Chapter 131 He said it was for Cheng'er

Chapter 131 He said it was for Cheng'er

Xie Yan had his eyes closed, and the light and shadow flickered on his face.

His scarlet court robes made his face appear very fair, and his resolute features did not appear soft at all, but rather like a gleaming blade, concealing an unknown ruthlessness.

Shen Nanzi waited for a long time, so long that the Prince Jing's mansion was right in front of her.

But as the carriage stopped, he spoke, "Cheng'er will be in a lot of pain."

Shen Nanzi tightened her grip on the chair. Was it for Cheng'er? He actually considered Cheng'er!!

Shen Nanzi was utterly shocked!!

He got up and got off the carriage first.

I couldn't help but think of Xie Hongrui again. He already has a son, so why does he still go to such great lengths to treat Cheng'er?

Shen Nanzi walked to her own courtyard, still not understanding why.

Did he have a change of heart? Or did he develop some fatherly affection for Cheng'er?

While taking a bath, Shen Nanzi told her great-aunt what had happened and asked, "Why did he do that?"

Her great-aunt poured water from the ladle onto her shoulder, saying, "If you can't figure it out, just leave it there. One day you'll understand."

"This old servant is worried about Your Highness's health. Please don't suffer from the pain of love anymore."

Shen Nanzi understood that her aunt was worried that she was overthinking things.

If Xie Yan gives her a little sweetness, she will rekindle her feelings for him.

Shen Nanzi got out of the wooden tub, and the maid dried her body and put a clean bedclothes on her.

Afraid that her great-aunt would worry, she smiled and assured her, "No, great-aunt, I will never like him again."

Xie Yan, who had just entered her room, stopped in his tracks, the slight smile on his lips freezing on his face.

What did she say?

I will never like him again!!

Xie Yan had long known that her heart was not with him, but hearing it with his own ears still made his heart clench violently.

A rush of sour, astringent sensation entered his nose, causing him to cough violently twice.

Startled, Shen Nanzi stepped out of her bathroom, lifted the curtain, and saw Xie Yan standing in her room.

She was wearing a snow-white nightgown, her hair loose and not completely dry.

Why is he here so late?

Shen Nanzi looked at him, thinking of his past ruthlessness, then ignored him and turned to go to the bed.

The maids lowered the curtains, lit calming incense, and then left with the aunt.

In the complete silence of the room, Xie Yan's figure appeared lonely and sorrowful in the candlelight.

Shen Nanzi lay on her side on the bed, her eyes closed, thinking that with his arrogant nature, he must have already left.

Smelling the faint fragrance, I wondered why he would do such a thing.

But I couldn't resist the drowsiness that came over me, and in my hazy state, I felt a warmth on my back.

She instantly snapped out of it, and the familiar scent of ambergris wafted into her nostrils. He hadn't left; he had climbed back into her bed.

Even if she tried to drive him away, he would surely retort, "This is the Jing Prince's residence. I can sleep wherever I want."

Shen Nanzi simply pretended to be asleep, unable to understand why he had come to her room again.

Does that mean he's going to sleep with her?

Shen Nanzi denied the idea. He had Xue Qingning, and if he needed anything, he could just ask her.

She was a woman he loathed; he wouldn't have any feelings for her.

But why is he holding her?

It's so hot, he's not hot, but she is!

His arm was still on her waist, and Shen Nanzi couldn't fall asleep even if she wanted to.

“Xie Yan,” she said, her voice laced with warning and impatience.

"Hot?" His voice was hoarse, and his hot breath hit her neck, making her feel even hotter.

"Aren't you hot?" Shen Nanzi asked irritably, moving much further away from him.

"I'll go ask Stone to bring some ice!"

There was a commotion behind her. Shen Nanzi turned around and saw him walk out.

A moment later, the sound of things being moved came from outside. After a flurry of activity, the door was closed, and a faint chill filled the air.

Xie Yan got into bed again and lay down behind her.

“It can last for one night,” he whispered in her ear, his voice warm.

Shen Nanzi opened her eyes in surprise, turned around, and met his dark, inky gaze.

"Xie Yan, what exactly are you trying to do?" she asked, twisting her neck.

He looked at her, his lips moved slightly, but he remained silent.

Shen Nanzi became anxious, "Did you and Xue Qingning break up?"

"So, you've come here to take revenge on her by refusing to see me, someone you despise?"

He gazed intently at her. "No."

"Then why are you here? Is our relationship suitable for sleeping together?"

Xie Yan remained silent. He remembered clearly that she had admitted in front of everyone in Shengming Palace today that she and Xie Yu had made a mistake, which was that they wanted to leave him.

She could have chosen not to say it, but as long as she doesn't admit it, the matter remains ambiguous and unpredictable.

She readily admitted that she would rather be called a slut than leave him!

God knows how heartbroken he was at that moment; she couldn't wait to leave.

You must sever all ties with him!

"Go to sleep! I'm sleepy!" Xie Yan turned his back, his face facing outwards.

Seeing his reaction, a thought suddenly popped into Shen Nanzi's head.

Compared to overthrowing Xie Yu, the Fourth Prince is clearly stronger than Xie Yu in terms of influence.

It would be much more worthwhile to use this incident to bring down the Fourth Prince first.

Moreover, she is still in Prince Jing's residence. If Xie Yan doesn't let her leave, she and Cheng'er are hostages.

That would directly threaten his brother, and indirectly threaten Xie Yu as well.

If she were Xie Yan, she would also take the opportunity to eliminate the powerful enemy, the Fourth Prince, and spare them.

Given his character, this was his true purpose.

All that talk about doing it for Cheng'er is a lie!

She and Cheng'er were just pawns in his game.

Shen Nanzi felt a chill run down her spine; a devil was sleeping behind her.

She needs to leave him as soon as possible; that's the best course of action.

Shen Nanzi fell asleep in fear, unaware that soon after she fell asleep, Xie Yan pulled her into his arms.

In the dim light, his lips gently touched her cheek.

Like a dragonfly skimming the water, I was afraid of waking her.

The next morning, Shen Nanzi woke up to find Xie Yan gone. She quickly got up; her brother was off duty that day, and she had to go see him.

＊

In the underground secret chamber of the Pear Garden, there is a spacious council hall.

Oil lamps were lit around the council chamber and hung on the walls, illuminating the interior as if it were daytime.

Xie Yan sat at the head of the table, and the others sat on either side in order, numbering about twenty or so.

Everyone was dressed in official robes; if Emperor Xie Yuan had seen them, he would have thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.

These people were all important officials of the court, yet at this moment they were following Xie Yan's lead.

This place is practically a miniature imperial court.

"Prince Jing, it's truly a joyous occasion to have managed to bring down the Fourth Prince in one fell swoop," Imperial Censor Zhang laughed heartily.

"Those officials who previously supported him are now like headless flies, filled with anxiety!" General Zhenwei Yang Zhi laughed heartily.

"Someone even came to me, asking me to take the lead and recommend him to Prince Jing!"

“Before, they couldn’t be persuaded no matter what, but now that their master has fallen from power, they are afraid of being implicated and are asking around for help, trying to find ways to get close to us.”

"Prince Jing, this time you used the opponent's strength against them brilliantly."

"The Fourth Prince is even lodging a complaint with the Emperor! Little does he know, we were the ones who wrote those impeachment memorials."

"The Fourth Prince really tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead, and ended up in the tomb himself, becoming the tomb keeper."

The battle was fought brilliantly, and Prince Jing's advisors were all very pleased.

"How could we not feel great? Our main political enemies now are the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince."

"The Fifth Prince is unpredictable and his mind is more profound than that of the Fourth Prince."

"Don't worry, this person has a weakness. It's just a great pity that he didn't manage to bring down the Sixth Prince this time."

“Prince Jing, you must keep Princess Jing. Even if you don’t like her, you must patiently coax her and make her feel that you still have feelings for her.”

"Princess Jing is, after all, a woman, and women are most prone to acting on their emotions. In that case, she could be a handy weapon."

"Yes, Princess Jing is unfaithful and has been having an affair with the Sixth Prince for a long time. It is not easy for His Highness Prince Jing to tolerate it for so many years."

The council chamber was filled with chatter, which made Xie Yan frown deeply.

He looked at Yang Zhi, who was speaking the most excitedly: "General Zhenwei, do you know that your wife, Lady Lin, was also involved in framing Princess Jing?"

"That's wonderful. It's all for Prince Jing's great cause. My wife should do her part," Yang Zhi said happily.

“However, this was not part of our plan,” Xie Yan said. “This time, she did not do anything good, but rather committed a crime; she became the Fourth Prince’s henchman.”

"What?" General Zhenwei stood up, his face filled with shock. "How could this be? My wife is only loyal to Prince Jing and would never have any other thoughts."

“Then you were used!” Xie Yan looked at Xue Yubai.

Xue Yubai understood the look Xie Yan was giving him and quickly said, "I'll go ask Qing Ning to see if this matter is related to her."

Xie Yan: "No need to ask anymore, just tell her there won't be a next time!"

Everyone in the council chamber sensed something was amiss and exchanged bewildered glances.

The relationship between Xie Yan and the Second Imperial Consort was an open secret among everyone in the council hall. It was clear that once Prince Jing ascended the throne, the position of Empress would undoubtedly belong to the Second Imperial Consort.

Princess Jing was simply a woman Prince Jing disliked, and they could talk about her as they pleased.

Now that she has become a retainer of the Sixth Prince, she is their enemy, and their hatred for her has grown even stronger.

He also said many outrageous things in private.

Something doesn't sound right now.

They're all in the same boat now, so we need to find out the truth.

Imperial Censor Zhang spoke up, "Your Highness Prince Jing, has the situation changed?"

Xie Yan's expression was stern: "No changes. Major matters will proceed as planned, minor matters will be handled according to the circumstances."

Xue Yubai looked at Xie Yan and said with a smile, "Qing Ning must be throwing a tantrum again. Women are always a bit emotional. Prince Jing, please be more tolerant."

Xue Yubai's words always carried weight with Xie Yan, and he tried to ease the tension.

Other officials chimed in, "Yes, my wife is the same. She throws tantrums at the drop of a hat. It's unbearable. She can get angry with me for days over the smallest thing."

"Just coax her a bit! Your Highness Prince Jing, just coax her a little more, hahaha!"

Everyone joined in the commotion, but Xie Yan remained silent, showing no emotion.

＊

In the study of the Grand Commandant's residence.

Shen Minghan asked, "You clearly discovered Lie Feng, why are you covering for him?"

“His current identity is unknown. The Fourth Prince, the Fifth Prince, and Prince Jing have all recommended him. Even the Twelfth Prince, who does not concern himself with politics, has spoken highly of him.”

"I didn't know until I investigated. I was shocked to find that he was connected with so many forces at the same time."