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Chapitre 82

Rongyue glanced indifferently at the bloodstained sharp stone beside her and smiled coldly. To deceive Tuoba Ling, she had taken a desperate gamble, making a bold and risky decision—to expose her true identity as a woman. This was a gamble, a life-or-death gamble. If she won, she and Yu Yan would live in peace; if she lost, she would lose everything, and as for Yu Yan, her fate would certainly not be good… The crucial factor in this gamble was Tuoba Chen; she was betting on Tuoba Chen's reluctance. And the result was just as she had predicted: Tuoba Chen did not reveal her identity. This time, she won…

With each heavy thud of his boots, Rongyue seemed to sense the difficulty of Tuoba Chen's every step. His fingertips trembled as he lifted a stray strand of Rongyue's hair. When her unassuming, cold face appeared before Tuoba Chen, he finally couldn't contain himself and exclaimed incredulously, "Mistress!"

"As you can see." With a low, casual excuse, Rongyue's face remained calm and composed.

Tuoba Chen was filled with mixed emotions. His lips moved, and it felt as if a peach pit was stuck in his throat, making his voice hoarse: "Aren't you afraid..."

"I believe you." Rongyue said, each word distinct, as she met Tuoba Chen's gaze.

"I believe you." Those four resounding words sent shivers down Tuoba Chen's spine. To have a life-or-death secret completely exposed before him—what trust this was! A fleeting thought surged within him, while his heart swelled with overwhelming emotion…

Taking off his coat and wrapping it around the disheveled Rongyue, Tuoba Chen lifted her up, burying her face tightly against his chest, ensuring no one could see her. At this moment, the most crucial thing was to prevent anyone from seeing her; otherwise, even he might not be able to save her life… Thinking this, he pressed her head even closer…

Back at the Second Prince's residence, Tuoba Chen carried the tightly wrapped Rongyue directly to the bedroom, amidst the sidelong glances of the servants.

Tuoba Chen carefully placed Rongyue on the soft couch, then grabbed a cushion from the side and placed it behind her so she could lean against it comfortably.

Tuoba Chen's considerate treatment made her feel uneasy. Adjusting the cushions, she shifted slightly to her left, creating some distance between herself and Tuoba Chen: "Second Prince, I cannot thank you enough. I will always remember your kindness. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, please do not hesitate to inform me. I, Jian Xiaosan, will serve you with my life, even unto death!"

"Mistress," Tuoba Chen's tone was heavy, "Do you know that deceiving the emperor is a capital offense!"

"How could I not know the consequences of deceiving the emperor? But from the very beginning, I was caught in a dilemma, with no other choice."

"You could have been honest with me from the start!" Tuoba Chen scolded. Seeing her dismissive smile, he sighed softly, "Forget it, it's too late to say anything now. Mistress, resign!"

"No!" Rongyue refused without hesitation. "The Crown Prince will eventually ascend the throne and become king. Yuyan will become one of the many women in his harem. She will be alone and powerless. If no one in the court secretly supports and helps her, I'm afraid the simple and weak Yuyan will find it difficult to survive in the ruthless harem. Especially today's events have been a wake-up call for me, making me realize the wickedness of women's hearts and showing me the danger of Yuyan's situation..."

"You mean..."

"If no one tipped you off, how could it be such a coincidence that His Highness the Crown Prince, who went to Dulin a few days ago, would return to the palace a day early, and as if he had foreseen it, he went straight to the stone cave upon his return! I suspect that you have spies planted around you. As for whose spies they are, in my guess, it is none other than those scheming and treacherous women in the Eastern Palace who are vying for power and favor!"

Tuoba Chen's eyes darkened: "How dare someone plant a spy by my side?"

He nodded gravely, "Now that His Highness has carried me into His Highness's bedchamber, this matter surely cannot be hidden from the eyes and ears of those behind the scenes. If..."

"If it's Jian Xiaosan who walks out of here tomorrow, then your identity as Xiaosan will be exposed!"

"good."

He slammed his hand hard on the soft couch: "Damn it! If I find out which reckless bastard dared to set his sights on me, I'll beat him to a pulp!"

Having vented his anger, Tuoba Chen's face immediately showed a hint of worry: "But what should we do now? How can we get rid of you without anyone noticing?"

Yes, that is indeed a difficult point...

Lost in thought, her gaze shifted, eventually drifting unintentionally to the dressing table...

Her almond-shaped eyes lit up: "I've got it!"

Tuoba Chen looked up in surprise: "You've come up with a solution?"

"I want to leave the manor openly and return to the Jian manor openly!"

Tuoba Chen exclaimed in horror: "Third sister, how can this be!"

A sly smile appeared on Li Rongyue's lips: "Weren't you just worried about not being able to find the rats hiding in the dark? Heh, let's just lure them out of their holes!"

...

Carefully protecting the beautiful woman in his arms, Tuoba Chen held her close as they slowly walked towards the carriage parked in the courtyard, his tender care as if he were holding a fragile treasure.

"Take care on your journey." As she stepped into the carriage, Tuoba Chen affectionately smoothed her loose hair and said gently.

She nodded slightly, stepping onto the low stool to climb onto the carriage, but just then her foot slipped, and her body unexpectedly tilted downwards...

Tuoba Chen, with lightning speed, caught her as she slipped. With a spin, and supported by Tuoba Chen's strong arms, she landed safely, but a gust of wind blew off her veil…

In a secluded corner not far away, a soft gasp rang out the instant the veil was lifted. Though faint, it didn't escape Tuoba Chen's ears. He gave a wink, and Ao Ye beside him nodded, then quietly turned and left…

Volume Two: The Resolute Heroines, Chapter Eighteen: The Two Daughters of the Shi Family

"Are you sure you saw it clearly?" Shi Yuchou jumped up from the bamboo chair, both surprised and angry.

Startled by Shi Yuchou's distorted face, the maid took a step back and nodded stiffly.

"That vixen!" Shi Yuchou slammed the string of agate beads in her hand to the ground, almost grinding her teeth to powder. Her delicate body trembled slightly, and she pointed her slender finger towards the door: "Go, find out where that vixen went by car! Hurry up!"

"Yes, yes, this servant will go right away." The maidservant nodded obediently, hurriedly bowed, and rushed out.

That persistent, lewd woman, so vile and wanton, dared to seduce her prince! And yet, the prince actually carried her into his bedchamber, he actually held her! Her fingertips dug so hard into the tender flesh of her palms that the force caused her skin to break and bleed, but Shi Yuchou, consumed by jealousy and hatred, was completely oblivious…

After a short while, the maid rushed in, panting: "Your Highness, I've found out... I've found out!"

Shi Yuchou stepped forward and grabbed the maid's wrist: "Where did you go? Tell me quickly!"

"The Jian...Jian residence!"

"really?"

The maid nodded frequently.

Releasing the maid, Shi Yuchou smiled sinisterly: "You have a path to heaven but choose not to, you barge into hell when there's no way out! Go, tell Ah Er and Ah San to guard the Jian residence, not even a fly should be let out! You take the palace token, take the shortcut to the palace as soon as possible, and report this to my sister in the East Palace. Tell her that when catching someone in adultery, you have to catch them in the act!"

"Go and come back quickly!" she said, taking out a red palace token from her wide sleeve and handing it to the maid in front of her.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

...