"Where is Su Yuting?" Shen Lixue looked around but didn't see anyone else. She clearly remembered that Qin Ruoyan had also imprisoned Su Yuting here.
"She's dead, thrown into a mass grave!" Qin Ruoyan waved her hand dismissively and snorted, "With my Gu cultivation, of course she was going to die. You didn't see how miserable she looked when she died, skin and bones, tsk tsk..."
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow. Qin Ruoyan's methods of killing were truly diverse and unique.
"How much torture did you inflict on Bai Ling'er?" Shen Lixue and Qin Ruoyan had been talking for a long time, but she was still unconscious and showed no reaction whatsoever.
Qin Ruoyan carefully examined Bai Ling'er: "She is seriously injured and has no medicine to treat her wounds. Her wounds have worsened, her whole body is burning up, and she is very delirious. If she is lucky, she will wake up early tomorrow morning. If she is unlucky, she will die. I will give her some medicine to help her wake up sooner!"
"Qin Ruoyan, I'll kill you, kill you..." Bai Ling'er suddenly opened her eyes, her eyes bloodshot, her eyes blazing with anger, her hands and feet struggling violently, the money rings jingling, her face full of rage, her gaze devoid of any anxiety, staring hatefully ahead.
Shen Lixue's gaze sharpened; Bai Ling'er was still unconscious and had not woken up at all.
"Kill me? Let's see if you have the ability!" Qin Ruoyan sneered, stepped forward, and began slapping Bai Ling'er repeatedly until her cheeks were swollen and blood trickled from the corners of her mouth. She fainted again before Qin Ruoyan stopped.
Shen Lixue rubbed her forehead and slowly walked out of the prison. Bai Ling'er was still unconscious, so she couldn't interrogate her. Staying here was useless. Bai Ling'er had kept her mouth shut and wouldn't reveal any information about that person. If she wanted to know who was behind her, she should investigate using other methods.
Walking on the bluestone path, watching the maids coming and going on both sides, Shen Lixue blinked: "Where's Mu Zhengnan? Why haven't I seen him with you lately?"
Qin Ruoyan said casually, "They're feeding the horses in the stables in the back!"
"He's your male concubine, and you send him to feed the horses? Aren't you afraid he'll run away because he can't stand you?" Mu Zhengnan was arrogant and ambitious, and he wanted to be superior to others. He finally managed to win over Qin Ruoyan, the princess of the Southern Frontier, hoping to become her husband and rise to the top. However, Qin Ruoyan had her fill of him and sent him to raise horses. His plan to enter the court and become superior to others had come to nothing.
Qin Ruoyan raised her head and snorted, "If he dares to run away, I'll break his legs!" She was arrogant, she was domineering, and she wasn't afraid of anyone running away behind her back.
"Crown Prince Qin, please wait!"
"Please take care, Prince Zhan!"
The moment the familiar voice rang out, Shen Lixue stepped out of the inn's gate; it was too late to avoid it.
Outside the door, Dongfang Zhan, dressed in a royal blue brocade robe with a cloud and sea pattern, stood against the wind, his handsome features unparalleled. Opposite him, Qin Junhao wore a white brocade robe, the golden vines on it reflecting golden light in the sunlight, adding a touch of nobility and mystery to his plain face.
Dongfang Zhan and Qin Junhao were saying goodbye. Hearing footsteps, they turned their heads slightly and saw Shen Lixue. Dongfang Zhan smiled gently and politely said, "Princess Lixue!"
Qin Junhao smiled slightly and greeted her warmly, "Princess!"
Shen Lixue smiled politely: "Prince Zhan, Crown Prince Qin, I'm sorry to bother you!"
Yu Guang glanced at Qin Junhao and his expression hardened slightly. Qin Junhao had been seriously injured when he arrived in Qingyan. Although his injuries had healed by seven or eight points, he still needed to rest more. He usually rested in the inn and rarely saw guests. Now, he had seen Dongfang Zhan and personally escorted him out, speaking to him in a very polite tone. When did their relationship become so good?
Qin Junhao openly sized up Shen Lixue. Her light green Ruan Yanluo dress complemented her fair skin perfectly. She had a shapely figure, and her jet-black hair was like a piece of fine silk. Just looking at it, you could feel how good it felt to the touch. Her turquoise hairpin and teardrop earrings were a perfect match. Her beautiful face was bright and charming, making people fall in love at first sight.
Such a clever and beautiful woman, it's such a pity he didn't marry her: "I am saying goodbye to Prince Zhan, Princess. I hope you won't disturb us. Are you returning to Prince Zhan's residence?"
"Yes!" Qin Junhao stared at her unabashedly, making Shen Lixue very uncomfortable. She had no intention of saying anything more to him, so she casually replied and slowly walked towards the carriage.
Dongfang Zhan and Qin Junhao stood at the door. Shen Lixue had to pass by the two of them to get into the carriage.
Shen Lixue's gaze darkened as she walked towards the path beside Dongfang Zhan. Compared to Qin Junhao's audacity, Dongfang Zhan's gentleness and politeness made people feel safe.
As she brushed past Dongfang Zhan, a gentle breeze blew by, causing Shen Lixue's dark hair to flutter lightly. Her unique, fresh fragrance wafted through the air. Dongfang Zhan's eyelids lowered slightly, and his gentle smile froze for a moment.
Qin Junhao glanced at Dongfang Zhan and smiled, "Princess Lixue, Prince Zhan is also returning to his residence. Why don't you let him escort you?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Crown Prince Qin and Prince Zhan. It's broad daylight, nothing bad will happen. I can go back by myself. I wouldn't dare trouble Prince Zhan!" Shen Lixue politely declined Qin Junhao's offer. He was a jealous man, and if he found out that another man was escorting her back to the manor, she would be in trouble.
As Shen Lixue lifted the curtain and boarded the carriage, Qin Junhao said loudly, "You're going the same way, how can you say it's a bother!"
"I have other things to do, so I won't be returning to the War King's Mansion for now!" Shen Lixue glanced coldly at Qin Junhao and then flung the carriage curtain down.
The coachman cracked his whip, and the fast horse pulled the carriage up, galloping away at breakneck speed, kicking up clouds of dust.
As the luxurious carriage drove further and further away, leaving trails of dust in the wind, Qin Junhao withdrew his gaze, raised an eyebrow at Dongfang Zhan, and asked, "Are you interested in her?"
"She is Dongfang Heng's fiancée!" Dongfang Zhan replied, seemingly ignoring the question. His smile was gentle, but his gaze, which had been lightly smiling, turned slightly serious as he watched the carriage disappear into the distance.
Qin Junhao disagreed: "She's just a fiancée, not a husband and wife. As long as she's not married, you still have a chance."
Dongfang Zhan's gaze narrowed slightly: "She likes Dongfang Heng!" The carriage didn't return to the War King's Mansion, so it must have gone to the Holy King's Mansion.
"Dongfang Heng is seriously ill and will soon die. Why are you arguing with a dead man?" Qin Junhao glanced at Dongfang Zhan dismissively.
Dongfang Heng smiled, his eyes unfathomable: "Dongfang Heng is the Azure Flame War God, not so easily killed!"
"Many imperial physicians are helpless against his heart ailment. His illness is incurable, and death is only a matter of time. You don't need to worry!" Qin Junhao comforted him, then paused and added, "Chen Lixue comes to my sister's place every now and then. You can decide what to do!"
Dongfang Zhan remained silent, his gentle gaze fixed on the direction where the carriage had disappeared, slowly coalescing into a bottomless black vortex.
The Holy King's Mansion was quiet, but Maple Pine Courtyard was bustling with activity. The steward was directing the guards, who were going back and forth, seemingly checking something.
Dongfang Heng was sitting on the soft couch, holding a long list, and carefully reading it. When he saw Shen Lixue enter the room, he put down the list and came over, handing her a cup of tea: "Where did you go?" He had gone to the study to handle a few things in the morning, and when he returned, Shen Lixue was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm going to the post station to see how far Bai Ling'er has progressed in her interrogation!" Shen Lixue lifted the lid of her cup and drank the tea in one gulp.
“Bai Ling’er didn’t mention the mastermind behind it all!” Dongfang Heng looked at Shen Lixue and suddenly spoke.
Shen Lixue was taken aback: "How did you know?"
"If she had revealed the mastermind, you wouldn't be standing here so calmly talking to me!" Dongfang Heng put his arm around Shen Lixue's waist and led her to the soft couch, placing the list in her hand: "See if anything is missing?"
The page was covered in tiny, densely packed writing, all containing the names of the gifts. It was so long it made one's eyes dizzy. Shen Lixue frowned and asked, "What is this?"
"The betrothal gifts!" Dongfang Heng whispered into Shen Lixue's ear.
Shen Lixue blinked: "I still have more than two months before I come of age. Preparing betrothal gifts now is too early!" After coming of age, an auspicious day will be chosen, and the wedding will be at least three months later.
Dongfang Heng embraced Shen Lixue's small waist tightly, resting his smooth chin on her soft shoulder, his deep gaze looking at the gift list: "Two months is neither a long nor a short time. It's just right to prepare the betrothal gifts now. Take a look and see what's missing, and I'll have them procure it immediately."