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

Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly and said, "Princess, the Crown Princess was right about you."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiyu frowned slightly, a hint of doubt and wariness flashing in her clear, autumn-water-like eyes. She softly asked, "Xiao Jinyan, what do you mean by that?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled gently: "What I mean is, we're all on the same side, so how could we easily destroy each other? Working together is the best policy."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiyu's face flashed with surprise: "What? How could I be on the same side as you, Xiao Jinyan?"

Xiao Jinyan's lips curled into a meaningful smile: "Does the princess know what I went to the death row cell that day when we met by chance?"

Liu Xiyu replied with vivid memory, "Didn't you go to visit Han Xiu and get kidnapped by him? This matter has been the talk of the town, how could I not know?"

Xiao Jinyan gently shook his head: "Princess only knows one side of the story. That time, I was actually deliberately kidnapped by Han Xiu."

"What?" Liu Xiyu exclaimed in shock upon hearing this, her bright eyes widening instantly in disbelief. "You deliberately allowed yourself to be kidnapped by Han Xiu? You did it to save Han Xiu?"

If Liu Xiyu reviews the entire incident, it's not hard to deduce its plausibility. At the time, Wei Wuji suspected that Han Xiu was deliberately released by Xiao Jinyan, and even impeached Xiao Jinyan on this matter.

Xiao Jinyan continued, "That's right. Does the princess remember how the assassins you sent were easily defeated by a highly skilled martial artist outside Jiankang? Do you know who that person was?"

A hint of doubt and curiosity flashed in Liu Xiyu's eyes: "Oh? Just who is this person?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly: "Has the princess ever heard of the name Tanlin?"

Liu Xiyu exclaimed in surprise, "General Tanlin is the Crown Prince's foremost general, renowned for his unparalleled bravery and numerous military exploits. How could I not know that? But... why would he save you?"

Xiao Jinyan slowly said, "General Tan was unfortunately seriously injured during that palace coup and was almost on the verge of death. I snatched him back from the clutches of death. In order to keep General Tan away from trouble, I risked my life to secretly send him out of Jiankang to Pengcheng. Unexpectedly, it was when I was escorting General Tan away that I encountered the assassins sent by the princess."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiyu's expression changed drastically. There were only a handful of people in the Song Dynasty with such skills. Who else could it be but Tan Lin? Xiao Jinyan was definitely not lying.

A complex and indescribable emotion welled up in her heart, and when she recalled her decision to try to kill Xiao Jinyan because of a misunderstanding, waves of regret washed over her.

"I...I was utterly foolish!" Liu Xiyu's voice trembled, her eyes slightly red. "I almost wrongly killed a loyal minister and righteous man; this is a grave sin!"

"Furthermore, the Crown Princess was also saved by me. I am well aware of the dangers in Jiankang, and I have secretly placed the Crown Princess in a safe place far away from the strife, to ensure her safety."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiyu's face showed an undisguised sense of guilt.

"Xiao Jinyan, I...I have wronged you."

Xiao Jinyan smiled gently: "Your Highness is too kind. You and I became acquainted through a misunderstanding. Now, Liu Kun is dissolute and has long lost the hearts of the people. I intend to depose him and find a virtuous person from among the Liu clan to succeed him and revitalize the court. Such an important matter requires Your Highness's strong assistance."

Upon hearing this, a glint of surprise flashed in Liu Xiyu's eyes: "I have long had this intention, but I regret that my strength is too weak to do it alone. Hearing your words today is truly a blessing from heaven!"

After speaking, Liu Xiyu suddenly reached out and tightly grasped Xiao Jinyan's hand. The warmth spread through her palm, as if it were a resonance between two souls.

"Commander Xiao, I never imagined you would be so loyal and courageous. I am truly overjoyed today. Come, let's go to the back garden, prepare some fine wine and delicacies, and drink to our hearts' content. Tonight, we won't leave until we're drunk, and together we'll plan our great undertaking!"

Xiao Jinyan cupped his hands and said, "I would be honored to accept your offer!"

So, Xiao Jinyan and Liu Xiyu walked out of their boudoir side by side, through the winding and secluded corridor, and into the back garden, which was full of flowers and birdsong.

In a quaint pavilion, the night was as dark as ink, and a light, veil-like breeze gently blew, bringing a touch of coolness.

Xiao Jinyan and Liu Xiyu gently clinked their wine glasses together, producing a crisp and pleasant sound.

Liu Xiyu parted her lips slightly, her voice trembling with excitement: "Come, Commander Xiao, let's drink to our common cause!"

After saying that, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp, her gaze becoming even more determined.

Xiao Jinyan didn't hesitate either, boldly downing the wine in his glass in one gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing, revealing his true manly nature.

However, Liu Xiyu did not give up. She put down her wine cup, stared intently at Xiao Jinyan, and said in a tone that was both reproachful and joking: "Commander Xiao, you have known from the beginning that we are like-minded people. Why did you still use my weaknesses to tease me like that? It seems like you are trying to blackmail me?"

Upon hearing this, a sly glint flashed in Xiao Jinyan's eyes: "How dare this humble subject threaten Your Highness the Princess?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiyu's cheeks flushed slightly, but she did not back down. She raised her cup again, drank it all in one gulp, and then said coquettishly, "Xiao Jinyan, you bad man, you're just trying to blackmail me! First you asked to play with my jade feet, then you tried to get my kisses, and you almost pushed me onto the bed for some lovemaking. Is this the behavior of a gentleman?"

Seeing this, Xiao Jinyan's smile deepened: "Isn't it because Her Highness the Princess is too charming, making this humble subject yearn for her and unable to control himself for a moment? Tell me, how many people in this world can resist the Princess's charm?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiyu's pretty face flushed red: "Xiao Jinyan, you scoundrel! I'll teach you a lesson!"

As she spoke, she raised her hand, as if to hit him.

However, Xiao Jinyan was faster, grabbing her wrist. With a gentle pull, Liu Xiyu lost her balance, staggered a few steps, and almost fell.

Just as the two were about to meet, Xiao Jinyan suddenly stopped, his gaze gentle as water: "Your Highness, I disregarded my own life and death, intending to depose the tyrannical emperor and restore order to the country. I never expected that Your Highness would almost kill me. Can't you at least offer me some small compensation?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiyu's heart trembled, and she looked at Xiao Jinyan with a complicated expression, as if she was weighing her options or hesitating.

Finally, she smiled gently, broke free from Xiao Jinyan's hand, and sat back down in her original position: "Commander Xiao, if I had known you were so loyal and righteous, I would have offered you my jade feet and kisses, or even let you sleep with me."

“Princess, you said it yourself.”

Xiao Jinyan's heart trembled violently, as if drawn by some kind of magic. He could no longer suppress his inner impulse, so he stood up abruptly, took a step to Liu Xiyu's side, and pulled her into his arms: "Princess, just give in to this humble subject."

After saying that, he leaned down and kissed Liu Xiyu...