Xiao Chi Zhan raised an eyebrow, a bloodthirsty smile flickering in his dark eyes, "Human skin lanterns, who shall I bestow them upon first?"
"Those old fossils, eliminate them one by one. As this general sees it, the Bai family is the most suitable, hahaha."
Several scorching gazes fell upon Ye Luan, her grip on the boat's edge turning pale.
She knew that although the Ding Bei Prince held absolute power in the court now, there were still old officials who supported the Crown Prince and harbored discontent.
If Xiao Chi Zhan wished to seize power, or to install a puppet, he would inevitably target those old officials and purge his opposition.
The Bai family, though not taking sides, would not pledge allegiance to this royal of a different lineage.
Was Xiao Chi Zhan now using the Bai family to cleave a rift in the court?
Her heart felt a complex swirl of emotions.
The Bai family!
The Bai family!
Lan Mu Rou walked over, enveloping Ye Luan's delicate and slender frame in her moon-white fox fur, "This way, you won't catch a chill."
Ye Luan snapped back to reality, feeling the warmth on her body, and smiled faintly, "Thank you, Mu Rou."
Xiao Chi Zhan had been watching her, never before having seen such an unguarded smile from her.
He swirled the wine in his goblet, his expression darkening.
Tan Tai Ye noticed his unease and beckoned to Lan Mu Rou with a smile, "Come here."
Beside Ye Luan was Liu Rong Ruo, who was playing chess. Bored, she glanced over.
Liu Rong Ruo smiled and looked her way. The refined young gentleman was as gentle and jade-like as if he had descended from the heavens.
"Miss Ye, do you play chess?"
Of course, she did, but Ye Luan did not wish to steal the spotlight, and shook her head faintly, "No."
Liu Rong Ruo, according to the book, was only described in a few brief lines. He appeared gentle and refined, but deep down, he was the most selfish and cold, regarding nothing of consequence.
His only weakness, perhaps, was his three brothers.
Ye Luan stared absentmindedly at Liu Rong Ruo when suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her shoulder. A large hand clasped her tightly, and a sinister, bloodthirsty voice whispered in her ear.
"So disobedient."
The man's breath instantly enveloped her. As her ear was bitten, Ye Luan's face instantly flushed crimson, and she quickly broke free from his embrace.
Xiao Chi Zhan's expression grew even uglier.
Several onlookers cast their gazes over, as if watching a play.
Fearing he might lose control, Ye Luan obediently wrapped her arms around his, whispering, "I was watching the chess game."
"Do you think this King is blind?"
For a moment, the surroundings fell silent, save for the whistling of the wind.
Liu Rong Ruo suddenly put down the black piece he was holding and smiled gently as he looked over.
"Chi Zhan, don't frighten the young lady."
Xiao Chi Zhan strode over and sat opposite Liu Rong Ruo, sneering, "Another round." wap.kanshuwu.net
These people would not covet Ye Luan; after so many years as brothers, they wouldn't dare.
What angered him was that this woman dared to look at another man right in front of him.
Perhaps bringing her out was a mistake; if he had confined her, she wouldn't have harbored such thoughts.
"Yo, after all these years, aren't you only playing blood chess? Why are you lowering yourself today?"
The so-called blood chess was chess pieces made from human blood, the only set of its kind in the world, residing in the Ding Bei Prince's mansion.
Tan Tai Ye, holding Lan Mu Rou, sat on a crescent moon platform and laughed loudly, "He can't feel comfortable without seeing some blood. Li Qiong Yu, do you intend to offer yourself as a sacrifice?"
"Tch, he doesn't like my blood."
Ye Luan was watching them play chess and was about to go into the cabin to find something to eat when Xiao Chi Zhan suddenly pulled her, causing her to fall into his embrace.
She was greatly startled, and in that moment, resentment and humiliation surged into her mind. In her anger, she glared fiercely at him.
"Hahaha, Xiao Chi Zhan, you truly can't leave her for a moment—"
All sorts of gazes converged upon them.
Ye Luan's face turned beet red with anger.
Although everyone knew their relationship, she was still an unmarried woman. To be toyed with by him in front of everyone, time and again, was deeply humiliating.
He never considered anyone else's feelings.
Bastard.
Seeing the anger in her eyes, Xiao Chi Zhan raised one hand and cupped her cheeks, "What is that expression?"
"You, restrain yourself. Don't get frisky in front of us."
"Hahaha—"
Liu Rong Ruo's amorous eyes swept over the two of them, and he said gently while holding his chess piece, "This is the first time I've seen Ah Zhan so gentle."
Ye Luan felt her nerves twinge. Was Liu Rong Ruo blind?
How was he gentle?
Or was his previous brutality so extreme that this was considered gentleness?
However, she also knew that in front of so many people, if she truly embarrassed him, her life might be in danger.
Ye Luan sighed inwardly, clutched his lapel, and said, "I'm hungry."
"Your Highness, why don't I accompany Ah Luan to the kitchens for a meal? She's injured and it's not suitable for her to be out in the wind here."
Lan Mu Rou's fair hand turned white, and she couldn't help but retort softly, "Why are you bothering with so much? If you leave, what about me?"
"Say that again!"
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, Li Qiong Yu, who was drinking at the bow of the boat, turned back and laughed heartily, "Has everyone eaten firecrackers today?"
The cool wind whistled, blowing his ink-black hair, and the moment he turned his head, his crimson robe billowed, his handsome and peerless face dazzling.
Ye Luan quickly averted her gaze after a single glance, because above her head, a heavy, oppressive force bore down.
She slowly lifted her eyes, only to see the man's red pupils carrying a faint smile.
Ye Luan's back trembled violently.
She had come to understand Xiao Chi Zhan's temperament; the more gently he smiled, the more ruthless he was when killing.
Recalling the fate of the slaves in the training grounds, her knees weakened, and she felt an urge to kneel and beg for mercy.
He stroked her dark hair, a cold and chilling aura emanating from him. The fear she had felt upon transmigrating returned.
"I—I was wrong."
She shouldn't have glanced over.
Xiao Chi Zhan seemed surprised that her usually stubborn disposition would proactively seek reconciliation. His eyes slightly narrowed, his smile deepening.
Ye Luan couldn't fathom his intentions. She sat on his lap, straightened her body, and said ingratiatingly, "Your Highness, I'm truly hungry."
Her voice was impossibly soft and sweet.
However, Xiao Chi Zhan's expression became even more displeased, his eyes terrifyingly dark.
But his posture remained unchanged. His long, slender fingers stroked her dark hair, extending to her neck, and with a slight increase in pressure, her soft, jade-like beautiful neck would turn a purplish-red.
Ye Luan felt as though she were sitting on thorns. She ran her hands over his clothes, stroking them repeatedly, slowly smoothing his temper, her touch gentle and mild.
The sinister anger in Xiao Chi Zhan's heart was thus slowly soothed, like a bloodthirsty beast retracting its sharp claws.
"Where did you go wrong?"
"I shouldn't have looked around."
Xiao Chi Zhan lowered his gaze. The woman in his arms was gentle and beautiful, biting her lip slightly, her fingers nervously twisting his lapel, her voice soft, unlike her usual self.
His hand slowly softened, and the terrifying killing intent radiating from his body subsided.
Witnessing this transformation, the few people present were all somewhat shocked, looking at Ye Luan with disbelief.
Even Tan Tai Ye forgot his squabble, narrowing his eyes and letting out a cold snort.
"Aren't you hungry? Go eat something with Miss Lan, and bring back a jar of wine when you return."