It turns out that Xiao Ziyan himself had ulterior motives. Before entering the house, he specifically instructed, "If you are not summoned, you must not enter, even if the house is on fire!"
He was so confident that he could win the heart of the beauty tonight, but he never expected that Xiao Ziwu would snatch her away from him!
Are these idiots dead? All they know is to obey orders, refusing to step into the room themselves, yet they don't even know to stop Xiao Ziwu!
Should we keep other people out of the house?
Therefore, when Xiao Ziyan's personal eunuch Lai Quan found him, he saw the Second Prince lying unconscious in a secluded room. He thought the prince had met with misfortune, so he hurriedly put his finger under the prince's nose to check. Seeing that the prince was still breathing, he was relieved.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
"Why are you sleeping here? I've been looking for you for ages!"
Your Highness was not drunk, so how could you have gotten lost and fallen asleep here?
Little did he know that Xiao Ziyan had been knocked unconscious. The back of his neck was still throbbing from the heavy blow. When Xiao Ziyan was shaken awake, his face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He touched the back of his head and found a large bump. He couldn't help but cry out in pain.
A surge of violent emotion welled up within him; he wished he could tear Xiao Ziwu, who had acted so recklessly and cruelly, to pieces! Gone was his usual gentle demeanor; his face was now filled with a sinister and murderous aura as he looked at him and asked, "Is the banquet over? Are Xiao Ziwu and Shangguan Tianyun here?"
Being locked under his sinister gaze was like being stared at by a venomous snake, and Lai Quan shivered inexplicably. "The banquet has ended. The Third Prince and Miss Shangguan left early and have not returned. Just now, Miss Mu and Young Master Liao were looking for you everywhere in a panic. When I saw that things were not right, I disregarded your orders and rushed in."
Lai Quan peeked over and saw His Highness clench his fist and slam it hard into the ground, his eyes blazing with anger, as if he was extremely resentful and unwilling.
How could he possibly accept this?!
Xiao Ziwu actually dared to attack me for the sake of Shangguan Tianyun. If I had gotten my hands on Shangguan Tianyun just now, would he still have such an arrogant attitude?
I'm afraid they'll end up like stray dogs, wagging their tails and begging for mercy, letting me bully and humiliate them!
Lai Quan always knew what to say to please His Highness.
He gently persuaded, "Your Highness should return to the palace first. You are about to depart tomorrow, so you should get some rest tonight. The end of the year is approaching, and Your Highness will probably miss the New Year's banquet."
As expected, Xiao Ziyan's expression softened slightly upon hearing this. Xiao Ziwu, that useless person, had never been qualified to attend the New Year's banquet. This was true in previous years, and it was true this year as well!
He only deserves to stay in his poor, dilapidated Linhua Palace until he's exhausted and his life ends, wrapped in a straw mat and that's it.
※※※※
Upon hearing from Lai Quan that Mu Yaozhi and Yu Shanlai had not yet left, Xiao Ziyan straightened his clothes and resumed his usual gentlemanly demeanor.
Let's go.
"Your Highness has been gone for so long, Yaozhi was so worried!" Mu Yaozhi was filled with panic and rushed into his arms. She sniffed his clothes carefully, afraid that he would be tainted with that bitch's scent.
Fortunately, His Highness was clean and there was no dampness after the rain, which put Mu Yao at ease. But the next moment, her brother Ziyan pushed her away from his embrace.
Xiao Ziyan reached out and gripped her chin tightly, asking, "Were you involved in today's events?"
Since he stopped Liao Yixuan and chased after him, he must already know the reason, so why ask any more questions?
Mu Yao's pupils constricted sharply, and she said in fear, "Brother Ziyan..."
Seeing the fear in her eyes, Xiao Ziyan suddenly smiled, as if the bright moon and gentle breeze had blown away the biting winter chill.
He released her hand and said gently, "I don't mean to blame you, Yao Zhi. Don't be afraid. Just remember to inform me first if something like this happens again. Yao Zhi's hands are clean, so please don't touch such filthy things again."
Mu Yao nodded her head repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice.
She felt a sweet warmth in her heart because she knew her brother Ziyan was so serious about her out of love and concern for her not wanting her to go astray.
She had never seen her brother Ziyan look so terrifying before, and she was quite frightened.
We can always be more discreet in the future!
The two were playing a game of charades, which Yu Shanlai couldn't understand a single word of. What worried her, however, was something else entirely.
Last year, she was able to rank among the top at the Hundred Flowers Banquet thanks to the Second Prince's investment of money. However, this year, because the Second Prince is going on a long trip, she will lack a significant source of financial support. Moreover, her reputation has been severely damaged by Shangguan Tianyun, and her public image has greatly diminished.
This year, let alone the top three, she might not even make it to the finals!
She really didn't know what to do.
Clutching her handkerchief tightly, Yu Shanlai said through teary eyes, "Your Highness, please take good care of yourself. Don't rush off just because you're thinking about the soldiers at the border. Shanlai awaits Your Highness's triumphant return!"
This woman is putting on an act again. Mu Yaozhi instantly forgot her fear, rolled her eyes at her, and said, "Brother Ziyan, I'm waiting for you. Why are you being so presumptuous?"
When His Highness returns, they will meet to see each other, exchange betrothal gifts, perform the betrothal ceremony, and set up the bed...
She herself was the most cherished wife of Brother Ziyan!
"This is just a small token of my appreciation, and I hope Miss Mu will not take it lightly."
Yu Shanlai wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, her submissive and pleading demeanor greatly satisfying the man's base instincts: "Miss Mu has been pampered since childhood, even easily winning first place at the Hundred Flowers Banquet. She has no idea that Shanlai only has such a humble little wish in her heart..."
This short sentence hints at the following three points about Xiao Ziyan.
I. The Hundred Flowers Banquet is about to begin—should you make a gesture?
Second, my financial situation is too poor, unlike Mu Yaozhi who has the support of her family—shouldn't you offer some assistance?
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