(*^__^*) Hehe... The prince's illness will have results tomorrow, la la la, thank you everyone for the flowers, diamonds, rewards, and votes, mwah...
Chapter 143 Let's have a baby
"Dongfang Han!" Dongfang Heng looked at his panicked face without the slightest surprise, his sharp eyes flashing with a bone-chilling coldness.
"Second Brother, my clothes were accidentally stained with night-blooming jasmine, which worsened your condition. I have a responsibility to find you a pure heart!" Dongfang Han's eyes darted around, and his reasonable explanation echoed in everyone's ears.
"So, bringing people to capture Ye Qianlong was your own idea." Shen Lixue's calm voice carried a hint of coldness, chilling the listener to the bone.
"My second brother is the Azure Flame War God, a pillar of the nation, full of righteousness. I will bear the infamy of stealing people's hearts. It has nothing to do with my second brother. You must not tarnish his reputation..." Dongfang Han spoke with conviction, appearing righteous and awe-inspiring. But to a smart person, he was trying to cover up his true intentions, implying that Dongfang Heng was the mastermind behind this incident and that he was merely being used and taking the blame.
"Get lost!" Dongfang Heng waved his hand, and a gust of wind howled out, striking Dongfang Han hard in the chest. He flew back five or six meters, crashing heavily into the group of men in black. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his chest heaving, his whole body wracked with pain, and he could no longer muster any strength. The scenery before his eyes gradually blurred, yet he still stubbornly continued his false accusations:
"Second brother...you are the pride of the Holy King's Mansion. Eldest brother stole Ye Qianlong's heart for you...I can also bear all the infamy for you..."
"Shut up." Zi Mo struck Dongfang Han hard on the back of the neck. His eyes rolled back and he passed out completely, bringing the shameless framing to an abrupt end.
The men in black fell silent instantly, not daring to even breathe. They lowered their heads and occasionally glanced furtively at the heavily injured and unconscious Dongfang Han. At least three of his ribs were broken, and his internal organs must have been severely damaged. The Prince of An's wrath was truly terrifying.
"Li Xue, I never intended to tear Ye Qianlong's heart out!" Dongfang Heng coughed heavily, turned to look at Shen Li Xue, he didn't care about other people's opinions, he only hoped that she would not misunderstand him.
"I know, I've never doubted it!" Shen Lixue smiled, her eyes slightly misty. She gently patted Dongfang Heng's back with her small, white hand to soothe his cough. She knew Dongfang Heng well; he was so refined, noble, and proud, how could he possibly live by such despicable means?
"Li Xue!" Ye Qianlong walked over slowly, her pure eyes bright and sparkling, her clothes somewhat torn.
"Qianlong, are you injured?" Shen Lixue carefully examined Ye Qianlong but found no wounds. However, the three guards behind him were walking unsteadily, clearly injured.
"I'm fine!" Ye Qianlong glanced at the men in black scattered on the ground, his voice deep and resolute, yet filled with unwavering determination: "Li Xue, I'm going back to Xiliang, let's go now!"
His presence in Qingyan will only bring trouble to Shen Lixue. The sooner he leaves, the less danger she will be in.
"Good!" Dongfang Heng is the God of War of Qingyan, who has made great achievements and is famous in various countries. Some people hope that he will continue to live, while others wish that he would die sooner. Ye Qianlong has a pure heart that can save his life, so he will definitely become the target of some forces' schemes. Returning to Xiliang and staying away from the troubles of Qingyan is a good thing for him.
"This is for you!" Ye Qianlong took out a small white maple wood box from his tattered sleeve and handed it to Shen Lixue. The box was very ordinary, but it was well protected and intact.
"What is this?" Shen Lixue took the wooden box with a puzzled look, her fair fingers grasping the lid as she was about to open it.
Ye Qianlong hurriedly reached out to stop Shen Lixue's actions, a forced smile appearing on his lips: "You can look at it after I leave!"
"Okay!" Seeing his mysterious manner, as if he had something to hide, Shen Lixue nodded in agreement.
A guard led the chestnut-colored yellow horse to Ye Qianlong: "Crown Prince Ye!"
Ye Qianlong took the reins, nimbly mounted his horse, turned to look at Shen Lixue, and a hint of bitterness flashed in his clear eyes: "Lixue, goodbye!" These four short words encapsulated all of Ye Qianlong's thoughts. This time, it was truly goodbye.
Ye Qianlong squeezed his legs together, raised the reins, and the horse galloped away like an arrow, kicking up clouds of dust.
"Ye Qianlong, have a safe journey!" As the sun set and the evening glow painted most of the sky red, Shen Lixue stood at the crossroads, watching the handsome figure disappear into the distance, and offered her her sincerest blessings, wishing him a safe trip.
Dongfang Heng looked up and watched Ye Qianlong run away, his figure becoming a tiny dot: "You guys, secretly escort Ye Qianlong back to Xiliang!"
"Yes!" The four guards replied respectfully, instantly becoming invisible, their movements accompanied by a slight whooshing sound as they flew rapidly in the direction Ye Qianlong was heading.
A gentle breeze stirred, lifting the black hair on Shen Lixue's shoulders. With the guards of the Holy King's Mansion protecting her in secret, she wasn't worried that Ye Qianlong would get into trouble again.
Seeing him ride away on a fast horse and disappear into the distant horizon, she lowered her head and gently opened the box. Inside, a small wooden figure, about ten centimeters tall, lay quietly. The figure was carved with lifelike detail. The folds of the Xiang skirt, the tassels, the beautiful butterflies, the delicate hair bun, and every strand of hair were all carved with exquisite detail. Every cut was made with great care, especially the face, which was beautiful and smooth, just like Shen Lixue.
"Qianlong!" Shen Lixue looked in the direction where Ye Qianlong disappeared, her eyes a little moist. She had known Ye Qianlong for more than two months. Every time he saw her, he was as pure and clear as a child, without any ulterior motives. She had always regarded him as a good friend, but she did not expect that his feelings for her had crossed the line of friendship.
Shen Lixue's lips moved, but all her unspoken words ultimately turned into a long sigh. "Ye Qianlong, I'm sorry, I already have someone I like."
"It's getting dark and the wind is strong, let's go back to the manor!" Dongfang Heng stepped forward, tightly grasped Shen Lixue's small hand, and looked at the lifelike little wooden figure. His gaze darkened, and he said nothing more.
“Okay!” Shen Lixue nodded, put the little wooden figure back into the wooden box, and closed the lid.
"Your Highness, what should we do with them?" Zi Mo stepped forward and asked Dongfang Heng for instructions.
Dongfang Heng turned his head and saw Dongfang Han lying unconscious on the ground. The men in black were surrounded by the guards of the Holy King's Mansion. Their long swords were thrown aside, and their hands were empty. When they met his gaze, they all lowered their heads, not daring to look him in the eye: "Take him back to the Holy King's Mansion!"
"yes!"
When Shen Lixue and Dongfang Heng returned to the Holy King's Mansion by carriage, Zi Mo had already captured Dongfang Han and all the men in black and imprisoned them in Fengsong Courtyard, where they were being beaten with military rods.
The military baton was much heavier than the board, and it hurt almost twice as much when it hit the body. Even the well-trained men in black couldn't help but cry out in pain after being hit a dozen times, and the sound could be heard several lanes away.
Dongfang Yi (Dongfang Han's father) hurriedly entered Fengsong Courtyard and immediately saw his most prized subordinates, all of whom had their black face masks removed, were tied to stools, and were being heavily beaten. Their faces were contorted in pain, and they were grimacing and screaming in agony.
Seeing Dongfang Yi, the crowd felt as if they had found their pillar of support, and pleaded, "My lord, please save us!"
Dongfang Yi was in a state of confusion, frantically thinking of a rescue plan. Suddenly, he saw Dongfang Han being held in front of him. His eyes were half-closed, and he seemed to be half-awake. There was a trace of blood on the corner of his mouth, and it was clear that he had been seriously injured. Two guards were holding him down and beating him severely.
"Stop! Stop it now!" Dongfang Yi was both shocked and furious that his beloved son had been beaten and was still being tortured. He shouted angrily.
The guards ignored Dongfang Yi and continued to beat Dongfang Han without even pausing, raising their batons high.
Dongfang Yi's anger flared up, and he glared fiercely at the guards: "Have you rebelled? You don't even listen to me?"
"Lord Dongfang, this is my Maple Pine Courtyard. What I do and who I punish is none of your business!" Dongfang Heng walked slowly into the Maple Pine Courtyard, his eyes sharp, addressing Dongfang Yi by his official title, Lord Dongfang. His coldness and aloofness were evident.
Dongfang Yi's face stiffened. As an elder, he never dared to act like one in front of the cold and ruthless Dongfang Heng, but he couldn't stand idly by while Dongfang Heng was beating his son: "Even if you are the Prince of An, you have no right to beat people indiscriminately!"
Dongfang Heng coldly looked at Dongfang Yi: "They harmed the innocent and framed me. I gave them a few dozen lashes as a minor punishment. Do you think that's excessive, Lord Dongfang?"
Dongfang Yi was taken aback, but not wanting to lose face, he asked, "Is there any witness?"
"We can all testify!" A dozen guards suddenly stepped out from behind Dongfang Heng, their faces cold and stern, sending chills down the spines of those who saw them.
Dongfang Yi blinked awkwardly and frowned, saying, "They are all guards of the Holy King's Mansion!" They are Dongfang Heng's subordinates, so they will definitely speak on his behalf.