"Your Majesty, you worry too much. When I choose a consort, I look at the person, not their social standing. I know the Xin family's character. As for Jiuwei..." He tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on Xin Jiuwei's lowered hair. His eyes were deep and focused, with a strange penetrating power, as if he could see into her feigned calm. "She is someone who has shared hardships with me. I trust her character. The rumors and gossip outside are nothing but the barking of clowns. Why should I care? Let alone the word 'implicate'! Why should I need others' opinions on my actions?"
His final words were sharp and assertive, his aura suddenly surging. His piercing gaze swept over everyone present, carrying a disdainful arrogance. This was not only to defend Xin Jiuwei, but also the most direct and forceful counterattack against Xiao Zhuo's "earnest" warning! He was declaring: Xin Jiuwei was his person, and no one had the right to interfere, much less to question his choice based on "family background"!
Xiao Zhuo's gentle smile froze for a moment, a hint of malice flashing deep in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and chuckled, "Sixth Brother's deep affection for his wife is gratifying to me. However, as the elder brother, I can't help but offer a few more words of advice. Since Sixth Brother trusts you so much, I'm at ease." He cleverly found a way to save face.
The attempt to sow discord failed to break the rift between the two due to Xiao Xun's forceful intervention. However, Xiao Zhuo's words, like tiny poisonous thorns, had already deeply pierced the hearts of many of the high-ranking officials of the imperial family present. Their contempt and suspicion of Xin Jiuwei had not disappeared; on the contrary, Xiao Xun's "bias" had increased their fear and dissatisfaction with the sixth prince.
On the carriage back to Jingyuan, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the deathly silence before a storm. Xin Jiuwei leaned against the carriage wall, her eyes closed, her face pale. Xiao Xun sat opposite her, eyes closed, radiating an icy aura that kept strangers at bay.
The carriage rumbled forward, and after a long while, Xin Jiuwei slowly opened her eyes, looking at the man opposite her who was like an ice sculpture. Her voice, hoarse with weariness, broke the silence:
“Your Highness’s protection today…I am deeply grateful. However,” she paused, looking calmly into Xiao Xun’s closed eyes, and asked the question that had been swirling in her mind, “Aren’t you afraid that my 'stain' will implicate you even more?”
Xiao Xun's eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly. He didn't open his eyes; his thin lips parted slightly, and the words he uttered were cold and clear, like a sharp blade tempered with ice, piercing precisely into Xin Jiuwei's heart:
"A pawn must be useful. Your performance today is acceptable, proving you still have value. As for implicating me?" A faint, cold smile curved his lips. "My path has always been fraught with thorns. What difference does it make whether you have one more 'stain' or one less?"
Xin Jiuwei's heart sank into an icy abyss.
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