Hearing his words, Ye Luan rolled her eyes inwardly.
*He wouldn't die even if you did.*
"Tsk, you're cursing me in your heart."
Ye Luan raised an eyebrow. "I've heard that Xiao Chi Zhan privately keeps a group of shadows—blood corpses, and they've already arrived in Mo Bei. How does Your Highness plan to deal with them?"
As she spoke, he cast a sideways glance at her, his icy eyes carrying faint traces of a smile.
"You want to use me to deal with the blood corpses?"
Ye Luan's expression remained unchanged, and she leaned back lazily against the carriage window. "Since you want to take me to Bei Qi, how can we leave without dealing with the blood corpses? I'm merely reminding Your Highness, helping you."
"Hahaha—"
A wicked laugh echoed within the empty carriage.
"You woman, your heart is truly ruthless. Xiao Chi Zhan caused chaos and turmoil across the land for your sake, yet you feel no affection for him whatsoever."
Ye Luan detected his probing and crossed her arms, sneering. "He ruined my purity, imprisoned me, and tortured me. I wish I could devour his flesh and drink his blood. What affection could there possibly be?!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
"If Your Highness doesn't believe me, then so be it."
Xie Bei Han scrutinized her for a moment, seeing her icy demeanor, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
After a long pause.
His usually somber face took on a teasing expression, and he smiled wickedly at her. "How about following me? I promise to ensure your prosperity and favor for the rest of your life."
Ye Luan smiled. "A man's words are deceptive. How can I believe you?"
"I swear to heaven, I am the Crown Prince, you will be my Crown Princess. When I ascend the throne, you will be the sole Empress."
"Oh," Ye Luan said with feigned indifference, propping her chin on her hand and curving her lips. "But I don't like these things. I only want Xiao Chi Zhan's life."
Upon hearing this, Xie Bei Han chuckled faintly. He glanced at her provocatively, took a sip of tea from the table, and then spoke.
"Do you truly want his life, or do you want my life!"
A moment of deathly silence permeated the carriage.
Just then, the coachman's voice suddenly sounded from outside.
"Your Highness, I've bought it."
Ye Luan, who had been hungry for a while, unceremoniously opened the carriage door and brought the food inside.
"Does Your Highness want some?"
Xie Bei Han remained silent, watching her quietly.
Ye Luan was already eating, oblivious to his thoughts, and quietly ate her meal.
Seeing her eat with relish, he initiated the conversation, smiling.
"Eating so much first thing in the morning, isn't it greasy?"
Ye Luan glanced at the other food on the table. "Your Highness is also eating lamb soup in the morning. We're alike."
"This is made from peas, not greasy, fragrant, and delicious. Would you like to try?"
With slender, bamboo-like fingers, he picked up a pastry and placed it before her.
For some reason, Ye Luan's mind flashed to Xiao Chi Zhan's hand. She sighed, put the lamb soup back, and said indifferently.
"I don't like it."
He let out a cold laugh and watched her eat silently, saying nothing more.
The internal strife in the great desert was rampant, and chaos reigned everywhere.
Yet, Xie Bei Han moved through Mo Bei almost as if he were in his own territory.
Bei Qi was in constant warfare, and the borders were unstable. To return as soon as possible, he had been traveling almost day and night.
Ye Luan couldn't understand. As the Crown Prince of Bei Qi, he was personally going to battle. At this critical juncture, why did he come to Mo Bei to capture her? Could it be that he truly couldn't defeat Da Liang and wanted to use her?
It couldn't possibly be that he actually had feelings for her, could it?
She dared not dwell on it further, the more she thought, the deeper she felt she was falling into a vortex.
After several days of travel, Ye Luan could clearly sense that the number of pursuers seemed to be increasing.
She feigned discomfort from the bumpy ride, vomiting several times.
Seeing her pale face, Xie Bei Han stopped at a manor one night.
"We're not far from the Bei Qi border now. In a few more days, we'll arrive."
Under the bright moonlight, the silvery glow seemed to render him as cold and pure as frost and snow. Were it not for the ruthlessness hidden in his eyes, one might have mistaken him for a celestial being.
"Then I'll go rest."
With that, Ye Luan avoided looking at him and directly found a clean room, entering it.
Dealing with him these past few days had been exhausting.
She took out the map she had hidden earlier and sat in a armchair, carefully examining it.
The Bei Qi border bordered Bei Di. They were currently moving west,绕过血岭山 (rào guò xiě lǐng shān), exiting the pass, and heading west towards the Bei Qi border. It would be extremely difficult for her to escape.
However, if she went north, it would lead to the territory of Bei Di.
She wondered how the investigation by the blood corpse people was progressing? Why hadn't they made a move yet?
She couldn't help but lick her lips, put away the map, and lay down on the bed, exhausted.
She needed to find a way to stall for time. Xie Bei Han would show no mercy to her. If she truly became a pawn in his hands, she would be at his mercy.
The desolate moon hung high in the firmament, and the sounds of insects echoed through the courtyard.
At the dead of night, under the full moon.
The tightly closed door was suddenly pushed open.
A figure in purple slowly entered, their footsteps so light they were almost silent.
Within the room, a pleasant fragrance emanated from the censer.
Xie Bei Han's unruly face bore a faint, wicked smile. He walked directly to the bedside, lifted the bed curtains, and gazed down at the sleeping girl on the couch.
"You're quite well-behaved when you're asleep."
The faint scent of the girl permeated the surroundings. The moonlight, filtered through the gauze curtains, cast upon her snow-white skin, making it appear as if kissed by clouds, radiant and vibrant.
He reached out with his long, strong hand and gently pinched and lifted the quilt.
Clad in a skirt and blouse, she was still neatly dressed.
Xie Bei Han curved his lips, quietly admiring the girl's sleeping face. Soon, his gaze moved downwards, settling on the button at her neck.
Before long, he leaned down and reached for her fastenings.
Just as his lips, as red as pomegranate seeds, were about to descend, a blade suddenly sliced across his neck, and drops of blood trickled down.
In the dim tent, the girl's eyes fluttered open. Hatred and indifference lay hidden within them. Her slender hand held a knife, pressed against his heart.
"Is this how the Crown Prince takes advantage of people?"
Her voice was filled with unconcealed coldness.
Xie Bei Han watched as she sat up alertly, touched the bleeding neck with his fingertip, took out a handkerchief to wipe it, and smiled provocatively. "Do you understand medicine?"
Ye Luan's grip on the knife tightened.
However, he paid no heed to the blade against his chest, leaning lazily against the bedside and looking at her with a sideways smirk.
"Do you dare to kill me?"
*Vile beast.*
*A beast in human guise!*
Ye Luan coolly withdrew the knife. "I'm tired. Please leave, Your Highness."
He sneered, grabbed her hand, and forcefully pulled her into his embrace. "I told you long ago, I want to have you."
"What? Does the Crown Prince like to force himself?"
The girl in his arms showed no change in her expression, but her eyes were filled with disgust.
Xie Bei Han smiled thinly. "Xiao Chi Zhan could have you, but when it comes to me, you resist so strongly."
She remained silent, pushing against him with her legs to break free, but her elbow was held firmly by him. Her long legs were pinned, rendering her unable to move.
He leaned down and whispered seductively in her ear.
"I'm no worse than him. Don't you want to try?"