The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

He Xinle looked at Jian Yue with a serious expression, his pleading look like that of an abandoned puppy. Jian Yue smiled and said, "No, you've just lost a little weight. You can't be so willful anymore. You need to eat properly."

He Xinle nodded, her eyes filled with grievance, and said, "I just feel sad because Brother Xiaoyi ignores me, and I can't eat anything. Miss, why do you think Brother Xiaoyi likes you so much?"

He Xinle really didn't understand why Chu Tian would immediately recognize Jian Yue as his favorite. Even if Jian Yue was stunningly beautiful, she was still quite pretty. The two should be evenly matched. In particular, her martial arts skills were better than Jian Yue's. So why did Chu Tian dislike her so much?

She had thought about this question countless times and tried to explain it to herself countless times, but each time Chu Tianyi's resoluteness shattered her resolve. This made her jealousy of Jian Yue deepen little by little. She wished Jian Yue would disappear right now.

But Jian Yue was not wrong. She didn't try to seduce Chu Tianyi. It was Chu Tianyi who was clinging to her and even tried to steal her away from her fiancé.

So when she saw Jian Yue, she suppressed her hatred and felt sorry for her. Jian Yue was being chased for no reason and was poisoned by the Soul-Devouring Powder. If it weren't for the antidote that her brother Xiao Yi had, she would have died.

Thinking of this, He Xinle looked at Jian Yue with a pained expression and said, "Miss, you too, you must rest well. The effects of this Soul-Devouring Powder are very strong. When I was poisoned, I was in pain for three whole days after taking the antidote. After I recovered, I had to lie here and rest for two days to recover."

You don't look as strong as me, so you can't afford to get hurt. Eat well, rest well, and we'll think about other things once the pain subsides.

He Xinle's innocent appearance made Jian Yue smile slightly, and she nodded and said, "Okay."

He Xinle is exactly what a fifteen-year-old girl should be like—unpretentious and innocent, which makes people envious, but also worrying. People worry about how she can live well in this complicated era.

Chu Tianyi was quick; before the two had chatted for long, he came up with a food box. After the three of them had dinner, He Xinle insisted on staying in Jian Yue's room, using the excuse that it was unreasonable for an outsider like Chu Tianyi to take care of a woman.

Chu Tianyi had no choice, and considering that he was indeed not in a legitimate position at the moment, he acquiesced. He Xinle was overjoyed, like a child who had eaten candy.

During these three days, Jian Yue truly felt the deep hatred of the drug maker towards people. The aftereffects of the Soul-Devouring Powder made her bones ache inch by inch, and there was also an itch after the pain. If her arm hadn't been unable to move, she felt that she could have scratched her own flesh to stop the itch.

Chu Tianyi stayed by her side the whole time. When Jian Yue couldn't bear it anymore, he used his internal energy to guide it into her body to relieve the pain in her bones.

Hua Xiangrong would come over every day, but she wouldn't stay long, only less than fifteen minutes before leaving. Except when Jian Yue was in pain, she was drowsy and had no chance to ask her about Lan Yue Tower.

After these three days, she felt as if she had been reborn.

After being weak for two more days, her bones began to recover, her flesh and blood began to flow smoothly, and her soft limbs could move easily. Jian Yue performed a set of Five Animal Frolics taught by Hua Xiangrong, wiped the sweat off her face, changed her clothes, and prepared to leave.

The inn that Chu Tianyi rented was located in the north gate of the capital city, in a remote area. Apart from the escort agencies and merchants coming and going in and out of the city, there were generally not many people coming here. As a result, Jian Yue was able to take good care of her health.

After she came out, she saw Chu Tianyi sitting leaning against the railing of the corridor. He was holding his sword with his eyes closed. As soon as Jian Yue came out, he heard the noise and opened his eyes to look at her, saying, "Get out?"

Jian Yue nodded and said, "I need to go back to the General's Mansion to take a look, and also to find someone very important."

Chu Tianyi said, "I've already notified the General's Mansion. They know you're safe, so you don't need to worry. Who are you looking for? I can help."

"No need. This person is very important to me. I will go find him myself. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days."

"You're welcome. I told you I would take responsibility for you."

Chu Tian frowned as he spoke, looking at Jian Yue. Jian Yue lowered her eyes and sighed after a long while, "I still have to thank you."

Chu Tian shook his head and asked in return, "You... really like him?"

Jian Yue was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Who? Are you talking about Bai Jianan?"

Chu Tian nodded. He didn't think Jian Yue would really like such a spoiled young master. In comparison, he was much better than Bai Jianan. Moreover, as the heir of the king of the Northwest, he was more worthy of the granddaughter of General Zhenguo.

However, when he looked at Jian Yue, she chuckled. He frowned even more, wondering what she was laughing at.

Jian Yue turned around, took a few steps in the opposite direction from Chu Tianyi, looked at the fishpond in the courtyard under the corridor, and said with a smile, "Young Prince, do you know what love is?"

Chu Tianyi didn't understand. He looked at Jian Yue, who continued, "Actually, I don't understand either. Before, I was naive, just like a little princess, always fantasizing about so-called love."

But along the way, I've truly experienced excruciating pain. Eventually, the pain becomes numbing. So, if you ask me now whether I like the young master, all I can say is that I don't know.

She turned around, looked into Bai Jianan's eyes, and said, "You have very beautiful eyes. Even when you have a serious face all day, they are still captivating. But sometimes, beautiful eyes cannot immediately see the essence of people, things, and events, and therefore cannot judge whether something is right or wrong."

It's like many girls would fall in love with you if they looked you in the eye, but you not only don't like it, you feel disgusted, and you feel angry and want to kill anyone who gets close.

I feel the same way, and even more so than you. Even though you told me why you approached me, I still can't believe what your real purpose is.

Because I'm not a naive little girl; I don't yearn for love, nor do I long for it. All I have in my heart is suspicion, and nothing but suspicion. Someone like me isn't worth anyone's effort.

Chu Tianyi didn't know what to say, and he didn't understand why Jian Yue would say that. After a long while, he said, "You're very good."

"Yes, I am fine, and I know that myself. So, I can't let myself be unwell. Your Highness, let's go our separate ways. You saved me, and I am extremely grateful. I will treat you as a friend."

But if the young prince wants to marry me, then I must apologize. My affairs are in the capital, and I cannot abandon everything to go back to the Northwest with you.

As for your claim that I could use the Northwest as a weapon, I'm sorry, I don't have such ambitions, nor am I so cruel as to use any means necessary for my own benefit, causing innocent civilians to suffer the ravages of war because of me.

"I appreciate your kindness, but if Your Highness truly wishes to help me, then I entrust Jian Yue's safety to you during my stay in the capital."

After saying that, Jian Yue turned and walked out. Chu Tianyi followed silently behind her, not saying a word. His tense face made it impossible to tell what he was thinking. Jian Yue didn't bother to think about it either.

Her mind was in turmoil; on one hand, she was worried about her mother's safety, and on the other hand, she was worried about Bai Jianan.

Such a huge upheaval suddenly occurred in the Qilin Pavilion, and assassins appeared, specifically targeting her. This doesn't seem like a coincidence at all.

Thinking of this, Jian Yue turned around and changed direction, heading towards the north gate of the capital city.

Chu Tian frowned, stepped forward and grabbed her, saying, "You're going the wrong way. This is the way out of the city."

Jian Yue pushed his arm away and said, "I know, I just want to leave the city."

"Leave the city? Are you crazy? There are people watching you in the city, and there will be even more people watching you once you leave."

Chu Tianyi disagreed, glancing around and giving everyone a warning with his cold eyes.

Jian Yue naturally knew that her every move was being watched by the other party. Looking at Chu Tianyi's eyes, she understood. But at this moment, she still had to leave the city.

"I understand. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

As she spoke, she turned to leave again, but Chu Tianyi immediately stepped in front of her and said, "I won't allow it."

Jian Yue was taken aback, then frowned and said, "Young Prince, I have already made myself clear. I have my reasons for having to go out."

Chu Tian raised his eyes and said, "I also have my reasons for not allowing you to leave. The Qilin Pavilion only cares about money, but now they have taken action against you without receiving a kill order. There must be some reason for this."

Jian Yue suddenly smiled and looked coldly at Chu Tian: "Whatever the purpose, it's all with a purpose. But what use would it be if I just cowered in the city?"

Chu Tianyi immediately said, "I can protect you."

Upon hearing this, Jian Yue laughed and looked at Chu Tian with a mocking expression, asking in return, "How long can you protect me? Ten days? Ten months? Or ten years? You are a prince from the Northwest, and you can't stay in the capital for long. You can't protect me for a lifetime. I have to figure this out, otherwise, I won't be at peace if I die without knowing why."

Jian Yue's words were somewhat aggressive, and Chu Tianyi remained silent for a moment. He stared at Jian Yue in silence for a while, and then said, "Then I'll go with you."

This was already his biggest concession, and he just stared at Jian Yue, maintaining a stalemate with her.

Jian Yue frowned. If Chu Tianyi were by her side, she believed that the people of Qilin Pavilion would be wary, and Jian Yue's actions would be smoother. However, it would inevitably expose some things.

But right now, there's really no better way.

Just as Jian Yue was pondering what to do, the city gate suddenly became lively, with many people gathering towards it. Jian Yue and Chu Tian looked over and saw a troop of soldiers heading towards the city gate.