Everyone crawled away, fearing that they would die if they were a step slower. The bodies in the yard were also carried out and the heavy door closed again.
Xiao Yan still held the bow and arrow in his hand and drew the bow repeatedly. The muscles in his arms were sore, but he still held on, refusing to show any weakness.
At this moment, he looked like a god of death, with bloodshot eyes, his handsome face tense and exceptionally cold.
Ji Yunhuan squatted down and helped Xiao Yan cover the blanket that had fallen on the ground. Xiao Yan's legs were frozen to the bone, and the coldness made her shiver when she touched them.
She was just about to help Xiao Yan massage his muscles and bones when a cold hand pinched her chin, forcing her to raise her head.
"What's wrong? Why are you shaking? Are you scared? Xiaoyun, you're afraid of me, right? No one wants to come to the East Palace to die. If it weren't for that little palace maid's scheme, you wouldn't have come to the East Palace to serve me."
"It's a pity that it's too late for you to regret now. I gave you the chance to leave, but you chose to stay. You promised to take care of me for the rest of my life. No matter life or death, you must stay by my side!"
Ji Yunhuan was pinched so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm not afraid! Your Highness saved this servant, how could I be afraid of Your Highness?"
"What's wrong with taking care of His Highness for the rest of my life? If I leave the Eastern Palace, I'll have nowhere to go. Do I really have to serve the Fifth Prince? I find him disgusting!"
The bloodshot in Xiao Yan's eyes faded away, and his deep pupils were like a deep pool, as if they wanted to suck Ji Yunhuan in.
"Xiao Yun, you said it yourself. I'm not a good person. If you dare to have second thoughts, I'll be the first to kill you!"
Xiao Yan's hands were shaking as he held the bow and arrow. He was only trying to maintain a cold and hard shell, but inside he was a mess. His heart was pounding and his whole body was screaming with fear.
He was afraid that Xiaoyun would never be close to him again after seeing his true face.
Ji Yunhuan suddenly smiled, and the dilapidated courtyard seemed to have an extra light, shining brightly.
"Your Highness will not do that. Your Highness clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment, and will never kill innocent people indiscriminately."
"If Your Highness is truly heartless and ungrateful, the best option would be to have someone take me away. This would eliminate the hidden danger of me and not offend the Fifth Prince. But Your Highness did not do that."
"I know that His Highness hasn't completely trusted me yet. Even if he had doubts in his heart, His Highness didn't kill me. If I treat His Highness well, He will return the favor tenfold. Not only will His Highness not harm me, but He will protect me."
Xiao Yan let go of Xiao Yun, the bow and arrow in his hand fell to the ground, and he collapsed in the wheelchair, exhausted. He looked up at the sun in the sky. The sunlight was so dazzling that his eyes were hot and warm liquid rushed out.
Ji Yunhuan seemed to have seen everything. He stood up and went to the kitchen, muttering:
"It's so annoying. They can't even let me enjoy my meal properly. The food was spilled. Luckily there are some left in the kitchen."
When Ji Yunhuan came out again, Xiao Yan had recovered as normal and the bow and arrow had been put away. At first glance, one would not have expected that such a powerful weapon was hidden in this simple wheelchair.
Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly, at a loss like a child who had made a mistake.
"I'm sorry, Xiaoyun, I didn't hurt you, did I?"
There were two obvious fingerprints on Ji Yunhuan's chin. She brought the chicken soup to Xiao Yan and said softly, "It doesn't hurt. Chicken soup is all we have in the kitchen. Just eat some. I'll make something delicious for Your Highness tonight."
Xiao Yan looked particularly touched. He drank the chicken soup in one gulp, without letting Ji Yunhuan taste it first for the first time.
Ji Yunhuan touched his red chin and felt that the time was ripe.
She will take action tonight and find a way to sleep with Xiao Yan and give birth to a son of destiny with him!
********
Jinhua Palace.
Concubine Wu called the fifth prince over, dismissed everyone, and started cursing angrily.
"You're just fooling around! You were just having fun, but how did you end up killing someone? If I hadn't suppressed it, the news would have reached the emperor long ago. How would His Majesty view you? Do you have any shame left?"
The Fifth Prince was filled with dissatisfaction. "The deposed Crown Prince killed them all. What does it have to do with me? Who is gossiping in front of you again?"
"That Xiao Yan is truly despicable! He's always been against me, even after becoming a cripple, he still refuses to stop. For a single criminal slave, he killed seven or eight of the people I sent! Mother, when can we kill him?"
The jewels and jade on Concubine Wu's head jingled and she was so angry that she grabbed the fruit on the table and threw it at the Fifth Prince.
"You evil creature! Are you trying to piss me off to death? How many things are you hiding from me? Are you provoking Xiao Yan again?"
The Fifth Prince chuckled, took the fruit, took a bite, and said shamelessly, "Don't be angry, Mother. I didn't tell you because I was afraid of angering you. Besides the Eastern Palace, where else has anyone died?"
Concubine Wu really had no way to deal with her only precious son, and was coaxed into submission by the Fifth Prince with just a few words.
"It was in Jinhua Palace that Shuang'er died. She committed suicide by jumping into a well."
The Fifth Prince couldn't remember who Shuang'er was and said nonchalantly, "If she's dead, she's dead."
Concubine Wu knew that her son did not take a palace maid seriously, so she could only explain the key points to him in detail.
"The death of a palace maid isn't a big deal, but I don't know where the rumor got out, saying Shuang'er committed suicide out of shame and anger after being raped by you. If this gets out, how will the court officials support you in becoming the Crown Prince if they know you're so absurd?"
The Fifth Prince angrily said, "She clearly came to me on her own initiative. I was just taking advantage of her situation. How can this be considered rape?"
Concubine Wu waved her hands impatiently. "The person is already dead, what's the point of saying this? I have already rewarded her family generously. As long as they don't make a fuss, this matter will be over."
"I've helped you solve so many problems over the years. You should be more careful and act more cautiously in the future. Don't let others catch you."
"As for the deposed crown prince, he is indeed a cripple, but as you can see, he won't die so easily. Although Your Majesty despises him, he is, after all, your bloodline. If he dies in unclear circumstances, I, as the head of the harem, cannot escape responsibility."
The fifth prince was still somewhat unwilling to accept this. He touched the back of his head, which still ached slightly.
"Mother, can't you find someone else to serve the deposed crown prince? Help me get that criminal slave out! You don't know, she actually dared to hit me with an inkstone! I won't be able to sleep or eat until I avenge this. I will make that criminal slave live a life worse than death!"
Concubine Wu pondered and said, "No! This criminal slave is quite interesting. Xiao Yan is sinister and cruel, and never trusts anyone easily. Now he is actually defending a criminal slave so much. Maybe this person can be used by us. It is a pleasant surprise."
"I know you admire her beauty, but she's just a slave, unworthy of your status." Seeing her son's drooping brows, Concubine Wu felt truly sorry for him and could only say, "Alright, once this is done, she'll be yours. Just be patient for a few days and don't ruin my plans."
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