"As long as I win her over, I'm not afraid she won't marry my brother."
Ruan Jingyue's eyes lit up, as if she had thought of a good idea, and she seemed very excited. Ruan Xihao asked helplessly, "What do you want to do?"
"If her brother can forcefully dote on her, then she has no choice but to wholeheartedly marry him?"
After Ruan Jingyue finished speaking, Ruan Xihao was covered in cold sweat. His sister was really being delusional. The Ji residence was not so easy to enter, and for him, a prince, to sneak into someone else's residence to steal a kiss was a disgrace to their Nanling Kingdom if word got out.
"Little sister, how can this be?"
Ruan Xihao refused, but when he looked at Ruan Jingyue's face, he was at a loss and asked in a panic, "Jingyue, why are you crying?"
"Others look down on me, and my brother won't help me. What's the point of me living? Brother, have you forgotten what Father and Mother said when we came to Beilu? Our Nanling is not as peaceful as it seems from the outside. Father is currently unwell, and several factions in the court are in turmoil. Furthermore, the troops of Shaoyi are constantly plundering our cities. This is a matter of internal and external troubles. If we could win over the people of Beilu, at least Shaoyi would be more wary of us. Father and Mother had high hopes for us, but now, just because of Ji Hailing, our entire plan has been ruined. Brother, do you think we have the face to return to Nanling?"
Ruan Jingyue was already extremely beautiful, and now, with her delicate crying, she truly looked like a pear blossom in the rain, a sight to behold, especially for Ruan Xihao, who had never shown her any affection since childhood.
"Jingyue, don't be sad. Let's talk things out."
Upon hearing Ruan Xihao's words, Ruan Jingyue knew he had given in. From childhood to adulthood, this older brother had always indulged her in everything. Whenever she cried, he would give in to her. Ruan Jingyue wiped away her tears as she thought about this.
"Brother, don't you want to marry Ji Hailing?"
Ruan Xihao's expression darkened slightly, and he nodded slowly, not forgetting to remind Ruan Jingyue.
"Jingyue, don't forget, the Ji residence isn't so easy to enter."
Actually, he hoped she would give up her bad thoughts, but Ruan Jingyue was focused on dealing with Hai Ling and paid no attention to her brother's words, speaking calmly.
"Don't worry about that, brother. I'll figure something out." The two of them fell silent in the room. Ruan Xihao hoped that Jingyue wouldn't be able to come up with a solution, while Ruan Jingyue was racking her brains to figure out how to get her brother into the Ji family smoothly and then forcefully favor Ji Hailing. At that point, she wouldn't be able to refuse to marry him.
The next day, Ruan Jingyue traveled alone by carriage to the palace to request an audience with Ye Lingfeng.
As an envoy from the Southern Feather Kingdom, Ye Lingfeng had no reason not to see Ruan Jingyue, and was very curious about what Ruan Jingyue wanted to see him about.
Inside the study, Ye Lingfeng raised an eyebrow at the woman gracefully performing the Pinglu ceremony before the dragon desk. To be honest, this woman was stunningly beautiful, comparable to Ling'er in beauty. However, her charm was incomparable to Ling'er's. Although the princess of Nanling Kingdom was exceptionally beautiful, she, like other noble ladies, lacked her own unique wit and spirit.
"Jingyue has met the Emperor of Beilu."
"Please rise, Princess, and have a seat."
Ye Lingfeng spoke, his voice low and mellow like wine. Ruan Jingyue's heart fluttered as she listened. This was the man she had longed for for a long time. How could she let go and let Ji Hailing have him?
Ruan Jingyue was lost in thought when Ye Lingfeng asked her a question.
"I wonder what brings the princess of Nanling Kingdom to see me?"
This shouldn't be a matter of state, right? If it were, why wouldn't His Highness Prince Jing appear, but instead send a woman out? So? Ye Lingfeng's eyes were deep and cold. He knew that Ruan Jingyue had always been interested in him, but he had no feelings for her at all. If he liked her, he would have kept her by his side long ago, and wouldn't have waited until today.
"I have come here today to ask the Emperor if he truly has only married Ji Hailing as his Empress?"
"yes."
Ye Lingfeng spoke frankly, for mentioning Hai Ling made his already outstanding beauty even more radiant, causing Ruan Jingyue to gaze at him longingly, her heart aching. No, she absolutely could not let Ji Hai Ling monopolize the man she loved.
"And what about the marriage alliance between the two countries?"
“The princess can choose anyone from my Northern Lu to marry, and the marriage will still be valid.”
Ye Lingfeng spoke coldly, his handsome features and slightly narrowed eyes revealing his ruthlessness. He showed no attraction whatsoever to Ruan Jingyue.
Ruan Jingyue's face was pale as she stared intently at Ye Lingfeng, gritting her teeth for one last desperate attempt.
"Your Majesty, don't forget, I have evidence of your shameful past. Aren't you afraid I'll spread it around?"
Ruan Jingyue threatened Ye Lingfeng with his past identity. To be honest, if the people of Beilu knew that the current emperor was still Xi Lengyue, the Demon Lord of the Cold Demon Palace, the number one assassin organization in the world, it would probably raise questions and shake his rule.
Unfortunately, Ruan Jingyue forgot that Ye Lingfeng was never one to compromise easily, and he was definitely not the kind of person who would be threatened. He curled his lips into a chilling sneer.
"This is the first and the last time I'm letting you off the hook, not because you're a princess of Nanling Kingdom, but because you're Shen Ruoxuan's sister. If there's a next time, I'll show you what will happen."
Ye Lingfeng's bloodthirsty warning, his cold and fierce gaze fixed on Ruan Jingyue, the chill emanating from his body seemed to rise from hell, sending shivers down one's spine.
Ruan Jingyue shivered and didn't dare to say a word. She didn't dare to reveal that Ye Lingfeng was Xi Lengyue, the Demon Lord of the Cold Demon Palace, because if she did, she would suffer a fate worse than death. Xi Lengyue's nature was bloodthirsty and ruthless.
Ye Lingfeng ignored Ruan Jingyue and gave orders to those outside the door.
"Someone has come to escort Princess Jingyue out of the palace..."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A guard came in and respectfully invited Ruan Jingyue to leave. Ruan Jingyue walked out, and when she reached the door, she looked back at the person inside the room. He was so handsome that he was beyond compare, and every move he made was full of beauty. Was she really going to let go of such an outstanding person?
No, it's all because of Ji Hailing. If she weren't there, I believe Ye Lingfeng would accept her.
Ruan Jingyue turned and walked out with a cold and ruthless look in her eyes. She went back to the palace to plan how to help her brother Ruan Xihao enter the Ji family smoothly.
Ruan Jingyue still managed to come up with a solution. She found someone who had been living in the Ji family mansion for nearly five years and was naturally very familiar with it. Even if the entire Ji family mansion was covered in a net, there would always be gaps for someone to slip through.
To help his sister, Ruan Xihao finally went against his own wishes and entered the Ji residence according to Ruan Jingyue's instructions. He even crawled in through a dog hole in the Ji residence, which was the weakest point in the entire Ji residence. No one would have thought that someone would crawl into the Ji residence through a dog hole, so an opening was left for Ruan Xihao.
Inside the Ji residence, patrolling guards were everywhere. Ji Shaocheng dared not be careless. At present, the emperors of the three kingdoms were all watching his sister. He did not want his sister to suffer any mishaps. Therefore, every night he led his men to carefully patrol various places, with the Xiangwu Courtyard being the key defensive location.
However, Ruan Xihao had a blueprint of the Ji residence, so entering Xiangwu Courtyard was definitely not difficult.
Unfortunately, Ruan Xihao was careless; he and Ruan Jingyue underestimated Hai Ling and the people around her.
Even if Ruan Xihao can enter the Ji family, it doesn't mean he can force himself on Hailing.
Tonight, to avoid being discovered by the servants of the Ji family, Ruan Xihao entered the Ji family mansion alone and went straight to Xiangwu Courtyard. As soon as he approached Xiangqiang Courtyard, the little lion Qiuqiu inside the room was startled and stretched out its paw to scratch Hailing's cheek. Hailing woke up with a start and got up. Shimei and Shilan also got up and rushed to the window.
The person inside stared coldly outside. A thin bamboo tube was inserted into the room, and then a waft of incense smoke wafted in.
Shi Mei gestured for her mistress to cover her nose, but she herself didn't react to the drug. As a doctor, she specialized in dealing with these drug-laden incenses and sedatives, and she was no exception.
Hailin and Shilan quickly covered their noses and waited quietly for the person outside the door.
The newcomer waited for a while, probably thinking the person inside had fallen asleep, then reached out and pushed open the window, lightly leaping in, and then closing the door behind him.
As soon as he entered the room, the people inside pounced on him like lightning. Ruan Xihao reacted immediately and started fighting with Shi Mei in disbelief. Shi Lan would not stand idly by and leaped up, and the two maids engaged Ruan Xihao in combat.
As Ye Lingfeng's capable subordinates, the two maids were naturally skilled in martial arts. Working together, they quickly subdued Ruan Xihao. The fight inside the room soon alerted the people outside the courtyard. Ji Shaocheng led his men and rushed over, holding torches high, making Xiangwu Courtyard brightly lit. Ji Shaocheng asked in a deep voice.
"Ling'er, what happened?"
Hai Ling's lips curled into a chilling smile. Her face darkened as she glared at the captured man, none other than the Fourth Prince of Nanling, Prince Jing. "Very well..."
A fleeting glint of malice flashed in her eyes. This man's presence here clearly indicated he intended to do something wicked. If it weren't for Xiao Shi and Shi Mei protecting her, an ordinary person would probably have already been raped by this man.
The Ruan siblings are truly despicable.
Hai Ling moved swiftly, leaping from the bed and drawing the sword from Shi Mei's hand in a flash, then thrusting it at Ruan Xihao.
Ruan Xihao was horrified. The cold, sharp blade of the sword was approaching his brow with a chilling edge. His heart skipped a beat, and he almost fainted.
However, the sword, which was moving at an extreme speed, suddenly shifted and stabbed straight at his lower body, mercilessly severing his genitals.
"ah."
Heart-wrenching screams echoed through the Fragrant Grass Courtyard.
Outside the door, Ji Shaocheng was startled. He kicked the door open and rushed in with his men. Inside the room, Hai Ling had already thrown her sword to Shi Mei. Her whole being was cold and she said in a deep voice, "The Prince of Nanling Kingdom actually plotted something under the cover of night. He's out. Brother, take him out."
"yes."
Ji Shaocheng responded and looked at the Prince Jing of Nanling, who was rolling on the ground. His face was deathly pale, and large beads of sweat rolled down his face. He was covering his lower body with one hand, and blood was constantly oozing from his hand. It was clear what Ling'er had done. Ji Shaocheng also wanted to destroy Ruan Xihao, but after witnessing Ling'er destroy a man's manhood without blinking, he still saw her ruthlessness. However, he did not feel afraid. Instead, he felt a sense of relief. Ling'er did the right thing. Being soft-hearted towards the enemy is being cruel to oneself.
"Guards, take Prince Jing away."
Even so, he wouldn't let him go. He wanted to find out why Ruan Xihao could enter the Ji residence so easily. He had clearly laid a trap inside and outside the Ji residence, yet Ruan Xihao had entered Xiangwu Courtyard so easily and even barged into Ling'er's boudoir. It was truly hateful.
The guards of the Ji family rushed forward and took Prince Jing of Nanling, Ruan Xihao, away for interrogation.
Inside the room, Shi Mei and Shi Lan tidied up the floor and then helped their master to bed.
The next morning, news arrived that Ruan Xihao's successful entry into the Ji residence was due to Ye Liushuang betraying the Ji residence's information, which allowed Ruan Xihao to enter Xiangwu Courtyard.
Now everyone in the capital knows that Ruan Xihao broke into the Ji residence at night with the intention of taking advantage of Miss Ji, so his manhood was destroyed. From now on, he will be an impotent man. However, no one has much sympathy for this prince who is fond of men. Anyway, he has a manhood but does not do any proper work, so it is better to cripple him.
At the Ji residence, Ji Shaocheng brought Ye Liushuang back and locked her in the woodshed, where she was being guarded by special personnel.
The Ye family members all came to plead for mercy, but it was no use. This time, even Madam Ye remained silent, hiding in the inner hall and refusing to see anyone. All the Ye family members were driven away, and Ye Liushuang was locked in the woodshed by Ji Shaocheng, waiting for Hailing to decide her fate.
Inside the Xiangqiang Courtyard, Hailing was having breakfast when Ji Shaocheng led his servants over.
Shi Mei immediately set out bowls and chopsticks and led the people away.
Ji Shaocheng sat opposite Hailing, having breakfast with her, and talking as they ate.
“Ling’er, you taught Ruan Xihao a lesson yesterday. I sent someone to let him go back because he is still a prince of Nanling Kingdom. It’s enough that he was seriously injured. If we had killed him, it would have caused Nanling Kingdom and Beilu Kingdom to become enemies.”
Hai Ling nodded. She crippled Ruan Xihao last night because she knew this principle well. If it weren't for this, she would have killed Ruan Xihao with a single sword strike long ago. Why would she have crippled him?
"Yes, I know."
"However, Ruan Xihao was able to enter the Ji residence only because of that bastard Ye Liushuang. She actually dared to draw up a blueprint of our Ji residence for Ruan Xihao. If she hadn't drawn up the blueprint, Ruan Xihao wouldn't have been able to get in at all. Do you know where he came in? He crawled in through a dog hole in our Ji residence. He's utterly despicable..."
For a prince to crawl through a dog hole is a disgrace to the Southern Ling Kingdom.
Hai Ling raised an eyebrow and stopped what she was doing. She hadn't expected Ye Liushuang to be so bold. This woman seemed to need to be taught a lesson. She looked at Ji Shaocheng.
Where is Ye Liushuang now?
"I ordered him to be locked in the woodshed of the Ji residence."
Hai Ling nodded and stood up to deal with Ye Liushuang. It seemed that the lesson Little Lion had taught her last time was not enough.
Hai Ling took a few steps, then stopped and looked at Ji Shaocheng: "If I kill her, you won't feel bad, will you?" Ji Shaocheng didn't even frown. Ye Liushuang was truly hateful. Knowing that Ruan Xijing of Nanling Kingdom wanted to do bad things, she didn't stop him but even helped him. Her intentions were too sinister. Even if such a person was killed, Ling'er wouldn't be guilty. Although she was his cousin, compared to his own sister, Ji Shaocheng didn't need to think about who was more important. How to deal with Ye Liushuang depended on his sister's will.
"It's up to Ling'er to decide what to do with him; keeping this kind of person around is just asking for trouble."
Hai Ling raised an eyebrow. Based on Ji Shaocheng's words, she would spare Ye Liushuang's life, but only spare her life.
"I will spare her life."
As Hai Ling walked out, Ji Shaocheng was stunned. Was it because of him that Ling'er was gone? He was overjoyed.
Outside the door, maids Mei and Lan respectfully inquired, "Miss?"
“Let’s go to the woodshed in the back. I want to see why Ye Liushuang is so bold. Last time, even the ball didn’t scare her.”
Shi Mei and the others responded, and the group escorted Hai Ling straight to the woodshed behind the Ji residence.
Outside the woodshed, several guards stood watch. As soon as they saw Hailing approaching, one of the guards respectfully greeted her, "Miss."
"Open the door."
Someone opened the door, and Ye Liushuang's protesting voice rang out from inside: "Cousin, why, why are you treating me like this? You're treating Ji Hailing like such a precious gem! Cousin, maybe she's a fake? Cousin?"