Chapter 30: The Ordeal 5

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Yu Qingyan’s gaze fell on the door several yards away. She moved again, but just as she did, the door suddenly opened. Her first instinct was to reach out and seize the intruder by the throat.

The instant Prince Chu Yuchuan stepped inside, someone had him by the throat. Zuo Xuan, who followed behind him, was startled, yet could only watch helplessly as it happened.

“Why is it you?” Yu Qingyan exclaimed, releasing him at once. Fortunately, she carried no concealed weapons; otherwise, who knew what might have happened?

“This subordinate failed to protect Your Highness. Please punish me, Your Highness.”

“I did not react in time myself, much less you. Leave us.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Zuo Xuan withdrew, while Chu Yuchuan regarded Yu Qingyan with a dark expression.

“Why are you looking at me like that? You’re the one who suddenly barged in.”

“So it is still my fault?”

Yu Qingyan returned to the table and sat down. “What brings you here so early?”

“My princess is becoming more and more audacious.” Chu Yuchuan sat down after her. There was no reproach in his voice; instead, it held a trace of indulgence.

“You seem to be in a good mood, Your Highness.”

Chu Yuchuan turned his gaze upon her. “I shall give you an opportunity to explain. What is the matter with Fang’er, who served Madam Yin?”

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Two days had already passed, and he was only asking about it now?

“It wasn’t me who killed her,” Yu Qingyan said plainly.

“Oh?”

Yu Qingyan frowned. “You needn’t look at me like that. If I had killed her, I would admit it. I had no grudge against her, so why would I kill her for no reason?”

“Madam Yin had only just punished Cui’er, and a few hours later Fang’er was dead—killed by a poisoned needle, no less.” Chu Yuchuan’s gaze remained fixed on her. “Madam Yin has always been at odds with you. Let alone anyone else, even I would suspect you.”

“Since that is the case, how do you intend to deal with me, Your Highness?”

“If I meant to punish you, what would you do?”

Yu Qingyan gave a soft laugh. “If you truly intended to punish me, would you have waited until now?”

“Judging by your confidence, you believe I would never do anything to you.”

Yu Qingyan continued smiling at him. “But why did you choose to keep me?”

Chu Yuchuan rose without answering. “The matter of Fang’er is over. I shall withdraw the guards stationed around Bamboo Garden.”

Yu Qingyan rose as well. “And Madam Yin?”

“There is no longer any Madam Yin in the princely residence.”

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Yu Qingyan raised an eyebrow. “What a pity. Madam Yin was quite a beauty…”

Chu Yuchuan suddenly turned around and pulled her into his arms. “It does not matter. My beloved is a thousand times more beautiful than Madam Yin, and besides…” He smiled. “I have not lost anything.”

Caught off guard by his ever-nearing amber eyes, Yu Qingyan’s heart jolted. She immediately broke free of his embrace.

Chu Yuchuan’s smile did not change. “You have been married to me for so many days already. How can you still be so shy?”

As he spoke, he moved toward her again.

Irritated, Yu Qingyan slapped his hand away. “There are countless beauties in the princely residence. If Your Highness needs to solve the problem, I am sure they would be delighted to help.”

Was he out of his mind? Although the man looked rather good without his mask—and might barely qualify as a bedmate in the modern world—this was ancient times! Besides, he had a whole harem of women waiting for his favor. She was not about to abase herself like that. Honestly, who did he think she was?

Chu Yuchuan raised an eyebrow at her. “Is my beloved jealous?”

Yu Qingyan rolled her eyes. Not this again. How was one supposed to cure such unbearable conceit?

“Chu Yuchuan, why don’t you bring Madam Yin back instead?”

Chu Yuchuan frowned. “Why?”

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