The Princess Cannot Escape: The Cunning Prince Is Not to Be Messed With

Chapter 250 A Secret Maneuver

The two fell behind the main group by a distance. After finally catching up, they saw Gu Lounan standing smugly on the beach, with a magnificent merchant ship on the sea.

Gu Lounan deliberately came to Yin Quan to show off, "Fortunately, my national advisor had the foresight to inform our manor people to patrol around here at all times before leaving. Fortunately, they arrived in time so we don't have to stay on this damned island." Xiahou Ying raised his hand to the two soldiers behind him.

The two men brought Ni Shixuan up. From the moment he was discovered until now, Ni Shixuan had been unusually quiet. Yin Quan couldn't figure out what he was thinking. However, Gu Lounan and Xiahou Ying weren't surprised at all, as if they already knew that Ni Shixuan was behind everything. After the group was brought up, Yin Quan glanced at the completely destroyed island and felt a wave of melancholy.

It was clearly a paradise on earth, but it was blown to ruins because of a single word from the emperor. Here, human life was worthless. She couldn't accept it, but she had to face it because of the man she loved.

She felt a warmth spread around her as a cloak appeared on her body. Xiahou Ying tightened the collar around her neck. "It's cold inside, let's go inside."

Looking at the sea swallowed by darkness, Yin Quan suddenly thought of Ni Shixuan, who was imprisoned.

"Will you come with me to see Ni Shixuan? I have a feeling this matter isn't as simple as it seems."

Xiahou Ying took her small hand and nodded. The two of them passed through the bottom of the ship's cabin and arrived at the cargo hold where Ni Shixuan was being held. With Xiahou Ying's orders, the guards did not make things difficult for Ni Shixuan, but simply tied him to a chair with his hands behind his back.

Ni Shixuan showed no surprise when the two entered, merely lifting his eyelids slightly. Yin Quan found a low stool for Xiahou Ying to sit on, tightening the cloak over his shoulders. Yin Quan lit a candle, while outside the window, snow was falling heavily. Yin Quan remained silent for a moment, unsure how to speak, but Ni Shixuan spoke first.

"Just ask whatever you want to ask."

Yin Quan sighed, "I've always thought you were an upright man, and I believe you must have had your reasons for doing these things, but no matter what, I still can't understand your crazy actions. What secrets do you have that you have to kill all these people?"

Ni Shixuan bit his lower lip tightly, and thin streams of bright red blood dripped down his chin. Yin Quan was shocked. What kind of suffering could make him so unable to speak?

"Fine, if you don't want to talk about it, I won't force you. After we get to the capital, I'll still have the prince plead with the emperor for you. After all, you're someone I pity. I'm sorry I didn't find out about the book burial case, but maybe it's better for you not to know some things. I don't care how many secrets you have, I hope you can repent properly in the capital's prison."

However, Yin Quan's words did not move Ni Shixuan; instead, they agitated him even more. He even struggled to get up, saying, "I repent? They are the ones who should repent! They deserve to die for the crimes they committed back then. It's just a pity that I couldn't blow up that old woman Mingyue!"

Xiahou Ying gave Yin Quan an appreciative look, and with a few deft words, he got to the heart of Ni Shixuan's question: how many more surprises did his little woman have in store for him?

Yin Quan pressed on, "Mingyue has lived in Qionghai Gang for generations. How could they possibly have any deep-seated hatred with your Ni family?"

Ni Shixuan turned to look at the flickering flames, his eyes burning with hatred.

"The deaths of my entire Ni family are all because of them! Yes, they have never left the Qionghai Gang, but their Holy Maiden and the Heavenly Weapon my father created back then have sown the seeds of disaster for my Ni family!" Ni Shixuan still didn't know that his father was still alive, but Yin Quan didn't know whether to tell him or not.

"Actually..." He was interrupted by Xiahou Ying's cough before he could finish speaking. "It's a bit windy, A-Quan, go and tighten the curtain at the door for me."

Yin Quan's heart skipped a beat. Xiahou Ying seemed to know what she was about to say. She looked at him questioningly, but still obediently did as he said.

Xiahou Ying's cold voice was like an icy spring, instantly extinguishing the flame that Ni Shixuan had just ignited. "The massacre of the Ni family is a taboo subject for the imperial court. If you really wanted to destroy the Qionghai Gang, why haven't you made any moves all these years?"

Ni Shixuan frowned. "Everyone knows that the Qionghai Gang can't easily get ahead. If I hadn't pretended to be a personal guard and infiltrated your army this time, I wouldn't have had the chance to take revenge."

Yin Quan returned to Xiahou Ying's side and laughed as she listened to his words, "Young Master Ni, do you really think I, Yin Quan, am a fool? When the Prince's personal guards arrived on the island, Mingyue had already planted the explosives and almost detonated them. Moreover, she didn't tell anyone about this. So how did you know that she had planted the explosives in advance?"

Ni Shixuan didn't expect Yin Quan to react so quickly. "I...I...that day I accidentally overheard Mingyue let it slip. I knew she had planted explosives to kill these people, but I waited and waited to see if she would detonate them, so I went and detonated them."

When Ni Shixuan said this, he didn't dare to look Yin Quan in the eye.

With her keen intuition as a lawyer, she sensed that this person was definitely lying, but why would he lie to her, and what secret was he hiding? Yin Quan probably wouldn't be able to get any answers from him in a short time.

He helped Xiahou Ying up and said, "It's windy here, let's go back."

Xiahou Ying followed Yin Quan out without saying a word. Ni Shixuan breathed a sigh of relief after Yin Quan left. Not long after, the curtain at the door was lifted again, and the person who came in this time startled Ni Shixuan even more.

"Why are you here? It's too dangerous here."

Mingyue supported Qiongji, her face filled with anxiety. "I had no choice. Qiongji's injuries were too severe, and the dark compartment at the bottom of the ship was too cold. I just saw Xiahou Ying and the others leave at the door. No one should be coming tonight."

Ni Shixuan glanced outside, then looked at Qiongji's expression.

Gritting her teeth, she said, "Alright, come in. Let's leave it at that for tonight. It'll be a few more days before the ship docks. If you keep rocking like this, they might notice." Mingyue nodded. "Of course I know I'm more anxious than you, but there's nothing we can do. Qiongji can't get cold. As long as we're careful, they won't suspect anything."

At that moment, on the deck outside the cargo hold, Gu Lounan walked over leisurely, and a figure hidden in the shadows flashed to his side like a ghost.

"Reporting to the Master, the fish has taken the bait. When should we cast the net?" Gu Lounan held up two fingers and said softly, "Now is not the time. Find an opportunity to leak this news to Prince Duan. What is the situation in the capital now?"

"The Emperor fell ill and secretly recalled the Crown Prince."

A hint of surprise flashed in Gu Lounan's eyes. "This old man still can't forget that good-for-nothing son. He only stumbled last time, but I will definitely be the first one he won't forgive when he goes back this time. Find someone to intercept and kill him on the way. Do it without leaving a trace, and let all clues lead to Prince Duan."

The man seemed somewhat puzzled. "Isn't the lord of the manor now assisting Prince Duan? If the emperor finds out that Prince Duan killed the crown prince, I'm afraid he'll have no hope of inheriting the throne." Gu Lounan squinted and shook his head. "When did I ever say I would pledge allegiance to anyone? I, Gu Lounan, will only pledge allegiance to myself in this life."

Gu Lounan whispered a few more instructions, and the man disappeared from the spot again like a ghost.

Meanwhile, Yin Quan, who was in the cabin, couldn't sleep and kept tossing and turning. Ni Shixuan's words were full of loopholes, but the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to know the truth.

Why can't you sleep?

Yin Quan was surprised that Xiahou Ying was still awake, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry I kept you awake by tossing and turning. I think I'll move to the next room tomorrow." Xiahou Ying gently tapped the tip of her nose.

"Nonsense! What if you go to sleep next door? What will I do? You wouldn't even know if someone moved out in the middle of the night." Under the moonlight, Xiahou Ying's words were like a curse, taking root in Yin Quan's heart.

"Xiahou Ying, you are so handsome." Xiahou Ying has never lacked admiring glances from women throughout his life, but perhaps only his lovely wife has praised him so directly.

"Are you still thinking about Ni Shixuan?" Yin Quan nodded, turned over, and snuggled into his arms in a more comfortable position.

"I always felt he was lying." Xiahou Ying played with Yin Quan's hair. He had always liked her hair; it was soft, black, and shiny.

"He was indeed lying, but whatever he said ultimately didn't have the worst impact."

Yin Quan still felt something was wrong. "But you said that Mingyue and Qiongji also disappeared without a trace. Could they still be on the island?"

A glint of light flashed in Xiahou Ying's eyes.

“Things that require a lot of effort and worry are not suitable for you. You don’t need to worry about anything with me here.” Xiahou Ying gently patted Yin Quan’s back. For the first time, Yin Quan actually slept soundly through the night without any dreams until dawn.

Looking at the sunlight streaming in through the window, Yin Quan was in a great mood. She stretched contentedly, and the sea remained calm for several days. Finally, on the fourth day, the ship docked.

The ferry crossing was guarded by layers of soldiers, the leader of whom was the local county magistrate. Yin Quan saw the welcoming party from afar, turned to look at Xiahou Ying and pouted, "I didn't expect your title of prince to be so useful, such a grand display."

Xiahou Ying walked at the front, and the county magistrate looked at him with great respect.

A smile as bright as a chrysanthemum bloomed on his face. "This humble official has failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me, Your Highness. Wine and dishes have been prepared in the manor. Please come in."

Gu Lounan followed behind with a grin, "Your Excellency, you have quite the pomp and circumstance. I remember that Qionghai County always reports poor tax revenue, but it seems you are still living a very comfortable life."

The county magistrate's face turned pale, and he hurriedly bowed ninety degrees, "Grand Preceptor, what are you saying? This county magistrate is only doing his duty for the country and the people..."

Yin Quan impatiently picked at her ear.

"If you have time to waste on useless talk, why don't you take us to eat sooner?" The county magistrate nodded vigorously, and Ni Shixuan was handed over to the yamen. The group headed to the yamen, and Gu Lounan gave a wink to one of the guards behind him. The guard slipped out while everyone was distracted.

After eating and drinking to her heart's content, Yin Quan was in a great mood. She patted Xiahou Ying, who was resting with his eyes closed, and said, "Your Highness, do you think we should plant a plum grove when we go back? I've discovered that I love plum groves ever since I came here..."

She kept talking, but Xiahou Ying never answered her.

She gently nudged Xiahou Ying, but the person on the recliner didn't react. Yin Quan stiffened, and with a trembling hand, she checked his nose. Thankfully, he was still breathing. "Xiahou Ying? Xiahou Ying? Xiahou Ying, what's wrong with you?"