Palace
Lin Youke was almost as tall and slender as Xie Qi, but his body was extremely thin. He had delicate features and a pair of eerie, long black eyes.
Seeing the woman's pale face, he chuckled softly and asked, "Sister-in-law, did you come looking for me... or for Cousin Xie?"
"Yes... I'm looking for my husband."
Coming to her senses, Li Wan forced herself to remain calm.
Lin Youke suddenly took a half step closer, his body radiating a chill mixed with the smell of medicine. He stared at Li Wan and said softly, "I thought my sister-in-law was following me."
Startled by his blunt words, Li Wan instinctively stepped back, but her calf bumped into the railing. The cold touch of the railing penetrated her thin clothes, making her shiver slightly.
"How could that be? Why would I follow you..."
"Oh?" He chuckled lightly. "Doesn't your sister-in-law want to kill me when no one's around?"
He deliberately emphasized the last three words, which, when they landed in Li's ears, were like a silent thunderclap.
Why did he think Jiang Feiwan wanted to kill him?
Jiang Feiwan was a tool used by him and Xiao Xian to frame Xie Qi. Aren't they in cahoots?
There must be something hidden behind this.
Li Wan steadied herself, looked up at him, and asked, following his words, "Shouldn't you have died?"
Lin Youke stared at her with eyes as deep as an icy pool for a long time, then suddenly lowered his eyelids and smiled.
"Sister-in-law, you are truly ungrateful. When the Third Prince fell in love with you at first sight, it was I who mediated between you so that you could be together. Later, when Consort Xue wanted to get rid of you, it was I who saved your life. You have not only failed to repay such kindness, but you also treat me like an enemy."
He paused slightly, his withered fingers twirling the jade thumb ring on his knuckles.
"However, I don't understand. My sister-in-law was unwilling to marry Xie Qi even if it meant death, but now she's not only married to him, but she seems to have a very close relationship with my cousin."
Li Wan pondered Lin Youke's words, realizing that Jiang Feiwan had had so many interactions with him.
In his previous life, Lin Youke was able to collude with Xiao Xian to murder Xie Qi, so he was definitely not as weak as he appeared.
His question likely stemmed from suspicion, and fearing he might discover something amiss, Li Wan dared not utter another word.
She clenched her fists, remaining impassive. "Didn't His Highness tell you why I'm so eager to marry Xie Qi?"
Even if the full details are not yet known, it is good to have more suspicion between Lin Youke and Xiao Xian.
Sure enough, a strange look flashed in Lin Youke's eyes.
Taking the opportunity, Li Wan said, "Since my husband is not here, I will go back to the main hall to wait for him. Cousin Lin, please do as you please."
Li Wan wanted to leave, but Lin Youke in front of her showed no intention of giving way.
A gust of cold wind made Li Wan shiver slightly.
"Wanwan?"
A warm, gentle voice sounded from behind.
Li Wan turned around and saw Xiao Xian, dressed in a dark blue python robe, walking out of the corridor with his hair tied up in a jade crown, his eyebrows and eyes handsome.
This was the first time the two had met since Xue Lin's assassination attempt.
Lin Youke looked past Li Wan and took a step back without making a sound. "Third Prince."
Xiao Xian nodded to him, then his gaze fell on Li Wan.
How have you been lately?
Xiao Xian suppressed the urge to embrace her, his eyes full of apology, "It wasn't my intention to put you in danger last time, please don't be angry with me."
"I……"
Just as Li Wan was about to give him a perfunctory reply, she suddenly felt dizzy, staggered, and a wave of heat washed over her chest and abdomen.
"Wanwan, what's wrong?" Xiao Xian quickly reached out to support Li Wan.
Li Wan felt disgusted as her fair fingers were grasped by the man's cold hand, but strangely, she didn't push him away.
The heat intensified, and soon beads of sweat appeared on my forehead.
Something's not right!
Li Wan immediately thought of the glass of wine she had just drunk.
The wine had been drugged, and the person who drugged it was obviously Princess Qiongying.
Princess Qiongying drugged her at the palace banquet, surely intending to embarrass her in front of everyone.
But now is not the time to investigate; she needs to return home immediately.
"Your Highness, I am feeling unwell. I think I have caught a cold and would like to return to my residence to rest."
Li Wan bit her lip to suppress the discomfort and raised her hand to break free from Xiao Xian's grasp. But after taking only one step, her legs gave way and she fell into Xiao Xian's arms.
"Wanwan." Xiao Xian didn't care that Lin Youke was still beside him and took the opportunity to put his arm around her waist.
Li Wan tried to shake him off, but she had no strength at all, and her consciousness gradually faded.
"The night view of the palace is extremely beautiful. Since it is a rare opportunity for you sisters to enter the palace, I will take you around."
A woman's voice came from below, and suddenly a chorus of sweet chatter filled the corridor.
Princess Heshun, wearing a red-gold and kingfisher feather crown, walked at the front, with Princess Qiongying walking beside her, and behind them followed a group of noble ladies.
Li Wan felt her blood rushing to her head, and beads of sweat slid down her back.
If those people were to see her with Xiao Xian at this moment, the reputation of the Jiang family and the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion would be completely ruined.
The chaotic footsteps grew closer. Li Wan bit her tongue, the taste of blood filling her mouth. "Let me go," she cried, trying to break free.
Xiao Xian knew she had to let go, but she had no strength left in her body. If she loosened her grip even slightly, she would fall to the ground.
In the deserted corridor, two men and a woman lying face down on the ground—this only made things more complicated.
Xiao Xian turned her gaze to Lin Youke, her cousin-in-law. It would be better for him to help her than for her to be a man from another family.
However, the person who was usually as skillful as a craftsman seemed not to understand his hints and stood aside as if he were an outsider.
Xiao Xian's eyes darkened, and he had no choice but to explain himself in his heart.
Caught off guard, a powerful force struck his left shoulder, forcing him to take a few steps back. When he came to his senses, he realized that his arms were empty and the woman was leaning against someone else's chest.
It's Xie Qi.
Xiao Cheng was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. He was glad that the person who came was Xie Qi, but seeing Wanwan being taken away by him, he felt a lump in his throat.
Xie Qi wore no crown, his black hair was all tied up in a red gold hairpin, making his face look even colder than the winter night wind.
He casually tore off his cloak, wrapped Li Wan in it, and pulled her into his arms. His palm pressed against the back of her neck through the fabric, so hard that she couldn't help but let out a soft moan.
"What's wrong with Madam Xie?"
Princess Heshun led the group closer, her gaze falling on the woman in Xie Qi's arms, and she spoke with concern.
"Madam is not good at drinking, so I will take her back to the manor first."
Xie Qi, impatient with getting entangled with these women, spoke frankly.
Princess Heshun nodded, her beautiful face showing a hint of worry, and said softly and considerately, "Being drunk and exposed to the cold wind can easily lead to a cold. Lord Xie, please take your wife back quickly."
Xie Qi nodded, picked up Li Wan with one hand, and walked towards the outside of the corridor. However, when he passed by Princess Qiongying, he paused slightly and glanced at her sideways.
One glance was enough to send chills down Princess Qiongying's spine.
After a short while, the crowd dispersed from the corridor, leaving only Princess Heshun and Princess Qiongying.
“Princess.” Princess Qiongying lowered her head and spoke softly, as awkward as a child who had done something wrong.
Princess Heshun glanced at her and said indifferently, "Useless."
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