Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 433 Robbery
At this moment, regardless of what everyone was thinking, their eyes were involuntarily drawn to the long-sealed door. It wasn't that no one had come to the small Buddhist shrine in the backyard to pay their respects to the matriarch of the Xie family before; however, everyone had been turned away. Only the head of the Xie family, relying on his status and position, was allowed to make a visit to the matriarch's courtyard.

However, the Buddhist hall was a place of tranquility, and since Lady Wang was unwilling to open the door, the Xie family head could not force his way in. By this reckoning, the Xie family head hadn't seen his wife for many years. Looking at that door now, memories of the past suddenly flooded his mind, causing him to momentarily lose his senses. His two concubines, who had been watching him intently, felt a jolt and quickly tugged at his arms, speaking in soft, sweet voices that instantly drew his attention.

This scene not only made Xie Mingchen uncomfortable, but even Jiu Que felt a little disgusted. What kind of person was this! He was flirting with two concubines in his own wife's courtyard!

To be honest, these five families and seven clans were not as upright and noble as the legends suggested. They were just middle-aged men who indulged in sensual pleasures. The only thing that made the Xie family head better than the others was his rather handsome face.

But who in this world doesn't grow old? It's just a skin.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the small Buddhist shrine remained silent. Some were quite disappointed, while others secretly breathed a sigh of relief. For twenty years, Madam Xie had remained in the small Buddhist shrine, and the management of the Xie family had been dispersed among the concubines and the steward. If Lady Wang were to truly appear in public, it was uncertain who would ultimately hold the power of management. They had grown accustomed to their current privileges and naturally did not want any changes to occur.

Even the Xie family head was momentarily dazed. He finally managed to compose himself and stepped forward to apologize to Prince Chen. After all, a prince had personally come to the Xie family residence and yet failed to see the person he wanted to see. If the matter were to be pursued, the Xie family would likely suffer considerable damage.

However, just before he could speak, the door creaked open.

Could it be? Countless people present suddenly looked up at the door. When they saw the person standing quietly in the doorway in a simple white robe, who, even without saying a word or showing any expression, resembled a masterpiece painting of a peerless lady, countless people were stunned.

Yes, many years ago, Lady Wang was famous not only for her talent but also for her unparalleled beauty. Xie Mingchen, the third son of the Xie family, was already a man of exceptionally handsome appearance, but his mother surpassed him even more. Even as the years passed, her face seemed frozen in its most beautiful moment, without a single wrinkle appearing. It's just a pity that beauty is fickle; her face was serene, indifferent, and even when she looked up, it carried a weary, world-weary air.

The Xie family head stared intently at that face. Years had passed, and he had almost forgotten this peerless beauty. Yet, upon seeing her again, he found his heart pounding. Wang Heng, so many years had passed, and she remained unchanged, while he himself had aged considerably…

The two concubines beside her, though well-preserved over the years, were, after all, getting on in years. Even with their still smooth skin, the corners of their eyes bore the indelible marks of time, making them appear to be women in their thirties. But the person before them looked no more than twenty! She had clearly spent nearly twenty years in the small Buddhist hall, her lifestyle certainly not comparable to that of the mistress of the house, and she had never consumed beauty-enhancing delicacies like bird's nest or ginseng. How could her face today still possess the same fresh, refined, and captivating beauty as it had twenty years ago?
No, I absolutely cannot let my husband have too much contact with this woman! She's a formidable rival!

However, the Wang woman, who was regarded as a formidable rival, did not even glance at them. Her clear eyes swept over everyone's faces before finally landing on Jiu Que at the front.

"Prince Chen?"

"……it's me."

Even Jiu Que was momentarily stunned and answered a beat late. But she had already come to her senses. She looked with great interest at the beautiful and refined woman in the doorway, then glanced at Xie Mingchen behind her with a nostalgic and complicated expression, and suddenly burst into laughter.

“When I first saw Mingchen, I was struck by his unparalleled beauty. I never imagined it was because he had a mother whose beauty surpassed even that.” Upon hearing this, others thought that Lady Wang was about to get angry, but unexpectedly, she stared at Jiu Que for a while and then smiled gently.

"Prince Chen is indeed unconcerned with trivial matters."

Just as the atmosphere at the scene eased slightly, Wang Heng's gaze fell on the Xie family head and the group of beauties around him. A deep disgust flashed in her eyes, causing the Xie family head, who was about to speak, to clench his fists and turn cold.

"This is a pure Buddhist sanctuary; those with impure intentions need not set foot here."

The two concubines had been plotting how to make their husband completely despise Wang Shi, but unexpectedly, she had come to them willingly. Having served this man for so many years, how could they not know his character? Xie Kun appeared gentle, but in reality, he was extremely arrogant; how could he allow a woman to mock him in public?
As expected, Patriarch Xie snorted coldly, but unexpectedly did not turn around and leave. He simply stood there without saying a word.

Seeing this, Wang Heng felt even more disgusted. Her original intention to chat with Prince Chen faded, and she stretched out a slender, fair, and boneless hand to hold onto the door frame.

"If Your Highness has no further instructions, I will take my leave. The chanting for today is not yet finished, and the Bodhisattva will be displeased."

"mother……"

Xie Mingchen couldn't help but call out softly. The sound wasn't loud, but Wang Heng's fingers, gripping the doorframe in the Buddhist hall, suddenly tightened and turned much paler. Xie Mingchen immediately shut up upon seeing this, but his expression was extremely somber.

Wang Heng was completely intrigued and turned to enter the Buddhist hall. However, at that moment, an unexpected situation occurred. Prince Chen, who was standing in front of everyone, suddenly laughed and ran forward a few steps, grabbing the slender waist of the lay Buddhist Wuwei with ease, as if lifting a chick.

"I have long admired you, layman, and wished I could sleep in the same bed with you. Now that I have met you, I can see that your reputation is indeed well-deserved. I am truly delighted! Why don't you come and stay with me at the palace for a while? We can talk by candlelight and discuss Buddhist principles!"

"This……"

Before anyone could react, Ying Jiuque had already grabbed Wuwei Jushi by the waist, shoving through the crowd and striding towards the door.

When their figures were almost out of sight, Xie family head and the others finally reacted and let out a gasp.

"Your Highness! You mustn't! Your Highness! How can you forcibly abduct a commoner's woman in broad daylight?!"