Chapter 27: Settling Scores After the Harvest

Xiao Xuanyin’s deep eyes hid a dense, intricate longing as his long, slender fingers draped his inner robe over Fu Jinhao’s shoulders.

His voice was slightly raspy and magnetic in the boundless night: "The night is deep and the dew is heavy; Miss Fu, do not catch a chill."

The man’s undergarment was far too large for her, completely enveloping her delicate, soft frame. The clean, masculine scent and his lingering, scorching body heat remained on the fabric. Her long, curled eyelashes fluttered, and just as she was about to rise to return the robe to him, she said, "Your Highness, you need not do this."

Xiao Xuanyin pressed down on her shoulders. His brows were like mountains, dignified and handsome, as he replied, "I am a man, accustomed to swordplay and martial training; my constitution is robust. It is no trouble at all."

His words were no lie. Viewed as a cold, lofty deity, every muscle on his frame was honed to perfection; the lines of his waist were powerful and fluid, radiating an intense, raw magnetism.

Fu Jinhao’s focus was entirely on her shoulders. His palms were calloused, and against her tender skin, the light friction sent a tingling, itchy sensation through her. Her heart felt slightly chaotic, so she could only nod and say, "Then this subject’s daughter thanks Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Xiao Xuanyin’s throat bobbed as he gave his thin lips a slight lick. His voice dropped low: "The night is late; Miss Fu, try to sleep. We shall find our way back to the hunting grounds at first light."

He withdrew his hand with palpable reluctance. As he turned, his eyes darkened with a turbulent, hidden shadow, his inner desires spiraling. The sight of her bundled in his robe, so soft and gentle, made him nearly unable to restrain the urge to pull her into his arms.

The night deepened. The wind eroded the cave, and the crackling fire burned on. The man’s raspy breathing and the woman’s faint, ethereal scent intermingled in the cramped space. Fu Jinhao kept her clear eyes closed, her face like a hibiscus flower in spring, her features serene. She had expected to be unable to sleep, feeling uneasy in his garment, but to her surprise, she drifted off while inhaling the pleasant scent of pine wood emanating from it.

Xiao Xuanyin also kept his eyes tightly shut, his thick, straight lashes casting heavy shadows. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and gazed at the sleeping Fu Jinhao.

Time passed. Fu Jinhao’s sweet, sleeping expression held a captivating charm, prompting Xiao Xuanyin to rise, unable to restrain himself. His heart heaved, a tempest of emotion surging within him. He moved toward her silently, his ears and the pale skin of his upper torso slowly flushing a vibrant, deep red as he breathed heavily.

Xiao Xuanyin stood still for a long time, his brow and eyes solemn, like an immovable mountain. His long, bony fingers clenched and released, clenched and released again, clearly locked in a battle between nature and reason.

In the end, reason conquered desire. He took a deep, shaky breath and walked out of the cave. The cold wind that greeted him could not dispel his longing; instead, it felt like being caught between ice and fire, only fueling the intensity. Yet, he maintained his restraint.

He was deeply infatuated with Ah-He, but he would not steal a kiss while she was unaware; that would be a sign of disrespect toward her.

Fu Jinhao’s eyelashes flickered, and she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze sharpening instantly. She stared at Xiao Xuanyin’s tall, upright back, flicking her fingertips in thought.

...

The next day.

The morning light pierced through layers of mist, illuminating the flora of the hunting grounds. In the distance, birds sang melodiously.

The Emperor had ordered that all guards and noble scions remain awake throughout the night, searching frantically for Xiao Xuanyin and Fu Jinhao, and capturing the members of the Vice Minister’s manor along with Chu Changling. Aside from capturing those at the manor, they had found no trace of the Prince or Fu Jinhao, nor had they located the wounded Chu Changling.

The Emperor was furious, his voice like rolling thunder: "A full night has passed, and still no trace of the Crown Prince! You are all incompetent!"

The irresistible pressure of the Emperor caused everyone’s legs to give way. Trembling, they pleaded, "Your Majesty, calm your anger."

Xiao Shengming could no longer suppress his inner ecstasy. It was as he thought: Xiao Xuanyin was surely dead, leaving not even a corpse behind. The position of Crown Prince was rightfully his; no one could take it!

With a thud, he knelt on the ground: "Father, falling off a cliff—there is almost no chance of survival. I know you grieve for the Crown Prince, but the nation cannot be without an heir for a day. I beg you to appoint a new successor as soon as possible."

At these words, the expressions of those present shifted, and they looked at Xiao Shengming in disbelief. Consort Hua was favored above all others, yet the Third Prince she raised was so reckless and ignorant. To suggest appointing a new heir at such a moment was to walk directly into the Emperor’s wrath, especially since the Emperor valued the Crown Prince above all else.

The Sixth Prince, Xiao Jing’an, and the Eighth Prince, Xiao Mingsong, kept their eyes lowered, not daring to speak.

As expected, the Emperor’s eyes flashed, and the fury on his face intensified. He grabbed a teacup and hurled it at Xiao Shengming’s head, berating him: "You heartless wretch! The Crown Prince is missing, and you are already impatient to replace him?"

Xiao Shengming did not dodge, letting the cup shatter against his head, blood streaming down. His expression remained unafraid as he kowtowed three times to the Emperor: "Even if I incur your wrath, I must speak at the risk of my life. To the north lies the Ji Kingdom, to the west the Chen, and to the south the Shan. Several neighboring kingdoms watch us like tigers eyeing their prey. If they learn that our Crown Prince has been hunted down by ministers, the resulting instability could be disastrous. Their strength may not match ours, but if they join forces to attack, Chang’an will be in grave danger. Father, I have no selfish motives!"

These words struck a chord with the Emperor, a man of suspicious nature who guarded his throne above all else. The neighboring kingdoms were indeed ambitious, frequently causing trouble at the borders. His expression softened.

Jiang Manxue wore a crimson floral skirt today, her hair drooping low, pinned with a jade phoenix hairpin. Her eyes were alluring, her appearance enchanting. Perhaps because of the good news, she felt the wound on her chest had healed perfectly. With Fu Jinhao dead at the bottom of the cliff, no one would dare fight her for Ah-Yao again. The Crown Prince, who had defended Fu Jinhao and treated her with cold disdain, was also dead. She was truly overjoyed.

Song Junyao’s eyes were bloodshot. Last night, he had acted like a madman, desperate to find Fu Jinhao. His heart felt as if it had been pierced by ten thousand arrows; an endless, suffocating pain engulfed him. It turned out that one only learns to cherish what they have lost. It turned out he hadn't been devoid of feelings for Fu Jinhao—they were childhood sweethearts, after all. He had simply been bewitched by Ah-Xue, his judgment clouded.

*Ah-Xue!* Song Junyao even began to hate Jiang Manxue. She had defied his orders and viciously caused Fu Jinhao’s death. His handsome face darkened, a haze gathering in his eyes. He would make Ah-Xue pay the price; he would avenge Fu Jinhao!

In the silent moment that followed, a light, crisp voice broke the air: "Third Prince, the Crown Prince is still alive. You are being presumptuous!"

Everyone looked toward the sound, their pupils dilating in shock.

The man, his white outer robe stained with blood, stood tall like a pine, while the woman in simple white clothing stood beneath the flowers, elegant and graceful. The two of them approached slowly.

It was the Crown Prince and Fu Jinhao. They were not dead! How had they survived the fall from such a bottomless cliff unscathed?

Xiao Shengming’s face turned from blue to white. His hopes had vanished, replaced by raging anger and jealousy. His eyes burned with fire, as if he wanted to incinerate them both; he was too choked with rage to speak.

Song Junyao’s eyes lit up, his deadened heart beginning to revive. He stared hungrily at the beautiful Fu Jinhao. How had he never noticed how stunning she was? Every smile and every expression tugged at his heart. They had been betrothed; they should have been a happy couple. He had made mistakes before and hurt her, but he would do everything in his power to please her now. As for Ah-Xue harming her, he would order her to apologize sincerely. As for the Crown Prince... a flash of killing intent crossed Song Junyao’s eyes. Even as the Crown Prince, he had no right to steal another man’s wife. If he persisted, Song Junyao would risk everything, using the full weight of the Song family to support another prince and drag the Crown Prince down from his throne, crushing him into the dirt.

The most shocked, perhaps even terrified, was Jiang Manxue. Fu Jinhao was not dead? How was this possible? There had been dozens of assassins from the Vice Minister’s manor and hundreds of death warriors from the Princess’s estate. Her plan had been seamless, and Fu Jinhao had not discovered it in advance. How had she escaped with her life?

Her heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, her hatred boundless. Fu Jinhao met Jiang Manxue’s vicious, alluring gaze and smiled, her clear eyes like snow over a mountain stream, revealing a sharp, undeniable edge.

Her heart was as cold as iron. If the heroine of this story was so vicious and calculating, yet still couldn't kill her or the Crown Prince, then it was their turn to settle the score.