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

With a hint of admiration in his eyes, Xiao Jinyan said to Yu Xin'er, "Madam is indeed intelligent, just as I thought."

Guan Lingxuan frowned, her eyes filled with curiosity and confusion. She tugged at Xiao Jinyan's sleeve and asked anxiously, "Husband, what exactly is going on?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan smiled gently. He stroked Guan Lingxuan's smooth hair, his eyes full of doting affection: "Silly girl, things here are complicated. You don't need to get involved, and you don't need to worry about it. I know what I'm doing and I'll handle everything."

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan sighed softly, her eyes showing both helplessness and relief: "Sigh... I really don't understand you men's minds. You're always hiding things, making it impossible for anyone to guess what's going on."

Although she complained, she knew that Xiao Jinyan must have his reasons for doing so, so she stopped asking questions.

Afterwards, Xiao Jinyan straightened his clothes and decided to go to Liu Xiyu's residence in person to clear up the misunderstanding. He took Luo Chuan with him and embarked on the journey to the princess's residence.

Before the threshold of the princess's residence, a wide path paved with bluestone was laid out, flanked by neatly trimmed green bamboo and exotic flowers and plants that never faded throughout the year. The most eye-catching feature was the pair of stone lions that stood guard on either side of the gate, carved with lifelike detail.

As Xiao Jinyan and Luo Chuan approached the gate of the princess's residence, about to step inside, they were stopped by a young gatekeeper dressed in brocade robes with a youthful face. The boy held an exquisite whisk and stood ramrod straight, like a tiny guardian deity.

"Gentlemen, please wait." The boy's voice was clear and melodious. "The Princess's residence is a royal residence, and entry is prohibited without permission. If you have important business, please state your name and purpose so that I may report to you."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan calmly said to the boy, "Just announce that Xiao Jinyan, the Commander of the Central Guard, requests an audience with the princess to discuss important matters."

Upon seeing this, the boy's eyes flashed with surprise. He then bowed respectfully and said, "So it is Commander Xiao. I apologize for my rudeness. Please wait a moment, I will go and inform him."

Having said that, the boy turned and walked lightly through the carved gate, disappearing from their sight. Xiao Jinyan and Luo Chuan stood quietly outside the gate, gazing at the closed door, each pondering the challenges they were about to face.

Unexpectedly, after the boy returned with the news, he said with a troubled look, "Commander Xiao, the princess has instructed that no guests will be received today."

Xiao Jinyan was somewhat displeased: "Didn't you say that it was Xiao Jinyan, the Commander of the Central Guard, who requested an audience?"

Upon hearing this, the boy looked troubled: "Commander Xiao, I told her, but as soon as the princess heard it was you, she... she said she wouldn't see you."

Nowadays, there are few people in Jiankang who dare to turn Xiao Jinyan away, and Liu Xiyu is one of them.

Xiao Jinyan did not fly into a rage at being obstructed. His face remained calm as he slowly reached into his robes and pulled out a brocade box inlaid with intricate patterns.

Xiao Jinyan handed the brocade box to a suspicious-looking boy beside him and said, "Please inform the princess that she would like to see the contents of this brocade box before deciding whether she is willing to see me."

The boy took the brocade box with both hands, a hint of curiosity and awe flashing in his eyes, and turned to run quickly into the mansion.

Luo Chuan was somewhat puzzled: "Your Highness, what exactly is hidden in this brocade box that made Liu Xiyu willing to see you after just one glance?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled mysteriously: "Inside the brocade box is the Crown Princess's personal jade pendant. Once Liu Xiyu sees this jade, she will surely open the door, treat us with courtesy, and welcome us into the mansion."

Unexpectedly, after a while, a faint yet clear sound of footsteps broke the silence, and the ornately decorated gate of the princess's residence slowly opened. On both sides of the gate, maids and servants, dressed in uniform, stood ramrod straight, like two rows of silent guards, solemn and dignified.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Liu Xiyu slowly stepped out. She was dressed in a magnificent gown embroidered with gold and phoenixes. Her steps were light and graceful, like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting. Two personal maids followed closely by her side, one holding a round fan and the other holding a whisk, ready to serve her at any time.

When Xiao Jinyan saw Liu Xiyu, he was immediately surprised. This woman was none other than the beautiful woman he had met at the gate of the death row on the day he saved Han Xiu. So, she was Princess Heyang!

"Oh it's you?!"

"What, Commander Xiao, have we met before?"

Xiao Jinyan was about to acknowledge Liu Xiyu when, unexpectedly, Liu Xiyu treated him like a complete stranger, as if they had never met before.

Could it be that Liu Xiyu, being a person of high status, has a bad memory? No wonder, I only met her briefly in the vast sea of ​​people, she probably wouldn't remember so clearly.

However, this thought only flashed through Xiao Jinyan's mind for a moment before he understood.

Why did I meet Liu Xiyu at the entrance of the death row cell that day? What was Liu Xiyu doing there? She was clearly visiting He Jian! In that case, wouldn't the lie that she and He Jian were a couple in name only and not in reality, sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams, be exposed?

At this moment, with so many people around and so many eyes watching, we absolutely cannot let Liu Xiyu be exposed!

So, Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly and said, "Princess, we've met in a dream. You and a fairy I saw in a dream look exactly alike!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but chuckle, their laughter containing both surprise and a hint of amusement.

Liu Xiyu parted her lips slightly, her voice gentle yet tinged with a hint of helplessness: "Commander Xiao is quite the joker."

Xiao Jinyan smiled again and said, "The princess is as beautiful as a fairy, she is simply my dream lover."

Liu Xiyu chuckled softly and turned around gracefully: "Please invite them in."

With this order given, Xiao Jinyan and Luo Chuan were finally able to step into the heavily guarded princess's residence.

Upon entering the princess's residence, they arrived at a courtyard filled with carved beams, painted rafters, and fragrant flowers. Liu Xiyu stopped and turned to look at Xiao Jinyan, a subtle, profound meaning flashing in her eyes: "I have long heard of Commander Xiao's extraordinary bravery. Although your words just now were a joke, I couldn't help but feel a little curious. I heard Commander Xiao say that I am your dream lover. I wonder if I could be fortunate enough to gain Commander Xiao's favor and be granted a moment alone with him?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan smiled knowingly: "Your Highness flatters me. I am but a mere warrior, how could I possibly deserve such favor from you? Since Your Highness is so interested, I will gladly oblige."

Liu Xiyu chuckled, a sly glint in her eyes: "Commander Xiao is handsome and dashing, and I have long admired him. Since that's the case, why not take advantage of this beautiful occasion and enjoy a feast for the soul and body? My boudoir is filled with fine wine and delicacies. I wish to chat with Commander Xiao about farming and perhaps even share a romantic rendezvous."

Upon hearing this, a burning desire flashed in Xiao Jinyan's eyes, and he then laughed heartily: "Since the princess is so kind, how could I refuse? Then let's go to the boudoir as the princess wishes, and embark on a wonderful journey where a moment of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold."