On the deck of the cabin.
Li Chong'an, in his official robes, stood at the forefront of the Jiangzhou officials. The biting wind whipped past him. He rubbed his hands, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes.
This King of Dingbei was making an example of them.
He glanced at the two corpses that had been delivered, his gaze darkening. To have his left and right arms removed, and then be made to personally deliver them – what was the intention behind this?
Just as the thought crossed his mind, he saw a man in a black brocade robe striding towards them from the corridor ahead.
His heart leaped, and he immediately knelt on the ground. "Greetings, Your Highness."
The officials behind him followed suit.
"This subordinate greets Your Highness."
Xiao Chizhan's gaze swept over them. He paused as he walked past them, his aura causing an inexplicable chill in those kneeling on the ground.
After so many years, their fear of this harbinger of death was already ingrained in their bones.
He had killed his father and brother, ascended to the throne, and purged You Prefecture.
Upon returning to the capital, in just a few short years, he had controlled the court internally and expanded the territory externally. He had even brazenly manufactured weapons and raised an army in You Prefecture, showing utter disregard for the Emperor.
Just a few days ago, news had reached the capital that the Crown Prince had been placed under house arrest due to the battle in Southern Xinjiang. He was truly audacious.
Now, the Great General of Zhenxi had been assassinated in Jiangzhou, and they could not escape responsibility. This harbinger of death was capable of anything. They had no idea how they would be punished!
However, when they realized the man hadn't stopped beside them but had walked directly to the edge of the ship, everyone became even more terrified.
The leading prefect, Li Chong'an, secretly glanced up and swallowed.
"Your Highness, these two traitors have been brought to justice. This subordinate failed in his duty and cannot evade responsibility. I beg Your Highness to mete out punishment."
Xiao Chizhan stood by the ship's edge, his gaze calmly fixed on the scenery of the river.
He remained silent for a long time.
The officials kneeling on the ground felt their knees going numb and secretly cursed him in their hearts.
He was deliberately trying to put them in their place.
"Your Highness, they are here."
At this moment, Xu An from the Ministry of Personnel approached from outside and presented a stack of case files.
Xiao Chizhan lowered his gaze, took the evidence, and directly turned to throw it at Li Chong'an's head, instantly drawing blood.
The action was so swift that they didn't have time to react.
Everyone watched in alarm as blood trickled from the top of Li Chong'an's head. They trembled, afraid that the conflagration would spread to them.
Li Chong'an was dazed by the blow, a sense of unease rising in his heart. He hurriedly picked up the scattered files from the ground and flipped through them with trembling hands.
Xiao Chizhan walked closer slowly, his voice sharp and chilling.
"Li Chong'an, I took you for a mere grain of rice, but I didn't expect you to be an audacious fool of a donkey."
Li Chong'an looked at the scattered files on the ground, his face ashen. He slumped onto the ground, stunned.
They were all evidence of his collusion with the Northern Qi!
It was over, completely over!
The sharp edge of the blade sliced through the air.
He trembled and immediately knelt, begging for mercy.
"Your Highness, spare my life, Your Highness, spare my life—"
The Jiangzhou officials present were stunned by this scene. The highest official in Jiangzhou, the prefect, was a traitor colluding with the Northern Qi?!
Xiao Chizhan sneered, "To dare collude with the Northern Qi, to rebel and conspire against the state, you must have the gall of a bear."
Each piece of evidence, each act of rebellion, was irrefutable!
Li Chong'an was so terrified that he couldn't even cry out in protest. Recalling the brutal methods of the King of Dingbei, he felt as if the King of Hell himself was beckoning him.
"Your Highness—"
"Guards."
Xiao Chizhan coldly withdrew his blade, interrupting his plea.
"Issue my order: Jiangzhou Prefect Li Chong'an colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. Strip him of his official post, imprison him, and his entire family shall be executed."
Upon hearing this, Li Chong'an trembled uncontrollably, crying and begging for mercy. The entire cabin was filled with his terrified shouts.
Wretched, agonizing.
But the soldiers beside him immediately grabbed him and dragged him away.
The entire ship was in a state of panic.
Xu An respectfully stepped forward. "Your Highness, this subordinate has brought the people here overnight by swift horse. May we now attend to the General?"
"Take them."
"Yes."
The others remained kneeling, not daring to speak. The King of Dingbei had made them witness this scene as a warning. Within the capital's jurisdiction, no one could escape his eyes.
Xiao Chizhan's sharp gaze swept over them indifferently.
"I know that those standing here are not clean, more corrupt than the two on the ground."
Everyone was startled. They looked at the corpses not far away, all lowering their heads and not daring to speak.
"I will give you a piece of advice: everything must have its limits. Do not follow the path of your predecessors."
As Xiao Chizhan spoke, he slowly walked back. "In three days, the new prefect will assume his post. I hope you will all work with him for the well-being of the people of Jiangzhou."
"We will strictly follow Your Highness's teachings."
-----
Ye Luan had just woken up when she saw Xiao Chizhan enter with pastries. She rolled up in her blanket, reached out to lift the curtain, and peeked her head out.
"What time is it?"
"Xu Shi."
Xiao Chizhan, shaking off the chill, walked over and pulled up the curtain.
Ye Luan, as if naturally, pulled him down to sit, her hands winding around his neck, half her body hanging onto him, and murmured.
"Still so sleepy."
"Want to sleep a bit more?"
"No, I'll be unable to sleep in the middle of the night."
Hearing this, Xiao Chizhan smiled and nudged her ear, teasing her a few times.
Ye Luan glared at him unreservedly. "Shameless."
Xiao Chizhan raised an eyebrow. "Why should I be so proper with my own Princess Consort?"
As he spoke, he reached out his well-defined hands, slipping them under the blanket to gently rub her stomach.
Ye Luan felt her stomach warm as he massaged it. She lazily narrowed her eyes, leaning into his embrace.
"I need to go and see how Mu Rou is doing."
The military doctor hadn't come to find her, so she assumed nothing had happened.
Xiao Chizhan said, "The imperial physician is already here. You can rest well first."
"I'm not tired."
Saying this, Ye Luan threw off the blanket and got out of bed.
After she dressed, she started to pull Xiao Chizhan towards the rear cabin.
Xiao Chizhan handed her the freshly poured ginger tea. "Drink this first before you go."
Ye Luan knew his ways and had no choice but to stop. She took the ginger tea and drank it slowly, also eating several pieces of the pastries he had bought.
"Here, try this, it's delicious."
She had never seen him eat pastries before.
Xiao Chizhan disliked them, but he couldn't bear to refuse her, so he opened his mouth and took a small bite.
"Alright, you eat."
Seeing his disdain, Ye Luan snorted and continued eating herself.
Xiao Chizhan chuckled and hugged her from behind, nuzzling and sucking at her neck.
"I've noticed your temper has gotten much better."
Before, she was simply savage, with no restraint. It was unclear when it started, but in front of him, she had become increasingly gentle, like a completely different person.
Just as the thought crossed Ye Luan's mind, she was about to turn back, but she coincidentally kissed his lips.
The moment their lips touched, she didn't even have time to react before he pressed her head down and kissed her deeply and tightly.
After the kiss ended, he pinned her against the table and said in a hoarse voice.
"Only for you!"