Chapter 187 From Now On, We'll Keep Our Promises

The bandaging is complete.

As their eyes met, the atmosphere between them became subtle.

Xiao Yongjing's gaze unconsciously fell on Shen Yiqiu's pale lips. Looking at her relaxed eyes after the initial shock, he couldn't help but slowly move closer.

Shen Yiqiu's heart raced, and she forgot to dodge, unconsciously closing her eyes.

"cough."

A soft cough came from the shadows nearby.

The two snapped out of their daze, quickly creating distance between themselves and glancing away, their ears burning red.

Xiao Yongjing frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure in his eyes, as he looked at the newcomer. It turned out to be his personal bodyguard, Honglan.

"What is it?"

Honglan bowed her head respectfully.

"Your Highness, Mo Yu tracked the escaped assassin to a bamboo forest on the outskirts of the city and found a farmhouse there as a transit point."

"The rest of the assassins have committed suicide by poison. Mo Yu brought back two farmers who seem to know some of the inside story. They have been taken to the secret dungeon. Does Your Highness wish to interrogate them personally?"

Before Xiao Yongjing could respond, Shen Yiqiu immediately interjected, "Take us there!"

She hadn't expected to leave any survivors from those assassins, and she was even more surprised to actually bring back two farmers who knew the inside story. This was an unexpected delight.

Xiao Yongjing frowned slightly as he looked at her thin clothes, and subconsciously wanted to take off his own outer robe:

"It's cold and damp here. You're not fully recovered yet, so why don't you go back and rest first? Leave the interrogation to me."

Shen Yiqiu gently waved her hand to stop him:

"It's alright. Your Highness, I've spent seven years on the frontier, in places ten times more bitter and harsh than this."

As she spoke, she rolled up a section of her sleeve, revealing a hideous scar on her arm.

The scars are deep; just by looking at them, you can tell that the injury must have been quite severe. Even after it has fully healed, it still leaves behind a terrifying mark that looks like a centipede.

"Look, this is from when I was chasing after the remaining enemies and accidentally got stuck in the swamp. If Bai Mei hadn't risked her life to pull me out and used herbs to keep me alive, this arm would probably have rotted in the mud long ago."

Xiao Yongjing stared at the scar. Although it was on her body, it caused a sharp pain in his heart, a suffocating pain that surged up.

How much suffering did she endure in the harsh, cold lands of the frontier, during the years he was not involved in?

But after she survived all that, what awaited her upon her return was not peace and joy, but a deeper conspiracy.

He stared at the ugly scar, momentarily panicked. Even this usually cold and hard man couldn't help but have his eyes redden.

Seeing his dazed and confused expression, Shen Yiqiu assumed he was frightened and spoke:

"Sorry, did I scare you?"

She hurriedly prepared to lower her sleeves, but Xiao Yongjing suddenly reached out and tightly grasped her slender wrist.

Shen Yiqiu was taken aback and looked up: "Your Highness?"

Xiao Yongjing didn't speak, but simply pulled her back to him with a little force.

Before she could react, he had already lowered his head and gently placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

The speed was so fast that Honglan, who was standing by, didn't have time to look away. She could only hurriedly raise her hand to cover her eyes, but secretly opened her fingers a little.

Shen Yiqiu froze completely, her mind going blank.

"Your Highness...this is improper..."

Xiao Yongjing didn't give her a chance to break free. He stretched out his arms and pulled her tightly into his embrace, his warm breath whispering in her ear:

"Shen Yiqiu, listen to me."

"I promise you, once everything has settled, I will remove all obstacles for you, protect you in your life with peace and joy, and ensure you are free from worry for the rest of your life. I swear this in the name of the Crown Prince."

The intense heat seeped through his clothes, and Shen Yiqiu was somewhat taken aback by his sudden embrace.

Her cheeks felt slightly warm, and she gently patted his arm.

"Your Highness... let go quickly, so many people are watching..."

Honglan immediately turned around, facing the wall, and shouted back:

"I didn't look! I didn't see anything!"

Not far away, Bai Mei and Qing Zhu exchanged a glance, and the corners of their mouths couldn't help but turn up slightly.

Bai Mei jokingly muttered to Qing Zhu:

"This Crown Prince is usually as cold as ice, but when it comes to sweet talk, he has a whole repertoire of words."

Qingzhu smiled lightly, "Although it's all show and no substance, it seems to have some sincerity."

Shen Yiqiu felt the strong force around his waist and knew that if he didn't respond today, he would never let go.

Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, she nodded in his arms:

"Alright. Xiao Yongjing, I'll wait for you... to keep your promise."

Only after receiving a response did Xiao Yongjing breathe a slight sigh of relief.

He released his embrace, looked down into Shen Yiqiu's eyes—eyes she dared not meet—and smiled.

Ignoring Shen Yiqiu's refusal, she deftly removed her cloak.

"Your Highness... what is this?"

I am still puzzled by autumn's passing.

Xiao Yongjing didn't explain, but instead stretched out his arms and wrapped her small body tightly.

The cloak was too large for her, with the hem almost touching the ground, and the white fox fur on it made her face look small and delicate.

Startled by his sudden action, Shen Yiqiu gasped and instinctively tried to break free.

Xiao Yongjing held the cloak with both hands, tying the straps around her shoulders, his head bowed, his expression focused:

"I'm going to start making my promise now."

He fastened the belt, his long, slender fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek, his gaze fixed intently on her.

"From this moment forward, protecting you and bringing you joy is what I must do. Shen Yiqiu, you must get used to it."

"I...I didn't mean that..."

Xiao Yongjing gently pressed his lips against hers:

"I understand what you mean. But my promise takes effect immediately from this moment on."

Honglan, standing to the side, was dumbfounded and blinked hard. Was this still her Crown Prince who was missing a screw in his head?

After the initial shock came a sense of relief.

His Highness... he's finally figured it out!

Seeing his expression, Shen Yiqiu didn't bother to argue. Even if it was a fantasy, one should be allowed to indulge in it for a moment.

Oh well, let it be.

Xiao Yongjing led her, with Honglan guiding the way, down to the dark dungeon where farmers were imprisoned.

Deep inside the dark dungeon, it was cold and damp, the air was filled with a musty smell, and water droplets condensed on the stone walls.

Shen Yiqiu subconsciously pulled the cloak around her neck, thankful that she hadn't refused, her breath turning into mist.

Honglan pushed open the iron gate. Inside, the candlelight was dim, and two farmers were chained to a rack.

Xiao Yongjing glanced at them indifferently and gave Honglan a look.

Honglan understood and immediately stepped forward.

Behind her, on a wooden table, were various kinds of torture instruments.

She picked up a thin needle and held it up in the flickering candlelight.

"Your Highness, everything is ready."

Xiao Yongjing casually sat down on the armchair brought over by the guards, his posture languid.

He gently took Shen Yiqiu's hand, holding it in his palm to warm it, but his gaze fell on the two farmers, his thin lips parting slightly in a detached tone:

"Then let's begin."