Chapter 79: Prince Luo's Night Visit

Including the time in the Infinite Sect’s dungeon, this was already the second time Shen Qianmo had been imprisoned since arriving in this world.

Compared to the Infinite Sect’s dungeon, the imperial prison within the palace was incomparably better. Though the lighting was dim, there was none of the damp, bone-chilling cold of before. She was confined in an isolated cell, cut off from the world, yet it was clean, with a stone bed and even a thin layer of bedding on top.

The Great Sheng Empire truly was prosperous and powerful—even the conditions in prison were so luxurious. Or perhaps even the prison cells here were divided between ordinary and VIP, and the Emperor Mingde, in a rare act of mercy, had assigned her a guest suite?

After the exhausting night, Shen Qianmo lay on the stone bed, sleepiness washing over her.

Her mind spun with countless thoughts, yet drowsiness gradually overtook her. She didn’t know how much time had passed when, in a haze, she seemed to see someone standing by her bedside.

The figure was tall and upright. The room was shrouded in darkness, so Shen Qianmo couldn’t make out his features.

Her senses snapped to alertness, and she sat up, scrutinizing the visitor as best she could in the faint light.

When she finally saw clearly, she was quite surprised.

Standing before her was none other than the Crown Prince, Meng Tianluo!

What was he doing here? Shocked, Shen Qianmo was about to rise when Meng Tianluo suddenly reached out, gripping her shoulders and forcing her back down.

Pinned in place, she found herself unable to move.

Meng Tianluo leaned in close, his eyes brimming with boundless fury and malice. Although Shen Qianmo was puzzled, she kept her expression calm and her voice steady. “Your Highness Prince Luo, what brings you here?”

There was a resemblance between his features and Meng Yuanheng’s—a feeling Shen Qianmo had the very first time she saw Meng Tianluo. Now that she knew they were half-brothers, it was not surprising.

Meng Tianluo’s gaze was sharp and poisonous. He gritted out, “What’s so good about that cripple, Meng Yuanheng, that you’d willingly come to prison to protect him?”

His hoarse, shrill voice grated against her ears like a blade scraping glass, making Shen Qianmo distinctly uncomfortable. She frowned. “Why would Your Highness say such a thing? Meng Yuanheng and I are betrothed. Whether I protect him or he protects me, it’s only right.”

She couldn’t help but miss Meng Yuanheng’s deep, magnetic voice; whenever he whispered softly in her ear, she would always find herself unconsciously drawn in.

At her words, Meng Tianluo grew even more enraged, his grip tightening to the point it nearly crushed her shoulders.

“I am the legitimate firstborn prince. Meng Yuanheng is nothing but a bastard—how does he deserve a woman as outstanding as you? Even Father has favored him all these years. Don’t think I don’t know what he’s plotting.”

So he did know Meng Yuanheng’s true identity. Shen Qianmo feigned confusion. “I’m afraid I don’t understand what Your Highness is talking about. This is a place of high security—you shouldn’t linger here. Please, leave.”

Seeing her dismissive attitude only infuriated Meng Tianluo further. In a fit of rage, he pressed Shen Qianmo down onto the stone bed and leaned over her, staring down menacingly. “The thing I hate most is being looked down on, especially by a woman I desire. What right does that bastard Meng Yuanheng have to be compared to me? Seven years ago, luck saved him from death. But just you wait—one day, I’ll take everything he has, including his woman.”

With these words, Meng Tianluo let out a few crazed, triumphant laughs, as if the scene had already come to pass. There was a flicker of madness in his eyes.

Seven years ago? Could he have been involved in the Kinu River incident? Shen Qianmo recalled the misery Meng Yuanheng once recounted to her, and a surge of anger flared within her, making her gaze turn cold and steely. “I never expected you to be so naive, Your Highness. But I assure you, that day will never come. Even if he loses everything, he will still have me. I will stay by his side, always, no matter what.”

Her response pushed Meng Tianluo to the edge. People are always this way—the more unattainable something is, the more they crave it. Especially since Meng Tianluo had long been fascinated by Shen Qianmo, who was soft on the outside but strong within, so different from others. Yet she reserved her affection only for his archrival, Meng Yuanheng—how could he tolerate that?

“Fine, let’s see if he’ll still want you after I claim your body right now!” Unable to control his impulsive nature, Meng Tianluo’s hands clamped down on her shoulders, pinning her to the bed. A sinister glint flashed in his eyes, and he lowered his head, intent on forcing a kiss upon her.

Shen Qianmo hadn’t expected Meng Tianluo to be so brazen, especially here in the imperial prison with guards everywhere. Was he truly blinded by jealousy and rage?

Of course, she would not let him have his way. Seizing the moment while he was off guard, she drove her knee hard into his groin. As Meng Tianluo recoiled in pain and his grip loosened, she shoved him away, leapt off the bed, and escaped his hold.

The pain was evident—Meng Tianluo had taken a harsh blow to his most vulnerable spot. But he was trained in martial arts since childhood, and quickly recovered. Seeing Shen Qianmo’s ruthless counterattack, his fury only grew. He advanced on her, step by step, his eyes burning with rage as if he would devour her whole.

“You wretched woman, how dare you strike at me!” Meng Tianluo snarled, and with a loud crack, slapped Shen Qianmo hard across the face.

The blow was heavy. Red streaks immediately welled up on her pale cheek, and blood appeared at the corner of her lips. Her fair skin made the marks all the more glaring.

Shen Qianmo neither covered her face nor wiped her mouth; she simply stared coldly at the nearly deranged Meng Tianluo, keeping her guard up, ready to fight at any moment.

Meng Tianluo clearly knew martial arts, and though Shen Qianmo herself was no weakling, the body she now inhabited was simply too delicate to match his strength. Her earlier success was only because she caught him off guard; if he truly forced himself on her, she couldn’t guarantee escape.

If only she had a dagger—she might have a chance by targeting his vital points. Unfortunately, because she had attended a palace banquet, she hadn’t carried her scalpel with her.

Just as Meng Tianluo lunged at her again, an angry voice came from outside the cell.

“Big Brother, why are you bullying Sister Shen?”

Before the words had fully left his mouth, a tall, burly figure burst into the cell, positioning himself protectively before Shen Qianmo like a mountain.

She didn’t even need to look to know—it was Meng Tianlin.

Meng Tianlin glared fiercely at Meng Tianluo, clearly ready for a confrontation.

Meng Tianluo had never taken his foolish younger brother seriously, but he did fear his natural strength; if this big oaf went berserk, he might not be able to handle him. And now that he had calmed down, he realized that causing a scene here in the imperial prison would do him no good.

With this in mind, he forced himself to swallow his anger, shooting Shen Qianmo an icy look before resentfully sweeping out of the cell.

Seeing him leave, Meng Tianlin immediately turned to Shen Qianmo. When he saw the red marks on her face and the blood at the corner of her mouth, he let out a loud cry. “Sister Shen, you’re hurt!”

“I’m fine. Don’t be afraid, Your Highness,” Shen Qianmo soothed him, estimating that Meng Tianlin’s mental age was only about ten. She worried the sight of blood might frighten him, so she spoke gently.

But Meng Tianlin hurriedly used his sleeve to wipe away the blood at her lips, pouting unhappily. “Sister Shen, do you not like Tianlin? Why do you always call me ‘Fourth Prince’ instead of Tianlin like Brother Heng does?”

Well... Shen Qianmo wasn’t someone who warmed up easily to strangers, so she wasn’t used to calling him so intimately. But seeing Meng Tianlin’s innocent sincerity, she decided it wouldn’t hurt. She smiled softly, “Of course not. Tianlin is wonderful.”

“Really? Does Sister Shen like Tianlin just like Brother Heng does?” Meng Tianlin’s face lit up with joy.

His simple, earnest emotion was infectious, and Shen Qianmo smiled and nodded. “By the way, Tianlin, why are you here?”

“Brother Heng sent me. He said you might be scared being alone in prison, so he asked me to come keep you company. Sister Shen, don’t be afraid. I’ve been in here before—it’s not scary at all.” Meng Tianlin tried his best to comfort her.

She couldn’t help but feel a surge of warmth. Meng Yuanheng must be terribly worried about her, to even think of sending Meng Tianlin for company.

Her tone grew softer. “I’m not afraid, so if you see Brother Heng, please tell him I’m doing well and not to worry, all right?”

Meng Tianlin nodded obediently.

Shen Qianmo gave him an encouraging look and continued, “Also, Tianlin, can you promise me one more thing?”

“What is it, Sister Shen? Just say it.” Meng Tianlin was all curiosity, taking her words very seriously.

“If your eldest brother comes here again, you mustn’t tell Brother Heng. If Brother Heng finds out, he’ll be very angry and sad. You don’t want to see Brother Heng sad, do you?”

“No, I won’t tell. Brother Heng is already pitiful enough—I won’t make him sadder. But Big Brother is such a villain. Don’t worry, Sister Shen, I’ll be sure to teach him a lesson!” Meng Tianlin was full of righteous indignation at the sight of Shen Qianmo’s injuries.

“Thank you, Tianlin.” Shen Qianmo smiled. She worried that if Meng Yuanheng learned of this, he’d lose control and have an open confrontation with Meng Tianluo. As Meng Tianluo himself said, he was the legitimate crown prince. If Meng Yuanheng made a move against him, others could use it as evidence of treason.

But Meng Tianluo was an ambitious and dangerous man, coveting the throne and seeing Meng Yuanheng as a thorn in his side. She’d have to warn Meng Yuanheng to be on guard.

And there was one more thing: Meng Tianluo’s mention of the incident seven years ago—was he truly connected to the Kinu River massacre?