Chapter 63: Different Paths, Different Plans

That call of "Sister He" was like thunder out of the blue!

It's more like an amnesty!

Saved! Xue Minglan breathed a sigh of relief almost instantly!

A hint of relief flashed in his eyes, but was quickly covered by determination.

If you don’t leave now, you won’t be able to leave!

"It's the Sixth Prince!"

Xue Minglan lowered his voice and spoke to Yunxiu behind him with an unquestionable urgency.

"We can't stay here for long, let's go!"

He didn't even dare to look at Chen He any longer, as if if he looked at him again, the emotions that he had just suppressed would be completely out of control!

There was still doubt in Yunxiu's eyes.

But now that the Sixth Prince has arrived, it is definitely not the time to get entangled.

and……

Seeing Xue Minglan avoiding her, it seemed to confirm that he had no personal feelings towards Shen He?

Yunxiu snorted inwardly, temporarily suppressing her pursuit. There was still a long way to go, and she had plenty of time to verify it.

She nodded slightly.

Xue Minglan no longer hesitated!

The hand that was pinching Chen He's neck suddenly loosened!

The force disappears too quickly!

Chen He was already weak and lacking oxygen, his body went limp and he almost collapsed to the ground!

Just then—

A figure rushed in front of her like an arrow!

A pair of arms, not broad but extremely strong, firmly supported her shaky body.

"Sister He!"

Xiao Jingchi tilted his little face up, his big eyes full of worry and grievance.

only……

The moment he supported Chen He.

In those eyes that looked towards the direction where Xue Minglan and Yun Xiu left in a hurry—

A hint of cold murderous intent flashed across his face very quickly, completely inconsistent with his foolish appearance!

sinister!

Cold!

Like a dormant poisonous snake, it finally showed its fangs!

The murderous intent was so fast that it seemed like an illusion, as if it was just a cold light under the moonlight!

Then, that trace of murderous intent disappeared without a trace.

He turned back into the innocent and ignorant Sixth Prince.

"Sister He, why are you here?"

He pouted like a wronged child.

"You left suddenly. Jing Chi was scared and couldn't sleep alone in the room... Please don't leave..."

His voice was soft and full of dependence.

Shen He leaned on him and barely managed to stand steady.

She breathed softly, trying to calm down the feeling of suffocation.

His eyes subconsciously turned to the corner where Xue Minglan disappeared.

The night was dark and no one was seen.

Looking at the empty corner, the last bit of vague thoughts about the friendship between young people in Chen He's heart completely dissipated like the night wind.

Those who have different ideals cannot work together.

From the moment he chose to strangle her neck, there was only hatred between them!

Shen He slowly withdrew his gaze and shook his head gently.

That action seemed to be throwing away something that was not worth holding on to.

She lowered her head and met Xiao Jingchi's "innocent" eyes.

The voice softened a little.

"It's okay, sister just came out for a walk."

"I'm going back now."

"Jing Chi, be good. Let's go back to sleep."

She didn't expose the fleeting strangeness in his eyes, nor did she delve into why he suddenly appeared here. Now, his "idiotic" disguise was the best protection for her.

Xiao Jingchi immediately nodded obediently and held Shen He's hand tightly, as if he was afraid that she would run away again.

"Well! Go back to sleep! Sister He will sleep with Jing Chi!"

Chen He had no choice but to let him pull her along and slowly walked towards her residence in the courtyard.

***

Palace courtyard residence

Inside the house, the candlelight was still burning.

Chu Yue had not gone to bed yet. When she heard the footsteps, she immediately came out to greet them.

“Miss Shen…”

Before he finished speaking.

Chu Yue's gaze instantly fixed on the glaring purple bruise on Shen He's fair neck!

The marks clearly outlined the shape of five fingers, indicating the violence that had been experienced not long ago!

Chu Yue's pupils suddenly shrank!

A sharp aura emanated from her body!

But she didn't ask anything.

Her eyes quickly swept over Chen He's slightly pale face, and then glanced at Xiao Jingchi, who was following closely behind her, rubbing his eyes and pretending to be sleepy.

Chu Yue lowered her eyes, suppressing all the emotions that were about to show.

She turned silently and walked quickly to the cabinet in the inner room.

He opened it and took out a small and exquisite pearwood medicine box.

Without stopping, he brought a basin of warm water and a clean towel.

There was not a single unnecessary word during the entire process.

Chen He looked at her busy back and felt a little warm in his heart.

She didn't explain either.

Walk to the table and sit down quietly.

He obediently raised his chin slightly, revealing the horrific scar on his neck.

Some pains need not be expressed in words. Some trusts need not be tested. Chu Yue understands her forbearance, and she also believes in Chu Yue's loyalty.

Chu Yue wrung out the warm cloth and gently wiped the skin on her neck.

Then he opened the medicine box and took out a jar of emerald green ointment.

He took some with his fingertips and carefully applied it to the bruise little by little.

His movements were so gentle as if he was afraid of hurting her.

The ointment had a cool herbal scent that soothed the burning pain in my skin.

There was silence in the house.

There was only the occasional crackling of the candlelight and the subtle friction of the ointment being applied.

Xiao Jingchi had crawled onto the soft couch beside him without knowing when. He seemed to be really sleepy, with his eyes closed and breathing evenly.

Chen He looked at the flickering candlelight with a deep look in his eyes.

Chu Yue put away the ointment and towel and slowly stepped aside.

Inside the house, only Chen He and Xiao Jingchi, who was already "sleeping soundly", were left.

The cool ointment on my neck slightly relieved the burning pain.

But the suffocating feeling of having one's throat strangled seemed to still remain in the chest.

Chen He's fingertips curled up unconsciously.

Xue Minglan...

Those eyes that once held youthful vigor, but now held only coldness and murderous intent, even a hint of despair, lingered in her mind.

His last quick whisper—"I heard it all."

There is also the appearance of Yunxiu.

But why?

Given the Xue family's status, why would he do this?

Chen He recalled the vague rumors from his previous life.

Xue Minglan's mother, who was frail and sickly, had been recuperating in a separate courtyard all year round and almost never showed up!

If this is true, if his mother's life is in the hands of the queen.

As soon as this thought came out, Shen He's heart moved slightly.

Is it possible to win over a coerced pawn? *

If he can rescue Xue Minglan's mother, can he escape the shackles of the queen?

even……

No! Chen He immediately cut off this dangerous thought! The betrayal of the previous life and the murderous intent tonight, how could it be erased by a mere "coercion"?

She curled the corners of her lips in self-mockery.

He'd already died once, so how could he still harbor illusions about his enemies? Xue Minglan, from the moment he chose to pledge allegiance to the Queen, was destined to be her enemy! There was no turning back!

But, his mother's connection...maybe we can use it.

The enemy's weakness is her weapon!

A sleepless night

****

The next morning.

The stinging pain in the neck and the tightness in the heart are intertwined.

Chen He felt his eyelids were heavy as lead.

I don’t know how long it took.

It was as if he just closed his eyes.

When I opened my eyes again, the dim morning light was already streaming in through the window.

I had a light sleep, but it felt like a long struggle.

Guyu had already prepared everything quietly.

"Miss, it's time to go home."

Shen He nodded.

Simple freshening up.

Return to the familiar Shen Mansion.

Send the people around to leave.

She opened her suitcase herself and chose a moon-white palace dress.

The style is simple and elegant, but because of the exquisite material and embroidery, it exudes a low-key solemnity.

Today she decided to meet the emperor to discuss a major event that could stir up a storm in the harem, so her appearance and attitude must not be wrong at all!