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

Chapter 204 I knew you wouldn't choose me

Cao Yuan felt her heart skip a beat. Her eyes widened, filled with undisguised panic and excitement, her gaze flickering like that of a startled fawn. Time ticked by, but she seemed frozen in place, unable to process what had happened.

After an unknown amount of time, Cao Yuan finally managed to squeeze out a sound from her throat: "You...you said I can go home? I can really go back to Wei?"

Chu Yan's tone remained calm and indifferent: "Hmm! Do you want to?"

His gaze was as deep as a still pool, making it difficult to discern his true thoughts.

Chu Yan was terrified of hearing her answer, yet he also knew it.

Cao Yuan's eyes reddened, and she nodded without hesitation, "Yes! I want to go home! But what about the marriage alliance?"

Chu Yan gently stroked her delicate cheek and coaxed, "We will not have a marriage alliance. I will draft a new peace treaty."

Upon hearing this, Cao Yuan's eyes widened, and she asked with a face full of suspicion, "Really? But will His Majesty agree?"

Chu Yan took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, and said in a slightly trembling voice, "If I insist on keeping you by my side, would you be willing to stay for me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a lump in his throat, as if something was stuck in his throat, and even his voice began to tremble uncontrollably. Fortunately, the room was completely dark and no lights were on, otherwise Cao Yuan would have definitely seen the tears glistening in his eyes.

Faced with Chu Yan's direct question, Cao Yuan was stunned and didn't know how to answer for a moment. She opened her mouth, but found that she couldn't find the right words to respond to the man in front of her.

After a moment of silence, she finally spoke slowly, "Chu Yan, you know my answer, so why ask me? You didn't have to tell me."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yan felt an unbearable pain in his heart, as if it were being torn apart. He had been eagerly anticipating Cao Yuan's unwavering agreement to stay by his side, but reality had dealt him a heavy blow. He shook his head with a bitter smile, "It seems I am well aware of my place in your heart!"

"I knew you wouldn't choose me!"

Chu Yan said self-deprecatingly.

"Fine, you can go now. I'll let you leave."

After that day, Cao Yuan seemed to never see Chu Yan again.

Cao Yuan did not leave the East Palace until Xuan Feng came to inform her that she could leave.

Chu Yan arranged a carriage, and Xuan Feng escorted her away.

Cao Yuan stood in front of the carriage waiting for Chu Yan to appear, but after about two hours she still hadn't seen him.

"Princess, it's getting late, we should go!" Xuanfeng reminded her.

"Is he not coming?"

He really wasn't going to see me one last time.

Cao Yuan gazed at the distant city wall, a road that seemed to stretch endlessly. After this parting, she would never see the boy who ran towards her with chestnuts in his hands again. She asked herself, "Cao Yuan, are you really sure about this?"

A young eunuch trotted over from a short distance away, but Xuanfeng stopped him with his hand. "What are you doing here?"

"Here is a letter from Princess Huayang!"

Xuanfeng snatched the letter and handed it to Cao Yuan with a puzzled look.

He was just about to ask who sent the little eunuch when he vanished in the blink of an eye.

Cao Yuan opened the letter, her pupils dilated in surprise, she clutched the letter in her hand, her expression becoming solemn.

"Princess, what's wrong? What did the letter say? Whose letter is this?"

Xuanfeng asked.

"Take me to Xiao Jingfeng!"

"Huh? Why?"

"quick!"

Xuanfeng realized what was going on, and Cao Yuan untied the horse from the carriage and mounted it herself.

"Your Highness, what about me? Shall we leave?" Jinzhu quickly stepped forward.

"Wait for me here!"

"Xuanfeng, let's go!"

Xuanfeng also mounted his horse and led Cao Yuan to find Xiao Jingfeng.

Xiao Jingfeng has already established his own residence and lives outside the palace.

Xuanfeng took Cao Yuan directly to Xiao Jingfeng's residence.

Cao Yuan dismounted and prepared to walk into the mansion.

"Princess, do you want to do it yourself? Or should I tell His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"I can't wait any longer. This is my own business, it's none of his concern. You just wait here for me!"

Just as Cao Yuan reached the door, it was suddenly opened.

Cao Yuan mustered her courage and entered the mansion. Xiao Jingfeng was already sitting in the hall, waiting for Cao Yuan's arrival.

"Princess of Wei, you've arrived so quickly!"

Xiao Jingfeng idly played with a jade thumb ring in his hand.

Where is Bailu?

Cao Yuan had no interest in wasting time talking to him.

"Not urgent!"

"Xiao Jingfeng, I don't have time to waste words with you. Hand over the person to me."

“If you don’t like me, come at me directly. It’s pointless to use someone else to blackmail me.” Cao Yuan stared at him warily.

"No rush, have a cup of tea first!"

Xiao Jingfeng got up, poured a cup of hot tea, and handed it to Cao Yuan.

Cao Yuan looked at the tea in the glass cup, hesitating about what was inside.

Xiao Jingfeng noticed Cao Yuan's doubt and asked, "What, are you afraid I'll poison you?"

Cao Yuan slowly took it and handed it to him, saying, "You drink first!"

Xiao Jingfeng laughed loudly, grabbed her wrist, and drank from the cup with his mouth, holding the rim of the cup between his teeth.

"I've finished my drink, it's your turn."

Xiao Jingfeng poured another cup of tea, using the same cup as before.

Cao Yuan frowned as she looked at the rim of the cup. Although she wasn't one to fuss over such things, it still felt strange to share a teacup with him.

Cao Yuan picked up her teacup and took a sip.

As soon as he finished drinking, Xiao Jingfeng brought out Bailu.

"Why did you let go!" Bai Lu retorted as she was pulled out of there.

"Bai Lu!"

"Princess!"

Bai Lu was excited and wanted to go forward, but they held her down tightly.

"Princess, I've finally found you! Please save me!"

"They didn't do anything to you, did they?" Cao Yuan asked worriedly.

“Princess of Wei, I am an upright and honest person. How could I do anything to a woman who is powerless to even kill a chicken? Besides, she is your servant.”

“She is not my servant, release her!” Cao Yuan retorted.

Xiao Jingfeng raised his hand, and the person holding Bai Lu finally let go.

Bai Lu threw herself at Cao Yuan, "Princess, I've finally seen you! Do you know what terrible things have happened!"

"Why did you come to Shu? Did you come to find me? Why are you with him?"

"Yes, that's exactly where I came from! Who knew I'd run into him at the last minute!"

"He's the one who took me away!"

“Miss Bai, you’re not right. Didn’t I tell you that if you followed me you would meet the Princess of Wei? And haven’t you met her now?”

"Hmph! You're definitely not a good person!"

Bai Lu held Cao Yuan's hand.

"Bai Lu, you can go out now! Xuan Feng is waiting outside!"

"And what about you? Aren't you leaving?"

"I'll go back by myself in a bit."