Chapter 83: Even Tang Li Can Be So Charming, My Little Heart An extra chapter dedicated to the beloved fans who have supported Xiao Fang'er with their generous rewards. Much love.

Linglong kicked King Xiang off his horse with a single swift strike, then, together with Swift Gale Effie, they took flight and disappeared into the distance.

The assassins tried to give chase, but King Xiang was propped up by one of them, clutching his chest as he said, “Let them go!”

He stared blankly at the tears falling onto the back of his hand from Linglong’s eyes and murmured, “I must return to the palace to plead guilty. Since she already holds the evidence of my treason, I must turn that evidence into worthless scrap before she returns.”

“But, Your Highness, that is treason…”

“I will rebel against him. Anyone who stands in the way of my love for Linglong deserves to die!” King Xiang cut off the assassin with a cold edge in his voice. Then, mounting his horse, he galloped swiftly toward the capital.

Linglong and the others fled with all their might, unaware that no pursuers followed. Effie spoke in a low voice, “King Xiang did not follow us; he must have returned to the capital to carry out some sinister plan.”

“Let’s go back and tell the Second Prince everything!” Linglong said, hastening toward Suiye City.

Upon their return, Linglong recounted King Xiang’s failure to pursue them to the Second Prince. He replied coldly, “He relies on our father’s favor and is probably going to seek forgiveness. As long as he confesses first, father will usually be lenient.”

“But he committed treason—selling out the kingdom. Would the emperor really let him go?” Linglong asked in shock.

The Second Prince responded, “Even if father is angry, he wouldn’t kill him unless King Xiang has murderous intent toward him. Otherwise, he would not eliminate King Xiang lightly. That is why King Xiang has been so arrogant all these years.”

Linglong felt disheartened. They had risked their lives crossing the desert to retrieve this letter, only for it to seem useless now.

“My father believes this: among princes, the one who can survive is the true king. He doesn’t care what means we use against each other—even fratricide he tolerates. You think he favors me because of my military achievements? No, it’s political maneuvering. He uses me to suppress King Xiang, but he also hopes King Xiang becomes a true ruler. King Xiang is ruthless in his pursuit of Feng Linglong, so he will be ruthless in the fight for the throne. Father likes such a madman. In his eyes, only those obsessed with something are truly ambitious.”

“But among royal children, who isn’t obsessed with the throne?” Linglong still disagreed.

The Second Prince sneered, “But none of us are as ruthless as King Xiang. Yet he shows filial piety to father in a way none of us can. That’s why he remains favored—it’s not without reason.”

Ye Lishang stamped his foot in anger. “Is your father out of his mind?”

“What are you saying?” The Second Prince patted Ye Lishang’s forehead. Ye Lishang covered it, scolding, “Your father is an old madman who bred a bunch of little madmen!”

“Changhen, take this encrypted letter to my imperial uncle. Let him bring it to Miss Qinghuan of the Yicui Pavilion—she knows what to do,” the Second Prince handed the letter to Changhen.

Ye Lishang eyed the letter, grinding his teeth as if on fire. “Oh? The Second Prince has a female confidante named Miss Qinghuan?”

“Yes. I’ll take you to meet her sometime,” the Second Prince said.

Ye Lishang slammed his palm on the table. “I’m not going to play—I want you to go!”

Seeing sparks fly between the two, Linglong and the others felt the place was unsafe and quickly withdrew.

Outside, Linglong hurried to see Hua’er and Yixiao. Before entering, she saw Tang Li sitting beside Hua’er, silent. Turning back, she spotted Swift Gale and Effie standing together—a strangely beautiful scene.

Linglong scratched her head in frustration. She couldn’t go to Fang Qing’s place either; everyone there was paired off. She didn’t know where she should go.

Meanwhile, Hua’er—

Back at the garrison, Tang Li helped Hua’er down from her horse. The frightened Feng Yixiao was crying, and Hua’er, focused on soothing the child, had no chance to speak with Tang Li.

Only after Yixiao was asleep did Tang Li lean by the door and say softly, “Hua’er, I have something to tell you.”

“Tang big brother, I’m very tired. Can we talk later?” Hua’er avoided meeting his eyes.

Tang Li said nothing and turned to leave.

But as he turned, Hua’er noticed small bloodstains on the back of his clothes.

“Tang big brother, what’s wrong?” she asked, standing up excitedly to check his injuries.

Tang Li hesitated, then replied indifferently, “I’m fine, just a few wounds.”

“Where are you hurt?” Hua’er asked anxiously.

He turned and pointed to his abdomen. “The clan lord was poisoned with a curse and lost his memory. When I tried to save him, he didn’t recognize me and slashed me. If not for Effie’s men saving me, I might have died. Later, escaping from Cangmo Kingdom, I was cut on my back while saving the madam. The wounds haven’t healed properly. Today, riding stirred them up, but it’s nothing serious. I’m going to rest now.”

“You’re so badly hurt and you want to sleep without treatment?” Hua’er’s brows knitted tightly.

Tang Li smiled wryly, “Everyone’s busy right now. If I can’t help, better not make trouble.”

As Tang Li turned, he suddenly hissed in pain, possibly from a jostle, then headed out.

“Wait!” Hua’er called out angrily, standing to stop him.

Tang Li grinned mischievously but, turning serious, asked, “What’s wrong, Hua’er?”

“Come here, I’ll bandage your wounds,” Hua’er said, then asked, “Is there a medicine box?”

“It’s in the low cabinet,” Tang Li said, pointing beside her.

Hua’er knelt and retrieved the box, placing ointment and white gauze on the table. Then she pointed to a stool next to her. “Sit.”

Tang Li sat oddly obedient.

Hua’er lifted his clothes and saw strong waist muscles wrapped in blood-stained gauze. He seemed indifferent.

Her heart ached and anger flared. She tore off the gauze sharply. Tang Li clenched his teeth and said, “Hua’er, could you be gentler? It hurts!”

“Then why do you want to sleep like this?” Hua’er teased, softening her touch.

Removing the bandage revealed a gruesome wound. Tears welled in Hua’er’s eyes; she knew how much Tang Li had suffered.

The wound on his back was equally horrific, flesh torn open.

Her hot tears, salty and burning, fell on his wounds, making his muscles tense.

He said nothing, merely waiting as she worked.

When she finished wrapping his wounds, Hua’er lowered her head to hide her tears.

Tang Li crouched before her and looked up. Seeing her crying, he looked away, respecting her wish not to be seen.

“Why are you crying?” Tang Li feigned ignorance.

Hua’er stomped her foot. “I’m exhausted. We’ve been running for our lives all this time. I’ve never been this tired. Can’t I feel this way?”

“Alright, then… I’ll give you a massage?” Tang Li changed his mind about leaving, knowing he needed her forgiveness.

Hua’er pushed him hard, scolding, “You lecherous scoundrel!”

Tang Li gasped as the push jolted his wound.

Seeing him in pain, Hua’er helped him sit, then asked, “How did the lord lose his memory?”

“No one knows who cursed him. King Xiang wanted the Cangmo king to kill him, but their princess favored him, so they only caused his amnesia,” Tang Li explained truthfully.

Hua’er caught the key point and frowned. “You said their princess likes the lord? And he lost his memory? Did he get involved with her?”

“No. The lord pretended to be close to her. He said she kept mentioning a man who helped cast the curse. The lord wanted to find out who that man was, so he married Princess Nuanshi.”

“What?” Hua’er suddenly stood, coldly staring at Tang Li.

Realizing his slip, Tang Li swallowed nervously. “He didn’t consummate the marriage. To avoid it, he even hurt himself.”

“Stinking man, serves him right!” Hua’er was furious, ignoring Tang Li and Qin Daofei alike.

When Linglong arrived, she found Tang Li and Hua’er sitting quietly, neither speaking.

Linglong, alone and wandering, unable to find a place to go, sulked in a room.

Soon, a knock came at the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Who is it? I’m already asleep. If it’s something, tell me next life!” Linglong was in a bad mood and didn’t want to be bothered.

“Pfft!”

“Hua’er doesn’t want to see you either?” Hua’er teased from outside.

Linglong missed Yixiao terribly and sprang up excitedly, patting the bed. “Ah, my Feng Yixiao is here! Come in, let me see you!”

“But I thought you were asleep, and that we’d talk next life?” Hua’er pushed the door open, smiling mischievously at Linglong.

Linglong didn’t mind, walking over to hold Yixiao in her arms.

“Oh my, Yixiao has changed so much!” Linglong recalled when she left, Yixiao was just a chubby little bundle. How had she grown so beautiful?

Hua’er smiled. “It’s been months. Babies grow fast.”

Yixiao seemed to remember Linglong. Seeing her smile, she smiled back, utterly adorable.

“Miss, is Yixiao really King Xiang’s child?” Hua’er asked curiously.