Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Even a single hair of hers...
Yan Xiao originally thought that Xiao Che went out to meet up with Emperor Wei Yuan and the others, but he did not expect that Xiao Che would take him to the place where the snow-white horse was buried.
The once snow-white steed now had a gaping hole in its throat and neck, its white fur now completely stained crimson, and a pool of blood had formed beneath it.
Its horse eyes were still staring, but it was no longer breathing.
Xiao Che walked closer without changing his expression, kicked the lifeless horse with the tip of his boot, and said, "This Snowy Horse is known for its gentleness. I even tested it before Yan Jiarou mounted it. It was as gentle as could be. I thought there would be no problem. Why did it suddenly go berserk after running a lap and when she mounted it?"
Yan Xiao stroked his chin and frowned, saying, "It is indeed puzzling. In my early years, I traveled around with my father and saw many breeds of horses. There are certainly cases of wild horses injuring people, but I have never heard of a single case of a snow-white horse injuring someone. After all, its temperament is known for being gentle."
Xiao Che looked at him calmly: "I suspect that someone has tampered with this horse. You are knowledgeable, do you know of any medicine that, when given to a horse, has no effect at first, but gradually becomes apparent after the horse is driven to ride?"
Yan Xiao pondered for a moment, then his eyes sharpened, and he said with certainty, "Yes! There is a kind of spice called Bihanxiang (寒香), which is mixed into the fodder and fed to horses. Its medicinal properties are not apparent at first, but once the horse is driven to gallop, the medicinal properties will appear, causing the horse to panic and go mad, throwing the person off the horse and trampling them to death."
"There's only one problem: this cold-repelling incense only takes effect within half an hour. Once that time is up, even if you ride a horse at full gallop, the medicine won't work."
Xiao Che narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled: "In other words, the time when this horse was drugged was at most an hour before it went berserk. It is very likely that it was drugged before it went on the field. It is also very likely that there is still some undigested grass mixed with spices in the horse's stomach."
The two looked at each other, and Yan Xiao nodded slightly.
The next moment, Xiao Che took out a dagger, its cold light gleaming. The icy blade reflected his exceptionally bright pupils, the very light color of his eyes reflecting the cold light of the dagger, exuding a chilling aura, like ice and snow freezing on the eaves in winter.
Warm blood splattered before their eyes as Xiao Che gutted the dead horse and found undigested fodder.
Yan Xiao bent down, rubbed a little with his fingers and held it up to his eyes to examine it. His gaze paused, and his expression instantly became serious. He said to Xiao Che, "It really is the Cold-Repelling Incense."
Xiao Che raised his eyebrows, his expression one of expected certainty: "Someone wants to harm Xiao Jue."
Yan Xiao was taken aback, then realized: "His Majesty originally intended to bestow this snow-white horse upon the Crown Prince. If the Prince of Northern Chu hadn't insisted on competing with you again, and you hadn't made such a splash and won so beautifully, His Majesty wouldn't have suddenly decided to give that snow-white horse to you instead. The one who almost died under the horse's hooves was the Crown Prince."
Someone wanted to harm the crown prince; the answer is self-evident.
Empress Cui has two sons, the eldest son Xiao Jue and the second son Xiao Yan. As they are both legitimate sons, their status is generally not particularly high. However, Xiao Yan seems to be more favored by Emperor Yuan of Wei, and he does not accept Xiao Jue's position. He believes that he is slightly better than Xiao Jue in both civil administration and military affairs. Just because he was born two years earlier, does he think the position of crown prince should rightfully belong to him? Therefore, he gradually developed the ambition to seize the throne.
Three months ago, he fell from his horse and injured his leg, making it difficult for him to walk, let alone ride and shoot. As a result, he lost the emperor's favor. Although his leg injury has improved, Xiao Che could sense from his conversation with him that the resentment in his heart had not dissipated. He still believed that his fall from his horse was not accidental. Although no evidence was found, he insisted that Xiao Jue was responsible for it, so it was perfectly normal for him to plot revenge.
There are indeed clues to this.
Xiao Che remembered that when Emperor Wei Yuan gave him the Snow Steed instead, Xiao Yan tried to dissuade him. He found it strange at the time. Xiao Yan was usually the most tactful and never disobeyed Emperor Wei Yuan. Why would he want to spoil his mood today?
Unless, he has a compelling reason to do so.
However, Emperor Yuan of Wei's sudden decision disrupted his plans.
He wanted Xiao Jue to ride the drugged snow steed and get into trouble.
Emperor Wei Yuan then bestowed the snow-white horse upon him. Xiao Yan was so nervous, partly because he feared his efforts would be in vain and he would fail to harm Xiao Jue, and partly because he was also afraid of harming him.
—Although Xiao Yan and Xiao Jue were born of the same mother, their relationship became increasingly tense due to the struggle for the throne, and now it is a fight to the death.
The so-called blood ties between brothers could perhaps only be found in Xiao Che, where Xiao Yan could find some solace and sense a degree of connection.
After all, Xiao Che was not the legitimate son of the emperor and was burdened with rumors of being a remnant of the Qi Kingdom from the previous dynasty. In everyone's eyes, he had already been forced to withdraw from the struggle for the throne.
With the threat gone, Xiao Yan could naturally make up for the lack of brotherly affection by focusing on Xiao Che.
Therefore, he did indeed have some genuine feelings for Xiao Che.
As for Xiao Jue, even if the position of crown prince did not stand between him and Xiao Che, Yan Jiarou alone would have made it impossible for them to get close.
Xiao Che was aware of the undercurrents between Xiao Yan and Xiao Jue, but this was originally a feud between the two of them, none of his business, and he never interfered. However, this time, things were clearly different from any other time.
Yan Xiao clearly realized this as well, and frowned slightly as he looked at him and said, "Are you going to get involved in this, or will you pretend you don't know, like before?"
Xiao Che's gaze was as still as a cold pool. He simply said, "Originally, I would have pretended not to know, but this time, he almost took Yan Jiarou's life, and he almost took mine too. What do you think?"
His handsome face gradually turned fierce: "I said, even a single strand of her hair is far more precious than anything else. Whether the Crown Prince lives or dies is none of my business, but whoever harms her in the slightest is no small matter."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, a dark glint flashing in them: "The imperial bestowed snow steed has a special mark on its body that cannot be replaced. Find a secluded ice cellar to hide the horse's carcass. As long as the body does not decompose, the evidence will remain. In this way, we will have leverage over Xiao Yan and can also use this opportunity to put pressure on him and prevent him from doing anything that could harm others."
Yan Xiao's Adam's apple bobbed, and he nodded, saying, "I'll do whatever you say."
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