This prince is in love with you.
Imperial Palace.
Lin Cuiyue requested an audience with Xiao Zhian.
Du Yu went to inform them.
He knew what was happening in the bedchamber, so he knocked twice and announced the news in a very low voice.
But Lin Huaiyin woke up.
Her ears, sharpened by ninety days of living in prison, instantly snapped her awake.
Her head still ached, and Lin Huaiyin frowned, unable to open her eyes. The blankets were unusually warm, and she was extremely puzzled—why did her older brother come here to ask for an audience with His Highness?
There's no temple here—
"not see."
As Xiao Zhian's voice reached her ears, Lin Huaiyin felt a chill run down her spine, suddenly realizing that her hand was being gripped tightly.
Sure enough, the blanket was so warm; it couldn't possibly be Yu Li's body temperature.
Lin Huaiyin suddenly opened her eyes. The candlelight was dim, and Xiao Zhian's face was close to hers.
What the hell! This isn't her bedroom, how did she end up on Xiao Zhian's bed?
Lin Huaiyin was terrified, and only one thought crossed her mind—Xiao Zhian was so angry that he decided to punish her!
She tried to shake off Xiao Zhian's hand—but couldn't.
Struggling to escape—unable to break free.
"Don't move."
Xiao Zhian was worried about the blisters on her body and couldn't bear to hold her and hurt her, so he rolled her up in the blanket and made her look like a caterpillar.
"What are you doing! Big brother is outside, be careful I'll call for help!" Lin Huaiyin said angrily.
"It's good to call him in; it'll be a good opportunity to pay my respects to my brother-in-law." Xiao Zhian was eager to try, revealing a devilish smile.
Lin Huaiyin's mind was stuck on the words "brother-in-law," unable to process them.
As she recalled the crimson sunset, her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately snapped back to reality, staring intently at Xiao Zhian's face. She couldn't understand how she had ended up in his hands when so many imperial guards were present, and her older brother was there too.
Outside the door, Du Yu returned and knocked twice before announcing again: "Your Highness, General Lin said that it is inconvenient to come so late at night, so he has come to take Miss Lin back."
We're doomed.
Lin Huaiyin's face fell; her older brother knew she was there and had been cornered!
This is definitely not a situation that can be covered up by faking death, and at the same time, she absolutely cannot let her older brother know about this mess between her and His Highness the Crown Prince.
The situation is beyond our control; now we can only ask Xiao Zhian for his cooperation.
Lin Huaiyin forced a smile, wanting to say something nice to please Xiao Zhian, but when she thought of his angry departure earlier, and his close relationship with Princess Pingyang, like siblings, she felt both annoyed and annoyed. After a long while, she finally managed to utter, "Your Highness."
"Yes, I'm here."
Xiao Zhian responded quickly, patted her head, and fetched a candle.
The orange candlelight fell on Lin Huaiyin's face, which was flushed, but no longer swollen and hard as before, and the blisters had almost all subsided.
He seems to be in good shape.
Xiao Zhian felt a little proud. She was in so much pain, and her symptoms were so frightening. After sleeping by his side for a while, her breathing quickly became steady and her symptoms subsided.
He was her cure-all. Xiao Zhian knew his place.
Without him, she probably wouldn't be able to get by, just like she is now.
Untying the quilt, Xiao Zhian carried Lin Huaiyin to the pillow and tucked her in.
"Be a good girl and warm the bed, I'll be right back."
His voice was gentle, but Lin Huaiyin knew it was no use. Her older brother was coming for her; she couldn't escape. She had to get out.
Lin Huaiyin straightened up, "I think I still— um!"
Xiao Zhian's lips sealed hers, wet and soft, pressing her back onto the pillow.
"good."
He rubbed Lin Huaiyin's earlobe, then turned and walked towards the palace gate.
Lin Huaiyin's mind went blank.
It wasn't until the door opened and closed gently, and a wisp of wind rose, that she came to her senses, touched her lips, and then disgustedly pulled the blanket to wipe them.
She didn't want that mouth that spoke so sweetly to Princess Pingyang to bite her.
She's already broken up with him; she's not going to sleep in his bed, and she's not stupid enough to wait for him to come back and punish her.
Lin Huaiyin sat up straight again, threw off the covers, got up to tidy her appearance, and quietly slipped out.
The palace door was pushed open a crack, and outside, Du Yu's face was a mixture of laughter and tears.
"Miss Lin, His Highness has instructed that you are not allowed to go out."
Lin Huaiyin thought for a moment and asked, "Then would you lay a hand on me?"
"This humble servant dares not."
"oh."
Lin Huaiyin nodded, opened the door, and ran away as fast as she could.
Du Yu could certainly catch up, but he really didn't dare to make a move. He tried to persuade her all the way to no avail. Lin Huaiyin ran to the outside of the main hall and pricked up her ears to eavesdrop.
"With Princess Pingyang?"
Lin Cuiyue's shock came from behind the door.
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin wanted to roll her eyes at Xiao Zhian—what a vicious man!
“Exactly.” Xiao Zhian said lazily, as if he hadn’t woken up yet. “Your sister is my wife, how can she be settled here? I suppose Pingyang likes her and has kept her here to look after her. General Lin can go and ask for her again tomorrow morning.”
After he finished speaking, there was no sound for a long time.
Lin Huaiyin clung to the door, feeling incredibly sorry for Lin Cuiyue.
By saying this, Xiao Zhian was essentially turning the tables, accusing Lin Cuiyue of being impolite and of coming here to demand people.
He emphasized "my wife" and further rebuked Lin Cuiyue for not having the right to demand her.
Moreover, Lin Cuiyue, being an outsider, would hardly dare to approach the princess to ask for someone's hand; he probably wouldn't even dare to verify the truth of the matter later.
As for herself, Lin Huaiyin, touching her conscience, declared that she would stand firmly on Xiao Zhian's side and join him in deceiving her older brother.
Because if her older brother found out about her affair with the Crown Prince, he would strangle her.
Sigh, my conscience is aching.
Lin Huaiyin withdrew her ear, thinking that it was about time, her older brother must be out of options, and she should hurry up and run away.
Unexpectedly, at that moment, the palace door creaked open, and Xiao Zhian stepped out, grabbed Lin Huaiyin around the waist, and she obediently covered her mouth before being carried back to her bedchamber.
The palace doors closed.
Xiao Zhian held Lin Huaiyin in his arms as they sat on the bed.
The distance was too close, his gaze was too intense, and his body was excessively hot. Lin Huaiyin was completely confused, thinking to herself, "Why is this brat so unpredictable? I still don't understand why he was angry last night, but now he seems to be calm again."
How can someone who's so angry suddenly shut down?
If she can handle things so well, how can she upset him in the future?
Lin Huaiyin was confused about the situation, but she knew how to bluff and curse.
"A dignified crown prince, lying and deceiving people, shameless!" She scolded him directly, sitting in Xiao Zhi'an's lap.
Xiao Zhian pinched her cheek, raised an eyebrow and chuckled, then asked, "What should I do if I don't lie? Should I say you killed Liu Cang and I'll arrest you for interrogation? Or should I say I'm in love with you and want to take my wife as my crown princess? Which one won't scare him to death? Yinyin, teach me!"
What are you teaching?
Lin Huaiyin's pupils were unfocused, and her brain matter had congealed.
She didn't kill Liu Cang, it wasn't her! Is there any evidence? And what about Xin Yue? What about the Crown Princess?
What exactly is that brat talking about?
After Xiao Zhian finished speaking slowly and deliberately, he stared intently into Lin Huaiyin's eyes, looking into them as if he were scrutinizing a vicious little fool, or admiring a captivating femme fatale.
She was innocent and naive, yet also a deadly temptation; she was dangerous and cunning, his doom.
Xiao Zhian smiled as he explored and claimed the answer. He was unhurried and persistent, his gaze lingering on hers as he pinched her chin, demanding an answer from Lin Huaiyin.
Lin Huaiyin couldn't take it.
Her mind was a complete mess, and she felt like she had heard something incredible.
No one had ever said "I love you" to her in either of her two lifetimes.
The title of "Crown Princess" is nothing new. She was his Crown Princess in her previous life, and they even consummated their marriage. It's not surprising at all.
But these words all came out at once, which was quite frightening. It seemed like I should think about them carefully, or run away first, or beat him up.
Lin Huaiyin was restless and confused. Xiao Zhian's burning gaze pressed down on her, leaving her unable to think. Her heart pounded wildly. He lowered his head and leaned closer, lifting her waist and kissing her.
Xiao Zhian's aura was palpable, and his soft lips were a deadly invitation, captivating and alluring with a single touch. Lin Huaiyin's little tongue darted into his mouth, conquering and plundering.
No.
That's not how it works.
How did it come to this?
Lin Huaiyin clung to Xiao Zhian's chest while doing so.
Xiao Zhian's firm, upright chest muscles softened in her palm. He breathed on her tenderness, held her small, soft hands, and whispered weakly in her ear, "I'm sick and have no strength. Yinyin, don't bully me."
After saying that, he continued to kiss her, shamelessly kissing every inch of her skin, leaving Lin Huaiyin speechless.
That night, Xiao Zhian specially filed and shortened Lin Huaiyin's nails, which finally came in handy.
He never forgot her during that night on the ship. He knew her body well, remembered her preferences, the force, angle, and frequency. He knew them by heart, as if they were his own treasures.
She was hypocritical, and would run away as soon as she was full. Xiao Zhian had a way of making her unable to leave her, turning her unpleasant words into melodious songs.
With a slight movement, she trembled and moaned in his arms, melting into water and becoming as soft as mud.
Once her breathing was even and she was peacefully asleep, Xiao Zhian gently got up, went out in the dark, and took a cold shower.
Du Yuxuan was summoned and reported the details of accompanying Shen Congyun to retrieve the memorial.
After hearing this, Xiao Zhian remained silent for a long time.
After making some arrangements, he returned to his bedchamber, embraced his beloved woman, and fell into a deep sleep.
——
Outside the imperial palace.
A dark figure, carrying a dying torch, hurried over.
The imperial guards recognized him as the imperial son-in-law Yuan Jie'e and personally led him to the palace gate, handing him over to the Eastern Palace guards.
The palace guards were quite helpless. According to regulations, a prince consort was not allowed to visit a princess without an imperial edict, let alone in the middle of the night.
But the prince consort's state is truly pitiful.
Under the torchlight, Yuan Jie'e's clothes were tattered, and his boots were covered in yellow mud up to his calves.
“The snakes in Lord Liu’s courtyard are terrifying. This is snake-repelling grass that I picked for Her Highness the princess overnight. I must deliver it to Her Highness personally. Please be lenient.” Yuan Jie’e shook the bouquet in his right hand, revealing two rows of large front teeth.
His eyes were filled with love, warming even the chill of the mountaintop.
The guards were extremely reluctant to let him go. They exchanged a few knowing glances, and one of them stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, please follow me."
Yuan Jie'e was suddenly overjoyed and clasped his hands in thanks to the guards, saying, "Thank you all very much."
They traveled all the way to where Princess Pingyang was.
The palace servants of the princess's residence took over Yuan Jie'e's care.
He originally didn't want to pay attention, but Liu Cang's death tonight was terrifying. The palace servants were unsure whether Princess Pingyang needed snake-repelling herbs, so they asked Yuan Jie'e to wait at the door while he went in to announce the news.
The palace maid disappeared without a trace and did not return for a long time.
Yuan Jie'e was the son of the Director of the Imperial Observatory. He was well-versed in astronomy and would look up to pass the time.
With countless stars above, he recognized all the constellations, the Three Enclosures, the Four Symbols, the Twenty-Eight Mansions, and all the star officials, but the palace servants still did not arrive.
He couldn't wait any longer. He wanted to see Princess Pingyang and personally hand her the snake-repelling herb, placing it in her room.
People died mysteriously in the mountains, and Yuan Jie'e was worried about Princess Pingyang. He couldn't help but think: What if the princess is afraid at night and can't sleep? What if the princess misses him and can only fall asleep in his arms? What if the princess needs him but he is not there? How heartbroken the princess would be.
He is the princess's husband and her only support. At this time, who else can protect her besides him?
It was his duty; he had to come.
The palace servants did not return for a long time, and Yuan Jie'e was filled with anxiety. He couldn't help himself, so he mustered his courage and sneaked inside in the dark.
This wasn't the princess's residence, and he couldn't find his way, so he groped around in the moonlight.
At this very moment, in Princess Pingyang's bedchamber, the brocade quilt was billowing, the bed was creaking, and heavy breathing filled the air as they made love.
Shen Congyun was suddenly dispatched back to the capital by Xiao Zhian. He knew he was being watched and made sure to see Princess Pingyang before leaving.
Given that Liu Cang died from a snake bite, he brought the snake-repelling herb that Lin Huaiyin had given him, which had been thrown away in a corner. Then, for some reason, after seeing Princess Pingyang, he had no interest in discussing serious matters. He only felt that she was charming, alluring, and incomparably beautiful, so he picked her up and pressed her onto the bed.
Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for many days, he was unusually energetic. Princess Pingyang craned her neck and sighed softly.
In this situation, the palace servants naturally dared not disturb her enjoyment.
Yuan Jie'e was fortunate enough to be favored by Princess Pingyang on his wedding night. He served her diligently, and the princess praised him.
Hearing the sound waves from afar, he gripped the snake-repelling grass by the neck and stood frozen in place.
That was Princess Pingyang's voice, the voice he had longed for day and night. He wasn't there, and the princess was all alone. How could she make that kind of sound?
Yuan Jie'e was struck dumb, as if by a thunderbolt.
The roar from ahead was deafening, and his face stung with pain.
On their wedding night, he learned that the princess was not a virgin. Yuan Jie'e didn't hold the past against her, but the princess had clearly chosen him as her husband, and she loved him... If she wanted him, why didn't she come to him? He wasn't impotent... How could she treat him like this...?
Standing beneath a sky full of stars, with the royal palace beneath his feet, Yuan Jie'e looked around blankly, feeling lost and helpless. The palace was majestic, the sky was vast, and he felt so insignificant. Could such a small person as him criticize the princess for not keeping her chastity for him?
Does he have the qualifications?
He didn't know.
He wasn't sure.
But he truly loved Princess Pingyang, and he was afraid of being discovered and that the princess would hate him.
Yuan Jie'e was frightened and took a step back.
Another step.
When he lifted up on the third step, he couldn't control himself and moved forward.
He was Princess Pingyang's husband, a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, making him the rightful consort.
Why should he hide?
He was going to see who the man who had defiled the princess was.
He's going to kill him!
Yuan Jie'e's heart leaped into his throat. He lifted his feet, held his breath, and followed the sound, groping forward.
Before long, he touched a wall, the creaking bed writhed, and between the soft moans and gasps, a cry of "Brother Yun" unexpectedly struck Yuan Jie'e's ears.
Brother Yun?
Could it be that cloud?!
Yuan Jie'e suddenly thought of the Shen family banquet, where Shen Congyun forced him to drink.
There was also the Buddha's Birthday Festival, where Shen Congyun forcefully took away the position that originally belonged to him and Pingyang.
Sinking from the clouds.
In a flash, Yuan Jiee understood the look in Shen Congyun's eyes.
Utterly disdainful.
Extremely humiliating.
Shen Congyun took his woman and mocked him, yet he respected and feared him, and regarded him as a role model!
At this moment, Yuan Jie'e's heart was crushed to pieces by the woman he loved most and the man he respected most.
He recalled that after getting drunk at the family banquet, he felt as if he had lost all desires, becoming as detached and abstinent as a monk.
At this moment, Yuan Jie'e realized: Shen Congyun had gotten him drunk and tampered with his body, and Princess Pingyang had always tacitly approved of all of this. The two of them had long been secretly having an affair, and he, as the prince consort, was just a shield.
I see.
The snake-repelling herb slipped from my hand and scattered, disappearing from sight.
Yuan Jie'e clenched his fists, turned around, and left stiffly.
The starlight shines silently, bearing witness.
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