Liu Rongruo raised an eyebrow and suddenly reached out, pinching her chin and forcing her to look up.
His grip was so strong that her jaw instantly turned red.
Chi You hissed in pain, and seeing the playful smile in his eyes, her heart trembled slightly.
Why did it feel like A Xiong had changed?
"Do you like me?"
He chuckled softly, his eyes revealing no discernible emotion.
Chi You dared not cry out in pain and answered with a soft "Mm."
"Then tell me, who is the A Xiong you speak of?"
He looked at her. Although he was smiling, it inexplicably sent chills down her spine, making her back tingle.
Chi You had no idea what was wrong with him. Frightened, she took a step back and spoke weakly.
"A Xiong, it's you."
Liu Rongruo sneered, tightening his grip on her chin as if to break her bones.
How dare she take him as a substitute for Xie Beihan. Very well!
Chi You was terrified by him. In pain, she stumbled backward, her eyes filling with a hint of fear.
"A Xiong--"
She reached out to tug at his sleeve.
Liu Rongruo lowered his gaze and let out a light, dismissive scoff.
Suddenly, he firmly grabbed her wrists and pinned her against a pillar behind her.
Chi You's back throbbed with pain, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Do you want me to save you?"
He lowered his eyelids, his eyes as dark as an abyss, eerie and unsettling.
Chi You nodded quickly, "I don't want to marry into the imperial palace."
Liu Rongruo's thin lips curved into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.
"I never make a losing deal in my life."
His gaze drifted downwards, settling on her body.
"Spend a night with me, and I'll send you back to Nanjiang."
Chi You was shocked by his words, her body trembling as she tried to retreat.
Liu Rongruo raised an eyebrow and glanced at her, "Don't you like me?"
She remained silent, her eyes fixed on him with apprehension, as if she couldn't understand why he had suddenly changed, becoming so indifferent.
Seeing her like this, Liu Rongruo lost interest. He released his grip, tidied his clothes, and turned to leave.
Chi You, seeing him about to depart, snapped out of her daze and quickly grabbed him.
"A Xiong, don't go. I have no family but you. I don't want to go to the palace."
Liu Rongruo looked back and gently pulled his hand away.
"You are the Saintess of Nanjiang. The Nanjiang royal family intends to send you to Dali for a political marriage. In the future, you will be a consort to the Emperor of Dali. The imperial palace will be your home."
With that, he turned and left without a trace of hesitation.
Chi You was pierced by his words. She wanted to chase after him but was blocked by the guards at the door.
"A Xiong--"
There was no response.
He had already left.
Chi You's heart ached unbearably. She stood frozen in place, tears streaming down her face.
------
The weather in Nanjiang had grown increasingly cold recently.
When Li Qiongyu and the others were rescued, Ye Luan was in her room reading. She heard the news and immediately went to see the two of them.
When Wei Qingge, after washing up and changing clothes, came over, she saw Ye Luan emerge from the room. She trotted over.
"A Luan, are his injuries severe?"
Ye Luan closed the door and glanced sideways.
"Qingge."
"How is it? Will there be any after-effects?"
Ye Luan smiled and shook her head, "It's fine. The treatment was timely, and there are no major issues. With regular application of medicine, he will be completely recovered within half a month."
Hearing this, Wei Qingge breathed a sigh of relief. "By the way, have Mu Rou and the others been found?"
Ye Luan's eyes darkened, and she remained silent.
"A Luan?"
Ye Luan came back to her senses and said, lowering her eyebrows and eyes.
Wei Qingge didn't hear her words clearly. She scratched her face and was about to ask again when she heard movement from inside. She said goodbye and turned into the room.
Xiao Chizhan walked out from the room.
"Luan Luan."
Ye Luan heard the voice and turned, only to have him embrace her waist.
Her face flushed. She glanced around at the people present and glared at him good-naturedly.
"There are so many people, mind your image."
Xiao Chizhan protested, "What's wrong with me hugging my own princess consort?"
As he spoke, his sinister gaze swept downwards. The onlookers, who had been casually watching, instantly lost their interest, and everyone quickly slipped out of the courtyard.
Ye Luan was speechless and pinched him.
"Ouch, that hurts."
He buried his head in her neck, his stubble tickling her as she awkwardly craned her neck back.
She pushed him away helplessly, "Get up, let's go back inside."
Xiao Chizhan remained silent, taking advantage of the situation and kissing her.
Ye Luan gritted her teeth. This crazy fellow was always good at taking liberties.
She stood on tiptoe and deliberately whispered in his ear.
"Xiao Jiao Jiao!"
"---"
Xiao Chizhan cupped her slender waist with both hands, gnawed fiercely on her lip, and said.
"Didn't I tell you not to call me that?"
Ye Luan glared at him, "Who told you not to behave?"
"---"
Xiao Chizhan directly scooped her up into his arms and threatened her menacingly.
"I'll deal with you on the bed when we get back."
Ye Luan, "----"
"Hmph, we'll see who deals with whom."
The Nanjiang Royal Palace.
Xie Beihan stood on the corridor outside the palace hall. The imperial physician walked out and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, the person is out of danger and has fallen asleep."
"Mm, you may withdraw."
Chi Yan also walked out from the room.
The two stood in the corridor, looking at the scenery outside, silent for a moment.
"If you have something to say, say it."
His cold voice rang out.
Chi Yan scoffed and said, "I heard you plan to attack Dali?"
Bei Qi and Dali were on equal footing in the Nine Provinces, and they had never officially engaged in war. This was going to be quite a spectacle.
"How so? Does Mo Bei wish to interfere?"
Was she crazy?
After being used by him in Hongzhou and losing tens of thousands of troops, she would absolutely not wade into this muddy water with him this time.
She was rather curious what Ye Luan had done to provoke Xie Beihan to such an extent to oppose Xiao Chizhan.
Dali and Bei Qi had not been at war for decades. The moment Xie Beihan ascended the throne, he wanted to fight Dali, which would undoubtedly cause ripples across the Nine Provinces.
"I do hope Your Majesty can kill Xiao Chizhan and avenge the wronged souls of my Mo Bei."
Upon hearing this, Xie Beihan cast a sideways glance, his eyes veiled with a chilling smile.
Chi Yan's heart tightened, and she gave a light cough.
"How many times have we, Mo Bei and Nanjiang, acted as your pawns? Naturally, we hope Bei Qi can avenge us."
Xie Beihan said coldly, "I detest people who scheme against me the most. The Great Desert is currently fractured, with constant internal strife. The Mo Nan tribe covets the position of Heavenly Khan. You should return and sort out your own affairs first."
Chi Yan looked at his indifferent expression and clenched her teeth in anger, this cunning scoundrel.
Xie Beihan noticed her expression and glanced at her.
"Is there anything else?"
Chi Yan said, "I'm returning to Mo Bei."
"And then?"
"I want to take him with me."
Xie Beihan raised an eyebrow, "What's the use of telling me? I can't force him to go with you."
"But he listens to no one but you."
Chi Yan did not want to beg him, but if she returned alone this time, she would inevitably have to marry Balu. Now, her father's men were urging her to leave, and she couldn't delay much longer.
Xie Beihan raised an eyebrow, "I told you, he won't listen to me either. After this matter is concluded, he will return to Xuankong Temple."
Chi Yan was about to say something more when a person approached from not far away.
"Your Majesty."
"What is it?"
The guard said, "Someone wishes to see Your Majesty."
Xie Beihan sneered, "Anyone can see me? Wouldn't I be overwhelmed with work."
A chilling pressure emanated from above. The guard felt as if ten thousand pounds were pressing down on his head, and dense cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Get out."
The guard was terrified but forced himself to speak.
"Your Majesty, it's—it's Miss Ye."