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

Green Pearl, shy yet firm, grasped Xiao Jinyan's hand and gently guided it to her chest, where a burning heart, driven mad by love, beat.

“My husband, feel my heartbeat,” she said in a deep, emotional voice. “Think back to when you kissed me just now. Did you feel my sincerity? It wasn’t just the touch of lips, but the resonance of two souls.”

Xiao Jinyan closed his eyes, feeling the vibrant life force beneath Green Pearl's chest, and the undisguised sincerity and passion within her.

“I can feel it,” Xiao Jinyan said softly, her eyes full of tenderness and certainty. “You are sincere, more real than any vow.”

Upon hearing this, Green Pearl smiled contentedly, her eyes sparkling with determination and anticipation: "My husband, since I call you my husband and you call me your wife, we are now family. We share the same fate, and we share the same fate. In this chaotic world, you are my only support, and the one I am willing to give everything to protect."

Xiao Jinyan nodded solemnly, his eyes shining with the same determination: "Alright, Madam, from now on, you and I will be the most important people in each other's lives, and we will walk hand in hand through thick and thin."

Green Pearl gently placed her hand on the back of Xiao Jinyan's hand, her eyes sparkling with pleading and trust: "Then please believe me, my husband. Now that I am your woman, I will naturally do my best for you. No matter how bumpy the road ahead may be, I will always be your most steadfast and virtuous helper."

Xiao Jinyan held Green Pearl's hand tightly, his eyes full of affection and trust: "Of course I believe in you, Madam. I know your feelings better than anyone else."

A hint of emotion flashed in Green Pearl's eyes, but she quickly became serious: "Then, my husband, could you please hear me out? I have some thoughts and plans about our future, and I hope to discuss them with you."

Xiao Jinyan nodded and said, "Please speak, Madam."

Green Pearl's eyes shimmered with a complex light in the dim candlelight. She parted her lips slightly, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly, as if each word carried the weight of a thousand pounds: "Husband, can you tell me the truth? After the Crown Prince's unfortunate death, did you lead your Tiger Warriors to join the Prince of Guangling?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan frowned, his gaze as deep as the night sky. He spoke slowly, his voice firm and heavy: "Yes, that's right, Madam. For the sake of the Song Dynasty and the peace of the people, I have no choice but to make this decision."

Upon hearing this, Green Pearl smiled bitterly: "In that case, once the Prince of Guangling ascends the throne, he will surely reward those who have contributed to the cause. My husband will definitely be promoted and become the focus of attention for everyone in the court and the country."

Xiao Jinyan gently shook his head, his eyes revealing a detached indifference: "Madam, what I, Xiao Jinyan, care about has never been those empty names and fleeting gains. I only wish that the Great Song Dynasty can be stable and that the people can live and work in peace and contentment."

Looking at Xiao Jinyan's resolute face, Green Pearl felt a mix of emotions. She bit her lower lip and continued, "No matter what you think, my husband, the fact is that from now on, you will become a highly sought-after figure in the court. In any case, you will inevitably be in the eye of the storm, and you must be careful with every step you take."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's gaze suddenly sharpened. He gripped Green Pearl's hand tightly, as if trying to convey all his determination and strength to her: "Madam, what exactly do you want to say?"

Green Pearl nodded gently, her eyes slightly red, her voice tinged with a pleading tone: "My lord, I know you have the world at heart and have no selfish motives whatsoever. But you must also understand that you are not, after all, a direct descendant of the Prince of Guangling. Once the Prince of Guangling ascends the throne, even if he favors you greatly for a time, it is hard to guarantee that suspicion will not arise in the future. In this struggle for power, there are no permanent allies, only permanent interests."

Green Pearl's words sent a jolt through Xiao Jinyan's heart. Indeed, he was not a direct descendant of the Prince of Guangling. In fact, he was from the Crown Prince's lineage, and even his wife was a matchmaker arranged by the Crown Prince. The reason he supported the Prince of Guangling's ascension to the throne was for the stability of the Song Dynasty. In this respect, he was fundamentally different from Wei Wuji, Jiang Zhan, Liancheng, and the like.

Green Pearl paused for a moment, then said, "Have you thought about this, my husband? Your father, the Duke of Qi, is the governor of four provinces: Qing, Xu, Yan, and Yu. He commands 300,000 elite troops. Now that your Tiger Warriors are so powerful and have swallowed up Han Xiu's troops, you also hold considerable military power in the capital. Once the Prince of Guangling ascends the throne, how can he not be wary of your Xiao family?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan was suddenly shocked.

Green Pearl continued, “Husband, do you know what kind of person the Prince of Guangling is? As far as I know, he is a sinister, ruthless, and unjust man. He even killed his own brothers. Who else wouldn’t he dare to kill? Once the Prince of Guangling becomes suspicious of you, I’m afraid you won’t even be able to protect your life!”

After saying that, Green Pearl's jade-like fingers, without the slightest hesitation, suddenly pinched Xiao Jinyan's firm thigh.

The pinch was so forceful that even the usually composed Xiao Jinyan trembled, his thoughts racing.

"what!"

Xiao Jinyan exclaimed in surprise, her eyes filled with astonishment and confusion. She looked at Lüzhu and said helplessly, "Then what do you think, Madam?"

Green Pearl's face showed no trace of a smile; her gaze was piercing, as if she could see into the deepest fears and anxieties of people's hearts.

"My husband, let me ask you this: if it really comes to that, and you're afraid of death, why not simply resign from your official post and retire to live a carefree life as a wealthy old man?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly, his gaze deep, as if weighing the weight behind each word: "Madam, you...you really think so?"

Clearly, in Xiao Jinyan's view, Green Pearl's suggestion was not her true feeling.

Green Pearl nodded, her expression resolute: "Of course, although it won't be as powerful as it is now, at least it will ensure that my family has enough to eat and drink and can live a peaceful life. Besides..." She paused, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, "I've also heard that the Prince of Guangling is a womanizer. If we offer one or two of my husband's beautiful and talented wives then, perhaps we can keep the Xiao family safe."

Xiao Jinyan sneered and said mockingly, "Madam, are you talking nonsense?"

Xiao Jinyan clearly felt that Green Pearl had not revealed her true intentions and was even trying to provoke him.

Seeing this, Green Pearl gave a bitter smile: "Otherwise what? How can we protect our lives and property in this chaotic world?"

Xiao Jinyan sneered and said impatiently, "Madam, stop beating around the bush. Just say what you're thinking."

Green Pearl paused for a moment, then continued, "My lord, if you don't want to resign from your official post and live in seclusion, only to be bullied by others, then you have no choice but to recruit heroes from all sides, win their hearts, and expand your power. When your strength is great, even if the King of Guangling is wary of you and wants to kill you, he won't be able to!"