Her heart lurched.
Chu Haoze was startled.
How had he blurted out his true thoughts?
But Chu Yu gave him no chance to dwell on it.
The smile faded from his face, and he seized Chu Haoze by the throat, his expression sinister.
"I never would have guessed our Seventh Prince had such grand ambitions. You actually want to kill me? Who do you think you are?"
As he spoke, he turned a venomous gaze on County Lady Baojin beside them. "Am I to understand that... Prince Anhe has long harbored rebellious intentions, and this little bastard with no backing is the puppet you've chosen?"
Then Chu Yu suddenly rose with a smile and clapped his hands, his tone turning cold and cutting. "Prince Anhe has some nerve! Since he dares stir up strife among the imperial heirs, I'll report this to Father right now and personally lead troops to confiscate everything Prince Anhe owns!"
"Don't you dare!!!"
With the words spilling out beyond his control, there was nothing left to do but tear away the facade of civility. Chu Haoze's gaze turned cold as well.
Beside him, County Lady Baojin's eyes lit up at his commanding defense of her family, tears glistening in them.
She had known she hadn't misjudged him.
"Well, well, look at this. The dog I've bullied since he was little actually wants to bite now. With Prince Anhe's paltry wealth, do you really think you can oppose my mother's clan?
"Keep beating him! Even if you beat this little bastard to death today, I'll take responsibility!"
Chu Yu hadn't expected Chu Haoze to fight back this time, darting through the crowd and catching him by the throat.
Only, the vicious words on the tip of his tongue turned into his innermost thoughts again.
"Heh, paltry