"Xue Qinghe, what happened to the princes before you? Why did they all die? You and I both know the truth, so don't stand there pretending to be some good person."
Prince Xue Xing's face turned from deathly pale to furious in an instant.
He had almost captured Ye Yunxi. Then he could have used her to threaten Xue Qinghe. But why had Xue Qinghe shown up at this critical moment?
"Prince Xue Xing, I don't know anything about what you're talking about. But you laid a hand on one of my people, and that means you deserve to die."
Qian Renxue's expression was furious. How could she let anyone lay a hand on one of her people?
Standing behind Qian Renxue, Ye Yunxi blinked her peach-blossom eyes and chimed in:
"Exactly! I already told you I belong to His Highness the Crown Prince. Scared now, aren't you?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Ye Yunxi noticed Qian Renxue shoot her a look that was both exasperated and displeased.
"You've got quite a mouth on you. Shut it. I'll deal with you when we get back," Qian Renxue snapped.
"Fine, fine. I'll let you save face out here. But when we get back, you won't get even a shred of it."
Ye Yunxi pouted and gave a soft huff, her face full of defiance.
"If I hadn't gotten here in time, he might have had his way with you. Were you trying to let someone put horns on me?"
Qian Renxue gritted her teeth, wanting to teach Ye Yunxi a lesson, but she held back. She still had to deal with Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng.
Though the little troublemaker loved to wander off, she had indeed helped Qian Renxue get hold of Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng's weaknesses.
They had all wanted to find some leverage on Ye Yunxi to use against her, but they'd misjudged her. Ye Yunxi was anything but a quiet, obedient sort—and Porcupinefish Douluo had been protecting her from the shadows, too.
Still, Xue Beng had made his move even earlier than she'd expected. She couldn't be blamed for that.
"Xue Qinghe, even if you're the Crown Prince, you haven't taken the throne yet. I'm still Emperor Xue Ye's younger brother. What do you think you can do?"
Prince Xue Xing coughed a few times and struggled to his feet. Xue Qinghe's kick had packed quite a punch.
"The imperial family has always been a den of merciless wolves. You should understand that much. I'll plead your case with Father, but you abducted someone who belongs to the Crown Prince—and who will one day become the empress. Let the people of the empire judge for themselves whether what you did was right."
Qian Renxue called out at once:
"Guards!"
The next moment, the Imperial Guard on patrol came streaming into the dungeon and hauled Prince Xue Xing to his feet.
"What are you going to do? I'm warning you, Xue Qinghe: if you dare act recklessly, you'll never be able to rule as emperor!"
Prince Xue Xing shouted angrily. He still had one last trump card: Dugu Bo.
"What am I going to do? Take you to see Father, of course. You there, take him to His Majesty's palace."
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
On the way to the imperial palace, the Imperial Guard marched in perfect formation, escorting the dejected Prince Xue Xing at the front.
Ye Yunxi followed behind Qian Renxue, rubbing at the red marks left by the hemp rope around her wrists. Her peach-blossom eyes glistened with tears as she edged up beside Qian Renxue, her voice soft and aggrieved:
"You can't blame me, really. That old coot Xue Xing was the one who tied me up first. I'm the victim here."
Qian Renxue glanced sideways at her. Seeing her look as though she were about to burst into tears, Qian Renxue swallowed back the anger that had been rising to her lips.
That little troublemaker had been the one to flirt with Hu Liena first, giving Xue Xing the chance to take advantage of the situation. And yet she was still putting on such an innocent act.
Qian Renxue gritted her teeth and lowered her voice in warning:
"When we reach the palace, you know what to say and what not to say. Don't go running your mouth and embarrassing the Crown Prince."
After a pause, she added, her tone softening a little:
"Still, you really did help this time. I'd been fretting over how to deal with Xue Xing and Xue Beng without a proper excuse. Now they've delivered themselves right to me, and Father won't be able to find fault with it."
Ye Yunxi's eyes lit up at once. Gone was every trace of her earlier grievance. She straightened up, lifting her chin smugly, her tail practically in the air.
"Of course! Just look who helped you! And if—"
The instant she heard "and if," Qian Renxue quickened her pace and strode ahead without looking back.
She knew the little troublemaker's ways too well. Whatever came next would be trouble: an extended vacation, perhaps, or a Soul Bone. She might even demand something utterly outrageous.
Ye Yunxi's words caught in her throat. Watching Qian Renxue's long strides carry her away, she stamped her foot in anger.
"Hey! Xue Qinghe! Why are you running? I haven't finished!"
She hurried after her, her quick little steps pattering along as she yelled:
"Are you feeling guilty? Trying to wriggle out of a promise? I'm telling you, this isn't over!"
The Imperial Guard up ahead heard every word, but each of them lowered their head even further, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Who didn't know that His Highness the Crown Prince feared nothing under heaven—except this Imperial Concubine? She spoiled and protected her, yet she always had him wrapped around her little finger.
Qian Renxue pretended not to hear and walked even faster, leaving only her tall, straight back in view as Ye Yunxi chased after her, fuming.
The imperial palace in Qianren City was suddenly abuzz. Many ministers and maids gathered around to see what was happening.
When they saw that the Imperial Guard was escorting Prince Xue Xing, Emperor Xue Ye's younger brother, they were instantly struck with alarm.
What kind of drama was unfolding now?
Not long ago, Xue Beng had tried to kidnap Ye Yunxi. Things had barely settled down, and now there was another uproar.
Qian Renxue pushed open the doors to the main hall of the imperial palace and walked inside. A number of ministers were discussing matters with Emperor Xue Ye.
When everyone saw Qian Renxue and Ye Yunxi, along with Prince Xue Xin under escort, they were all taken aback.
"Qian Renxue, what's going on now? Why have you brought Prince Xue Xin here under guard?"
Emperor Xue Ye stared at his younger brother being escorted inside like this, momentarily at a loss.
His nephew was still in the dungeon. What had this uncle gotten himself into now?
"Father, Prince Xue Xin kidnapped my consort outside the Soul Fighting Arena. He even meant to use her to threaten me."
The moment she said this, the whole hall was stunned.
"That's right, that's right! I was almost..."
Ye Yunxi blinked her reddened peach-blossom eyes, and tears began streaming from their corners.
She looked so wronged, and trembled so violently, that the ministers and Emperor Xue Ye could hardly believe their eyes.
Watching Ye Yunxi throw herself so completely into the role, Qian Renxue couldn't help thinking, That little troublemaker is taking her acting a bit too far, isn't she?
"That's slander! Who can prove it?"
Prince Xue Xing glared at Ye Yunxi, his teeth clenched tight.
"Wah... You did it, and now you won't even admit it. If His Highness the Crown Prince hadn't arrived in time, you might have shown an entirely different face."
Ye Yunxi pointed at Prince Xue Xing, looking utterly aggrieved.
"You!"
"Enough!"
When Prince Xue Xing tried to say more, Emperor Xue Ye cut him off with a shout.
"Xue Xing, you've disappointed me. Go spend some time in the prison and reflect on what you've done."