As Xue Xingyue stepped through the doorway, a cry of "No!" echoed, and it was Jin Qing's voice. She kicked out, and with a thud, the door fell to the ground with a resounding crash.
Xue Xingyue's eyes immediately fell upon Jiang Xifeng, who was on the bed. Beneath him was Jin Qing, his hands bound tightly, his clothes already pulled down to his waist, exposing his pale skin to the air.
Xue Xingyue's gaze turned cold, like ice from a thousand years. Jiang Xifeng, startled by the sudden appearance of someone, quickly retreated a few steps. Upon recognizing Xue Xingyue, his entire body trembled, "Your… Your Highness, why have you come?"
Feng Jiu commanded coldly, "Do you not pay your respects to Princess Mingzhu?"
Jiang Xifeng shuddered and scrambled off the bed, kneeling on the ground, "This humble subject greets Princess Mingzhu."
Xue Xingyue didn't even glance at Jiang Xifeng. She walked directly to the bedside. Jin Qing's face was utterly pale, his eyes vacant. She covered him with the quilt and softly said, "Jin Qing, Jin Qing."
Hearing her voice, Jin Qing turned his head. Seeing her, he suddenly smiled, a strained smile, "You've come, I've finally waited for you." With that, Jin Qing fainted.
Xue Xingyue turned back to face Jiang Xifeng and said coldly, "What did you do to Jin Qing?"
Jiang Xifeng looked as if he were about to cry, "Your Highness, this humble subject is wronged. What could this humble subject have done? This humble subject is currently incapable of performing any intimate acts!"
At this point, Jiang Xifeng no longer cared about losing face.
"Then why did you abduct Jin Qing?" Xue Xingyue continued to ask.
Jiang Xifeng replied, "Your Highness, since this humble subject is now incapable of intimate acts, what more could you possibly worry about?"
Xue Xingyue heard this and said coldly, "Just because you are incapable of intimate acts, you believe you are beyond consequence? Jiang Xifeng, do not think that I dare not punish you."
Upon the girl's noble and radiant face was an expression like frost. Jiang Xifeng subconsciously raised his head and saw Xue Xingyue like this. He lowered his head and slowly said, "Your Highness, you truly misunderstand this humble subject. This humble subject poses no threat to anyone now."
"Jiang Xifeng, you'd best behave yourself." With that, Xue Xingyue left. Feng Jiu, carrying Jin Qing, also departed.
Jiang Xifeng looked up, a trace of gloom flashing in his eyes.
Feng Jiu placed Jin Qing on the bed. Xue Xingyue asked, "How is he?"
After taking Jin Qing's pulse, Feng Jiu said, "Your Highness, rest assured, Jin Qing is merely frightened and has not suffered any harm."
Xue Xingyue nodded. After all, Jiang Xifeng was incapable of intimate acts, so it was fortunate for Jin Qing.
"Your Highness, Young Master Jin has woken up," Feng Jiu announced.
Xue Xingyue turned and saw Jin Qing. She walked over and asked, "Jin Qing, how are you feeling?"
"You saved me?" Jin Qing looked at her with a pale face.
Xue Xingyue nodded, "Yes, but do not worry, you are unharmed." She thought Jin Qing was afraid of what had happened.
Jin Qing smiled. A faint smile appeared on his already refined face, "I do not care about that. Where is Jin Xuan?"
"Jin Xuan, I have Feng Wu accompanying him. I have already instructed Feng Wu to bring Jin Xuan here," Xue Xingyue replied.
"Thank you," Jin Qing said gratefully. If it weren't for Miss Xue, he might truly have fallen into Jiang Xifeng's clutches, and Jin Xuan would not have been spared either.
"I am late. If only I had discovered this sooner," Xue Xingyue felt some self-reproach. If she had been more observant, Jin Qing might not have had to endure this ordeal.
Jin Qing said, "Miss Xue, this is not your fault at all. If it weren't for Jiang Xifeng, it would have been someone else."
Xue Xingyue was taken aback. Jin Qing simply smiled, his smile a little pale and weak.
"You should rest now. When Jin Xuan arrives, I will have him come to see you," Xue Xingyue said.
Jin Qing nodded, "Alright."
Leaving the room, Xue Xingyue's expression showed no relief. Feng Jiu, seeing this, asked, "Your Highness, why are you still so unhappy after rescuing Young Master Jin?"
"Feng Jiu, is it only by eradicating people like Jiang Xifeng that individuals like Jin Qing can be free from the fear of being treated this way?" Xue Xingyue looked up and asked Feng Jiu.
Feng Jiu paused slightly. He replied, "Your Highness, even without Jiang Xifeng, there would be others. It's simply that Young Master Jin is a person without backing. Wherever such a person goes, their fate is predetermined."
Xue Xingyue trembled. She looked at Feng Jiu and asked, "Why?"
Feng Jiu responded, "Your Highness, these are the rules of survival."
Xue Xingyue fell silent.
"Your Highness, there is no need to worry. If you are uneasy, you can bring them back and entrust them to your subordinates. Your subordinates will surely turn them into capable guards who can stand on their own," Feng Jiu suggested.
"Feng Jiu, I do not wish to strip anyone of their right to choose. I hope even more that all the citizens of Xingchen Kingdom can do as they please, that the elderly are cared for, and that the nation is prosperous and at peace." Yet, she knew this was a vain hope, but she would continue to strive for it.
"Fairy sister." A tender voice called out. Xue Xingyue looked up and saw a small figure running towards her. She embraced the small body and said, "Jin Xuan, you're here."
Jin Xuan looked up at her and asked, "Did Sister Feng Wu say that brother was saved by you?"
Xue Xingyue nodded, "Yes. Do you want to go in and see him?"
Jin Xuan nodded, "Can I go in and see brother?"
Xue Xingyue replied, "Of course. I'll take you in."
Jin Xuan nodded.
Holding Jin Xuan's hand, she walked into the room. Jin Xuan saw the person lying on the bed and couldn't help but call out, "Brother."
The person on the bed did not respond. Jin Xuan grew anxious, "Brother, brother, what's wrong?"
"Feng Jiu."
Feng Jiu entered. Xue Xingyue said, "Take a look at him. What's wrong?"
After taking his pulse, Feng Jiu stated, "Young Master Jin has been poisoned."
"What poison?" Xue Xingyue inquired.
"Three-day death," Feng Jiu replied.
Xue Xingyue clenched her fists tightly upon hearing this and angrily exclaimed, "This Jiang Xifeng! Does he think that having an immunity medal means I dare not do anything to him?"
"Jin Xuan… you've come." Jin Qing on the bed suddenly woke up.
Jin Xuan immediately burst into tears, looking at Jin Qing and sobbing, "Brother, sister said you were poisoned. Brother, you'll be alright, won't you?"
Jin Qing was startled. His gaze lowered slightly, and after a moment, he said, "The poison… I ate it myself."
Xue Xingyue was stunned. Jin Xuan cried even harder, "Brother, why did you eat the poison? Why?"
"Miss Xue, I have one request. I hope you can grant it," Jin Qing said, looking at Xue Xingyue.
Xue Xingyue stepped forward and said, "Tell me. Anything I can do, I will do."