She had prepared these words in advance. Given Yuan Xingzhou's desire for destructive revenge, she had to set up a "red line" beforehand, ensuring that he could only dart around within a safe range and not cross her and the Four Symbols Army's bottom line.
Yuan Xingzhou suddenly smiled strangely and sinisterly. His skin often had an unhealthy paleness, and it was unclear whether it was because the injuries he suffered during his imprisonment had not healed or because he had lived a very bad life in recent years, which was why he did not have a rosy and radiant complexion like a normal person.
"You're new to Shengjing, so you probably haven't seen what the so-called powerful and influential families are like yet." He frowned and thought for a moment, then revealed a hint of excitement and urgency on his face: "Tonight's banquet will likely attract many high-ranking officials from the court, so you'd better keep your eyes wide open and take a good look."
Damn it, his sudden change of expression, coupled with his mocking and strange tone of voice, made her a little scared.
Just like at tonight's banquet, she might witness a scene of chaos and a gathering of demons and monsters...
Zheng Quchi straightened his neck and said defiantly, "I... I'm not completely ignorant either. Stop spreading alarmist rumors."
Yuan Xingzhou didn't mean to scare her. He quickly reverted to his usual world-weary and gloomy demeanor and said calmly, "All the demands you've made are treaties that restrict this prince. May I also make one?"
"Of course," she answered readily, but quickly added, "but it must be reasonable, legal, and compliant."
This gives her more room to maneuver, allowing her to attack or defend as needed.
Yuan Xingzhou glanced at her lazily: "No matter the occasion, my position is your position, and you must always stand with me." After saying that, seeing Zheng Quchi deep in thought, he added: "Of course, provided that it does not violate your principles."
Zheng Quchi looked at him in surprise. Compared to her conditions, he really had no desires or wants. All he wanted was a promise to have companions to stick together for warmth.
"I agree, let's have a high five."
While verbal promises are unreliable, the necessary sense of ceremony is still important.
Looking at her raised, delicate white hand, her fingers, as pointed as lotus blossoms, were tinged with pink.
His gaze lingered for a second, slightly darkening, as he reached out his hand. His slightly curled fingers gleamed with an icy coolness, were fair and slender, with prominent knuckles.
Snap—
Snap—
Snap!
After three claps, Yuan Xingzhou's fingertips slid across her palm, then he grabbed her small hand and held it tightly, stopping her from retreating.
"I have something that requires your assistance at the moment."
He looked extremely serious, and Zheng Quchi stopped what he was doing, instantly getting into focus as well: "What is it?"
She's on high alert; it must be something extremely important.
"For me, this banquet is likely a trap. I have no power, no influence, and no one to help me. I will surely face questioning and difficulties from the Queen's faction and envoys from several countries. You will stay by my side and help me out of this predicament, won't you?"
A barely perceptible tension flickered across his pale face. His jade-like features were framed by a pair of deep, watery phoenix eyes. He looked into her eyes, which were melancholic and poignant, deeply moving.
Zheng Quchi's breath hitched. He did sound a little pitiful... Moreover, his request at this moment was completely reasonable. At that banquet with unknown depths, he and she would naturally help each other, and she had no reason to refuse.
"certainly."
However, right after answering, she had a strange feeling in her heart, as if she had overlooked something.
"Then you must remember to stay close to me at all times."
Yuan Xingzhou gave her a cryptic smile, but when she pressed him for details, he dropped his suspicious expression, appearing utterly lonely and desolate.
——
Yanchun Palace
"Mother, don't you believe what I say?" Yuan Chuhua, who had just returned to the palace, said angrily, "He really does look somewhat similar to the portrait of the eldest prince painted by Father, especially his eyebrows and eyes."
She spoke at length, her face flushed and her expression dark, but her mother remained calm, teasing the parrot with a reed.
Did Mother say she didn't believe it?
Queen Bo Ji possessed an exceptionally beautiful face, the kind of mature woman whose age seemed to blur the lines of time. She put down the bird-teasing stick, turned around, and lightly touched Yuan Chuhua's forehead with her nail-painted fingers.
The force was considerable, as if it were a punishment for her foolishness.
"As soon as they came back, they started chattering away, even noisier than birds."
Chu Yuanhua stood still, and said aggrievedly, "Then why didn't Mother react at all?"
"For so many years, Mother has been waiting for this day to come. What do you think Mother's reaction should be?" Bo Ji asked rhetorically.
After listening, Chu Yuanhua said with some uncertainty, "But, but he might not be..."
Bo Ji chuckled: "Just now, someone from Shengyuan Palace sent word that His Majesty not only met with Yuwen Zhengshi, but also specially summoned that attendant into the palace. Later, when he left the palace, he was personally escorted to the Hall of a Hundred Departments by the Grand Eunuch. With all that going to the extreme, do you still think we can't confirm his identity?"
Yuan Chuhua was shocked: "It really is Yuan Xingzhou, our eldest son has returned?"
“Yes, he’s back.” Bo Ji smiled, her fiery red lips strikingly beautiful, yet also incredibly dangerous: “I’ve been preparing for this day for over a decade. Now that he’s back, it’s too late.”
"Mother, what...what will you do to him?"
Bo Ji slowly turned her gaze to her: "What do you think?"
Yuan Chuhua shivered under her murderous gaze.
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