Chapter 40 This will never happen again

When Manluo, Yeren and Hanxiao all retreated to receive their punishment, only Xiyan remained where she was.

The candlelight in Liuyunxuan flickered. Xiyan's thin figure appeared stubborn in the light and shadow.

Xiao Nanyan frowned slightly, his dark eyes like knives:

"Why, you want to plead for her?"

Xi Yan raised her eyes and met Xiao Nanyan's cold star-like gaze:

"Yes! Although Manluo acted rashly, she has always been loyal to the palace and has made many contributions over the years. Moreover, everything she did was for the prince."

"Oh? For the king?"

"That's right!" Xiyan's face was calm, and her voice was neither hurried nor slow:

"The palace has been strategizing for years, though they've been keeping their edge low. However, the Helian clan will never give up. Their suppression of you politically and militarily shows that seizing your power is their ultimate goal. Whether you hide behind the scenes or stand in the foreground, the outcome is the same. After years of fighting with their people, I can sense that they've always had suspicions about you. Otherwise, Chu Jin wouldn't have used the Soul-Locking Gu to injure you..."

Xiao Nanyue listened quietly, his expression unclear in the flickering candlelight.

"Chu Jin is so despicable, he will be a great threat to you. Manluo just wants to get rid of this scourge! If Helian Yu dies this time, Chu Jin will be punished. Even if he is not eliminated, it will serve as a warning to them. After all, constantly showing weakness will only make them act more recklessly against the Regent Palace."

Xiao Nanyan tapped the tabletop lightly with his long fingers, his eyes like swords, as if to pierce Xiyan's heart:

"According to you, Manluo is innocent, but has actually done something meritorious? If everyone were like her, acting recklessly and lawlessly, how could we convince the public without severe punishment?"

Xi Yan slowly lowered her eyes:

"Your Highness, be advised. Manluo possesses exceptional poison skills and possesses immense resourcefulness, making her your right-hand man. Although her actions were inappropriate, her true purpose was to protect the safety of the palace. Strictness without harshness, and a balance of kindness and authority, are the best approach. Simply punishing her harshly would only discourage the people. I hope Your Highness will consider this!"

Xiao Nanyan was slightly angry, and his voice became more and more oppressive:

"Why, are you teaching me how to control people?"

"I dare not!"

Xiyan knelt down, but there was no fear on her face:

"After all, I have tasted the burning heart poison before, and it is something not many people can endure. If it weren't for the prince's rescue last time, I am afraid I would not be able to endure the pain and would have drowned in the lotus pond long ago."

Xiao Nanyan's expression grew increasingly gloomy, his jaw tensed, and his aura filled with hostility.

"Could it be that you harbor resentment and blame me for being cruel and ruthless?"

"Xiyan doesn't dare! But Chu Jin almost insulted my innocence. Even if Manluo didn't stand up for me, I would have found an opportunity to kill him and avenge my hatred! It's just that Manluo was one step faster than me!"

Xiyan was not afraid of the increasingly cold air in the hall. She knew that if she did not desperately plead for Manluo, Manluo would not be able to endure the pain of the heart-scorching poison.

Suddenly, she felt a strong wind blowing in front of her eyes, and a figure came towards her like a ghost. Xiao Nanyue had floated closer to her without her knowing!

He stretched out his big hand and pinched her chin fiercely, forcing her to look up and look directly at him:

"You only slept with me a few times, yet you dared to disobey me? You are getting bolder and bolder!"

Xi Yan endured the sharp pain in her jaw and looked away stubbornly:

"I dare not! But my life is also my life! If the prince chills people's hearts, the slightest mistake will be punished with a bone-biting and heart-scorching punishment. Even if I obey on the surface, I will actually cause discord among the people!"

Xiao Nanyan's slender fingers pressed harder and harder, leaving fingerprints on her fair skin. His voice was as cold as ten thousand years of black ice:

"Is that so? So, you are all intimidated by my majesty, rather than truly submitting!"

"I dare not! But, Your Highness, please think twice before you act! If you let down the people around you who can be used, even though you are a genius, you will be powerless!"

Xiao Yan's nails were almost digging into Xi Yan's flesh. A cold storm was surging in his eyes, and the air pressure around him was terribly low:

"What if the king insists on doing so?"

Xiyan turned her eyes back, fearlessly meeting Xiao Nanyan's. Their two faces were so close that they could hear each other's breathing.

"Then this servant is willing to accept the punishment together with Manluo. After all, what she did was also to vent my anger!"

Xiao Nanyan heard this and laughed in anger:

"What a deep love and deep righteousness! Aren't you afraid of this searing pain?"

A sneer appeared on Xi Yan's lips:

"It's just death, what's there to be afraid of!"

Xiao Nanyan's smile froze on his lips, his eyes filled with anger:

"It's just for fun, do you really think I can't bear to let you go?"

Xiyan's face turned pale instantly, and she lowered her eyes in embarrassment:

"Xiyan's life is worthless. I dare not ask for mercy from the prince. I will let you do whatever you want!"

Xiao Nanyan's eyes were dim and his thin lips trembled.

After a while, he suddenly shook Xi Yan off, his sleeves flying, turned around and stood with his hands behind his back, his tone as cold as frost:

"You and Manluo, this will never happen again!"