After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

"Chu Yan! Xiao Jingyan! What are you trying to do? Let me go!" Cao Yuan screamed angrily, struggling desperately to break free from Chu Yan's strong hands, but all her efforts were in vain.

Chu Yan held Cao Yuan tightly, his hands like two hot irons, deeply embedded in Cao Yuan's thin shoulders.

Cao Yuan recklessly swung her fists, slamming them hard into Chu Yan's chest. However, her strength was far too insignificant compared to Chu Yan's; each punch felt like hitting an incredibly hard rock, causing her not only no harm but also excruciating pain in her own hands.

"Cao Yuan, take a good look at yourself now! Are you trying to spite me with your body?" Chu Yan roared angrily, pulling Cao Yuan in front of the mirror.

Cao Yuan was forced to stare at herself in the mirror, and for a moment she could hardly believe that the haggard, sallow-faced person before her was the same person who had once been so valiant and spirited on the battlefield, galloping across the land. Now, her eyes were bloodshot, her gaze dull and lifeless, and she looked utterly devoid of life, as if her soul had been ripped away.

"Let go, I don't want to see!" Cao Yuan turned her head away.

Seeing that she was still so dejected, Chu Yan ordered in a firm tone, "Bring me the medicine!"

At Chu Yan's command, Eunuch Li immediately brought the medicine to Chu Yan.

"What are you doing? What are you going to give me to drink again!" Cao Yuan became wary.

Chu Yan took the medicine bowl, grabbed Cao Yuan's shoulder, and drank it down in one gulp. Then, he grabbed Cao Yuan's chin and forced the medicine down her throat mouth-to-mouth.

Everyone present lowered their heads.

Cao Yuan pushed him away forcefully and frantically wiped her mouth.

"Cough...cough...Xiao Jingyan, what did you give me to drink?!"

Chu Yan ignored her and continued to force the rest of the medicine into her mouth.

Chu Yan had to force-feed her three times before she finally swallowed the entire bowl of medicine.

"Cao Yuan! If you still don't behave, I won't mind feeding you like this!"

Cao Yuan wiped her mouth resentfully while lying on the bed, glaring at him fiercely. "Disgusting! You're absolutely disgusting. If you wanted me to obey, why didn't you continue drugging me!"

Chu Yan suddenly realized, gave a cold laugh, and took a step towards her, "So you knew all along!"

"Good to know. Stay here and recover properly! You can leave when you're fully recovered, otherwise don't even think about stepping out of this palace."

"Why isn't Xiao Jingyan dead yet!" Cao Yuan roared through gritted teeth, her eyes wide with rage, as if the fire in her heart was about to burst forth.

She slapped Chu Yan hard across the face with all her might, her arm trembling slightly from the force.

The slap landed squarely on Chu Yan's fair, jade-like face. Because Cao Yuan had used all her strength, a bright red handprint instantly appeared on Xiao Jingyan's face. Faced with such a fierce attack, Xiao Jingyan simply stood still, motionless.

Chu Yan didn't offer the slightest resistance or dodge, not even flinching. He stood there expressionless, only slowly pressing his tongue against his slapped cheek, a slightly mocking smile playing on his lips.

"Good shot! Keep it up!"

Cao Yuan, still not satisfied, hit him a few more times, venting all her recent grievances on Chu Yan until she was exhausted.

Finally, when Cao Yuan was getting tired, she stopped what she was doing. She was panting heavily, her chest heaving, and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

Chu Yan nodded in satisfaction; it was good that she could vent her emotions.

The two parted on bad terms.

After Chu Yan left, Cao Yuan slumped into a chair next to her, panting heavily to relieve the strain she had just exerted.

Jinzhu took small, hesitant steps and slowly approached Cao Yuan, looking troubled. "Your Highness, let me help you to bed!"

"No need! I'm not at the point where I need to lose an arm or a leg!"

"Your Highness, would you like something to eat?"

"I'm not hungry!" Cao Yuan said defiantly, but her stomach betrayed her and started growling.

"I've got a bowl of porridge! The Crown Prince said he won't be coming for the next few days, so please have some!"

"Your Highness, please don't be angry with the Crown Prince anymore. Actually...actually..."

"Actually what?"

"The Crown Prince forbade me to speak, but I really can't bear to see you two arguing like this. The imperial physician said your miscarriage was caused by the excessive use of musk. Even if you give birth, the child may not be healthy!"

"what!"

"Moreover, you have used many medicines that are harmful to the fetus since you became pregnant, and your physical condition may not be able to give birth to him. The imperial physician also suggested that you terminate the pregnancy."

Cao Yuan stood up blankly, "So... I killed my own child."

"I always thought you didn't want this child, and the Crown Prince thought so too. Compared to this child, nothing is more important than you!"

"That's why the Crown Prince wants you to have an abortion. You really shouldn't hold a grudge against him anymore. For so many days, the Crown Prince has come to see you as soon as he finishes his official duties, without even taking a break."

She slowly reached out and gently stroked her slightly protruding belly, her touch filled with tenderness mixed with an indescribable sorrow.

She slowly lowered her head, her gaze fixed on her palm, where a crystal-clear tear silently slid down, like a dazzling pearl falling onto her fair and delicate hand.

The tears spread quickly, soaking the skin of her hands, then trickling down her wrists and silently seeping into her sleeves. In no time, that small patch of clothing was completely soaked, leaving a faint water stain.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, the Crown Prince forbade me from telling you, fearing you would blame yourself, but I should still tell you."

Cao Yuan slumped on the bed, head down, supporting herself with one hand, her hair falling to her chest. "Jinzhu, I want to be alone for a while."

She recalled what she had done to Chu Yan here recently and felt a pang of regret; she had even hit him just now!

Those were his children too.

Ultimately, it was just that she and this child were not meant to be.

As Chu Yan emerged from the palace, Xuan Feng immediately rushed over from elsewhere, saying, "Your Highness, the medicine given by Immortal Ying is already here."

"give it to me!"

Chu Yan tucked the medicine bottle into his sleeve and took a carriage to Xiao Shengxi's bedroom.

Eunuch Liu, attending to the ailing emperor at his bedside, announced, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived."

Xiao Shengxi raised his hand at him.

Eunuch Liu went over and invited Chu Yan in.

Chu Yan walked to the bedside, "Royal Uncle!"

"This medicine was given to me by my master; it can prolong life. It should be effective for the Imperial Uncle as well."

"Immortal Ying, this medicine is for you! I cannot take it! I know my own body."

"Uncle, Master gave me a lot, but I don't need it." Chu Yan handed the medicine bottle directly to Eunuch Liu.

"Ahem...I have already drafted my will!"

"Yan'er! The Shu Kingdom will be entrusted to you from now on."

Chu Yan lowered his head in disappointment.

Xiao Shengxi reached out and grabbed his clothes, forcing him to look at him directly. "Yan'er! Did you hear what I said?"

"I have guarded for you for so long, and I have also sent you to Wei to gain experience for so long. You should understand what your responsibilities are!"

"Have you forgotten what your mother told you before she died?"