Before long, Nangong Feng returned, and the Imperial Guards also came to report that there was nothing unusual in the palace, and that they had truly been mistaken.
The four of them then headed towards the palace gate.
The moonlight was serene, a crescent moon hung in the sky, and the palace road was quiet.
The four of them remained silent, as if they had agreed beforehand.
"Your Highness, the Emperor says he has something to discuss with you and requests that you come to the Imperial Bedchamber."
With the palace gates in sight, Eunuch Ni and his men followed, conveying the Emperor's decree.
Yuwen Yao frowned, his eyes filled with deep emotions. Then, he looked at Eunuch Ni and said, "Please tell the Emperor that it is getting late and His Majesty should rest early and not overwork himself."
Eunuch Ni was taken aback, seemingly not expecting the Crown Prince to refuse the Emperor's decree so readily. He straightened up and bowed even more deeply. "Your Highness, the Emperor says he has important matters to discuss and insists that you go."
"This Empress..."
"Go."
Before Yuwen Yao could utter two words, Xie Lingqin subtly tugged at his sleeve, gently reminding him.
Yuwen Yao's gaze deepened slightly. "I'll take you."
His voice was extremely soft, yet it commanded absolute authority.
Xie Lingqin couldn't persuade him otherwise, and she knew that the Emperor wanted to get rid of him on purpose, so she nodded lightly, "Alright, having you here is a great protection."
The voice was neither too loud nor too soft, yet everyone around could hear it clearly.
As Eunuch Ni watched the Crown Prince, Xie Lingqin, the Second Prince of Southern Qi, and the Southern Princess leave the palace gate together, his eyes narrowed, and finally, he waved to someone in the shadows.
In the shadows, a silent killing intent suddenly spread.
As the group exited the palace gates, they exchanged glances, their understanding unspoken.
The Emperor won't let them die, nor will he do anything to Nan Fenghuang and Nangong Feng at this time tonight, but he can still skin Xie Lingqin alive.
At the palace gate.
Zhuidamu and Anshangning have already left.
Xu Yiran and Yu Qingyi stood there and did not leave.
Xu Yiran only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Xie Lingqin appear before her unharmed.
"We just heard from the palace that there are assassins, so we're not feeling safe and we're waiting here."
Yu Qingyi touched his brow, displaying his usual nonchalant and carefree demeanor.
"Well, it's said that it was a mistake."
After Xie Lingqin finished speaking, she shifted her gaze to Xu Yiran and walked over. "Xu Yiran, are you in league with the Emperor, or are you simply..."
"If I secretly conspire with the Emperor, will you resent me?" Xu Yiran asked.
Xie Lingqin was taken aback. "I won't blame you. Everyone in this world has their own choices."
"Is that so? Ha."
Xu Yiran gave a soft, almost bitter laugh, looking up at the sky, "Xiao Qin, in the end, you still don't believe me."
"Xu Yiran, please don't do this..."
"However, I don't want you to worry in the slightest. I have not colluded with the Emperor. I have said that anyone who wants to harm you is my enemy. I simply love you deeply."
After Xu Yiran finished speaking, she turned around, put her hands behind her back, and quickly disappeared in front of her.
Xie Lingqin was stunned by Xu Yiran's last words and didn't move for a long time.
Was she really going too far with him?
"I did not invite a carriage. I wonder if I could share a carriage with you from Southern Qi?"
Yu Qingyi's voice came through.
Xie Lingqin turned around and saw Yu Qingyi shamelessly standing next to Nan Fenghuang and Nangong Feng's carriage.
Nearby, Nangong Feng and Nan Fenghuang's attendants were trying to suppress their laughter as they looked at Yu Qingyi.
“Our carriage is too small to accommodate such a large figure as the young master.”
Nan Fenghuang emerged from the carriage with a calm demeanor, keeping everyone at arm's length.
Nangong Feng lifted the carriage curtain, a hint of a smile on his face. In Yu Qingyi's forlorn gaze, he spoke with a reserved yet warm tone, "Young Master Yi, please come up."
Nan Fenghuang's carriage departed.
Xie Lingqin then looked at Yuwen Yao, who was standing next to her carriage, shrugged, walked over, and took his hand. "Let's go, take me back to my residence."
"I'm so scared."
Yuwen Yao placed Xie Lingqin's breasts on his chest and gently stroked them.
"What's wrong?" Xie Lingqin asked with some doubt. "Are you scared? You are the Crown Prince, Your Highness."
Yuwen Yao did not feel relieved by Xie Lingqin's words. Instead, his face was filled with worry, and he gripped Xie Lingqin's hand even tighter. "I'm so afraid that you have really fallen for Xu Yiran and left with him."
As Yuwen Yao spoke, Xie Lingqin could almost hear his heart pounding with nervousness and fear through his robes.
That powerful, honest leap instantly calmed Xie Lingqin's heart, which had been slightly agitated by Xu Yiran's words, as if everything should have been this way.
Since she has fallen in love with Yuwen Yao, she is bound to hurt Xu Yiran.
"Yu Wenyao."
Xie Lingqin nestled tightly against Yuwen Yao's chest, tugging at his clothes. "I don't understand why Xu Yiran loves me so persistently, but my heart is too small, so small that it can only hold Yuwen Yao."
"Xie Lingqin, I'll stay at your residence again tonight."
The beautiful and long passage was ruined by the sound of the Southern Phoenix.
Xie Lingqin choked for a moment, and could only helplessly reply with a "okay".
"It's alright, you can stay at the Crown Prince's residence tonight."
Suddenly, Yuwen Yao pulled his other hand into his palm with his interlocked fingers.
He looked down at her, his deep, dark phoenix eyes reflecting the starry sky, filled with her alone.
"OK?"
He pressed his forehead against hers, his breath becoming hot. "I want to hold you. It's like, if I'm separated from you for even a second, I miss you even more."
Xie Lingqin looked at him, but suddenly said, "Yu Qingyi really likes Nan Fenghuang, doesn't he?"
Yuwen Yao......
"Qin'er..." he trailed off, his voice filled with resentment and helplessness, "You really know how to ruin a person's mood."
---Aside---
Qin'er just didn't want to put on a passionate show at the palace gate, hahaha.
This book was first published by Xiaoxiang Academy; please do not reproduce it!
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