Chapter 257: Humiliation (Four Updates)

After Situ Xingchen and Cheng Han excused themselves, she refused several people who wanted to accompany her and left alone.

She walked aimlessly along the road, unsure of what emotion she was feeling; her mind was simply a blank void, and she didn't want to think about anything.

However, the scenes that had just unfolded in the plaza continued to replay incessantly in her mind, making her feel increasingly distressed.

After much thought, a sudden idea popped into her head—perhaps she should go visit the Li Mansion.

Ever since arriving in the Imperial Capital, she knew that Rong Xiu had been enfeoffed as Prince Li and resided in the Li Mansion; she had always wanted to pay him a visit.

But at that time, she held herself to a certain standard of decorum, feeling that being so proactive would be improper, so she had not gone.

But now, she no longer cared about such things.

She couldn't explain why this thought had suddenly occurred to her, but her footsteps moved toward the direction of the Li Mansion of their own accord.

—Though she did not go to the Li Mansion in person, she had envisioned the location many times in her heart.

Worried that her appearance might be recognized, she found a secluded spot, changed into a cloak to completely conceal her figure, and pulled up her hood, wrapping herself up tightly.

Even if someone walked directly toward her, they wouldn't recognize her without a very close look.

Once she was ready, she continued toward the Li Mansion.

When she was still a short distance away from the Li Mansion, she noticed that a large crowd seemed to have gathered there.

Outside the walls of the Li Mansion, people were gathered in layers upon layers, as if they were watching some sort of spectacle.

Situ Xingchen was quite surprised.

The Li Mansion was the residence of a Prince; how could these commoners be so insolent as to all stand here?

She wondered how the servants of the Li Mansion were performing their duties, to be unable to handle even such a small matter.

She took a few steps forward, wanting to see what exactly was happening, but she was quickly hit by the stench of sweat from the crowd, which made her feel both uncomfortable and nauseated.

She stood there, her feet as if rooted to the spot, hesitating to move forward.

She was utterly unwilling to push through the crowd and walk among these people.

She figured it was likely just some minor commotion.

With that thought, she turned around, intending to leave.

However, just as she turned, several voices of discussion drifted from the crowd.

"...I really don't know what His Highness Prince Li is thinking. These clothes are perfectly fine, why throw them away like this!"

"Exactly! Look at that fabric, every single piece is extremely precious! This is like burning silver!"

"But those clothes really are beautiful; even the cloud patterns on them are exceptionally exquisite! What a waste—"

Hearing those specific words, Situ Xingchen's heart gave a sudden leap, and she hurriedly turned back, wanting to squeeze into the crowd to see.

But the people in front were huddled closely together, and she was unwilling to use her Origin Power to cause too much of a disturbance.

On tiptoe, she managed to catch a few glimpses, seeing only a circle of guards from the Li Mansion standing inside, with crimson flames dancing.

Beyond that, she could see nothing.

Left with no choice, she could only say in a low voice

"Excuse me, please let me through..."

The men in front were originally somewhat impatient, but when they turned around, they saw a slender woman standing behind them.

Despite the cloak and the hood, her voice was gentle and pleasant; one could tell at a glance she was a beauty.

Looking at the clothes she was wearing, they seemed to be... the uniform of Xingluo Academy?

It seemed to be a student from Xingluo Academy coming to join the excitement.

The men exchanged glances, a subtle light flashing in their eyes, and they immediately stepped aside.

Soon, a path was cleared through the middle.

At this moment, Situ Xingchen's entire focus was on what was happening inside; she didn't notice the expressions of these men at all.

When she finally endured the foul odor and reached the center, she was instantly stunned by the scene before her.

In the middle of the ground sat a massive black iron bucket, and inside it, a mass of flames was burning fiercely!

Beneath the tongues of fire, pieces of exquisite silk garments were clearly visible!

At a single glance, she saw the cloud pattern on the hem of the topmost garment rapidly charring and curling under the intense heat!

Her heart felt as if it had been violently gripped, and a surge of intense unease rushed to her mind.

"Look at how little backbone you all have! Do you know His Highness Prince Li's status? He's just throwing away a few clothes, what's there to feel bad about?"

"If those clothes were given to us, that would be fine..."

"What are you thinking! Are you even worthy of wearing Prince Li's clothes? Besides... His Highness has been unwell; who knows what's wrong with these clothes..."

The low murmurs from the surroundings reached her ears, but Situ Xingchen no longer had any reaction; she merely stared blankly at the burning clothes.

Beside the iron bucket, there were many, many more...

Yan Qing stood by the bucket, directing the guards to throw the remaining items in one after another, his cold face as expressionless as ever.

"His Highness said that any clothing bearing this cloud pattern must all be burned! Not a single piece is to be left! If another is found in the mansion in the future and offends His Highness's eyes, you will certainly pay the price!"

"Yes!"

The guards did not know the reason behind it and simply followed orders earnestly.

However, hearing these words, Situ Xingchen felt as if she had been struck by lightning!

Anything bearing this cloud pattern... must all be burned!?

Wasn't Rong Xiu always most fond of this pattern? In fact, he had even drawn the design himself; why all of a sudden—

Her entire body froze, and the blood in her veins seemed to congeal at that moment.

The cloud pattern...

That's right, because she loved him, she had also secretly traced the pattern of those clouds and embroidered them onto her own clothes.

In her leisure time, she would often stare blankly at the cloud patterns on her clothes, as if she were seeing him.

In fact, even on the sleeves of the academy uniform she was wearing now, she had embroidered them herself...

Had Rong Xiu seen them?

His eyes were always sharp; how could he not have seen?

Was it simply because she had embroidered this cloud pattern that he wanted to burn all similar clothing!?

What did that person just say? That it might offend his eyes?

Did he loathe her that much? That for the sake of a cloud pattern, he wouldn't even wear these clothes anymore and had to burn them all completely?

Situ Xingchen's hands and feet went cold, and her heart felt as if it had been violently gouged out and thrown into the snow, bone-chillingly cold.

She shivered from the cold, yet hot tears silently streamed down her face.

In all these years, she had never suffered such humiliation!

For a moment, she almost felt as if the clothes on her own body were being enveloped by those flames, burning her until her whole body ached!

Situ Xingchen's gaze shifted stiffly; there were still many piles beside the iron bucket, and people were continuously bringing more out from the Li Mansion.

They were all being discarded!

Unable to watch any longer, Situ Xingchen turned and rushed through the crowd, leaving quickly!

The crowd was dense and everyone was watching the spectacle; no one paid any attention to her small commotion.

Only the men who had previously made way for her exchanged glances and silently withdrew, following in the direction Situ Xingchen had gone.

(End of Chapter)