Xie Changling didn't speak, but took out a signal flare from his pocket. He used it in battle, and he didn't know if the army outside the city could understand it.
"Your Majesty, I have sent the signal, and the reinforcements should arrive soon."
"I will stay here to guard you and the young prince, and wait for reinforcements to arrive before I go to find Xi'er."
Xie Changling finally stopped hiding his feelings. He had originally entrusted Xi'er to Xiao Jin with peace of mind, so that Xi'er could become the most noble woman in the world.
But today's events served as a wake-up call, making Xie Changling realize that no one could put his mind at ease.
Even Emperor Xiao Jin has his moments of mishap, and he must personally protect Xi'er!
"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you!"
A hint of killing intent flashed in Xiao Jin's eyes. This wasn't the first time he'd had such thoughts, but he'd never succeeded.
Now, he was being openly provoked by Xie Changling, that scoundrel, which was practically enraging him!
"Your Majesty, Xi'er was originally my woman. You took her away but failed to protect her. From now on, I will personally protect her."
Xie Changling refused to back down; this was the only thing he wanted to insist on. He had not let down his country or his parents, but he had failed the one he loved.
Now, he wants to be himself, he wants to protect Xi'er, even if Xiao Jin settles scores later, he will stay by Xi'er's side.
It was Xie Changling's nonchalant attitude that infuriated Xiao Jin.
But the most urgent task is not to discuss this, but to find Xi'er safely.
Xiao Jin pondered for a moment, then promised, "If you can bring Xi'er back safe and sound, I might consider it."
Xie Changling didn't say much. Of course he didn't believe it, but finding the person was indeed of paramount importance.
The two returned to the side hall and saw Xiao Beizhan and Xiao Junlin, the two little ones, hugging each other, which reminded them of the phrase "huddling together for warmth".
When the two little ones saw them come in, they noticed they were covered in blood, especially Xiao Jin, who was covered in other people's blood from rummaging through the pile of corpses.
This terrified the two little ones. They thought their father was about to die, and they both pouted, looking like they were about to cry.
"Father, are you hurt? It's all my fault, it's all my fault for being too young!"
The speaker was Xiao Beizhan, his soft voice tinged with self-reproach. His usually lively personality had been greatly frightened today.
He dared not rush over, fearing that he would touch his father, so he could only carefully reach out his small hand to try to wipe the blood off Xiao Jin's body.
This made Xie Changling extremely jealous. His eldest son was clearly his beloved son, yet his heart and eyes were filled with his stepfather. It was truly infuriating!
"Father, I am guilty, but is your body truly injured?"
Xiao Junlin became much more serious. He tried his best to keep his round face straight, but his eyes were red, which made people feel sorry for him.
Despite being such a small child, he was more sensible than anyone else. He followed Xiao Beizhan forward, also hesitant to touch Xiao Jin's body, for fear of aggravating his injuries.
"Father is alright. But you two, are you injured? Let me take a good look at you."
Xiao Jin looked at the two equally sensible little princes, especially Xiao Beizhan, whose eyes were so much like Song Lingxi's, filled with concern for her, and her heart melted.
"Don't be afraid. I miscalculated today. I didn't expect anyone to be so bold. It won't happen again."
Xiao Jin gently patted the two brothers' heads, his gaze softening as he temporarily suppressed the grief and unease in his heart.
He simply couldn't understand how so many assassins had managed to bypass the palace's security checks and enter the palace.
Who else had such a clear understanding of the palace's defenses, and was able to kill all the guards, as well as the secret agents he had arranged?
There aren't many people who can do this, Xiao Jin comforted the two little ones while slowly making plans in his mind.
He began to eliminate them one by one: kings of different surnames, prime ministers, ministers, military commanders...
He considered all sorts of possibilities, but some conditions were not allowed, such as the issue of the secret guards. It was obvious that the assassins had eliminated all the secret guards before storming into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
In the end, Xiao Jin could only focus on someone who was particularly familiar with the palace, and that person was at the Princess's residence.
...
The Princess's Residence.
basement.
Below the long corridor, rows of lights illuminated the entire basement.
Xiao Heng gazed longingly at the woman on the warm jade bed; in the dim candlelight, the blush on her cheeks was especially noticeable.
He stroked Song Lingxi's jade-like face with fascination. Seeing such flawless skin, a look of joy flashed in his eyes. Indeed, a beauty is like jade, warm to the touch.
From the moment Xiao Heng first met Song Lingxi five years ago, he fell deeply in love with this beautiful girl.
After returning, he designed and built this basement in the Princess's mansion, neglecting all the beauties, including Song Lingyu.
Having seen Song Lingxi, how could anyone still look at those ordinary, vulgar women?
The basement was filled with his paintings, some of her wearing thin gauze, some barely wearing robes, and all sorts of alluring figures—all of them Song Lingxi as he imagined her.
Now, after five years of planning with his mother, he finally seized the opportunity when Xiao Jin killed Xie Changling, which was also the moment when all the veteran generals were gathered together, to storm the palace.
What's most important in treason? Of course, it's eliminating the root of the problem!
He knew that these veteran generals were all loyal subjects who followed Xiao Jin, and he had tried to test them several times, but none of them were willing to join him.
Now, those people must have been killed by his men long ago; this is what they deserve.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com