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

Complex emotions flickered in Li Yuerui's eyes. She gently broke free from Xiao Jinyan's embrace, a bitter smile playing on her lips: "Are you planning to keep me here like a caged canary, imprisoned in this glamorous cage?"

Yes, in later generations there was a term called "keeping a mistress," and powerful men inevitably kept several mistresses. But Li Yuerui was different. She was not only beautiful, but also highly skilled in martial arts and knew the layout of the palace like the back of her hand. When the time came, she would undoubtedly be a sharp weapon.

For Li Yuerui, no matter how luxurious or beautiful the manor was, it was not as precious as freedom. As an assassin, she had no desire to become a mistress kept by the bureaucratic class.

Xiao Jinyan gently took Li Yuerui's hand, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "For now, this is the only way. Only in this way can we protect you. Believe me, this is just a temporary arrangement."

Li Yuerui's heart was filled with endless longing and helplessness: "When will I be able to see the light of day again, and stop living this life of hiding and fear?"

Xiao Jinyan held her hand tightly, as if conveying some kind of strength and determination: "I will find a way, no matter how difficult, I will find a way out so that you can regain your freedom."

Li Yuerui's tears finally fell, and she choked out, "What can I do? I have committed the serious crime of treason. Now that the Prince of Guangling has become emperor, he will not let me off easily."

Xiao Jinyan's eyes became unusually firm: "Before, you each served your own masters and had different positions, so you had no choice. But now, the situation has changed. The Prince of Guangling has secured his throne. If he is wise, he should naturally be broad-minded and tolerant, and pardon your crime of treason."

Xiao Jinyan's words were certainly correct. When Li Shimin launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he also killed the crown prince and seized the throne, but he didn't exterminate the crown prince's trusted officials. He pardoned those who deserved it and promoted those who deserved it. Even Wei Zheng, who had almost killed him several times, became an important minister in the new dynasty. That's what you call the demeanor of a ruler; he was a man capable of great things.

Now that Liu Kun has the fate of Li Shimin, it remains to be seen whether he has the magnanimity of Li Shimin.

Anxiety and expectation flickered in Li Yuerui's eyes. She whispered, "But what if the Prince of Guangling is heartless and refuses to pardon me?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly, but his eyes gleamed with an undeniable determination: "If the Prince of Guangling is truly a wise ruler, then you should naturally be pardoned. On the contrary, if he is stubborn and unwilling to show the magnanimity and demeanor that a ruler should have, then how can such a monarch be worthy of ruling the world? In that case, deposing the foolish ruler and establishing a new virtuous one will be in accordance with the will of Heaven."

What? Deposing a tyrannical ruler? Isn't that treason?

Upon hearing this, Li Yuerui's voice was filled with disbelief: "Your Highness, you would actually be willing to rebel for my sake?"

Xiao Jinyan shook his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Oh... this isn't treason, it's for the sake of all living beings!"

For the sake of all living beings? Isn't this still treason?

Regardless, Li Yuerui was deeply moved. A warm feeling welled up in her heart, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she smiled more brightly than ever before: "Your Highness, you are so good to me. No one has ever been so good to me since I was a child!"

Before she finished speaking, she gently nestled into Xiao Jinyan's arms, feeling a warmth and peace she had never experienced before.

Xiao Jinyan's arms were wrapped tightly around her, as if he wanted to meld her into his body. His voice was deep and full of affection: "Yuerui, you are the most precious treasure of my life, my darling. In this world, if I don't treat you well, who else can I treat well?"

Li Yuerui, her voice barely a whisper, said shyly, "Your Highness, I love you, I love you so deeply, so very deeply..."

Xiao Jinyan gently stroked Li Yuerui's smooth silver hair with one hand, while the other hand glided over her silky smooth long legs, and said, "You silly little thing, why are you still calling me Prince?"

With a hint of shyness and anticipation, Li Yuerui whispered softly in Xiao Jinyan's ear, "Then what should I call you?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled indulgently and asked, "You called me Prince before, and I didn't mind. But now that you're my woman, tell me, what should you call me now?"

Li Yuerui's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She lowered her head, her voice barely audible yet clearly audible: "Husband... Husband..."

These two words, like the most beautiful melody, flowed gently in the quiet night, carrying endless sweetness and promises.

"lady."

Xiao Jinyan responded softly, his hand unconsciously lifting the soft brocade quilt to reveal Li Yuerui's long, slender, white legs, as if sculpted from jade.

Xiao Jinyan's gaze lingered on those long legs for a moment, his eyes filled with admiration and infatuation: "Your legs are so beautiful..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuerui's face flushed even more brightly. She smiled gently, her eyes sparkling with mischievous light: "Husband, do you like it?"

“It’s more than just liking,” Xiao Jinyan gazed at her long legs with deep affection, every word seemingly drawn from the depths of his heart, “I absolutely adore her.”

His eyes were fervent and resolute, fearless and pure.

Li Yue Rui's heart was enveloped by this intense love. She could no longer suppress the throbbing in her heart. She wrapped her arms around Xiao Jin Yan and said in a voice that was urgent and longing, "Husband, come and love me."

Xiao Jinyan could no longer resist the temptation. He suddenly reached out and pulled Li Yuerui tightly into his arms, as if trying to meld her into his own body. His lips fell like a storm, carrying an irresistible force and tenderness. Their lips and tongues intertwined, beginning a passionate and soul-stirring journey of love...

------------

The following day, in the Qianyang Hall of the Great Song Dynasty court.

As dawn broke, the Qianyang Palace was already solemn and dignified. Golden sunlight shone through the carved beams and painted rafters, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the smooth, mirror-like marble floor.

Civil and military officials, dressed in various official robes, gathered like a colorful cloud, their faces filled with anticipation and caution for the morning court session. Among them, Xiao Jinyan, wearing an official robe embroidered with blue clouds and white tigers, stood out. With steady steps and piercing eyes, he entered the main hall.

In the very center of the main hall, a dragon throne sat high above, gleaming with golden light. On it sat Liu Kun, dressed in a magnificent dragon robe. The five-clawed golden dragon embroidered on the robe seemed ready to soar into the sky at any moment.

Liu Kun's face was dignified, yet tinged with a barely perceptible weariness. The eunuchs and palace maids beside him bowed their heads, serving him with utmost care, not daring to even breathe loudly. A faint scent of ambergris filled the air, instilling a sense of awe in everyone present.

With a long, resounding bell toll, all the officials knelt down in unison, their shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" deafening and echoing in every corner of the hall.