The Prince Wants to Assassinate Me Every Day-Chapter 969 - 553: The Fish Bites the Hook (Third Update)
An Ning looked at Xiao Jinxing’s expression and laughed openly.
The sight of Xiao Jinxing defeated indeed brought her a sense of petty revenge.
She said, "As long as it’s tasty, who cares what it is."
Xiao Jinxing’s face didn’t change at all.
It seemed that tonight was going to be tough, both for him and this crab roe.
An Ning no longer paid him any attention; her eyes shifted subtly, almost imperceptibly, toward Bai Mowan.
Tonight, just waiting for the fish to take the hook.
At the palace banquet, Wu Xufan was savoring the delicious crab, praising it enthusiastically as he said to Xiao Hezhen, "Hezhen, have you eaten enough? If not, I’ll eat less and save some for you."
Xiao Hezhen turned his head to glance at Wu Xufan, his expression indifferent.
Wu Xufan frowned, "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so red? Why have you been drinking so much by yourself?"
Wu Xufan’s eyes were filled with concern.
At first, seeing Xiao Hezhen drinking, he had thought she was happy.
After all, Xiao Hezhen had been worried about the Emperor for years; now seeing the Emperor and Empress in such good spirits and having an heir, indulging a little in joy was understandable. Yet now, it seemed she was on the verge of drunkenness.
He couldn’t help but reach out to touch Xiao Hezhen’s cheek.
Xiao Hezhen evaded him directly.
Very coldly.
Wu Xufan was surprised, his face showing clear tension.
Had he done something today to upset Hezhen?!
Was it because he had said he didn’t want to have children so frequently, upsetting Hezhen?
Or maybe he was too engrossed in eating crabs alone, neglecting Hezhen’s feelings?
Or perhaps he had insulted the Emperor earlier, casually remarking that he got lucky by sheer chance?
Wu Xufan introspected fervently.
Yet he had no idea which specific action had displeased Xiao Hezhen, thus, "I’m sorry, it’s all my fault."
Xiao Hezhen’s eyes shifted slightly.
The coldness she had feigned was momentarily disrupted by Wu Xufan’s sudden, pathetic submission.
For just an instant.
She turned her gaze away directly, "I’m going out for a walk."
"Let me accompany you," Wu Xufan eagerly put down his bowl and chopsticks.
"I want to walk alone; don’t follow me."
"Hezhen..."
"I know how to come back on my own after a while," Xiao Hezhen’s tone was a bit heavier.
Wu Xufan dared not say more.
He watched eagerly as Xiao Hezhen, somewhat tipsy, walked out of the palace banquet hall.
An Ning naturally noticed Xiao Hezhen’s departing figure as well.
She took a sip from her wine cup leisurely, pretending she hadn’t noticed.
Yet her peripheral vision shifted toward Bai Mowan.
To see if she would feel a sense of curiosity.
She was almost certain that someone like Bai Mowan, meticulous yet sensitive and suspicious, would not delve for certainty.
As expected.
Bai Mowan quietly left not long after Xiao Hezhen departed.
An Ning’s lips curled into a light smile.
The smarter a person is, the more likely they are to be blinded by their own arrogance.
The fish took the hook; it’s just that simple.
She glanced back at Xiao Jinxing.
Naturally, Xiao Jinxing had noticed too, but he remained unperturbed, his face lacking any extra expression.
Partnering with someone like this, there is really no worry about any slip-ups!
...
Outside the palace.
Xiao Hezhen staggered towards Yuan Wenkang.
Yuan Wenkang was the Imperial Guard Commander.
With all the royal family members present at today’s palace banquet, the place was crowded and noisy, so he was naturally there leading the Imperial Guards to ensure the Emperor’s safety.
At that moment, he saw Xiao Hezhen approaching him.
Standing at his post, upright, he watched as Xiao Hezhen came closer, instinctively touching the Sword at his side before kneeling, "Your servant greets the Princess."
"Master Yuan." Xiao Hezhen’s voice carried a trace of drunkenness, her gaze slightly unfocused, "Is it really necessary for us to meet like this, as master and servant?"
"Your servant is a minister, the Princess is the sovereign; there’s a distinction between ruler and subjects." Yuan Wenkang articulated clearly.
"Ha." Xiao Hezhen laughed.
The laughter was all the more ironic.
She said, "A distinction between ruler and subjects—a single phrase separates us farther and farther, despite our shared understanding, meeting only as strangers. Why can’t I just let go? Why can’t I live for myself even once?"
"The Princess is drunk." Yuan Wenkang dared not lift his head, "The night is cool; I urge the Princess to return to the palace."
"Do you really have to push me away?" Xiao Hezhen asked him.
"I implore the Princess not to make things difficult for your servant," Yuan Wenkang said, "The Young Master is still waiting for you."
"The Young Master..." Xiao Hezhen laughed, the laugh was hopeless, "A single phrase, the Young Master, cleanly severs the bond between us. But Yuan Wenkang, do you know how much pain is within me? Do you know how unbearable these years were, marrying Wu Xufan and bearing his children? Do you know?!"
"Your servant...does not wish to know." Yuan Wenkang refused.
He kept refusing.
Xiao Hezhen began to cry, breaking down.
She thought many things were merely an act.
She thought she had really let go of everything.
But truly, when the emotions were aired once more at that moment, it turns out the pain remained.
Still felt wrenching anguish.
Xiao Hezhen suddenly crouched down.
Yuan Wenkang was startled.
He sprang up, stepping back two paces.
Directly creating distance between them.
Xiao Hezhen just watched Yuan Wenkang.
Yuan Wenkang remained respectful, "The Princess is of noble birth; your servant is sullied, fearful of tarnishing the Princess’s purity."
"Purity? Do I still have purity?" Xiao Hezhen asked Yuan Wenkang, deeply, "The purity I once reserved for you is long gone... But I’m unwilling, truly unwilling!"
The words fell.
Xiao Hezhen suddenly threw herself into Yuan Wenkang’s arms.
Yuan Wenkang was terrified.
Being suddenly embraced by Xiao Hezhen made his whole body tremble.
"Princess, please let your servant go..."
"I will not let go!"
"The Princess is drunk."
"I’m very lucid; I clearly know who I’m holding now; I’m holding Yuan Wenkang!" Xiao Hezhen stated emphatically.
Yuan Wenkang’s heart stirred slightly.
The beauty and restraint hidden in his heart began burning little by little.
He thought it was merely an act.
However, at the moment Xiao Hezhen truly embraced him, some emotions remained uncontrollable.
Xiao Hezhen buried her head into Yuan Wenkang’s chest.
Listening to his fierce heartbeat.
Yuan Wenkang.
Never truly said goodbye to you.
Their mutual estrangement was without even a glance.
Thus becoming the kind never again mentioned.
At this moment.
Their regret fulfilled!
I return feelings to you.
You extract my name from your heart.
Henceforth.
Meeting as strangers.
Yuan Wenkang’s trembling large hand slowly raised.
As he was about to turn and embrace Xiao Hezhen at that moment.
"Brazen Yuan Wenkang!"
In the quiet night, an ear-piercing and wrathful voice suddenly sounded. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
Yuan Wenkang and Xiao Hezhen abruptly released each other.
Turning to see the Emperor leading a group, appearing unexpectedly!
