When Qin Jue arrived at the location, he sensed the presence of hidden people around him.
"She's definitely more useful; you arrived so soon after I caught her."
"But now that you're here, you're not leaving."
"Let's put aside what Consort De asked me to do for now, let's settle our old and new scores first!"
As he spoke, Lu Ping attacked Qin Jue, and the surrounding men in black also attacked Qin Jue.
Without saying a word, Qin Jue started fighting with Lu Ping.
When Qin Jue's men arrived, both Qin Jue and Lu Ping were injured, but Lu Ping's injuries were more severe. With the arrival of Qin Jue's men, many of Lu Ping's men died on the spot.
In the final round of the fight, Qin Jue kicked Lu Ping in the chest. Lu Ping stumbled backward and fell to the ground. As he tried to get up, Qin Jue's sword was already at his neck.
"Where is everyone?" Qin Jue asked, looking at Lu Ping with a sinister expression.
"Find it yourself, hahaha."
"My father was so innocent, yet you framed him and murdered him, I..."
Before Qin Jue could make a move, one of his men slapped Lu Ping across the face.
Qin Jue led his men to search for Xiao Liyan in the courtyard.
When they found Xiao Liyan, she had already fainted in the water prison.
Qin Jue stepped forward, picked up Xiao Liyan in his arms, and walked outside.
————————
When Xiao Liyan woke up, she saw the familiar room and then tried to sit up.
Hearing the sound, Xiao Liyun immediately ran over, "Sister, don't move, your injuries haven't healed yet!"
After hearing this, Xiao Liyan lay down on the bed and quietly looked at Xiao Liyun, asking, "Are you alright?"
Xiao Liyun shook her head, "My injuries are all superficial, sister, you..."
"Okay, it's nothing for me."
Both remained silent for a long time. Xiao Liyan looked at Xiao Liyun and said softly, "Ayun, you should go."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Liyun panicked for a moment, immediately stood up, and looked at Xiao Liyan uneasily.
Qin Jue, who was about to enter, paused upon hearing this, stopping at the doorway to listen for any sounds from inside.
"Ah Yun, this place isn't right for you. You're too naive. You should be the free and unrestrained cloud you always dreamed of being."
Xiao Liyun squatted down, took Xiao Liyan's hand, and lowered her head. "But I don't want to leave you, sister. Since you want me to leave, will you come with me?"
Xiao Liyan reached out and touched Xiao Liyun's head. "I can't bear to part with Qin Jue."
Unseen by Xiao Liyan, Xiao Liyun's eyes were already brimming with tears.
Qin Jue heard this at the door, clenched his fist, and then left.
"Sister, no matter what you say, I won't leave."
Xiao Liyan sighed, "Then promise me, from now on, if I ask you to do something, you must agree."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Liyun immediately agreed, "Okay, except for letting me leave."
Xiao Liyan did not answer Xiao Liyun's question, then closed her eyes and seemed to be thinking.
While Xiao Liyan was recuperating, Qin Jue had someone present Qin Yu with details of what Consort De had done.
Upon seeing this, Qin recalled what Consort De had witnessed before, and immediately ordered someone to administer poisoned wine.
Afterwards, Qin Jue helped Qin Yu handle some matters in court, gradually regaining the power held by the princes, though not as much as the other princes.
As people watched Qin Jue slowly recover, they began to offer him concubines and maids.
Qin Jue had no choice but to accept the offer under orders from the Empress and Qin Yu, which led to the first argument between Xiao Liyan and Qin Jue.
"I will never make her my concubine; you can forget about it."
Qin Jue looked at Xiao Liyan standing in front of him, the coldness in his eyes almost tangible.
"What's wrong with Ayun? She's gentle, innocent, and kind. Why can't you take her in?"
"Since you can take so many women, why can't you have one more?" Xiao Liyan said with a hint of sarcasm.
"I've told you who those people are. I told you to deal with them, you..."
When Qin Jue said this, the bitterness and helplessness in his voice seemed to seep through.
"Brother Qin, it's against my principles for me to manage your inner quarters, but what if you take A-Yun as your concubine?"
"Ah Yun can help you manage the inner courtyard and backyard. We grew up together, didn't we?" Xiao Liyan's voice was much softer when she said this, her words filled with sadness.
"I said I disagree, and I don't want to!"
As Qin Jue was about to leave,
"Brother Qin, you haven't done two of the three things you promised me."
Hearing this, Qin Jue turned to look at Xiao Liyan and let out a cold laugh.
"Are you going to use up one of your chances?" Qin Jue asked with a dark expression.
"Yes, the second thing is, Brother Qin, you should make A-Yun your concubine."
Qin Jue looked into Xiao Liyan's eyes, clenched his fists, and then left.
When Qin Jue went out and saw Xiao Liyun, he only said, "Three days later, someone will come to fetch you to the palace," before leaving.
Xiao Liyun stood at the doorway, looking at Xiao Liyan inside, and asked stiffly, "Is this the condition my elder sister gave me to stay a few days ago?"
Xiao Liyan nodded. "Ayun, don't blame me."
"I don't blame my older sister. As long as I'm with Ah Yan, that's enough."
Xiao Liyan smiled faintly at Xiao Liyun, "From now on, you will be Qin Jue's concubine. If you are ever in danger, he should be able to come to your rescue in time."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com