A Bit Too Much Vinegar!

Shi Yi had no choice but to remain quietly obedient. In broad daylight, the Eighth Prince dared to snatch another man's woman, causing Prince An to harbor a grudge. Zi Lin acted so intimately as if no one else was around, making him flush with jealousy. At this rate, it would take several tons of ice to cool his anger.

He glared at the Eighth Prince with murderous eyes.

*Put her down! Put her down right now!* Prince An kept muttering in his mind, each of his steps heavy. Clenching his fists, he remained silent, keeping his emotions hidden. His predatory gaze locked onto his target, like a wild beast waiting to pounce on its prey to crush and tear it apart. Their relationship, which was already poor, became even more strained because of her.

Shi Yi turned her head and caught his gaze, shivering in fright. *Does An Dinglun want to eat someone alive? That look is truly terrifying.* Even from a distance, she could feel a storm brewing. She was breaking out in a cold sweat. With his unpredictable, volatile temper, trouble was bound to happen sooner or later.

Upon arriving at the front of Prince An's Manor, Zi Lin gently set her down and said warmly,
"Be careful."

"Alright, thank you anyway, Eighth Prince."

Having reached his limit, Prince An squeezed between them,
"Are we going in yet?"

She had to follow Prince An inside, leaving Zi Lin standing outside the main gate. She waved goodbye, but just as she turned around, Zi Lin was already standing right next to her. Shi Yi asked in surprise,
"Why haven't you left yet?"

The Eighth Prince directed his gaze toward Prince An and said,
"It's late. Isn't Prince An going to invite me in for a meal? After all, it's a long way back to the Eighth Prince's Manor, and I'm hungry!"

Understanding his intent, Prince An reluctantly said,
"Then I invite the Eighth Prince to stay and dine with me. It is this prince's honor to host you."

The Eighth Prince happily replied,
"Excellent, then I won't stand on ceremony."

Saying this, he strode confidently into the manor, acting completely at home. Shi Yi's eyes widened in surprise. While Zi Lin might be slightly less handsome, when it came to thick-skinned persistence, Dinglun was far outmatched. As the saying goes, "Thick skin beats good looks. Only the thick-skinned get the girl!"

In the main hall, Prince An hosted him quite generously, laying out all kinds of delicacies from land and sea. From pork to beef, and even a fragrant pot of mutton soup. Even the Eighth Prince couldn't help but exclaim,
"Prince An! So much food?"

Prince An forced a stiff smile,
"It's nothing special."

"Your Highness is indeed thoughtful! I am deeply grateful."

*No need for gratitude, I just hope you quickly return to your manor after eating. Don't stay here and eyesore me,* Prince An thought.

Shi Yi was about to sit at the table, but he stopped her.
"Do not forget that you are still my maidservant. You must follow the rules of our Prince An's Manor. You can only stand there and serve."

Hearing this, she was utterly displeased, stamping her feet in frustration. But he wasn't wrong and had a valid point, so she could only swallow her anger. The Eighth Prince pushed further,
"Ah, rules are meant to be broken. Moreover, Shi Yi is my future princess consort who has yet to enter my manor. How can she serve others? Wouldn't that bring shame to the Eighth Prince's Manor? Come, Shi Yi, sit down."

Zi Lin pulled her hand to make her sit at the table, even claiming her as his future princess consort. The moment she sat down, she stepped hard on his foot. Pulling his ear, she whispered,
"What princess consort? You have some nerve. I really want to beat you to death."

She raised her fist, about to strike, but Zi Lin blocked her. He argued,
"I only said that for your sake. Don't you want to eat these delicacies? Do you just want to watch me eat? Besides, calling you my princess consort doesn't cost you anything. Prince An doesn't know you are..."

Hearing this, she found it reasonable and withdrew her hand,
"Consider this your win."

Seeing the two whispering, Prince An's face turned as stiff as a statue, staring blankly. After a moment, he couldn't take it anymore and asked,
"Since when did a maidservant in my manor ascend to become the future princess consort of the Eighth Prince? This is truly ridiculous. If word gets out, it won't look good. The Eighth Prince had better watch his words."

The Eighth Prince immediately shot back,
"Prince An's words are incorrect. First, Shi Yi is only serving as your maidservant due to a minor circumstance. She wasn't officially recruited, nor does she have any background registered here. Thus, she cannot be considered part of Prince An's Manor. Your Highness, you are abusing your power. Second, whom I, the Eighth Prince, wish to marry is my private business. I won't trouble Your Highness to interfere."

"I like to interfere. As long as she is here, she is mine."

"Is that so? Tomorrow, I will take her away."

Zi Lin cast a challenging look at Dinglun. The dining table instantly turned into a battlefield. She was left with another headache.

*This is exhausting. I'm caught in the middle again. What should I do...*

The atmosphere grew extremely tense, but right at that moment, a savior arrived. From outside, County Princess Yingning ran in, wrapping her arms around Prince An's neck in a flash, saying happily,
"Brother Lun, I've come to visit you!"

Then she turned and stared at the Eighth Prince,
"This gentleman is..."

Shi Yi quickly chimed in,
"The State Preceptor's son, the Eighth Prince—Wu Zilin."

Yingning was surprised, showing a look of recognition,
"Ah... I see! So this is the renowned Eighth Prince! I've long heard that you are a handsome man with an immortal-like bearing, no less than Brother Lun. Meeting you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved!"