Chapter 201 My Sister and Yuan Chiyu?
Just as Shuixiu's front was about to be torn open...
"Bang!"
With a loud crash, the already dilapidated palace door was kicked open from the outside, sending splinters of wood flying!
A tall, straight figure stood at the entrance, against the light of the distant banquet hall lights shining through from outside.
Prince Duan subconsciously looked in the direction of the sound, and Shui Xiu also took the opportunity to get up a little. She happened to see the boy in the light, and her eyes welled up with tears.
"Let her go!"
Yuan Chiyu's voice was filled with suppressed anger and killing intent. He instantly locked onto the situation inside the hall. When he met Shui Xiu's tearful eyes, he didn't wait for Prince Duan and his evil servants who had just rushed over from outside the hall to make any move. He rushed in like a leopard!
He first dodged a vicious servant's bear hug by sidestepping, then slammed his elbow hard into the servant's ribs. With a sickening cracking sound and a scream of agony, the man instantly collapsed.
Another punch came flying, but Yuan Chiyu neither dodged nor avoided it. He blocked it precisely with his left hand, while his right hand, accompanied by the sound of wind breaking, slammed solidly into the opponent's face. The man fell backward to the ground without even uttering a sound.
In the blink of an eye, he dealt with the two accomplices who had been keeping watch outside the door, and Yuan Chiyu's target was now Prince Duan.
Prince Duan, who had already drunk some wine, was so frightened by Yuan Chiyu's fierce and invincible aura that he subconsciously released his hand from Shui Xiu's mouth and tried to back away to explain, "Yuan Chiyu! You...you dare..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yuan Chiyu had already closed in and delivered a clean, swift straight punch with the force of a thunderbolt, slamming it hard into Prince Duan's self-proclaimed handsome face!
"Awooo—!"
Prince Duan let out a pig-like scream, his nose seemed to collapse, and blood gushed out instantly.
His thin body staggered backward and fell heavily to the ground, clutching his face and writhing in pain.
Yuan Chiyu didn't even bother to look at him again. He immediately turned around and strode over to Shui Xiu, who was huddled on the couch, still trembling with fear.
He quickly took off his outer robe and gently draped it over Shui Xiu's disheveled clothes, wrapping her tightly in it.
"Shui Xiu...don't be afraid, it's alright now."
He crouched down, his voice calm and steady, a stark contrast to the ruthlessness he had displayed earlier.
Those eyes, which always carried a hint of aloofness or mockery, now held only pure concern and a reassuring strength.
Shui Xiu raised her head, her eyes blurry with tears, and could only make out his handsome, almost otherworldly face, and his eyes that had always been beautiful but now brought her a sense of peace, as he gazed at her.
The immense fear and grievance of surviving the ordeal instantly overwhelmed her, leaving her choked with sobs. But strangely, the warmth from his hand and his steady voice gave her some strength.
Shui Xiu suddenly jumped up, and under Yuan Chiyu's surprised yet smiling gaze, she covered her front and jumped off the bed.
Immediately afterwards, Shui Xiu kicked Prince Duan, who was lying on the side of the bed, hard.
The kick landed squarely on Prince Duan's ribs, causing him to cry out in pain. He felt pain in his face and body as well.
"ah--!"
Prince Duan felt somewhat guilty in front of Shui Xiu, but he still spoke with resentment towards Yuan Chiyu:
"Yuan Chiyu! You...you actually dared to assault a prince of the imperial family! You've gone too far! You've truly gone too far!"
Prince Duan struggled to sit up on the ground, pointed at Yuan Chiyu, and tried to distort the truth with a fierce but weak tone, "It was this slut who seduced me first! You and she clearly had a secret affair and were meeting here in secret. You only committed the crime after I caught you in the act!"
If Prince Duan had possessed such a sharp mind during his struggle for the throne, he might be the one sitting on the dragon throne now.
"Shut up!"
Yuan Chiyu turned around abruptly, letting Shui Xiu deliver a second kick while standing guard behind Shui Xiu to prevent Prince Duan from suddenly attacking someone.
His tone was icy, and his gaze was sharp.
"Your Highness Prince Duan coveted a respectable young lady and attempted to commit adultery. He was caught red-handed, yet he dares to spew such foul language and slander! Today, Yuan Chiyu will risk his life to protect Miss Shuixiu and expose your despicable behavior to the world!"
Just then, a series of hurried and chaotic footsteps came from outside the hall.
Several palace guards, led by Riko, rushed in first.
"Miss!"
"Young Master Yuan!"
After changing her clothes, Shui Xian returned to the palace and did not see her younger sister.
She was met with her mother's surprised gaze. Feeling uneasy, Shui Xian summoned her mother to her side and asked her carefully. She then learned that Shui Xiu had been taken away by an unfamiliar palace maid.
Shui Xian immediately notified Xiao Lizi to find the person. After receiving the news, Xiao Lizi found the maid who had taken Shui Xiu away as quickly as possible and used some torture to force her to reveal Shui Xiu's whereabouts.
Because Shui Xian was weak and could not move quickly, Xiao Li Zi brought people over as soon as possible to prevent anything that she would regret later!
The moment Xiao Lizi saw Yuan Chiyu, she felt relieved and quickly sent Tinglu, who had come with her, to check on Shuixiu.
Immediately afterwards, more footsteps and lights followed.
Emperor Zhaoheng's face was ashen, and Shui Xian followed not far behind him as he strode into the chaotic side hall.
The Empress, supporting the pale-faced Empress Dowager, followed closely behind, with a group of imperial relatives, nobles, and concubines crowding behind them, all stunned by the sight before them.
When Shui Xiu saw her sister and the emperor, she could no longer hold back and burst into tears. She knelt down in front of Emperor Zhaoheng and Shui Xian and recounted the events in broken sentences, her voice choked with sobs.
The palace maid who had been led over by Xiao Lizi was already pale as a ghost, and was being held down by the guards, trembling like a leaf.
Witnesses, physical evidence, and Prince Duan's bruised and swollen face, covered in dust, all testified to his crimes!
Prince Duan wanted to argue, but Emperor Zhaoheng coldly mocked him, "Are you saying that you were beaten like this by Yuan Chiyu and Shui Xiu for trying to catch them having a secret rendezvous?"
"Xiao Yirui!"
Emperor Zhaoheng's voice was icy cold, carrying the thunderous rage of an emperor, and resounded throughout the side hall.
"As a prince of the imperial family, instead of cultivating your character and virtue, you dare to commit such a beastly act at a palace banquet! You have disgraced the imperial family and deserve to be executed!"
The Empress Dowager's expression changed, and she was about to speak: "Emperor..."
"Mother."
Emperor Zhaoheng interrupted without hesitation, his gaze sharp as he looked at the Empress Dowager. "A prince who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as a commoner! If I were to bend the law today simply because he is my brother, how would I face my subjects and govern this vast empire in the future?!"
"Does the Empress Dowager want the world to condemn me as incompetent and foolish, and for protecting and indulging him?!"
His words were so powerful that they effectively silenced all of the Empress Dowager's pleas for mercy.
The Empress Dowager was so angry that she trembled all over, but she couldn't show too much leniency towards Prince Duan when facing the other noblewomen and important officials.
The Empress stood to the side, her face ashen, seemingly terrified by the sight before her.
Only the fleeting chill in her lowered gaze revealed her true feelings.
That idiot Prince Duan! He can't even handle something this simple!
Emperor Zhaoheng issued a decree: "Prince Duan, Xiao Yirui, has behaved improperly and violated palace rules and national laws. Effective immediately, he is stripped of all honorary titles and confined to his residence. He is not to leave without an imperial edict! He shall reflect on his mistakes in seclusion!"
"All treatment shall be provided at the minimum level! Feng Shunxiang, thoroughly investigate this matter for me. Everyone involved in this despicable act, no matter who is implicated, shall be severely punished without exception!"
"Your servant obeys!"
Feng Shunxiang bowed deeply.
After dealing with Prince Duan, Emperor Zhaoheng turned his gaze to Yuan Chiyu, his tone softening slightly, and said with praise: "Marquis Yixin, Yuan Chiyu, remained calm in the face of danger, bravely rescued the officials' families, and upheld the reputation of the palace. You have rendered meritorious service! You are hereby awarded a thousand taels of gold and a royal horse as a commendation!"
"My lord, thank you Lord for your kindness!"
Yuan Chiyu knelt on one knee to pay his respects. Although he still looked like a young man, he showed no trace of his spoiled nature when facing Emperor Zhaoheng. Instead, he had the demeanor of his father.
Prince Duan was taken away by the guards and, according to the imperial decree, was to be sent to the Prince's Palace to be imprisoned in effect.
Amidst the noise, no one noticed that after Yuan Chiyu got up, he still subconsciously approached Shui Xiu and asked in a low voice, "Are you really alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"
After Shui Xiu calmed down a bit, she looked up through her tear-filled eyes at his concerned gaze and the slight blood seeping from the corner of his mouth where the intense movements had just taken their toll. Her heart trembled, and an unprecedented mix of bitterness and excitement welled up inside her.
She shook her head gently, her voice still trembling with tears, yet softened without even realizing it: "I'm fine...you...your mouth is bleeding, are you alright?"
Yuan Chiyu casually wiped away the bloodstain, grinned, revealing his white teeth, and said with bright eyes, "It's just a minor injury, nothing to worry about."
Shui Xiu nodded slightly, finding herself unable to look into his overly bright eyes.
She turned her head slightly, but her hand unconsciously tightened around the coat that belonged to him, which was draped over her body.
All of this was observed by Narcissus...
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