Chapter 50 Being pushed down

The servant sneered, his figure stretched out in the sunlight, reflected on the window paper.

"Tell him that if you can't see the second prince, you will commit suicide." Shen Anan walked behind her at some point and whispered.

Duan Mengmeng's face froze, and she glanced back at Shen Anan, her eyes seemed to say, why don't you commit suicide?

Shen Anan lowered her voice very low, "He arrested me for the power in my father's hands, but he arrested you because he loves you. I can't threaten him, but you can."

Duan Mengmeng raised her chin slightly, with a hint of pride in her eyes, but she still said what Shen Anan told her.

The servant outside didn't respond, but he didn't leave either.

Duan Mengmeng looked back at Shen Anan again, and when she received Shen Anan's gaze, she spoke again, "You should know that your master likes me. If something happens to me because of your dereliction of duty, can you take responsibility?"

The atmosphere was silent and deadlocked. After a few breaths, the shadow reflected on the window frame finally moved. Then footsteps were heard, leaving the pavilion.

The two knew that he had gone to find the Second Prince to inform him of the news.

A hint of joy appeared on Duan Mengmeng's face. "He's gone. Let's find a way to escape."

She hurriedly walked around the room, but found that the doors and windows were nailed shut. She couldn't get out at all, not even out of this room.

She turned around, only to see Shen Anan sitting leisurely in a chair, not moving or speaking, as if in a daze.

"Why are you sitting there in a daze? Hurry up and think of a solution."

Shen Anan raised her eyes and glanced at her, disliking her nagging and making a fuss, and said in a calm voice, "There are secret guards outside, even if the door is open, we can't get out."

Duan Mengmeng's face instantly turned deathly pale, "Then why did you ask me to call the Second Prince?"

"Don't you want to see him?"

Duan Mengmeng felt a lump in her throat and her face turned slightly blue.

She knew very well that the Second Prince coveted her. Calling him over now would be tantamount to seeking her own death. Even if she was discovered and rescued, her innocence would be ruined and it would be too late.

"You did it on purpose. Are you afraid that I will compete with you for the Fourth Prince?"

Shen Anan was too lazy to talk nonsense with her because footsteps were heard on the waterside bridge outside the house.

Duan Mengmeng's whole body tensed up instantly and she shrank to the most inconspicuous corner of the room.

She was going to marry the Fourth Prince and must not lose her reputation, especially in front of Shen Anan.

Shen Anan ignored her, raised her eyes coldly, and looked towards the door.

The footsteps came from far away and gradually got closer. After a long while, the door was finally opened. The sudden light shone into the dim room, making it difficult to open one's eyes.

Shen Anan blocked it with her arm, squinting at the tall figure that slowly walked into the room.

The man seemed to pause for a moment, his eyes slowly swept across the room, and finally landed on Shen Anan, and walked towards her against the light.

Shen Anan also adjusted to the light, put down his arms, and looked up at the man in front of him.

“Miss Shen.”

Shen Anan's eyes swept across his smiling face, and her lips raised a little arc, "Second Prince, I'm surprised to meet you in this way."

Xiao Ze seemed not to hear the sarcasm in her words, "This prince is also surprised that Miss Shen would react in this way. It really makes people look at her in a new light."

Shen Anan sneered and didn’t answer.

At this moment, Duan Mengmeng suddenly ran over, shivering as she bowed, "Second Prince."

Xiao Ze looked at her and smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes, "Miss Duan San."

Duan Mengmeng swallowed and spoke as softly as possible, "Second Prince, I'm afraid to stay here. Can you please let me go first? I will consult grandfather about our matter when I return."

Duan Mengmeng tried her best to remain calm, hoping to calm Xiao Ze down first.

"Oh? Does Miss Duan San really think so?" He suddenly leaned forward and his tall body enveloped Duan Mengmeng, feeling extremely oppressive.

The two were very close to each other, their breaths intertwined, and Duan Mengmeng's heart almost jumped out.

The intimate action made her feel uneasy. She staggered back a step, but her waist was suddenly grabbed by a strong hand and pulled forward.

Duan Mengmeng was unexpectedly bumped into Xiao Ze's arms, her face turned pale with fear. She wanted to withdraw, but her waist was pressed down and she couldn't move at all.

In front of Shen Anan, Xiao Ze slowly leaned down, his face only inches away from Duan Mengmeng's fair and slender neck, and said in a mocking tone, "But Miss Duan San clearly didn't say that before."

He suddenly grabbed the back of Duan Mengmeng's head with his hand, his eyes filled with ruthlessness, "This prince remembers that the third lady said that she only has the fourth brother in her heart and will never be a concubine, right?"

Duan Mengmeng's fingers were curled up in her palms, her body was trembling, and her face was as pale as paper.

"I......"

Xiao Ze chuckled a few times and suddenly pushed her away.

Duan Mengmeng's legs went weak and she fell to the ground.

If it were in the past, the second prince would definitely be very gentle and would agree to whatever she said.

Unexpectedly, her perfunctory attitude and attempts to please her were of no use today.

Xiao Ze looked down at Duan Mengmeng condescendingly, his eyes full of coldness.

Shen Anan spoke up to break the deadlock, "Where is my maid? Where did the second prince hide my maid?"

Xiao Ze's expression eased a little and he turned around to look at the beautiful woman who was sitting still. He had never realized before that this girl from the Shen family was so eye-catching.

To Shen Anan, he spoke a little more politely, "Miss Shen, don't worry, your maid is fine. As long as Miss Shen doesn't make a fuss and cooperates with this prince, it won't be long before you and the master and servant will meet."

Shen Anan twitched her lips, her tone slightly mocking, "The Second Prince's way of asking for cooperation is really special. There are so many female relatives at the banquet. Aren't you afraid that the truth will be exposed and the emperor will hold you accountable?"

She looked up at Xiao Ze with a sharp gaze, "You imprisoned the daughter of an important official in an attempt to threaten the imperial power. The Second Prince just lost a match to the Fourth Prince. Aren't you afraid that he will find evidence against you and make you unable to turn over?"

Xiao Ze's face was gloomy for a moment, then returned to normal, but a sinister look slowly gathered in his eyes.

Xiao Yuan, what he hated most was that others said he lost to him, but damn, the matter of the refugees was indeed a trick played by that evil creature.

“Miss Shen, don’t worry about this prince. Since this prince has done it, he is naturally sure of it.”

The second prince flicked off the non-existent dust on his robe, lifted his robe and sat down opposite Shen Anan, leaving Duan Mengmeng slumped on the ground with a look of despair on her face.

“The two girls came to the waterside pavilion to enjoy the flowers, and they had a dispute halfway through, and unfortunately fell into the pool. The prince’s people rescued the two girls and sent them directly back to the mansion through the back door. Madam Shen should have received the news by now and rushed to the mansion.”

Duan Mengmeng got up from the ground and said, "Impossible. We are trapped here now, how can we leave? Even if you can shut up the servants in the prince's mansion, can you deceive the driver at home?"

The second prince smiled, but it inexplicably made people feel cold in their hearts and down their spines.

"People are similar, and it's easy to be confused for a while."

Duan Mengmeng was stunned and frowned slightly.

Shen Anan understood what he meant and said coldly, "It seems that the Second Prince has another trick up his sleeve?"

Just as he said, it could confuse people for a while, but no matter how similar they were, it would be impossible to hide it from the elders at home. At most, Xiao Ze could find someone whose posture and profile were somewhat similar to theirs, but he would be exposed as soon as they met.

Xiao Ze's eyes revealed some appreciation, looking at Shen Anan's calm little face, "Miss Shen is smart."

"It's easy to hide it from the driver, but it's impossible to hide it from Madam Shen. So they can't go back to Shen Duan's mansion and will be robbed by bandits on the way."

"What?" Duan Mengmeng's face turned pale as paper and she fell back to the ground again.

Being kidnapped by bandits, even if she could escape from here, her reputation would be ruined. How could she be worthy of the Fourth Prince?

When she looked at Xiao Ze again, her eyes were filled with hatred.

Shen Anan glanced at Duan Mengmeng on the ground. If it was to get a woman, this method was indeed despicable, but also very effective.

But he captured her for the power in his father's hands. Wasn't he afraid that his father would retaliate against him by doing this to her?

The second prince raised his hand, picked up the teapot on the table and poured himself a cup. The tea was surrounded by mist, and his voice was also slow and leisurely.

"When this prince can rescue the two girls from the hands of the bandits depends entirely on their cooperation. If you want to stay here forever without seeing the sun, this prince can also try to make you die in the hands of the bandits, but... the way you die will probably be very undignified."

"It is quiet here all year round, and no one disturbs you. You two don't have to worry about anyone coming. Apart from this prince, no one else can set foot here. You can live here in peace."

He finished his cup of tea and stood up as if to leave.

Shen Anan said coldly, “Second Prince, aren’t you worried that I will pretend to be obedient and then let my father take revenge on you?”

Hearing this, Xiao Ze chuckled a few times, "This prince rescued the girl from the hands of bandits. Whether she is flawless or withered is up to this prince. I think Lord Shen will not be so foolish for the sake of his daughter's survival."

The person was rescued from the bandits' den, and he was allowed to say whatever he wanted about how she was abused. There are so many ways to force a lady to death.

Shen Anan narrowed his eyes, his heart sinking inch by inch.

Thinking that the Second Prince must have planned this in advance, if he wants to get out of this situation now, he needs to find another way as soon as possible.

"Second Prince." Duan Mengmeng suddenly rushed over and hugged Xiao Ze's legs tightly. "Please let me go back. As long as you let me go back, I will persuade my grandfather to marry me to you, either as a concubine or a concubine."

She raised her tearful little face and looked at Xiao Ze tearfully, "The Duan family values ​​reputation. If I were robbed by bandits, they would definitely not tolerate me."

Xiao Ze looked down at Duan Mengmeng condescendingly, and suddenly squatted down.

He raised his hand and held Duan Mengmeng's chin, his eyes filled with darkness, "Really, Miss Duan San has really thought it through, and is willing to marry this prince?"

Duan Mengmeng nodded immediately.

Xiao Ze chuckled, and the hand that was holding her chin slowly passed through her hair. He held the back of her neck and suddenly leaned over and kissed her.

"ah-"

Duan Mengmeng was so frightened that she tried her best to hide backwards, screaming in horror.

The back of her neck was clamped with great force and pressed forward fiercely. Duan Mengmeng cried in such pain.

Shen Anan sat in the chair, watching the two of them chew with indifferent eyes.

After a long while, Xiao Ze slowly let go of Duan Mengmeng, his eyes full of sinisterness, "Didn't you say you were willing to be my concubine? Why? What does this mean?"

Duan Mengmeng was so scared that tears couldn't stop falling and she couldn't speak at all.

She clutched her collar tightly with both hands and trembled all over.

Xiao Ze sneered, grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and threw her to the ground, "You want to go out? Fine, then... just get on the bed and serve me well during this time. Maybe you can still catch up and keep your reputation as the pure and innocent Miss Duan San."

He stood up and stared at her with contempt, "Only in this way can this prince believe that Miss Duan San is really willing to marry me."

Duan Mengmeng had never seen Xiao Ze so sinister and terrifying. Her mouth felt burning and painful. She wanted to wipe it, but she didn't dare to do so in front of Xiao Ze. She could only curl up and step back.

She tried her best to calm him down, but she didn't expect that he would not buy it at all.

Xiao Ze's eyes moved away from Duan Mengmeng and fell on Shen Anan's calm face, which raised a hint of a smile.

"Miss Shen is a precious lady. Even if we are to serve her, it should be Miss Shen who should start first. You two should take a good rest. I will come to see you later."

After he finished speaking, he strode away, and immediately a servant came forward and locked the door.

Duan Mengmeng suddenly burst into tears and wiped her mouth vigorously, "Chen Anan, it's all your fault. Why did you call him over? What should we do now?"

"Shut up!"

Shen Anan glared at her. If she didn't call Xiao Ze over, how could she know his plan, and how could she find a way to get out of it.

According to what he said, the banquet hall must have received the news by now. When her mother learned that she fell into the water, she would definitely rush back immediately.

Shen Anan felt a little worried and guilty. She was going to make her parents worry about her again. She was afraid that this time, the Shen family would lose face because of her again.

Duan Mengmeng gradually began to sob quietly, curled up in a corner, with tear marks all over her face.

Shen Anan looked at her and suddenly asked, "You and Miss Duan Er are attending the banquet together. Are there any elders from your family accompanying you?"

Duan Mengmeng shook her head, "No, just the two of us."

Shen Anan narrowed her eyes. They were riding in the same carriage. Duan Yingying would not abandon Duan Mengmeng and go alone. If she came into contact with the fake Duan Mengmeng, she would be the one who could see the clues most easily.

But temperament also determines courage and boldness. Even if you can see it, I'm afraid you can't really rely on her.

——

On the other side, Lin Yurou visited the girl from the Chen family. Seeing that she was fine, she breathed a sigh of relief and comforted her with a few words.

"You are usually so gentle, how could you have an argument with someone?"

The Chen family girl looked up in confusion, her face pale and sickly, "What dispute?"

"Didn't you fall into the water because you had an argument with someone?"

"No." The girl from the Chen family shook her head. "I went to the bridge with a few other girls to admire orchids, but we didn't have any arguments. Instead, we had a very pleasant conversation."

When Lin Yurou heard this, her heart skipped a beat and something flashed through her mind, so fast that she could hardly catch it.

"Didn't those girls push you into the water?"

"No." The Chen family girl was particularly sure, "We were standing side by side at the time, and they had no chance to attack me. Besides, I was pushed hard from behind, which caused me to fall."