A tightening in his chest, a flicker of fear entered his eyes as he looked up at Ye Tinglan.
This uncle was too terrifying, secretly giving him calming incense!
Fortunately, thanks to the teachings of his mother and maternal grandfather, he had an innate ability to discern medicines. Otherwise, when he fell asleep tonight, his face could have been pinched into a pulp and he wouldn't have known!
No, this Prince Uncle was too cunning. He had to get away from here!
"Prince Uncle, put me down first."
He twisted his body, trying to wriggle free. Seeing this, Ye Tinglan didn't stop him and released him, placing him on the ground.
"What's wrong?"
The little dumpling rubbed the back of his head, his eyes darting.
"Prince Uncle, your manor is so big, there must be other rooms, right?"
His tone was cautious, but Ye Tinglan understood. He wanted to sleep in separate beds.
His handsome face imperceptibly darkened. Then he heard him say again:
"Prince Uncle, don't overthink it. This definitely isn't because I dislike you."
"I've been independent at home for a long time, I don't sleep with my mother anymore. Sleeping with others, I'm a bit unaccustomed to..."
Especially his face, very unaccustomed to.
He had prepared himself for a bout of wheedling and soft persuasion. Unexpectedly, Ye Tinglan didn't stop him upon hearing this. On the contrary, he agreed very quickly.
"There are indeed rooms. After dinner, this King will have Qi Xuan arrange one for you."
Feng Jin'chen's small head filled with big confusion.
It... just happened?
Although he found it somewhat unbelievable, after dinner, Ye Tinglan did keep his promise and had Qi Xuan take him to a new courtyard.
Along the way, he hugged his little bedding roll, so happy he could have jumped.
Qi Xuan was puzzled. "Young Master, are you really not afraid to sleep alone tonight?"
The response was Feng Jin'chen's crisp reply.
"Not afraid!"
Sleeping with Prince Uncle was even more terrifying!
Qi Xuan looked at his eager little face and secretly clicked his tongue.
Alright, it seemed the Prince was indeed being disliked.
With the previous experience, Qi Xuan quickly helped him arrange the bedding.
After smoothing the sheets, he stood up and reminded him.
"Young Master, I'll be guarding outside. If you need anything, just call me."
Feng Jin'chen, who had been yawning while holding his pillow, waved his hand as soon as he heard him staying.
"No need, Uncle Qi. I can manage myself. You should go back and rest."
If he guarded here, how could he plot his escape plan?
It had already been two days, and he was planning to sneak out through a dog hole first thing tomorrow morning!
But how could Qi Xuan be at ease?
He shook his head, his expression resolute.
"No, I'll still guard outside. If anything else happens, I can deal with it."
The incident this morning had already scared him badly.
Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Feng Jin'chen pouted and reluctantly put on a sulky face.
"Oh, Prince Uncle's manor is so safe, what could possibly happen!"
"Uncle Qi, if you guard outside like this, I really can't sleep. Even if I fall asleep, I'll wake up, constantly thinking about it. I definitely won't sleep soundly."
The little dumpling sighed, a look of distress on his face.
Qi Xuan fell for his trick.
After hesitating for a long time, he finally said hesitantly, "Then how about... I'll guard here first, and leave after you fall asleep?"
Feng Jin'chen thought this was acceptable.
"Alright, Uncle Qi, don't worry, I'll fall asleep quickly."
He said this, took off his shoes, and burrowed into the covers.
Seeing this, Qi Xuan shook his head helplessly. He had no choice but to extinguish the lamp for him and turn to retreat.
Not long after, even breathing could be heard from the room.
Qi Xuan listened intently for a moment, confirming that he was fast asleep, then quietly tiptoed away.
The night wind was low, rustling the flowers and grass in the courtyard.
Inside the room.
Feng Jin'chen rolled over and quietly sat up on the bed.
"Uncle Qi?"
He called out tentatively. Seeing no response from outside the door, he then boldly got up.
Time was of the essence. He had to hurry and find a dog hole!
However, just as he reached the door, he heard rapid footsteps approaching from outside. The sound was uneven, completely different from Qi Xuan's steady pace.
Feng Jin'chen's hand, which was pushing the door, froze, his movements halting immediately.
A stranger?
To be precise, two strangers dressed in night-clothes.
And they were coming with hostile intent, not good intentions.
Feng Jin'chen's little face tensed, and he took two steps back.
With a bang, the door was flung open, and a packet of powder was scattered towards him. The person in front, unable to dodge, had his eyes instantly obscured.
A moment of stunned silence, then a scream erupted.
"Ah! My eyes..."
The powder was highly toxic. Even a small amount would immediately cause a large festering wound.
With the powder landing directly in his eyes, that person's eyes were ruined.
Seeing this, the person behind him glared fiercely and reached out to grab Feng Jin'chen.
Unlike the three ruffians from earlier in the day, this person clearly had martial arts skills.
Sensing danger, Feng Jin'chen flung the powder he had hidden in his hand and, while the man was dodging, bolted outside.
"Help... Help me!"
Almost the instant these words were shouted, a figure in black robes descended from the roof. A chilling aura emanated, and with just one palm strike, the attacker was knocked unconscious to the ground.
Feng Jin'chen blinked, his little face turning pale, and he decisively turned and hugged Ye Tinglan's leg.
"Wang... Prince Uncle."
It was too terrifying.
Prince Uncle's palm strike was even more powerful than Maternal Grandfather's.
Boohoo, how could he still escape now!
As he was still lamenting, Qi Xuan arrived, drawn by the commotion. Upon seeing the scene, his face immediately froze.
"Your Highness..."
Ye Tinglan frowned, lifted the little dumpling from his leg, and coldly commanded.
"Lock them up."
Without question, Feng Jin'chen was taken back to the main courtyard.
And due to being "overly frightened," he soon fell asleep.
When Qi Xuan came to report, Ye Tinglan had just emerged from the room.
"Your Highness, they have been interrogated. They were two assassins from the martial world, hired with silver."
Contract killings were common, but contract killings of children...
This was truly excessive.
He couldn't understand who would want to kill the little dumpling and dare to act within the Prince's manor.
Ye Tinglan, however, was not surprised by this result.
The ink in his eyes deepened, a hint of coldness subtly emanating.
"Qi Xuan, didn't you notice that man's eyes?"
Knowing he was referring to the assassin whose eyes were ruined, Qi Xuan nodded and said sincerely.
"It's quite tragic. I wonder how he got injured to look so ghastly."
As he finished speaking, he felt his Prince's gaze on him turn chillingly cold.
Qi Xuan subconsciously shrank his neck. "Your Highness, is something wrong?"
Every time his Prince looked at him with such eyes, he felt an unbearable itchiness all over...
His nerves taut, he dared not speak.
Unexpectedly, Ye Tinglan's expression flickered with gloom for a few moments before he curved his lips. "No, it's very right."
After hearing this, Qi Xuan felt even more uncomfortable.
His Prince's expression was no longer just scary... it was eerie!