The prince is fierce: Who dares to steal my woman?

Xiao Jinyan gently stroked Guan Lingxuan's silky smooth black hair, his gaze so tender it seemed to melt the ice.

"Silly girl, that scar will gradually fade with time. Even if it doesn't disappear completely, it will become lighter and lighter until it's almost undetectable."

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan frowned slightly, her eyes flashing with unease and anxiety. She gripped Xiao Jinyan's arm tightly and shook it gently, her tone a mix of coquetry and urgency: "Husband, please think of something! I really don't want to have this scar. You definitely won't like me anymore, and you'll think I'm not perfect..."

Xiao Jinyan was somewhat helpless. Even with modern medical aesthetics technology, it was impossible to guarantee that the scars on Guan Lingxuan's back would be completely removed without leaving a trace. Let alone in ancient times when medical care was not advanced, it would be good enough if the scars could be made as light as possible.

So he gently removed Guan Lingxuan's hands from his arms, and placed his hands firmly on her shoulders, his deep eyes filled with affection.

“My darling, do you know? This scar is a testament to your deep affection for me, a mark of your courage. Every time I see it, my heart is filled with boundless love, because it reminds me of the sacrifices you made for me. It will not diminish my love for you in the slightest; on the contrary, it will make this love even deeper.”

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt, and she tilted her head slightly: "Really, husband? You're not just saying this on purpose to comfort me, are you?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled gently: "Of course not, my darling. Your kindness, courage and beauty are already deeply imprinted in my heart, and this scar will only make you more beautiful and make our love stronger."

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan smiled slightly and said, "In that case, let's leave this scar on my back."

Seeing this, Yu Xin'er almost burst out laughing, but she quickly composed herself, and then her expression became somewhat complicated. She thought to herself, "Guan Lingxuan is really quite naive, even silly. Xiao Jinyan managed to coax her with just a few words."

However, isn't this also a kind of advantage for Guan Lingxuan? Between her and himself, Xiao Jinyan clearly favors her more, calling her "silly girl" more often, which is obviously more intimate, while he always calls himself "Madam," which sounds very formal.

The difference is obvious...

So, you'd better stop laughing, or you'll end up laughing at yourself.

Just then, Luo Chuan burst open the door like a sudden gust of wind, his hurried footsteps accompanied by a slightly flustered voice: "Your Highness, I have something important to report!"

Before he finished speaking, his gaze inadvertently swept across the room, and he saw that Guan Lingxuan was facing away from the door, revealing her smooth, jade-like back, which shone with a soft and alluring luster.

Luo Chuan's cheeks flushed crimson instantly, as if scorched by the blazing sun. He quickly lowered his head, turned around hastily, and left the house without even having time to apologize.

Inside the room, Xiao Jinyan's gaze quickly shifted from Luo Chuan's retreating figure to Guan Lingxuan's slightly flustered expression. He stepped forward lightly, picked up a gossamer-thin gauze robe from the side, and gently draped it over her shoulders.

"Luo Chuan, come in."

Upon hearing the sound, Luo Chuan stepped across the threshold, his face full of apology, and said, "Your Highness, I was abrupt just now. I have something important to report."

Xiao Jinyan waved her hand gently, indicating that he didn't need to worry: "It's alright, tell me, what exactly happened?"

Xiao Jinyan understood that Luo Chuan was always very composed, so he must have encountered something serious this time.

Luo Chuan swallowed, seemingly trying to calm himself down: "Your Highness, I have already found out who was behind the assassination attempt on you."

"Oh?" Xiao Jinyan raised an eyebrow slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Who is it?"

"Princess Heyang, Liu Xiyu."

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan and Yu Xin'er exclaimed almost simultaneously, their voices filled with disbelief: "What? It's her?!"

Shock and anger were written all over their faces, but Xiao Jinyan had expected this. He Qiongying had already warned him about the true nature of Liu Xiyu, this wolf in sheep's clothing, and the impeachment by Cui Zhu in the court had given Xiao Jinyan a vague sense of suspicion.

It seems the flood has washed away the Dragon King Temple again; we need to deal with it promptly.

Luo Chuan nodded and said, "Your Highness, I have confirmed that it is indeed Liu Xiyu. Furthermore, I have also found out that the group of men in black who tried to abduct the Crown Princess outside Jiankang last time were also sent by Liu Xiyu."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's eyes sharpened: "Okay, I understand."

He pondered to himself, "It seems Liu Xiyu sent people to kidnap He Qiongying, but actually she was trying to rescue her! Back then, in trying to seize He Qiongying, I sacrificed quite a few men—it was all for nothing. I was even almost killed by the assassins Liu Xiyu sent, and Guan Lingxuan was injured in the process. It all seems so foolish of me."

But it's all for the best; sometimes a fight leads to friendship. It seems I need to quickly confront Liu Xiyu and get things straight; we can't let this internal strife continue.

With a hint of confusion and doubt, Yu Xin'er parted her lips slightly and said, "Husband, this Princess Heyang is a notorious licentious person in Jiankang City. Rumor has it that she has an unspeakable incestuous relationship with Liu Kun and his sister. Why would such a person suddenly target you, even risking everything to try to abduct the Crown Princess on the outskirts of Jiankang? What is her intention, and what kind of conspiracy is she hiding behind it?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled knowingly: "Liu Xiyu, this princess is far more complicated than you imagine."

Guan Lingxuan frowned and interjected softly, "So, this assassination attempt on my husband wasn't Yang Rong's doing? It seems we really wronged her. But why would Liu Xiyu go to such lengths? What is her purpose?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly and said, "It seems that I have no choice but to make a trip to Liu Xiyu's residence and meet this legendary princess."

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan frowned, her eyes filled with worry and unease. She reached out and gently tugged at Xiao Jinyan's sleeve: "No, husband, Liu Xiyu once tried to assassinate you. If you were to enter her residence, which is such a dangerous person, wouldn't you be like a lamb entering a tiger's den, walking into a trap?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, silly girl, I know what I'm doing. There are too many complicated misunderstandings between Liu Xiyu and me. If we don't resolve these misunderstandings ourselves, they will become a thorn in our hearts forever."

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan's beautiful eyes widened as she stared at Xiao Jinyan in disbelief: "Husband, what misunderstanding could there be between you? She's trying to take your life, how can this be a joke?"

At this moment, Yu Xin'er, who had been silent for a long time, gently stroked the round fan in her hand, her eyes flickering, as if she was thinking about something.

After a moment, she slowly spoke, her voice soft: "Husband, could it be that Liu Xiyu's so-called reputation for lewdness, her superficial relationship with He Jian, and even her seemingly close friendship with Liu Kun and his sister, are all just lies she has carefully woven to cover up some unknown secrets?"