Chapter 5: 第５章 三皇子要休了妾身？（１）

Feng Qingcheng stopped in her tracks and turned to look at the Second Madam. She was a woman past her prime, decked out in pearls, jade, and fine silks. Feng Qingcheng truly couldn't fathom what Feng Tiande saw in her. How could such a vicious woman be worthy of being her stepmother?

"Master, the Third Prince is here. He says he has an urgent matter to discuss with you." Before Feng Qingcheng could speak, she heard the butler’s urgent voice.

"Quick, go and welcome the Third Prince." Feng Tiande said as he headed toward the entrance, simultaneously ordering someone to take Fu Shun away and keep him under strict guard.

The Second Madam’s lips twitched, but she instantly regained her composure and followed closely behind Feng Tiande. However, that subtle movement did not escape Feng Qingcheng’s eyes. It seemed the Third Prince’s arrival was not simple. But for Feng Qingcheng, eating was the priority right now. She took two steps back, signaled to Xin'er, and the two of them left the front hall.

A quarter of an hour later, Feng Qingcheng was already sitting in her boudoir. Before her were two baskets of meat buns, two bowls of wontons, and four chicken legs. As she ate, she gestured for Xin'er to sit down. Xin'er dared not, but she couldn't resist Feng Qingcheng’s stubbornness, and being very hungry herself, she obediently sat down and began to eat.

In just a moment, the food had been swept clean. Feng Qingcheng sat contentedly in a rattan chair, closing her eyes to rest. Yet, she knew this brief peace would soon be broken. She needed to conserve her energy to deal with the situation ahead.

Sure enough, before long, Xin'er ran in, flustered. "Miss, it’s bad. It’s bad."

Feng Qingcheng patted Xin'er’s shoulder and said with a faint smile, "Xin'er, why are you so panicked?"

"Miss, the Third Prince... the Third Prince has sent a letter of divorce." Xin'er’s tears were almost falling. She knew her mistress was very fond of the Third Prince; if she were truly divorced before even being married, what a blow it would be to her.

"I understand. Let’s go, let’s go meet that Third Prince." Feng Qingcheng nodded, stood up, and walked out first with a calm expression.

Watching Feng Qingcheng’s calm and unruffled demeanor, Xin'er felt an inexplicable sense of relief. Ever since her mistress returned from offering incense, she had truly been different from before. Yet, this version of her mistress made her feel an unfounded sense of trust and peace.

Following closely behind her mistress, Xin'er couldn't help but straighten her back.

"Third Prince, this matter must be a misunderstanding. I ask that you take back the letter of divorce." As soon as they approached, Feng Tiande’s words reached Feng Qingcheng’s ears.

"Prime Minister, how can the words I, this Prince, have spoken be taken back so easily? Do you expect me to let the royal family be shamed because of your daughter’s unchastity?" A gloomy voice reached Feng Qingcheng.

At this moment, Feng Qingcheng lifted the curtain and entered.

"Miss." Xin'er exclaimed, quickly walking over to carefully support Feng Qingcheng. At the sound of that exclamation, everyone in the hall turned their gaze toward Feng Qingcheng—some with disgust, some with disdain, some with contempt, and others just waiting to see a show.

Feng Qingcheng smiled slightly, took a few steps forward to bow to Feng Tiande, and then walked step by step to the Third Prince, Xiao Ruofeng. "This concubine hears that the Third Prince wishes to divorce me? Is this true?"

"That’s right. I intend to divorce you." Xiao Ruofeng squinted at Feng Qingcheng, then looked away. Even though she wore a veil, the red mole beneath it was still strikingly visible. He disdained to even look at such ugliness, let alone marry her and face her day and night; the mere thought made him feel disgusted.

"If the Third Prince wishes to divorce me, I have no objections. From today on, I, Feng Qingcheng, have no further relation to the Third Prince. However, my purity is not something others can insult." Feng Qingcheng said, word by word: "Everyone present today is a witness."

As she spoke, Feng Qingcheng took a dagger from Xin'er and applied a little pressure, tearing a piece of fabric to reveal the bright red *shougongsha* (virginity mark) on her arm.

A collective gasp filled the hall. Xiao Ruofeng stared fixedly at the bright red mark, his face full of disbelief, while the Second Madam’s complexion turned deathly pale in an instant.

Feng Qingcheng was very satisfied with the reaction of the crowd, laughing inwardly: *At least I studied art for a few years back in the day. A shougongsha is just a red dot; I can draw one myself, and it’s enough to fool everyone here.*

"Qingcheng, Father knew you were wronged." Feng Tiande said tremblingly, taking off his outer robe to drape over Feng Qingcheng. At the same time, he said to the Third Prince, "Third Prince, our Qingcheng has never done anything to wrong you. But since the Third Prince has no intentions toward my daughter, I will personally petition the Emperor to annul the engagement."

Xiao Ruofeng looked at Feng Qingcheng. Through the veil, he couldn't see the expression on her face, but he could feel the chill radiating from her. Regardless, his goal had been achieved; he wasn't interested in whether Feng Qingcheng was a virgin or not. Nodding to Feng Tiande, Xiao Ruofeng left directly.

This outcome made the Second Madam feel very displeased, but she immediately plastered a smile on her face and said softly to Feng Qingcheng, "Qingcheng, it was Second Mother who misunderstood you. It was all that Fu Shun’s nonsense that almost caused you to be wronged. Don't worry, Second Mother will never spare him."