After giving birth to twins, the princess became pregnant again, and the royal uncle took care of he

Chu Xingyao's heart pounded violently, as if it had been gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and felt like it was about to leap out of her chest.

This is the first time she has met him since her rebirth, as Chu Xingyao!

She took a deep breath, trying to calm the surging emotions within her, and then took a small step forward.

A slight upturn at the corners of her lips revealed a perfectly timed smile, and she said softly:

"Jun Jiuxiao, it's been a long time! I wonder where you're headed in such a hurry?"

However, at this moment, Jun Jiuxiao's state of mind was like a stagnant pool, without the slightest ripple.

Because when he saw the person in front of him, all those chaotic memories from the past flooded his mind like a tide.

In his past life, he gave his whole heart without hesitation, even at the cost of everything.

Until the very last moment of her life, she could not warm her cold heart.

Therefore, he had already made up his mind to never have any further entanglement with her in this lifetime.

So he merely glanced at Chu Xingyao indifferently and replied in a completely emotionless tone:

"Does my intention to go somewhere require me to report to Miss Chu one by one?"

His words not only revealed a hint of indifference, but also made one feel as if they were talking to a complete stranger.

As soon as he finished speaking, Jun Jiuxiao walked past Chu Xingyao without hesitation and strode straight ahead, leaving Chu Xingyao standing alone in the same spot.

Chu Xingyao naturally took in the deep indifference, the deliberate distance he maintained, and the undisguised annoyance in his eyes.

Watching Jun Jiuxiao's receding figure, an indescribable and complex emotion instantly welled up in her heart...

In his previous life, around this time, he would occasionally visit the General's Mansion to pay his respects to Chu Huaizhong.

So even if they weren't friends, they'd known each other since childhood, so why is he so cold to her now?

Chu Xingyao felt a mix of emotions. She took a deep breath, composed herself, and turned back to Zhou Lianhuo, asking:

"I forgot to ask you how much this set of gold needles cost?"

Zhou Lianhuo replied, "No silver needed, this is the reward for the crossbow blueprints you gave me."

He would never tell her that Jun Jiuxiao had already given her 100,000 taels of silver.

Chu Xingyao didn't insist any further, and smiled slightly, "I will come to collect the golden needles on time in seven days."

After saying that, Chu Xingyao turned and left, her steps light but carrying a hint of loneliness.

Not far away, Jun Jiuxiao's figure was faintly visible in the shadows, his gaze fixed on Chu Xingyao's back, a barely perceptible ripple flashing in his eyes.

-----

War Prince's Mansion

Inside the study, the lamplight flickered gracefully.

Jun Jiuxiao's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, fixed on what Night Hawk held in his hand—the hidden blade and the antidote.

His eyes sharpened, and his voice was low and tinged with amusement:

"Nighthawk, when did you become so close to Miss Chu?"

Night Hawk was startled, realizing something was wrong. His lord's tone was clearly sour. What should he do?

He answered tremblingly and haltingly, "Your Highness, Miss Chu is most...most...concerned about your safety."

His voice trembled, revealing his inner panic.

"This hidden blade... and the antidote, are... are... both prepared by her so that we can better protect you."

Night Hawk's voice carried a hint of pleading, hoping that Jun Jiuxiao could understand his loyalty.

Jun Jiuxiao's eyes were as black as obsidian, shimmering with a glint of light, and he wore a half-smile.

The deep, resonant tone carried a dangerous undertone.

"Really? She actually made a hidden blade for you herself, and even prepared an antidote because she was worried that you might be poisoned."

His tone carried a hint of teasing, as if to say, "Night Hawk, when did you gain such favor from Miss Chu?"

Night Hawk sensed the coldness in Jun Jiuxiao's words and broke out in a cold sweat.

He knew that if he didn't explain things clearly, he probably wouldn't have an easy time.

He suppressed his reluctance and presented the hidden sword with both hands:

"Your Highness, Miss Chu is shy, though she didn't say it outright." His voice was low, tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"But I suspect that this hidden blade was definitely given to you by Miss Chu through me."

Night Hawk's words carried a hint of wit, an attempt to divert Jun Jiuxiao's attention.

"After all, Miss Chu came looking for you earlier, but you didn't show up."

Night Hawk added that he hoped this explanation would satisfy Jun Jiuxiao.

Jun Jiuxiao raised an eyebrow and patted Ye Ying's shoulder on the spot where Chu Xingyao had patted him.

It seemed as if Chu Xingyao was smiling brightly again, patting Ye Ying on the shoulder.

For some reason, I always felt that Nighthawk's shoulders were a bit superfluous. A thought popped into my head:

"A Nighthawk with one hand should be able to serve as the commander of the Shadow Guard."

The nighthawk felt the temperature plummet and inwardly groaned. He quickly closed his eyes and said:

"In my opinion, looking at these four kingdoms, Your Highness and Miss Chu are the most well-matched."

His eyes were as cold as ice, with a fleeting glimmer of fire within them. His voice was deep and cold, its temperature seemingly colder than the dead of winter.

"Oh? Is that so?" His voice held a hint of amusement.

It was as if to say, "Nighthawk, I'll listen to your explanation for now."

Night Hawk's heart tightened, and he secretly vowed that he would never have any physical contact with Chu Xingyao again.

He then brazenly continued, without any hesitation:

"Your Highness, Miss Chu's actions are simply to ensure your safety." His voice carried a hint of sincerity.

"Her concern for you is as clear as day."

Night Hawk hoped that Jun Jiuxiao could sense Chu Xingyao's sincerity and then let him go.

Jun Jiuxiao finally spoke, his voice deep and powerful:

"Go to Miss Chu's place tomorrow to get the blueprints and order a hidden blade for unforeseen circumstances."

His voice carried a hint of decisiveness, as if he had already made a decision.

Upon hearing this, Night Hawk felt relieved and quickly replied:

"Yes, Your Highness. I will go tomorrow."

His voice carried a hint of relief; he had finally overcome this hurdle.

Just as I was about to take my leave, a faint voice came from behind:

"For your merit in presenting the hidden sword, I will reward you by having you clean the outhouse starting tomorrow. You'll be doing that for a month."

Night Hawk was internally devastated and secretly groaned, but he had no choice but to say, "Yes, thank you for the reward, Your Highness."

His voice carried a hint of helplessness, but inwardly he was lamenting, "Your Highness, is this a reward or a punishment?"

Night Hawk left the study, secretly thinking to himself that he must keep a distance of at least three meters from Miss Chu from now on, otherwise, he dared not imagine the consequences...

After Night Hawk left the study, Jun Jiuxiao stood alone by the window, the moonlight shining on his face, casting a cool and serene glow.

His fingers gently traced the blade of the hidden sword, the icy touch sending his thoughts far away.

"Chu Xingyao, why are you doing this?"

Jun Jiuxiao muttered to himself, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

Since his rebirth three months ago, he has constantly reminded himself:

"Now that I have been reborn, I must have important matters to attend to and must stay away from Chu Xingyao."

However, why are her words and actions in this life so unexpected? Is she plotting something else, or...?

He climbed step by step to the highest pavilion in the palace, gazing at the cold moon.

Recalling the ten years he spent with Chu Xingyao in his past life, a bitter smile appeared on his lips as he murmured to himself:

"You were originally a free-spirited, intelligent and lively woman, but because of my forceful methods, you were imprisoned by my side and have been guarding the position of queen for ten years."

"I imagine you harbor deep resentment towards me."

"Now that I have passed away, I return your freedom to you."

"In that case, you should be happy. In this way, I will no longer owe you anything."

He suddenly remembered that she had been seriously injured at the time and had lost an eye.

He couldn't help but murmur to himself, "I wonder if the Night Hawk was able to successfully take you away in my past life?"

Soon, more questions arose.

He whispered softly:

"Chu Xingyao, if you were lucky enough to survive that life-or-death ordeal, what will you do for the rest of your life?"

"It is about indulging in the beauty of nature and traveling the world freely and unrestrainedly."

"Or should I seek a quiet rural retreat and live a secluded life free from worldly strife?"

Or perhaps...

"Do you have a good partner by your side, to share with you the joys and sorrows of this world?"

He asked himself softly, his voice barely audible.

He calmly poured himself two glasses of fine wine, and the glasses clinked together slowly, producing a deep and solemn sound.

"Let us use this first cup of wine to pay tribute to our past life's karmic connection, those memories, whether sweet or bitter."

With this second cup of wine, I pray for a lifetime of unspoken understanding, like strangers on the road.

After saying this, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. He let the strong liquor slide down his throat, turning into a fiery torrent that coursed through his entire body.

He gripped his wine glass tightly and whispered:

"Jun Jiuxiao, you've already hit a wall in your past life, suffering a bloody defeat. Why not let her go in this life, and let yourself go too?"

"There are many women in the world. You can marry any of them; it's just about having children and managing the household, nothing more."

"Why must it be Chu Xingyao?..."

After speaking, he tilted his head back and drank another cup. The moonlight shone on his back, revealing a dignified yet aloof and cold demeanor.

Perhaps fearing he might forget this vow, he repeated what he had just said, his tone low and firm:

"Jun Jiuxiao, you can marry anyone you want in this life, as long as it's not Chu Xingyao. You must stay a hundred and eight thousand miles away from her in this life."

"Otherwise, you will repeat the same mistakes and suffer for the rest of your life. You don't always have the chance to be reborn."

-------

-------

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, the bodyguard Night Hawk hurriedly went to the Star River Garden of the General's Mansion.

He stood three meters away from Chu Xingyao's residence and respectfully said:

“Miss Chu, I have come on the orders of the Prince to retrieve the blueprints for the hidden sword.”

There was a hint of anticipation in his voice.

Chu Xingyao smiled slightly, took out a roll of blueprints from her sleeve, and handed it to Ye Ying.

Her smile was warm and friendly, like the warm sunshine of spring, making people feel good about her.

Night Hawk happily took it in his hand, handed over an envelope, and said to Chu Xingyao:

"Thank you for the hidden blade blueprint, Miss. This is the reward that the Prince has given you."

After saying this, he clasped his hands in a salute and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Chu Xingyao smiled and said to him, "No need to be so polite." Thinking it was a letter from the prince, she eagerly opened the envelope.

What came into view was a bill of fifty thousand taels of silver. Chu Xingyao was both amused and exasperated; they actually came to buy it?

Is this telling her, "They've settled the payment, and neither of them owes the other anything?"

Do you still think I'm a weapons seller?