Chapter 287 If you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way.

Things have become even more difficult.

If Xiao Yunheng was merely Emperor Xuanzhao's nephew, then no matter how much Emperor Xuanzhao favored him, it could not surpass the favor shown to his own son, Xiao Xuanyou.

However, if Xiao Yunheng is truly of imperial blood, given Emperor Xuanzhao's favor towards him, if something happens to Xiao Xuanyou, the position of crown prince is very likely to fall to Xiao Yunheng!

Everything that happened before now has a good explanation.

No wonder Xiao Yunheng went to such lengths to assassinate Xiao Xuanyou.

"Lu Yuan, what should we do?"

Jiang Zhi looked somewhat bewildered.

Her opponent was more difficult to deal with than she had imagined.

Looking at Jiang Zhi's worried face, Lu Yuan reached out and gently smoothed her brows with his calloused fingertips.

"I will inform His Highness the Crown Prince about this matter first and see what he thinks."

"Don't worry, if we really reach a dead end, I will find a way to kill Xiao Yunheng directly."

Jiang Zhi hurriedly tried to stop him, saying, "Don't be impulsive! If something happens to Xiao Yunheng, the Emperor will be furious, and you will also be doomed! It's not worth risking your life for someone like Xiao Yunheng."

"I was talking about when there's absolutely no other way," Lu Yuan said, looking at her worried face, feeling incredibly reassured. "I can't bear to abandon you and let someone else benefit from you."

Jiang Zhi couldn't help but grind her teeth, "Even now, you still haven't done anything proper."

Lu Yuan stroked her face, his eyes revealing an unreadable emotion.

He was serious.

Back then, I was only away from Xuzhou for half a day when Shen Ci'an took advantage of the situation and entered.

Yao Cheng was poisoned and fell into a coma, and Xie Qi took advantage of the situation to rob him.

He dares not get hurt now, and he dares not let her leave his territory even a little bit.

The Eastern Palace, night has fallen.

Xiao Xuanyou waved away the palace servants attending him and pinched his brow, feeling a headache coming on.

After Lu Yuan's visit, he couldn't calm down for a long time.

Xiao Yunheng is very likely the son of the Emperor.

This news was difficult for him to accept.

Although his father was strict with him from a young age, he was diligent in governing and loved his people, and he showed the utmost respect to his mother.

And the Princess Consort of Xiang—

He thought of that woman, as gentle as a chrysanthemum, who spent her years in quiet contemplation and Buddhist practice.

When he was young, his father and mother had high hopes for him and never dared to relax for a moment.

His rare moments of relaxation were when he went to the Prince of Xiang's residence.

Princess Xiang would accompany him to practice calligraphy, tell him interesting folk tales, and let him play and frolic with Xiao Yunheng in the Prince Xiang's mansion.

Even though he and Xiao Yunheng are now enemies, he has never resented the Princess Consort of Xiang and still respects her as an elder.

How could he possibly believe that the Princess Consort of Xiang had actually been having an affair with the Emperor and had even secretly given birth to a child without anyone knowing?

He gripped the teacup tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white and almost embedding themselves in it, his slightly lowered eyelids concealing the turbulent emotions surging within his eyes.

Xiao Yunheng.

You shouldn't exist in this world.

＊

Before Jiang Zhi could even go flower viewing with Shen Ci'an, she received an invitation to the Crown Princess's birthday banquet.

Normally, everyone in Kyoto knows that Jiang Zhi is unwell, so she would always use illness as an excuse to decline these banquets.

But Li Jinyan specially sent her an invitation and sent someone to say that he had something to discuss with her.

Jiang Zhi knew it must be related to Xiao Yunheng, so she didn't refuse anymore.

The Crown Princess's birthday banquet was especially grand this time, with the Emperor personally issuing an edict to bestow many rare treasures upon her, as if he were making amends for something through her.

Jiang Zhi was prepared to be ridiculed at the banquet, but she didn't expect that not long after the banquet started, Li Jinyan would send someone to summon her away.

The decorations and furnishings inside Chengguang Hall were exactly the same as when she was abducted to the East Palace last time.

Li Jinyan had tea served to Jiang Zhi and then dismissed everyone else.

“Last time at the East Palace, I didn’t remember to thank the Crown Princess for her help, and—I’m sorry, I didn’t keep my promise,” Jiang Zhi said.

Because she didn't attend the gathering, Jiang Zhi didn't have much of a chance to personally thank or apologize to Li Jinyan.

It's good to take this opportunity to speak frankly.

Li Jinyan waved her hand, clearly not taking it to heart, "I already asked Lord Shen to pass on the message for me. We have a common enemy now, and I'm very happy that you can return to the capital."

After a brief chat about recent events, the two quickly got down to business.

“Xiao Yunheng’s identity is too shocking right now. If it were to be revealed, it would inevitably cause unrest. His Highness the Crown Prince means that we should hold off on revealing his true identity for the time being.”

Jiang Zhi nodded.

Xiao Xuanyou's concerns were not unfounded.

"Well, before this matter is finally concluded, neither Lu Yuan nor I will reveal a single word to the outside world. Please rest assured, Your Highness and Crown Princess."

Li Jinyan added, "His Highness the Crown Prince has other ways to deal with him, but all of this requires the cooperation of Princess Qinghe."

"I'd like to hear the details." Jiang Zhi raised an eyebrow.

As long as she can get rid of Xiao Yunheng, she can naturally cooperate with the Crown Prince.

Li Jinyan winked mysteriously, "It's not convenient for me to get involved in this matter. Let His Highness the Crown Prince speak to you personally."

"I have to entertain my guests, so please excuse me. Please, Princess Qinghe."

After Li Jinyan finished speaking, she left Chengguang Hall directly.

Jiang Zhi was a little confused, but soon she saw a familiar, tall figure enter through the door.

Because today is the Crown Princess's birthday banquet, Xiao Xuanyou's black brocade robe swayed in the light and shadow.

With broad shoulders and a straight back, his steps were steady, and a black belt accentuated his tall and upright figure.

Backlit, his eyebrows and eyes were obscured, but his jawline was sharp and clean, exuding an innate air of nobility and elegance.

"Princess Qinghe, it's been a long time." Her voice was clear and melodious, like jade being gently struck.

This was the first time Jiang Zhi had seen Xiao Xuanyou since returning to Kyoto.

After a brief moment of alertness, seeing that he made no further moves, her tense nerves relaxed a little.

She bowed respectfully to him, but Xiao Xuanyou reached out to steady her, saying, "There are no outsiders here, no need for such formalities."

"Has His Highness the Crown Prince's injury fully healed?" Jiang Zhi asked him.

When he returned to the capital, he didn't even get off the carriage; he went straight back to the Eastern Palace.

Xiao Xuanyou smiled warmly, "I'm fine, thank you for your concern."

Jiang Zhi let down her guard.

"That's good. How does Your Highness require my cooperation?"

Xiao Xuanyou lifted his robe and sat down opposite her. "This matter may require some embarrassment from Princess Qinghe."

"Your Highness, please speak." Jiang Zhi's expression was solemn as she sat upright.

...

When Xiao Xuanyou and I came out of Chengguang Hall, there was no one around; they must have all been dismissed.

"Your Highness, there's no need to see me off. I know the way." Jiang Zhi stood a few steps away from him, polite but distant.

Xiao Xuanyou stepped forward and suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"Why is Princess Qinghe avoiding me like this?" He lowered his voice, the shadow cast by his high brow bone making it impossible to see the expression on his face.

Jiang Zhi stepped back, frowning. "Your Highness, please have some self-respect!"

However, this was a garden path outside Chengguang Hall, and it was quiet and deserted.

Xiao Xuanyou easily pinned her against the tree trunk behind him. Before she could even speak, he lowered his head and placed his cool lips on her neck!

Jiang Zhi instinctively flinched for a moment.

Xiao Xuanyou's teasing voice rang in their ears, so low that only the two of them could hear it: "Since Princess Qinghe has agreed to my request, then we should go all the way with this act. Giving up halfway is not a good habit."