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

The soldier collapsed to the ground, his life extinguished.

This sudden turn of events was like a bolt from the blue, causing the surrounding soldiers to gasp in shock, their faces turning pale. In trembling voices, they almost shouted in unison, "Commander Xiao, we will never dare to do it again!"

Xiao Jinyan's gaze was sharp as he scanned the surroundings. His voice was deep and powerful: "Get out of here now and do something productive. Stop thinking about playing with women in Liu Kun's harem! This is the Imperial Palace, not a place for you to indulge your desires!"

His tone exuded an unquestionable authority, instantly defusing the soldiers who had harbored any illusions. They scrambled away from the scene, leaving behind only a trail of hurried footsteps.

Once everything had calmed down, Xiao Jinyan slowly stepped forward, her gaze gently falling on the disheveled woman slumped on the ground—Pan Jieyu. Her hair was disheveled, and tears glistened in her eyes, yet they could not conceal her innate noble bearing.

Xiao Jinyan gently reached out and carefully helped her up, his voice soft yet firm: "Are you alright?"

Pan Jieyu's body trembled slightly, as if she had just woken up from a nightmare. She gripped Xiao Jinyan's arm tightly, and tears finally burst forth: "Commander Xiao, thank goodness for you, otherwise I would have been defiled by those bastards."

Xiao Jinyan gently patted the back of her hand, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes: "Those bastards are really outrageous! But thankfully nothing serious happened, it's good that you're alright."

Pan Jieyu was still in shock, clinging tightly to Xiao Jinyan's side: "Commander Xiao, I'm so scared, so very scared..."

As soon as Pan Jieyu finished speaking, she rushed into Xiao Jinyan's broad chest like a startled bird, her hands tightly wrapped around his waist, as if trying to completely merge herself into this sudden sense of security. Her body trembled slightly, and her tearful eyes flickered with a complex light, reflecting both lingering fear and deep dependence on the person before her.

Feeling the trembling of the person in his arms, Xiao Jinyan felt an indescribable tenderness and determination welling up in his heart. He gently patted Pan Jieyu's back, his voice deep and full of strength: "Don't be afraid, they won't dare to bully you now. With me here, no one can hurt you."

Pan Jieyu remained close to him, her voice choked with emotion: "Commander Xiao, the reason they didn't dare to bully me just now is because they knew I was your woman."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan smiled faintly, a smile that was both playful and indulgent: "If any soldiers dare to bully you again, just tell them loudly that you are my first love. My name here is enough to make them keep their distance, and no one will dare to make a move."

Upon hearing this, Pan Jieyu hesitated and blushed slightly. She gently raised her head, her eyes filled with sincerity: "But I am not, Commander Xiao. Wouldn't that be deceiving them?"

Xiao Jinyan gently stroked her hair, his eyes filled with tenderness and determination: "Just say it like that. In this chaotic world, the truth is often less useful than a lie that can protect you. Besides, no one dares to mess with my woman, Xiao Jinyan, not even in name."

Pan Jieyu looked at him, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew that Xiao Jinyan's words were a joke, a promise, and a deep expression of his affection for her.

But lies always come to light eventually, and she said worriedly, "But it's a lie. What if they bully me again once the lie is exposed? Then, won't I lose all my support?"

Xiao Jinyan's eyes became unusually firm. He held Pan Jieyu's hand tightly and said, "Jieyu, don't worry. As long as I, Xiao Jinyan, have a breath left, I will never let anyone hurt you."

Pan Jieyu's eyes flickered with unease and fear, as if a storm was about to rage in her heart.

“Jinyan,” her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, yet it reached Xiao Jinyan’s ears clearly, “but I’m still afraid. That ever-present fear keeps me awake at night.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan frowned, his gaze both gentle and firm: "Jieyu, what should we do? Tell me, how can I free you from the torment of this fear?"

Pan Jieyu gently shook her head, her beautiful face filled with helplessness and dependence: "I've always been afraid. This feeling is like being surrounded by endless darkness, unless..."

Her words came to an abrupt halt, as if she were searching for the answer that could dispel the gloom in her heart.

"Unless what?" Xiao Jinyan asked urgently, his hands unconsciously clenching.

Pan Jieyu mustered her courage, looked directly at him, and her eyes shone with an unprecedented determination: "Unless I am truly your woman, an inseparable part of your life, then I will have someone to rely on, the courage to face all storms, and not be afraid of them bullying me again."

Xiao Jinyan's heart stirred, and a warm current flowed through his body. Without hesitation, he made a promise: "Okay, then I admit it. You are my woman. It's true. Is that alright? From now on, I will protect you with all my might."

However, instead of a hopeful smile, Pan Jieyu's face became even more melancholy: "No, Jinyan, words are meaningless. Such a promise, though warm, lacks the power to reassure people and has no practical significance."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan fell into deep thought. After a moment, he raised his head, his eyes flashing with a resolute light: "Then... what should we do? Is there really no way to put your mind at ease?"

Pan Jieyu lowered her eyelids, her expression a mixture of shyness and determination: "Unless... unless we make love, making this relationship completely real, from body to soul. Only then can I truly feel your presence, feel that solid reliance that belongs to me."

Xiao Jinyan's brows revealed an undeniable determination: "But I have important matters to attend to right now and don't have time!"

Pan Jieyu slowly stepped forward and, in an almost pleading manner, gently took Xiao Jinyan's strong arm. The delicate touch seemed to melt even the hardest heart.

"Jinyan, it will only take a short while, not much time, at most an hour."

Xiao Jinyan frowned, his gaze fixed intently on the distance: "Jieyu, not even an hour will do. I am very busy right now. The court is in turmoil, and time waits for no one. I must go to Qianyang Palace immediately. This matter concerns the safety of the nation and cannot be delayed in the slightest."

Upon hearing this, Consort Pan's expression changed slightly, a barely perceptible hint of panic flashing in her eyes. She clung tightly to Xiao Jinyan's side, her voice trembling slightly: "But, Jinyan, the situation in the palace has been turbulent lately, and I truly feel insecure. Let's... let's make love now, so that I can find a sense of security amidst this turmoil."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. He knew that every step he took was fraught with thorns, and that Consort Pan, this woman in the arms of gentle pleasures, was a rare source of comfort for him in this cold palace.

But at this moment, the greater good was at stake, and he had to steel himself: "Jieyu, listen to me, the matter of deposing the tyrannical emperor is of utmost urgency. This is not only a matter of my personal honor and disgrace, but also for the sake of all the people. When I return, I will make it up to you tenfold."

Seeing this, Pan Jieyu's eyes flashed with a hint of unwillingness and compromise. She bit her lip lightly, as if making a last effort: "Then... then half an hour is alright, right? Just let me feel your presence in this short time, let me have something to hold onto in my heart."

Xiao Jin Yan sighed softly, his voice tinged with helplessness and apology, and said to the beauty before him, "Oh dear, Consort Jieyu, it's not that I don't want to share a night of passion with you, but the affairs of the court are piling up, keeping me too busy to spare a moment. Next time, after I've finished dealing with these trivial matters, I will definitely make time to spend the night with you, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Pan frowned slightly, a displeased smile curving her lips. She snorted, "You always use these high-sounding words to brush me off. It's always the same. Do you really think state affairs are more important than our personal relationships?"

Seeing this, Xiao Jinyan's heart softened. He quickly stepped forward and hugged Pan Jieyu tightly, as if he wanted to meld her into his own body. He lowered his head and gently kissed her delicate cheek, coaxing her tenderly, "My darling, with your beauty, how could I, Xiao Jinyan, not love you deeply? It's just that the situation is turbulent right now, and time is more precious to me than gold. But please believe me, no one can hold a place in my heart like you."

Pan Jieyu blushed slightly upon hearing this, but still persisted: "You love me? You love me but don't want to sleep with me? Humph, I don't believe it! If you truly cared for me, how could you bear to leave me alone in an empty room?"

Xiao Jinyan felt a pang of heartache and hugged Pan Jieyu tightly again, their foreheads touching. He looked at her with deep affection and said, "My darling, my love for you is as clear as day. But it's really just a matter of time. After the storm has passed, I will definitely spend every day with you to make up for the lost time."

As he spoke, he gently kissed Pan Jieyu's forehead, a kiss that contained a thousand unspoken promises and reluctance to part.

Pan Jieyu parted her lips slightly, a sly glint in her eyes, and said softly, "Husband, is a short while enough?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly, seemingly weighing the preciousness of time against the request of the beautiful woman before him. He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, his tone tinged with helplessness: "An incense stick's time? This... is far too hasty."

Seeing his hesitation, Pan Jieyu smiled gently yet slyly, took a step closer to Xiao Jinyan, and said softly, "Husband, I know your time is precious and you are busy with state affairs, but I only ask to take up a moment of your time, is that alright? Consider it a small consolation for me."

Looking into her pleading eyes, Xiao Jinyan felt a ripple in his heart. He sighed softly, as if making a final stand against his own resolve: "Even the time it takes for an incense stick to burn is precious, Consort, do you know..."

“Husband,” Pan Jieyu interrupted him, her tone tinged with a hint of coquetry, “it can’t be any shorter. Even taking off our clothes takes time. If we have less time, how can we savor this precious moment of intimacy?”

Her words carried a hint of flirtation, filling the air with an indescribable atmosphere of ambiguity.

Looking at her beautiful face, Xiao Jinyan's defenses crumbled instantly. He smiled helplessly, gently stroked Pan Jieyu's hair, and conceded, "Alright, let's hurry then. After we're done, I'll go to Qianyang Palace to handle state affairs."

Upon hearing this, Pan Jieyu's face blossomed into a radiant smile. She wrapped her arms around Xiao Jinyan's neck, stood on tiptoe, and gently kissed his cheek, her voice filled with endless sweetness and satisfaction: "My husband is so good. I will make sure you have a worthwhile trip."

As Xiao Jinyan felt the lingering warmth on his lips, an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.

He looked down at Pan Jieyu, his eyes gleaming with a burning light: "Then... shall we go to that carved bed?"

Upon hearing this, Pan Jieyu's cheeks flushed slightly, but she couldn't hide the excitement and anticipation in her eyes. She nodded gently, exchanged a smile with Xiao Jinyan, and walked hand in hand into the ornately decorated bedchamber...

Pan Jieyu walked with light steps through the ornately decorated corridor, each step seemingly telling of her inner turmoil and anticipation. Finally, she arrived at the palace that belonged to her and Xiao Jinyan. The door opened slightly, and a warm and familiar scent rushed towards her, instantly enveloping her nervous yet excited heart.

As soon as she entered the room, Pan Jieyu could no longer suppress her emotions. As if driven by an invisible force, she suddenly stepped forward and hugged Xiao Jinyan tightly.

Her voice trembled slightly, yet remained exceptionally firm: "My husband, do you know? The moment I saw you, I fell in love with you. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, everything else lost its color, and only you illuminated my entire world."

Xiao Jinyan turned around, his gaze so gentle it could melt ice. He gently pulled Pan Jieyu into his arms, his voice deep and magnetic: "Really, baby? I have such charm that I can make you fall in love at first sight?"

Pan Jieyu looked up, her eyes sparkling like stars. She tiptoed closer to Xiao Jinyan and said softly, "Yes, my husband, do you know how charming you are? In the court, you are the wise strategist who plans and wins battles from afar; in my eyes, you are the man of men, brave, gentle, and affectionate, making me unable to extricate myself."

Xiao Jinyan was deeply touched by these words. He lowered his head and met Pan Jieyu's eyes, his eyes filled with deep affection and promise: "Baby, I love you too, deeply, irrevocably. In this world, no language can fully express my feelings for you."

Upon hearing this, Pan Jieyu's cheeks flushed red. She couldn't wait any longer, as if afraid this happiness would vanish in an instant. So she stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around Xiao Jinyan's neck, and said in a voice filled with urgency and longing, "I love you, my husband. Let's not waste any more time, hurry..."

Before she finished speaking, she offered her lips to him, a passionate and deep kiss that seemed to want to merge their souls together.

Xiao Jinyan was ignited by this sudden passion. He hugged Pan Jieyu tightly and reciprocated the kiss. Their breathing gradually became rapid and heavy, and the air was filled with an indescribable sweetness and passion.

As the kiss deepened, their clothes slipped away unnoticed, like petals blooming in spring, soft and natural. Embracing each other, they moved step by step toward the carved bed, each step filled with deep affection and longing for one another.

Finally, they collapsed onto the bed together. At that moment, it seemed as if the whole world consisted only of the two of them. All their worries and sorrows were drowned out by this deep affection, leaving only endless tenderness and happiness...

Afterwards, Pan Jieyu, like a lazy cat, gently lay on Xiao Jinyan's broad chest. Her fingers slowly traced his firm muscles, as if exploring the secrets of every heartbeat. Her voice was gentle and lingering, brushing against Xiao Jinyan's ear: "Husband, I love you, I love you so deeply, so deeply that it feels like I want to merge myself into your bones and blood."

Xiao Jinyan felt the deep affection emanating from the woman beneath him. His large hand gently covered Pan Jieyu's delicate back, caressing it tenderly from top to bottom. Each touch seemed to convey endless love and cherishment.

"My darling, you are such a rare woman. Your beauty makes my life complete."

Upon hearing this, Pan Jieyu smiled happily. She gently placed her long, white legs around Xiao Jinyan's waist, her legs intertwining like vines clinging to a tree. Her eyes shone with determination and reluctance: "My husband, I want to be with you forever, never to be separated again, no matter how the winds and rains change, no matter how the years pass."

Xiao Jinyan was deeply touched by these affectionate words. He reached out and gently stroked Pan Jieyu's soft black hair, his eyes full of tenderness and promise: "Okay, baby, don't worry, we will be together forever, never to be separated, until the end of time."