The crowd hastily turned back, only to see Crown Prince Xie Beihan walking leisurely in a deep purple python robe, followed by officials from Northern Qi.
It seemed he was just passing by and happened to encounter them.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Xuan Le immediately restrained herself and walked over with a smile, entwining her arm around Xie Beihan's. "Brother Crown Prince, weren't you heading to the Hall of Diligent Governance?"
Xie Beihan lowered his gaze, a wicked smile playing on his lips as he lifted her chin. "Having stayed in the northwest for so long, my face has turned as black as charcoal. I've become even uglier."
"Pfft—"
Someone couldn't help but let out a low chuckle.
The dignity of a princess, publicly humiliated in such a manner, caused everyone to avert their eyes and focus on their ears and noses, keeping their heads low and refraining from speaking.
Xuan Le's face was burning with embarrassment, yet she dared not say anything.
"What nonsense are you spouting, Brother Crown Prince?"
Xie Beihan's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Am I speaking nonsense? I find you even uglier than you were three years ago."
Xuan Le was furious and angrily withdrew her hand.
Xie Beihan lightly patted the arm she had embraced, then wiped his hands with a handkerchief, and spoke in a low, smiling voice.
"Behave yourself. I am not someone who shows mercy to my sisters."
"Brother Crown Prince, are you lecturing me for her sake?"
Xuan Le's heart twisted with anger. She hadn't even done anything yet, and the Crown Prince was warning her for that *bitch*.
Xie Beihan remained silent, shifting sideways. His well-defined fingers gently patted her shoulder.
Although the force was very light, it made her feel as though her bones were growing cold.
"Consort Hui raised a good daughter."
Xuan Le was startled. Was the Crown Prince using their mother to threaten her?
Her father doted on her, but now her father was gravely ill, and the Crown Prince was regent. If the Crown Prince wanted to get rid of her, she would die without anyone knowing why.
Thinking this, her face turned pale.
The words they exchanged were very low. To outsiders, it appeared as a scene of fraternal affection and sisterly harmony.
However, from Ye Luan's vantage point, she could clearly see Xuan Le's lips trembling.
She subtly lowered her gaze and withdrew hers.
"Come here."
Xie Beihan beckoned her with a smile.
The people around them all looked over. Ye Luan frowned slightly and slowly moved her steps towards Xie Beihan.
This was too hateful!
That damned princess, and those noble ladies who wished to marry into the Eastern Palace for alliances, must be wishing to flay her alive in secret.
She was practically drawing hatred for her!
However, given Xie Beihan's cruel methods, those who wished to kill her would surely hesitate, wouldn't they?
She was genuinely afraid of being killed by those with ulterior motives if she wasn't careful.
"You all go ahead first. I will follow shortly."
The officials following behind responded respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness."
Xie Beihan no longer paid attention to the people here and said to Ye Luan, "Come with me."
The two followed the bluestone path, ascended the covered walkway, and headed west.
Ye Luan could clearly feel Xuan Le's venomous gaze fixed on her back.
"What are you thinking about?"
He glanced at her sideways with a hint of arrogance, the curve of his lips chillingly devoid of warmth.
Ye Luan spoke directly, "The Crown Prince asked me to be a shield for him. You must protect my life."
This deep palace was the most dangerous place, and she truly feared death.
"Heh, what shield?"
"The Crown Prince has countless women in his Eastern Palace, yet he has long delayed appointing a Crown Princess. His Majesty is gravely ill and has little time left. As the Crown Prince, he cannot remain without a Crown Princess indefinitely. There are many in Yanjing coveting this position."
To put it bluntly, the Emperor of Great Qi could pass away at any moment. If a new emperor ascended the throne without an Empress, how could that be? Both the front court and the inner palace were eagerly eyeing this prize.
Xie Beihan had climbed the ranks in the front court for so many years, and the inner palace had been urging him for so long, yet he simply refused to marry, leaving the position of Crown Princess vacant.
Now, if she were to stand in front of him, how many people would want her dead?
After all, the Crown Princess, the future mother of the nation, how much benefit could she bring to her family?
Xie Beihan chuckled upon hearing her words.
"Aren't I marrying you?"
"We both know, I am merely a shield for the Crown Prince. It's just a transaction."
Her expression was calm, as if nothing mattered to her.
Xie Beihan gazed at her for a moment, then suddenly reached out, grabbed her, and pushed her against a red pillar.
"I am no longer under anyone's control now. I can marry whomever I wish. Will you marry me?"
Ye Luan looked at him coldly. "Are you serious?"
"Yes."
He smirked wickedly, his eyes fixed on her red lips with ill intent.
Ye Luan remained silent for a moment before directly stating, "I hate the imperial palace and dislike being confined to court. We are not compatible."
Xie Beihan was a man who liked to wield absolute power over life and death; he was born to be an emperor. Power, the throne, these were his desires.
"I will give you unparalleled favor and make you my only Empress. How are we not compatible?"
He would build her a golden cage, and she would stand shoulder to shoulder with him, overlooking the vast empire.
Ye Luan stared directly at him. "If the Crown Prince is willing to give up the throne for me, then I will consider you."
She said this deliberately, knowing very well that Xie Beihan was a man driven by power and would not abandon the throne he had fought for so many years for any woman.
As expected, upon hearing her words, Xie Beihan's lips twitched slightly, and he remained silent.
His bewitching pupils flickered with an inscrutable expression. Upon closer inspection, a morbid coldness churned in the depths of his eyes.
"Since the Crown Prince cannot do that, then let us play this part well, and each go our separate ways."
Her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, yet she gave off an aura of frost.
Xie Beihan lowered his gaze to examine her closely, his unnaturally red lips curving into a smile.
He truly wanted to see what such a cold beauty would be like in bed.
"I've grown tired of this game."
He suddenly provocatively lifted her chin and leaned in. "Tell me, should I tear down the pretense with him and snatch you away to lock you up?"
As soon as he spoke, an icy blade was abruptly pressed against his chest.
Xie Beihan raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at her with a sneer. "A woman who resorts to a knife at the slightest provocation." He paused, the smile on his lips deepening. "But the more you are like this, the more I want you!"
Ye Luan held the knife coldly against him. "Purely being a bitch."
"Your little mouth is not only eloquent but quite alluring."
She was utterly defeated by his thick skin.
"Your Highness, you don't need to play these games of deep affection with me here. I don't fall for that."
Xie Beihan was, at his core, a greedy and insidious snake.
If it weren't for Xiao Chi Zhan, he would have long ago locked her up as he pleased and toyed with her, rather than playing these暧昧 (ambiguous/flirtatious) games with her here.
She was practically dancing with a snake, yet she… was truly at her wit's end.
The gentle spring breeze brushed against her cheeks, and the tree shadows swayed with the wind, rustling.
Xie Beihan stared at her lips, completely disregarding the blade at his chest, and slowly leaned in.
"This is Northern Qi. What do you think Xiao Chi Zhan is worth if I forcefully marry you?"