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

Liu Xiyu was furious. She raised her hand and slapped Liu Lang hard across the face. "What are you good for?!" Her voice was sharp as a knife. "If anything happens to the Crown Princess, ten of your lives won't be enough to pay for it!"

Liu Lang staggered a few steps after being hit, almost falling, but he quickly steadied himself, knelt down again, his face as pale as paper, yet he still insisted on saying, "Princess, please forgive me, I deserve to die. But I am puzzled as to why the group that abducted the Crown Princess was so well-trained and agile, far beyond the capabilities of an ordinary beggar."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiyu frowned: "You mean... they're not beggars at all? Then who are they?"

Liu Lang took a deep breath and said, "This humble servant dares to guess that they are professional soldiers, and should be the Imperial Guards of Jiankang."

"What? The Imperial Guards..."

Liu Xiyu was startled, then said sternly, "Sixth Brother, your crime will be noted for now. You must not fail again in the assassination of Xiao Jinyan!"

"As you wish, Princess."

Liu Xiyu's gaze swept across the room and landed on the men in black who were still kneeling on the ground.

"What are you all standing there for?" Her voice suddenly rose a few decibels, filled with undeniable anger. "Get out of here!"

Upon hearing this, the men in black felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They quickly rose and disappeared with nimble movements. Liu Lang followed closely behind, leaving the room filled with a tense atmosphere.

Liu Xiyu was filled with mixed emotions. She slowly walked to the window and murmured to herself, "Crown Prince, He Jian, I'm so sorry. I couldn't even save the Crown Princess..."

---------

The following day, at the Duke of Qi's residence.

The sun shone brightly, like fine golden silk gently spread across the sky.

Xiao Jinyan and Lüzhu walked briskly through the well-arranged pavilions and towers of the Qi State Duke's Mansion, and finally arrived at a secluded and quiet corner.

Here, a courtyard surrounded by high walls stands quietly, with a dozen solemn-looking soldiers standing at the gate, their eyes as sharp as hawks, watching closely every movement inside the courtyard.

This is the place where Yang Rong is under house arrest.

Xiao Jinyan waved his hand gently, signaling the soldiers to retreat. Although the soldiers had doubts, seeing the firmness in Xiao Jinyan's eyes, they dared not ask any questions and had no choice but to obey orders.

After everyone had left, Xiao Jinyan and Lüzhu exchanged a smile, then pushed open the slightly heavy wooden door and entered the room.

Inside the room, Yang Rong was leisurely sitting by the window putting on makeup. Her light gauze dress swayed gently in the wind, like the gentlest willow branches in spring. Her complexion was surprisingly good, with a faint blush on her cheeks.

During this period, although Yang Rong was not free, she was treated to good food and drink, and maids served her. Her life was no worse than when she was a princess.

Upon seeing Xiao Jinyan and Lüzhu arrive, Yang Rong was slightly taken aback, then a playful smile appeared on her lips: "Oh, Xiao Jinyan, what brings you here? These are rare guests."

Xiao Jinyan smiled and said, "The weather is so beautiful today, it's the perfect time to go out for a spring outing. Green Pearl and I originally intended to go alone, but considering that you've lived here for so long, you might have forgotten the beauty of nature, so we came to invite you. Would you like to come with us?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Rong's smile widened: "You? You have such leisure time? Humph, I'm not going!"

There's no smoke without fire. Inviting me to go on a spring outing? That's definitely not Xiao Jinyan's real purpose. If he doesn't tell the truth, I won't bother with him.

Seeing this, Green Pearl quickly stepped forward, took Yang Rong's hand, and said with a pleading and urgent tone, "Princess, please come with me. The Crown Prince has important matters to discuss with you. This matter is of great importance and cannot be delayed."

Looking into Lüzhu's sincere eyes, Yang Rong thought to herself that Xiao Jinyan must have something on his mind this time. She wanted to see what he was up to, so she nodded and softly agreed, "Okay, I'll go with you."

The three of them entered the courtyard together, where they saw a very ordinary carriage parked, seemingly belonging to an ordinary family. The driver of the carriage was Luo Chuan, dressed in a smart outfit, looking dashing and heroic. Upon seeing the group come out, he immediately bowed respectfully.

Upon seeing this, Yang Rong sneered, "When did the young master become so shabby?"

"There's no need to make a fuss about this trip."

Xiao Jinyan thought to herself, it's not that she can't afford a Rolls-Royce, it's just that Volkswagen offers better value for money.

Seeing that Xiao Jinyan was keeping a low profile on this trip, without any guards accompanying him, and that the driver was Luo Chuan instead of the professional coachman Lao Diao, Yang Rong thought that this trip must be different from the past.

"Get in the car."

Xiao Jinyan leaped onto the carriage and pulled Yang Rong and Lü Zhu up with her. Then he instructed Luo Chuan to crack the whip, and the carriage slowly started moving, carrying them out of the city.

Along the way, the spring breeze caressed her face, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air, making Yang Rong feel exceptionally cheerful.

Looking out the window at the scenery rushing by, she couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, where are we going?"

Xiao Jinyan replied, "You'll find out soon enough."

After the carriage had traveled about thirty miles out of the city, a magnificent manor came into view, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, exuding an imposing aura.

Deep within the manor, in an antique-style room, He Qiongying was immersed in a steaming bath. The rising steam made her jade-like white skin appear even smoother and more delicate, like a delicate lotus quietly blooming in the water.

As the water cooled, He Qiongying slowly rose, water droplets sliding down her graceful curves and dripping onto the bluestone slabs with a crisp, melodious sound. She moved gracefully to the side behind a screen that had been prepared beforehand, and changed into a clean and elegant dress.

The dress seemed tailor-made for her, perfectly outlining her graceful figure and making her radiant, restoring her former captivating beauty and drawing everyone's attention.

Just as He Qiongying was admiring herself in the mirror, satisfied with her transformation from the inside out, the door to the room was gently pushed open, and a gentle figure quietly entered—it was Li Yuerui.

"Who is here?" He Qiongying turned her head at the sound, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Li Yuerui's voice carried a hint of guilt: "This sinful subject, Li Yuerui, greets the Crown Princess."

By this time, Li Yuerui already knew about He Qiongying's plight. Compared to her, she had only lost her secure job, while He Qiongying had not only lost her virginity but also lost her husband, son, and younger brother—her fate was a thousand times worse.

As for He Qiongying, when she heard the name "Li Yuerui," she suddenly remembered that on the day the Crown Prince was murdered, a silver-haired girl in the Imperial Guard opened the Xuanwu Gate, letting He Jian's Imperial Guards rush in, and she immediately became a wanted criminal.

He Qiongying maintained her composure and nobility: "Oh, so you are Li Yuerui. I have heard of you before. It is rare to find someone so loyal to the Crown Prince. In front of me, you do not need to call yourself a sinner."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuerui's eyes reddened slightly, and her voice lowered even further: "Your Highness, I am ashamed. I was originally a captain under Liancheng. On the day the Prince of Guangling plotted to murder His Highness the Crown Prince, I had the opportunity to save him, but..."