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

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan's expression darkened, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking, "Yang Rong is the princess of the fallen Qiu Chi Kingdom. Burdened by national and familial hatred, she had no choice but to rely on you. Yang Rong sent me to approach you initially to understand your every move, to use your status and position to stir up trouble in the Song Dynasty and plot revenge. However, in the days I spent with you, I was gradually moved by your sincerity and thoughtfulness, and that initial calculation has long been replaced by genuine affection..."

At this point, Guan Lingxuan's voice trembled slightly. She lowered her head, not daring to look Xiao Jinyan directly in the eye, afraid of reading disappointment and blame in those deep eyes. However, when she mustered her courage to look up again, she found Xiao Jinyan looking at her with a gentle and tolerant gaze. In that gaze, there was no blame, only deep understanding and tenderness.

Xiao Jinyan thought to himself, "The princess of the fallen kingdom of Qiuchi? So that's it. That tiny kingdom, if I remember correctly, was destroyed by my father, Xiao Cheng, with 30,000 iron cavalry. Yang Rong's actions now make perfect sense."

Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly and said, "Madam, why did Yang Rong order you to poison me at this time? Is it related to the current political situation?"

Guan Lingxuan nodded and said, "That's right. The emperor is about to pass away, and the struggle between the crown prince and the Prince of Guangling has reached a fever pitch. Yang Rong has ordered Yinrui to assist the Prince of Guangling in killing the crown prince between Xuanwu Gate and Suzhang Gate, and then open Xuanwu Gate and Suzhang Gate to let the crown prince's trusted troops kill the Prince of Guangling. This is killing two birds with one stone, plunging the Song Kingdom into endless internal strife. My husband's Tiger Warriors are extremely powerful and are most likely to side with the Prince of Guangling after the crown prince's death, hindering the crown prince's trusted troops from taking revenge. In order to ensure that both the crown prince and the Prince of Guangling die, and because my husband's father personally led the troops to destroy Qiu Chi, Yang Rong has decided to kill my husband."

Xiao Jinyan's eyes flashed with a deep light. He subtly gave Luo Chuan a meaningful look, as if he were silently asking about a crucial secret.

With an unspoken understanding, Luo Chuan blinked slightly, responding to Xiao Jinyan with an almost imperceptible look—what Guan Lingxuan said was largely the same as the conversation he had overheard in the bamboo forest, which undoubtedly confirmed Guan Lingxuan's honesty and complete openness towards Xiao Jinyan.

With a hint of inquiry, Xiao Jinyan asked again, "Who is Yinrui?"

Guan Lingxuan said softly, "Yinrui, whose real name is Li Yuerui, is one of the four beauties of the capital under Yang Rong's command, ranking second. She is highly skilled in martial arts and adept at using double swords. She is like a ghost, appearing and disappearing without a trace, and is lurking in the Jiankang Imperial Guard."

Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly, clearly showing a strong interest in the "Four Beauties of the Capital" group.

Then he followed up with, "So, Madam, besides Yinrui, who are the other beauties among the Four Beauties of the Capital?"

A complex look flashed in Guan Lingxuan's eyes. She parted her lips slightly and revealed a shocking secret: "My husband, I am also one of these four beauties, named Zixuan, and ranked fourth. Above me is Lüzhu, ranked third. She has always been by Yang Rong's side. She is skilled in using poison and her methods are ruthless, making people tremble with fear."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's pupils constricted slightly. Based on Luo Chuan's report, a scene flashed through his mind—the quiet bamboo forest, the moonlight like water, and two figures quietly meeting.

Then, he suddenly paused, his tone inquiring: "Could it be that the one you secretly met in that bamboo forest was this Green Pearl?"

Guan Lingxuan nodded gently and said, "That's right. Husband, the poison I just gave you was given to me by Green Pearl. Once you drink that poison, you will die on the spot, and even a god can't save you."

Xiao Jinyan gently twirled his slender fingers and slowly spoke, "Madam, I've done some calculations, and it seems that one of the four beauties of the capital is missing. Do you know who that other person is?"

Upon hearing this, Guan Lingxuan frowned slightly, shook her head gently, and said in a soft but slightly regretful voice, "Husband, I don't know who the other person is either. She is very mysterious and never shows herself easily. Only Yang Rong knows her true identity. Green Pearl, Yin Rui, and I don't know either."

Xiao Jinyan wanted to ask something more, but at this crucial moment, a sudden change broke the silence in the room.

Guan Lingxuan seemed to be possessed by an invisible demon. Suddenly, her face was filled with pain and fear, and her whole body was unbearably itchy, as if a million ants were biting her skin. She struggled helplessly, her hands flailing wildly in the air, her whole body began to convulse uncontrollably, and finally she collapsed to the ground, her helpless eyes filled with pleading.

The scene unfolded so abruptly that both Xiao Jinyan and Yu Xin'er were caught off guard. The two rushed forward almost simultaneously. Yu Xin'er anxiously tried to check on Guan Lingxuan's condition, while Xiao Jinyan unhesitatingly pulled Guan Lingxuan into his arms, attempting to alleviate her pain with his own strength.

"What's wrong? Madam, hang in there!"

Xiao Jinyan's voice was filled with unwavering determination as he held Guan Lingxuan tightly, as if he wanted to pass on all his courage and strength to her.

Guan Lingxuan struggled desperately in Xiao Jinyan's arms, her eyes unfocused, her lips trembling slightly with pain: "Husband... kill me... I'm in so much pain... I wish I were dead..."

Her voice was weak and desperate, each word seeming to be torn from the depths of her soul.

Xiao Jinyan felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He hugged Guan Lingxuan even tighter, trying to warm her cold body with his own body heat and soothe her heart that was on the verge of collapse with his words: "What nonsense are you talking about, Madam? With me here, you will be fine."

Time passed slowly amidst the pain and torment. It seemed like a long time had passed before Guan Lingxuan's convulsions finally subsided, and her eyes gradually regained focus. However, the pain and fear were still deeply imprinted in her eyes.

"What's wrong, Madam? Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Xiao Jinyan's tone was full of concern and anxiety; he desperately wanted to know the truth so that he could find a way to save her.

Guan Lingxuan took a deep breath, as if gathering all her strength, before slowly speaking: "Green Pearl... she poisoned me... this poison flares up from time to time... each flare-up is like a thousand ants gnawing at my heart, causing unbearable pain..."

Her voice was soft, yet every word was heavy, like a boulder pressing on everyone's heart.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's eyes instantly turned sharp: "Did Green Pearl try to force you to poison me?"

He already had a rough idea, but he still hoped to get confirmation from Guan Lingxuan.

Guan Lingxuan nodded with difficulty, tears welling up in her eyes, but she held them back: "Yes... Green Pearl threatened me that if I didn't do as she said... she wouldn't give me the antidote, and would make me wish I were dead..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan clenched his fists involuntarily, a resolute glint flashing in his eyes: "Rest assured, Madam, I will not let you suffer this torment again. No one, not even a whisper, will be able to harm you!"