Transmigrated Into a Scummy Alpha Who Stole the Male Lead's Mermaid Fiancée - Chapter 5

Yu Ke gave her a polite nod as a simple greeting.

Lan Xing returned the gesture with a faint, ambiguous smile. Seated beside the main chair, she held a teacup in her hand, appearing somewhat distracted.

Yet, with just that smile, Yu Ke’s heart and mind were stirred.

Even now, Yu Ke could still catch the scent of her pheromones. She had to focus intently to ensure she wasn’t affected by it.

Recalling that Lan Xing still hadn’t replied to her message, Yu Ke concluded that Lan Xing had no intention of engaging with her. The greeting was merely out of politeness. Thus, after taking her seat, Yu Ke refrained from initiating conversation and quietly waited for the others to arrive.

The two sat in silence across the dining table for quite some time.

The two underage princes arrived one after another, cheerfully greeting Lan Xing but completely ignoring Yu Ke.

Normally, Yu Jie, Lan Xing, and the underage princes would accompany the Queen for breakfast. Yu Ke, whose status was the most awkward, was the only one among the princes and princesses excluded from these gatherings. Today was an exception, and it was only because of this opportunity that Yu Ke had the chance to see Lan Xing.

Yu Ke listened to their conversation without interjecting. It was clear that Lan Xing was very popular, the two young princes were vying fiercely for her attention, their faces flushed with excitement. Lan Xing didn’t brush them off, though she occasionally glanced at Yu Ke. Each glance made Yu Ke’s thoughts wander.

Was the effect of the mark still lingering?

Was Lan Xing also unable to stop thinking about her?

Before Yu Ke could drift too far into her thoughts, Queen Jiao made her entrance. Dressed in a violet velvet gown, her brown hair elegantly pinned up, she maintained a slender figure even after bearing three children, though the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and her nasolabial folds were already quite noticeable. She wore a constant smile as she gracefully took her seat and asked the butler, “Has the Crown Prince not arrived yet?”

The butler replied, “Your Majesty, I will inquire with the Crown Prince’s attendants immediately.”

“He drank so much at last night’s banquet. If he doesn’t come, so be it,” Queen Jiao said, turning to Yu Ke. “And you, A’Ke, did you sleep well last night?”

“I slept very well,” Yu Ke paused before reciprocating, “And you, Mother?”

“Not very well,” Queen Jiao picked up her fork, speared a piece of cake, and held it in her hand as she spoke with a troubled expression. “Too many things happened last night. I feel uneasy.”

Yu Ke quickly glanced at Lan Xing, who was also looking at her with concern in her eyes. Their gazes met briefly before Yu Ke turned back to the Queen and asked, “What has made you uneasy?”

Queen Jiao shook her head and sighed, reluctantly saying, “Just some scandals…”

As her words trailed off, the sound of a fork clattering against the table echoed through the room. All eyes turned to the source of the noise… Lan Xing, who looked flustered as she picked up the fork and hurriedly apologized, “I’m sorry!”

“No need to apologize,” Queen Jiao said with a thin, insincere smile, slowly eating the piece of cake on her fork. She added meaningfully, “After all, the person you should be apologizing to isn’t here today.”

At this, Lan Xing’s face turned pale. She looked at Yu Ke, her beautiful blue eyes filled with shock and distrust. It was clear she suspected Yu Ke of having informed Queen Jiao.

“I said nothing,” Yu Ke told her.

Lan Xing’s expression showed she didn’t believe a word of it. She turned her face away, her hand trembling slightly as she gripped her cutlery.

That look wounded Yu Ke deeply. She lowered her eyelids, her movements coming to a complete halt, unsure of what to say.

“It makes no difference whether you speak or not,” Queen Jiao shot her a sidelong glance before turning to Lan Xing with a serious expression. “But you, Princess, should reconsider your marriage. If there are secrets between you and your future husband before the wedding, your married life will only be more miserable.”

Lan Xing’s face turned as pale as paper. The queen’s words felt like a slap, leaving no room for courtesy.

Yu Ke couldn’t bear it any longer and was about to interrupt, but Queen Jiao raised her right hand, signaling Yu Ke to stay silent. At the same time, she turned her face to the left and addressed Lan Xing: “You are the princess of Panda Planet. You have the right to choose a suitable partner. You should also think about your own happiness. Choosing someone you know well and can be completely honest with is far better than someone who merely holds a royal title but cannot bring you happiness. Don’t you agree?”

Lan Xing’s cheeks flushed with heat. The queen pressed on relentlessly, adding at last, “After all, things have already reached this point… You can’t afford to be picky anymore.”

What did she mean by “reached this point”???

How much did she actually know? Was this a threat to Lan Xing? Forcing her to replace her fiancé?

By now, both Lan Xing and Yu Ke had had enough. They stood up almost simultaneously, causing quite a stir.

Unable to endure such humiliation, Lan Xing was ready to confront the queen openly. Unexpectedly, Yu Ke spoke before she could: “I am the one who made the mistake. Since Her Majesty intends to pursue this matter, I will go before the king and take the blame!”

No one expected Yu Ke to say something so drastic. Queen Jiao was stunned for a moment but quickly regained her composure, scolding, “Yu Ke! Are you causing trouble here?”

A faint smile curled on Yu Ke’s icy, beautiful face as she stared coldly at Queen Jiao and said lightly, “Isn’t it you who’s causing trouble?”

Queen Jiao was so furious that veins bulged on her forehead. She dismissed everyone else, and once only the three of them remained in the room, she gritted her teeth and said, “Do you not understand who I’m doing this for?”

Yu Ke sneered inwardly.

Oh, she understood all too well.

It was just like those brain-dead parents in society who desperately protect their rapist sons.

Even though Yu Ke was the one at fault, the queen still wanted to use it as leverage to force Lan Xing into compromise.

The mere thought made Yu Ke sick to her stomach.

Yu Ke smiled, her gaze filled with undisguised disgust as she looked at Queen Jiao and said, “Then, should I thank you?”

Queen Jiao froze, finally realizing that Yu Ke was not on the same side as her. She began to panic slightly. After composing herself for a moment, she asked, “What exactly are you thinking?”

“My thoughts are simple,” Yu Ke replied calmly. “I am the one who made the mistake. Princess Lan Xing should not have to pay any price for this, nor does she need to. I will bear the consequences.”

Lan Xing looked at her, tears welling in her eyes.

Queen Jiao shook her head and said, “You have indeed made a mistake, and a grave one at that.”

Yu Ke lifted her eyelids and stared coldly at her.

Queen Jiao had no choice but to relent, sighing, “As for the details of this matter… I don’t actually know them. I was too hasty…”

Lan Xing furrowed her delicate brows, gazing at Queen Jiao and shaking her head gently.

With her innocent appearance and gentle nature, she seemed far too easy to bully, precisely why Queen Jiao had targeted her and pressed her so relentlessly.

Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, and if Queen Jiao truly intended to pull any tricks, Lan Xing would never back down.

To her surprise, Princess Yu Ke stood up for her like a knight, delivering a gallant speech that forced Queen Jiao into making concessions.

Under the influence of pheromones, Lan Xing’s heart began to race wildly, and her cheeks gradually grew warm.

In the end, Queen Jiao, as if performing a Sichuan opera-style face change, suddenly broke into a wide smile and said to Lan Xing, “What a huge misunderstanding! I thought you didn’t like Yu Jie. Since I was mistaken, I’ll pretend I never knew about the whole matter and let it pass.”

“I don’t like him,” Lan Xing murmured softly, lowering her head, then added, “But I don’t have to like him, I have my duties and mission!”

Yu Ke’s heart wavered. She seemed to have selectively gone deaf, only hearing the first part of Lan Xing’s words, replaying them over and over in her mind…

So, she doesn’t like him.