A red apricot is about to cheat on you

Inside the palace, the atmosphere was as tense as a fully drawn bowstring, ready to explode at any moment.

Yi Duoer was still being held hostage by the vicious soldier. Her eyes revealed a hint of uneasiness and determination, but her body remained upright, as if she was clinging to her last dignity in this desperate situation.

At this moment, Chu Jingchen was like a god of war descending from the sky, or a god who saved the world, exuding a majestic aura that made people unable to look directly at him.

Everyone was trembling with fear at the bloody and brutal scene, certain they would perish today, with no escape. However, Chu Jingchen's appearance was like a ray of light piercing the thick haze. In an instant, the fear that had surged like a tide in everyone's hearts miraculously disappeared. They knew they might be saved.

Chu Jingchen's gaze, like the sharpness of a hawk, first fell on Yi Duo'er. Seeing that she and Jiang Wange were both safe and sound, his tense heartstrings relaxed slightly, though his brows remained furrowed tightly, as if they could pinch a fly to death. Then, he glanced coldly at Chu Junhuai, a look that seemed to carry a thousand years of ice, sending shivers down his spine.

"Surrender, or else..." His voice was low and magnetic, yet it carried an unquestionable tone of intimidation, echoing in the palace like a huge bell.

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his leg to walk towards Yi Duoer, but the soldier holding her suddenly felt a deadly pressure, his body trembling violently and his teeth chattering. Finally, under the intimidation of this powerful aura, he tactfully let go of his hand and retreated repeatedly, muttering:

"Don't kill me, don't kill me..."

Yi Duo'er, now free, was overjoyed and eager to run towards Chu Jingchen. Her eyes were filled with longing and dependence, as if Chu Jingchen was her entire world. However, at this critical moment, Tuoba Hong appeared like a ghost and controlled Yi Duo'er with lightning speed.

His hands were like iron pliers, tightly gripping Yi Duo'er's fair and delicate neck. A look of pain instantly appeared on Yi Duo'er's face, and her breathing became rapid and difficult. Tuoba Hong glared at Chu Jingchen fiercely, as if he wanted to eat him alive, and roared:

"Don't come over here. If you take another step closer, I'll kill her!"

Chu Jingchen was slightly startled when he saw this, a barely perceptible panic flashing across his face. But the next second, he cast a piercing cold gaze at Tuoba Hong, his deep blue eyes filled with endless hostility, as if they could freeze the air around them.

However, his footsteps seemed to be under a spell of immobilization, and he stayed obediently in place, not daring to take even one step forward, for fear that his recklessness would bring fatal danger to Yi Duoer.

"Let her go, I can save your life!" Chu Jingchen tried his best to keep his voice calm, but the slightly trembling tone still revealed his inner tension and anger.

After hearing this, Tuoba Hong burst into a shrill laugh that echoed throughout the palace, making people's hair stand on end. He thought to himself, how could he have been so foolish as to trust Chu Junhuai's plan so easily? Now he was in this situation, all thanks to Chu Jingchen. He gritted his teeth and said:

"Chu Jingchen, you shameless fellow, you have caused me to this point, I wish I could grind you into ashes.

You still care about this woman, don't you? Haha... I won't let you get what you want."

At the same time, Chu Junhuai also held Chu Junye hostage. The two of them slowly moved towards Tuoba Hong, like two wounded beasts looking for the last refuge.

At this time, most of the soldiers were shocked by Chu Jingchen's powerful aura and majesty after his appearance. They put down their swords and chose to surrender.

Only a small number of soldiers, out of loyalty to Chu Junhuai, still gathered with him and guarded him closely, but their eyes revealed a hint of despair and confusion.

Yi Duo'er was now being tightly gripped by Tuoba Hong's neck, and breathing became increasingly difficult. She began to feel dizzy and felt as if the whole world was spinning. But even so, her mind was still racing, racking her brains as she thought hard about how to escape this dangerous situation, her bright eyes gleaming with an unyielding light.

Tuoba Hong was like a lost dog, filled with despair and anger. He had originally thought that helping Chu Junhuai rebel was his only way out of the predicament and make a comeback, but he had never expected that it would end in failure.

Now, he was desperate, desperate, and no longer afraid. His eyes darted around, and he spoke in a voice as hoarse as a broken gong, "Don't be impulsive. Besides, I haven't offended you. Killing me won't benefit you. If you let me go, I have the right to tell them not to hurt you."

However, his words did not calm Tuoba Hong down, but made his face even more hideous and hateful.

He looked at Chu Junhuai beside him, his eyes filled with frustration. They had carefully planned this rebellion, expending countless efforts and energy, but now it had failed. How could he accept this?

He keenly sensed from Chu Jingchen's sharp eyes that Chu Jingchen cared about Yi Duoer far more than he had imagined. So, a wave of malice surged in his heart, and he did not forget to retort Chu Jingchen:

"Qin Sangsang, no, I should call you Yi Duo'er. You're such a seductive slut. First, you used Xie Xingchen to climb onto my bed, and now you've hooked up with your regent. Don't worry, I'll make sure you're buried with me."

When Chu Jingchen heard his insult to Yi Duoer, he was furious and his hands clenched into fists involuntarily, and his knuckles made a crackling sound due to the force.

There were sparks of anger in his eyes, and he really wanted to rush up and kill this bad-mouthed guy, making him pay a heavy price for his words and actions.

When everyone heard what Tuoba Hong said, they couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, as if they had just eaten a shocking piece of news.

They secretly rejoiced in their hearts that Yi Duo'er had just had a medical examination and was found to be innocent, otherwise her reputation would have been distorted in such a disgraceful way in this palace full of gossips.

Chu Junye's neck was already bleeding, and the bright red blood slowly flowed down his neck, staining his collar red. But he ignored his pain and continued to yell at Tuoba Hong:

"Tuoba Hong, if you dare say that again, I will make you live a life worse than death!"

When Tuoba Hong heard Chu Junye's scolding, he laughed instead of getting angry, and that laughter was full of madness and despair. Yi Duoer was afraid that others would misunderstand her, especially that Chu Jingchen would have a grudge against her because of this, so she immediately retorted:

"What are you talking about? I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen someone as shameless as you. I don't like people like you. Even the beggars on the street are more handsome than you."

She raised her voice as high as she could, resounding throughout the palace like a huge bell, fearing that no one else could hear her. Everyone couldn't help but laugh at her ruthless rebuttal, a laughter that seemed particularly abrupt in the tense atmosphere.

Chu Jingchen said coldly again: "Let them go and I will spare your life!" The voice seemed like a judgment coming from the abyss of hell, with an irresistible majesty.

Chu Junhuai was frightened by Chu Jingchen's powerful pressure. His hand holding the hilt of the sword shook involuntarily, and he knew in his heart that his situation was hopeless.

For the sake of his family, after a fierce ideological struggle, he finally chose to lay down his sword. With a hint of pleading in his eyes, he said to Chu Jingchen, "Uncle, please spare my family and my children. I will do whatever you wish!" With that, he fell to his knees. The sound of his knees hitting the ground was particularly dull in the silent palace. The soldiers following him also followed his gesture, lowering their swords and slowly squatting, awaiting their fate.

Only Tuoba Hong and several of his personal lieutenants were still holding on, their eyes revealing a hint of madness and unwillingness. Facing Chu Jingchen's domineering attitude, Tuoba Hong felt a little panicked. His palms were already covered with sweat, and his heart was beating violently in his chest, as if it was about to burst through his chest. He had no way out, so he made up his mind and shouted loudly: "Prepare the carriage to leave the palace, or I will kill her."

Han Bai stood beside Chu Jingchen and shouted to him anxiously, "Master, what should we do now?"

Chu Jingchen was silent for a moment, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes, and he said coldly: "Go and prepare the carriage!" The voice seemed to freeze the air around him.

When Tuoba Hong heard Chu Jingchen's words, the corners of his lips rose slightly, and he was secretly proud in his heart, thinking that his bet on holding Yi Duoer hostage was right.

He slowly retreated out of the hall with Yi Duoer, moving very cautiously, fearing that Chu Jingchen would suddenly attack.

Yi Duoer looked at Chu Jingchen with tears in her eyes and said in a choked voice:

"Seventeen, if I die, you must avenge me and then forget me. You must live well, marry a virtuous woman, and have a lot of children."

Chu Jingchen was speechless when he heard her words. His heart felt like it was being stabbed by thousands of needles, causing unbearable pain. How could he possibly watch Yi Duoer leave him?

When everyone heard Yi Duoer's words, they couldn't help but exclaim again. They were moved by the deep affection between the lovers, but they were also worried about Yi Duoer's fate.

Tuoba Hong was annoyed when he heard what Yi Duo'er said. He cursed, "Stop talking nonsense... If you dare to say another word, I will kill you right now."

Chu Jingchen took advantage of Tuoba Hong's distraction and, unbeknownst to him, two gleaming steel needles appeared in his hands. He quietly waited for his opportunity, his eyes as focused as a cheetah's on its prey. As Tuoba Hong stepped out of the hall and inadvertently revealed an inch of his head, Chu Jingchen made his move.

His movements were as fast as lightning, and two steel needles flew straight towards Tuoba Hong at a speed that was too fast to keep up with.

In an instant, before Tuoba Hong could react, a steel needle accurately pierced his forehead. Tuoba Hong's eyes widened instantly, filled with fear and despair, and then he fell straight back, his body hitting the ground heavily, raising a cloud of dust.

Seeing this, the other soldiers quickly pinned the other lieutenants to the ground, and the thrilling crisis was finally temporarily resolved.

"Cough... cough... cough..." Yi Duoer, the moment Tuoba Hong collapsed, also fainted due to prolonged lack of oxygen and tension. She covered her neck with her hands and coughed violently. Her cheeks turned red from coughing, like a ripe apple.

Chu Jingchen threw another steel needle to the ground, rushed to Yi Duoer, hugged her tightly, his eyes full of self-blame and heartache.

"I'm sorry, Duo'er, I'm back late." His voice was low and gentle, as if he was telling the most affectionate confession in the world.

Yi Duoer also stretched out her arms and hugged Chu Jingchen tightly. In comparison, she hugged him even tighter, as if she wanted to merge herself into Chu Jingchen's body. The tears in her eyes could no longer be controlled, and they surged down like a flood, soaking Chu Jingchen's clothes.

She patted Chu Jingchen's back gently and said with a hint of anger: "Do you know that I was very worried about you? I thought you were really dead."

Chu Junye saw this scene. Although the wound on his neck was extremely painful, his heart hurt a hundred times more than the wound at this moment.

Seeing Yi Duoer and Chu Jingchen in love, although he felt sad, he still chose to let go completely. He knew that some people would be gone once they were missed.

"Third brother, go back and bandage your wound!" Chu Junheng looked at the wound on Chu Junye's neck and felt distressed. He hurried forward to help him leave this heartbreaking place first.

Chu Jingchen gently stroked the shocking red mark on Yi Duoer's neck, his eyes filled with heartache and pity. He secretly vowed that he would never let Yi Duoer suffer any harm again and would spend his whole life protecting her.

Yi Duoer sniffed, tried to calm herself down, and gave Chu Jingchen a bright smile to show that she was fine.