..." Li Jingyang wanted to say something more.

At this moment, Su Xiangqing reacted quickly and stood up somewhat embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I've bothered you today."

Li Jingyang immediately took back what he had said, his eyes widening with displeasure.

"Fine, then you can go to sleep." In the end, he waved his hand weakly.