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

However, Xiao Jinyan did not hesitate in the slightest. His eyes were as firm as a rock, and he said sternly, "Hey, Your Excellency, this is the betrothal gift of our Xiao family!"

Just then, Liu Zhan's gaze pierced through the crowd like a sharp sword, shooting straight at Yu Jin. It was a silent warning, and also an unquestionable authority.

Yu Jin's body trembled involuntarily. He could only watch helplessly as Xiao Jinyan gently rolled up his beloved calligraphy and painting and placed it in the box. In his heart, he could only curse, "Damn it! Liu Zhan, you want to be emperor, but to win over Xiao Cheng, you have to sacrifice me! It turns out it wasn't your Liu Zhan family that was being fought over..."

With the Crown Prince's tacit approval, Xiao Jinyan and his entourage, like ghosts in the night wind, swiftly looted Yu Jin's extremely luxurious mansion. They moved nimbly and with a clear objective; in no time, they had filled over a dozen heavy chests with the rare treasures they had plundered from Yu Jin's residence. Each chest gleamed with an alluring luster, as if it contained endless treasures and wealth.

That night, the group returned home laden with spoils, the sound of horses' hooves echoing through the quiet streets, carrying a hint of pride and unbridled joy.

The morning after returning to the mansion, Xiao Jinyan unconsciously walked towards Guan Lingxuan's room, a place filled with the tenderest corner of his heart.

Upon entering the room, a delicate jasmine fragrance wafted into the air. Guan Lingxuan sat gracefully before a bronze mirror, holding a dazzling gold hairpin in her hand and gently gesturing with a pair of exquisite earrings, her face radiating the shyness and anticipation unique to young girls.

Inside the room, a ray of morning sunlight shone in, making the jewels looted from Yu Jin's mansion even more dazzling. Some were inlaid with brilliant gemstones, while others were carved with intricate patterns. Each piece was priceless and radiant, turning the entire room into a small treasure trove.

Hearing footsteps, Guan Lingxuan looked up and met Xiao Jinyan's deep eyes, her heart fluttering. She quickly put down the jewelry in her hands, stood up, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and surprise, and asked with a hint of uncertainty in her voice, "Are these... all for me?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled knowingly. He slowly approached, his gaze gently sweeping over the treasures before finally settling on Guan Lingxuan's longing eyes. He said softly, "These are all the ones you snatched from Yu Jin, so naturally they are yours."

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan's face blossomed into a radiant smile, a smile filled with both surprise and disbelief. She had never seen so many exquisite pieces of jewelry before. These things, which she had only ever dreamed of, were now truly before her, giving her a feeling of being in another world.

Just as Guan Lingxuan was immersed in this sudden happiness, a snow-white dove suddenly darted past the window and landed lightly on the table in the room, its cooing breaking the tranquility. A small letter tube was tied to the dove's leg, seemingly carrying some important message.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly and asked, "Your pigeons?"

Guan Lingxuan's eyes flickered, somewhat caught off guard, and she chuckled lightly as if to conceal something: "Mm."

Xiao Jinyan asked again, "Carrier pigeon?"

Guan Lingxuan shook her head repeatedly, denying it, "No, no, I just kept it as a pet because I was bored on weekdays."

Xiao Jinyan knew, of course, that the pigeon had probably flown over from Yang Rong, but he didn't want to expose Guan Lingxuan at the moment; instead, he wanted to play with her.

In the soft morning light, Xiao Jinyan gently stroked Guan Lingxuan's fair face, which was as smooth as cream. His fingertips seemed to have magic as they slowly slid from her chin, along her elegant neck, down to her breasts. Every inch of her skin blushed slightly under this gentle touch.

Guan Lingxuan's breathing became rapid, her eyes flashing with a fiery light. The atmosphere between them seemed to ignite, their passion burning like a raging fire. However, just as Xiao Jinyan's fingers were about to touch that forbidden place, Guan Lingxuan suddenly grabbed Xiao Jinyan's hand, their eyes meeting in mid-air.

"Your Highness, what are you going to do?"

Xiao Jinyan's lips curled into his signature frivolous and wanton smile once again: "Silly girl, when will you finally change your ways?"

Guan Lingxuan blushed and quickly said, "Husband, it's daytime."

Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly and said, "Madam's idea is that we'll wait until tonight..."

Guan Lingxuan said shyly, "Husband...you're so annoying, I'm ignoring you!"

Xiao Jinyan stood up and smiled, saying, "Silly girl, I'll go to the study and see how things are over there."

After saying this, he straightened his clothes and walked towards the study with a hint of reluctance and longing.

After Xiao Jinyan left, Guan Lingxuan looked at the mountain of jewelry in the room, feeling as if the warmth Xiao Jinyan had given her still lingered on her body, and a subtle change occurred in her heart.

It's strange. Back then, I was forced to come to the Duke of Qi's mansion as an undercover agent by Yang Rong, facing countless dangers. How come now, it all seems like a sweet job?

Inside the study, a bright ray of sunlight shone directly in, illuminating three figures: Luo Chuan stood guard at the door with his arms crossed; Yu Xin'er was busily helping to organize the ancient books and calligraphy in the study; and there was a young scholar, who looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with regular features, clear eyebrows and bright eyes, wearing a white robe and long, flowing hair, who was intently examining some ancient books and calligraphy.

This talented young man, named Huan Rongzu, was affectionately known as "The Masterful Scholar," and was a highly regarded retainer in the Duke of Qi's household. He was exceptionally talented, his mind filled with brilliant literary works, like countless stars, dazzling and captivating. Composing poems and painting were effortless for him; writing lyrics and prose was even more adept, and he possessed masterful control over all types of calligraphy.

Huan Rongzu came from a poor family and struggled to make ends meet from a young age, let alone afford expensive books and writing materials. However, it was this insatiable thirst for knowledge that nurtured his inquisitive mind. He became self-taught through hardship and adversity.

Therefore, Huan Rongzu's knowledge was broad and diverse, encompassing both orthodox learning from classics, history, philosophy, and literature, as well as eclectic and unorthodox insights. His knowledge was like a kaleidoscope, each side shining with a different light.

Moreover, he had a disgraceful past, making a living by swindling. He specialized in imitating the handwriting of famous calligraphers and painters, forging calligraphy and paintings, and selling fakes.

Huan Rongzu, a master of forgery in the world of calligraphy and painting, possessed unparalleled skill in creating incredibly realistic imitations of masterpieces. His copies were so exquisite and natural that only experts could distinguish them from the real thing. During that period, Huan Rongzu amassed great wealth and enjoyed immense prestige thanks to his breathtaking skill.