Xue Zining’s gaze fixed on the figure that walked in slowly.
He was clad in a moon-white brocade robe, exuding an air of grace and elegance. His every movement was a display of peerless beauty and noble bearing.
“Young Master Yan, have you come to clear Qingyi’s name?” the girl’s voice was sharp.
Yan Zhao said calmly, “Qingyi is a member of the Yan Palace, and any incident involving him is my responsibility. I implore Your Majesty to grant me an opportunity to find the true culprit.”
Xue Zining let out a cold laugh. “The true culprit? With witnesses and evidence all present, can’t you see such a simple matter, Young Master Yan?”
Yan Zhao looked up, his star-like eyes flickering with a subtle gleam. “Your Majesty, do not let hatred blind your judgment and allow the real killer to escape.”
Xue Zining paused. Perhaps it was the brilliance of his gaze that stirred within her a flicker of trust.
“Your Majesty, Young Master Yan speaks of a true culprit, but someone saw Qingyi poison the wine, and I found this poison in Qingyi’s room. Does this not prove anything?” Feng Yu asked coldly.
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhao glanced at him indifferently. “The person who administered the poison at the time might not have been Qingyi himself.”
Feng Yu sneered. “Then what about the poison found in Qingyi’s room?”
Yan Zhao looked at him, his gaze clear and placid. “If someone possessed the agility of Lord Feng Yu, what difficulty would there be in placing the poison in Qingyi’s room?”
Feng Yu stiffened, then angrily declared, “Specious reasoning.”
Yan Zhao ignored Feng Yu and turned to the girl. “Your Majesty, grant me three days, and I will surely restore Qingyi’s innocence and apprehend the true culprit.”
“Your Majesty, Young Master Yan’s words are utterly baseless,” Feng Yu stated coldly.
Cui He, kneeling nearby, pleaded, “I implore Your Majesty to give Young Master Yan a chance.”
Xue Zining looked at the three men and sighed. She then turned her gaze to Yan Zhao, whose handsome and refined face held a look of composure.
“And if the culprit is not found in three days?” the girl asked softly, her lips parting slightly.
Yan Zhao’s gaze faltered for a moment. He bowed his head and said, “I shall submit to Your Majesty’s punishment.”
“Very well, it is settled,” Xue Zining decided.
“Your Majesty, may you be enlightened!” Yan Zhao said.
“Your Majesty, this is absolutely not permissible…” Feng Yu interjected anxiously, stepping forward.
Xue Zining turned and looked at Feng Yu calmly. “Feng Yu, your duty is to protect me, not to question my decisions. Do not forget your station.”
Feng Yu trembled and lowered his eyes. “Feng Yu admits his mistake.”
“All of you may withdraw,” Xue Zining commanded.
Everyone retreated.
Outside the Zhaoyuan Palace, Qingyi suddenly knelt, bowing his head deeply. “Young Master Yan, if I have ever offended you in the past, please do not hold it against me. From this day forward, Qingyi is at your service.”
Yan Zhao stepped forward and helped Qingyi up. “There is no need for service, but I cannot stand by and watch an innocent person be framed.”
Qingyi was taken aback. He looked up at Yan Zhao, his voice filled with emotion. “Young Master Yan, do you… do you trust me?”
Yan Zhao replied indifferently, “Although you hail from Jinzhou and are skilled in the art of poison, you are not the killer.”
Qingyi was stunned. How could Yan Zhao know he was skilled in making poisons? He had never mentioned it to anyone.
Seeing Qingyi’s surprised expression, Yan Zhao continued, “There is no need to be astonished. If I can know, others can know as well. After all, everyone in the Poison King Valley of Jinzhou is skilled in making poisons.”
Qingyi trembled, seemingly recalling something. “Are you saying… someone framed me?”
Before Qingyi could finish his sentence, Feng Yu approached.
Yan Zhao glanced at Feng Yu, his eyes clear and cold.
Feng Yu stated coldly, “If Young Master Yan cannot find the true culprit in three days, he will not be able to protect himself.”
Yan Zhao heard this and calmly replied, “Lord Feng Yu should manage his own affairs. After all… if you want no one to know, you must not do it.”
Feng Yu was stunned and angrily swished his sleeves as he departed.
Seeing this, Qingyi could not help but ask, “Young Master Yan, why provoke Lord Feng Yu?”
Yan Zhao’s eyes flashed with a hint of an unusual glint. “Perhaps I simply find him disagreeable?”
Qingyi: “……”
Feng Yu arrived at a room, and upon seeing the person within, his expression subtly shifted. “Why are you here?”
“As the County Princess, I am naturally concerned for you,” a voice emerged from the shadows, belonging to Xue Yunlan.
Feng Yu lowered his eyes, his voice betraying no emotion. “Why did you frame me?”
Xue Yunlan chuckled. “Feng Yu, what are you saying? Did I tell you to administer the poison? Or did I tell you to place the poison in Qingyi’s room?”
Feng Yu’s expression turned somewhat grim. “Was it not you who handed me the poisoned wine?”
Xue Yunlan sighed. “Yes, I handed it to you, but I did not tell you to give it to Qingyi.”
Feng Yu’s body trembled. “You…”
“Enough, it has happened, why bother dwelling on it?” Xue Yunlan smiled enchantingly.
Feng Yu averted his face. “County Princess, you have truly ruined me.”
Xue Yunlan stepped closer, gently touching his cheek. She leaned in close to his ear and whispered, “Will you expose me?”
Feng Yu’s body stiffened, and he remained silent.
Xue Yunlan giggled, burying her head in Feng Yu’s shoulder. “Feng Yu, I am fond of you.”
Feng Yu trembled, his gaze tightening. “What… what are you saying?”
Xue Yunlan pushed Feng Yu away with a sudden movement, her jade-like hand slowly reaching for her collar, unfastening her clothes bit by bit. Her eyes were hazy as she looked at him, whispering, “I said, I am fond of you.”
As her robes slipped down, Feng Yu felt as if vibrant flowers were blooming before his eyes, radiating captivating beauty.
“County Princess, I am merely a guard,” Feng Yu said, turning his face away, restraining himself.
Xue Yunlan walked towards him slowly, tilting his face to meet her gaze. “So what? In my heart, you are the most valiant person.”
The delicate fragrance of the girl filled his senses, and her alluring words echoed in his ears. Feng Yu felt a surge of blood, like waves upon waves, growing stronger and stronger.
The silken curtains descended, and heavy, suppressed breaths filled the air.
Xue Yunlan gazed at the ceiling, tears tracing paths down her face.
Yan Zhao, do you know what I have sacrificed for you?
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Feng Yu looked at Xue Yunlan, who was now dressing, with a sense of unreality. He… he had been intimate with Princess Yunlan.
“Feng Yu, we were strangers before, but now we are entangled and bound together. We are linked,” Xue Yunlan said calmly, dressed now, as she looked at Feng Yu.
The tenderness and affection of moments ago seemed to have vanished like smoke.
“County Princess…”
“Feng Yu, if you wish to be with me forever, you must stand by my side.”
Feng Yu trembled, a hint of distress in his voice. “County Princess, Feng Yin has pledged allegiance to the imperial power throughout his life.”
Xue Yunlan replied, “Do not worry, I will not ask you to act against Feng Yin’s principles. After all, family vendettas and national hatred have nothing to do with me. I only wish to be with you.”
As she spoke, she extended her hand and took Feng Yu’s.
A flicker of scorn crossed her lowered gaze.