After the Empress's birthday banquet, Zhao Yunxiang suddenly became obsessed with Bai Rouyuan.
Almost every day, he appeared at Yunyan Pavilion or the Sacred Lotus Medicine Hall—
sometimes pretending to 'check on his health,' sometimes bringing cheap flowers, sometimes loudly bragging to young noblemen about, "How stunning my fiancée looked that night."
The irony was obvious.
Once, he had despised being associated with Bai Rouyuan.
Now, after seeing the face beneath her veil, he acted as if he had been in love with her his whole life.
Rouyuan, however, had no patience for him.
Each time he came, she found an excuse:
"I'm treating patients."
"I'm busy mixing ointments."
"I'm not free today."
She slipped away before he could bother her further.
Murong Yexuan's Growing Jealousy
Meanwhile, Yexuan's jealousy intensified by the day.
He had no right to intervene.
Rouyuan was still engaged to Zhao Yunxiang, after all.
But every time Zhao Yunxiang walked toward Rouyuan, every time he smiled at her,
every time he tried to show off— Yexuan felt his chest tighten with irritation.
Quietly, he began blocking Zhao Yunxiang's path,
Misplacing letters.
Redirecting appointments.
Sending guards to 'escort him elsewhere.'
Scheduling Zhao Yunxiang into long military drills he hated.
Some of these 'misfortunes' publicly humiliated Zhao Yunxiang.
And no one knew the culprit was Yexuan.
The Four Flowers of Wuzhen
The friendship between Rouyuan, Qingshi, Xianyi, and Doudou grew sweeter day by day.
The four of them were often seen together—
At Yunyan Pavilion, helping Xianyi rearrange new merchandise,
At Sacred Lotus Medicine Hall, helping Rouyuan treat patients,
At Elegance Pavilion, drinking tea and chatting like blooming flowers.
People began calling them, 'The Four Flowers of Wuzhen City.'
One afternoon, when they entered Elegance Pavilion, they unexpectedly ran into Murong Yexuan and his sworn brothers, The Five Celestial Shields.
Murong Yunxi happily waved them over.
"Cousin Qingshi! Miss Bai! Miss Wen! Miss Yan! Come sit with us!"
Rouyuan hesitated.
She still remembered Yexuan's strange behavior the night of the banquet.
But Qingshi and Xianyi pulled her along.
Everyone sat together, and soon the whole group became lively.
Even the shy Doudou loosened up, laughing softly at their jokes.
Zhao Yunxiang Loses Control
Zhao Yunxiang, who had already been inside Elegance Pavilion, noticed the cheerful atmosphere.
He boiled with anger.
'She never smiles at me...
but she laughs with them?'
Fuel led by jealousy, he stormed toward the room with his notorious companions.
The doors slammed open.
Zhao Yunxiang glared at Rouyuan, "Bai Rouyuan! Do you have no shame? Sitting here with men like this?"
Before anyone could react, he grabbed her wrist violently, pulling her toward him.
Rouyuan winced in pain, utterly embarrassed.
Instantly—
Yexuan seized Zhao Yunxiang's arm, his grip tightening like iron.
"Release her."
His voice was dangerously calm.
Zhao Yunxiang struggled, but Yexuan's strength was overwhelming.
He was forced to let go.
Bai Yunchen stood up sharply.
"Zhao Yunxiang, you are not worthy of my sister.
Touch her again and I will break your hand."
But Zhao Yunxiang, now completely out of control, began cursing the Bai Family—
cursing Bai Rouyuan, Bai Yunchen, and even Bai Longyuan.
Before Bai Yunchen could respond—
DUSH!
DUSH!
Murong Yexuan's fist slammed into Zhao Yunxiang's face.
Twice.
Zhao Yunxiang howled and retaliated, swinging wildly, and a full brawl erupted between the two men.
Bai Yunchen and the Celestial Shields had to intervene, pulling them apart.
Rouyuan, Qingshi, Xianyi, and Doudou were quickly escorted home by Bai Yunchen.
Rumors Spread Like Wildfire
By the next morning, all of Wuzhen City knew about the fight.
Rumors exploded, 'Prince Murong Yexuan is trying to court Miss Bai Rouyuan!'
'Zhao Yunxiang is madly in love with his fiancée after seeing her face!'
'The two men fought over her!'
Patients at the clinic even asked Rouyuan directly.
Rouyuan calmly denied everything.
Zhao Jinming, upon hearing the news, furiously scolded his son.
"You already caused enough trouble! Now you bring shame to our family again?! Do you want the entire empire to think that you're a jealous fool?"
But Zhao Yunxiang refused to give up.
Angry and humiliated, he demanded, "Father, hurry the marriage! I want to marry Rouyuan now!"
Zhao Jinming slapped the table.
"You will have to wait. There are more serious matters at hand."
Zhao Yunxiang clenched his teeth, burning with obsession and resentment.