When Xiao Yan saw it was Lin Zhaoyue, the killing intent in his eyes instantly dissipated.
He instinctively hid the blood-stained sword behind his back.
After a moment, realizing she was not Liu Yiyi, he scoffed and tossed the sword to Feng Xin.
Feng Xin caught the sword and took out a silk cloth to carefully wipe away the bloodstains.
The man who had been wailing and screaming had now fainted, his right arm severed from his body. The arm Xiao Yan had just cut off lay far away, separated from its owner.
Hei’er, drawn by the scent of blood, wagged its tail excitedly as it ran over, picked up the severed arm, and began gnawing and licking it. Saliva mixed with the still-wet blood, dripping all over the ground.
As if savoring some delicious treat, it devoured the arm with gusto, its mouth covered in blood, crunching loudly with each bite.
“Take him away.”
At Xiao Yan’s command, two men in black lifted the unconscious black-clad man from the ground. Fresh blood spurted from the cleanly severed wound, splashing onto the grass in gushing waves, staining the tender green blades crimson.
The blood flowed ceaselessly, seeping into the cracks between the stones. The metallic scent of blood violently invaded Lin Zhaoyue’s nostrils, and her entire body trembled as her world turned a deep, overwhelming red.
It was as if she were seeing Wu Men Jie again, the street that had drunk the blood of the Lin family.
The executioner’s blade fell, heads tumbling one after another, rolling to her feet. Warm, sticky blood flowed into the stone crevices, dyeing the earth and sky a bloody red…
A throbbing pain pulsed at Lin Zhaoyue’s temples. Her pupils contracted, and fine red veins crawled across her eyes, turning them completely bloodshot.
“What’s wrong with you…”
Xiao Yan paused mid-step, the words catching in his throat.
The girl was trembling all over, her eyes a deep red, as if tears of blood might flow at any moment.
Her lips quivered as she mumbled something incessantly under her breath.
She stared fixedly at him, her gaze filled with extreme hatred and utter despair.
For some reason, that look made Xiao Yan feel a momentary suffocation.
Her condition was not right!
Xiao Yan keenly sensed the problem.
“Lin Zhaoyue, what madness are you up to?”
Lin Zhaoyue could not heed Xiao Yan’s words at this moment, lowering her head to fiercely bite his pale, jade-like hand.
Pain spread from his hand, and Xiao Yan’s stern brows furrowed slightly.
Bright red blood seeped from his hand. Without hesitation, Xiao Yan extended his left hand and directly knocked her unconscious.
Lin Zhaoyue’s body slumped softly.
Xiao Yan reached out, catching her, and glanced at the hand she had bitten—a circle of indentations, all bleeding.
He picked her up horizontally, kicking a stone with his foot.
The stone flew swiftly and accurately toward a tree. Before it struck, a man in green robes descended from the tree.
The man was handsome, with lips red and teeth white. Not only was his demeanor extraordinary, but his face alone was pleasing.
“Deliberate?”
Xiao Yan’s voice was slightly cold.
With him guarding, the number of people in An Guo who could enter could be counted on one hand.
The man glanced at Lin Zhaoyue in Xiao Yan’s arms and said:
“You don’t like her? It’s better for her to break her attachment early. Since you have promised her the position of Crown Princess, you cannot wrong Yiyi again.”
Lin Zhaoyue’s nature was passionate and lively; she possessed an unconsciously captivating charm. He feared Xiao Yan might truly develop feelings for her later.
After speaking, seeing Xiao Yan staring at him, the man involuntarily felt intimidated.
Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze, merely stating calmly:
“Shen Yanzhou, you have overstepped.”
Shen Yanzhou’s body stiffened slightly, then heard the man speak unhurriedly:
“No next time.”
This was both an opportunity and a warning for him.
“Find out who he belongs to.”
“Yes…”
…
Qingzhu had fainted after screaming earlier. As Xiao Yan passed by her, he said to Feng Xin behind him:
“When she wakes up, instruct her on what should and should not be said.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Xiao Yan carried Lin Zhaoyue toward the main road.
The distance was too close; he could smell the fragrance emanating from her—fresh, not overly sweet, pleasant.
Feeling the weight in his hands, Xiao Yan glanced down at the unconscious Lin Zhaoyue, pondering whether the Lin family had never given her enough to eat?
Why was she so light?
His thoughts drifted further, and Xiao Yan’s dark eyes showed a faint trace of mockery.
His first thought was such trivial matters, not silencing her…
Carrying her to the main road, several ordinary-looking carriage were parked there.
Xiao Yan boarded one with Lin Zhaoyue.
Given her current state, she could not be directly returned to the Guogong Mansion. Xiao Yan took Lin Zhaoyue back to the Eastern Palace, placing her on the couch, and ordered:
“Invite Elder Li.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The servant received the command, slightly bowing to invite Elder Li.
Looking at the quiet figure on the bed, Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered with contemplation.
When she looked at him earlier, the hatred and despair in her eyes were genuine.
But why did she look at him with such eyes?
Or did she harbor some secret…
…
Lin Zhaoyue only woke up toward evening.
Opening her eyes, she saw the unfamiliar yet familiar canopy above, the exquisite jade pillow beside her, and the faint scent of ambergris in the room.
Lin Zhaoyue paused slightly; if she guessed correctly, this should be Xiao Yan’s sleeping quarters.
Why was she here?
Memories before unconsciousness surged—she and Qingzhu were wandering in Huguo Temple, lost their way, encountered Xiao Yan severing someone’s arm, and then her madness recurred.
In her previous life, after the Lin family was exterminated, she had developed madness.
She never expected that upon being reborn, she would bring her delusions back with her.
Rising, she pushed aside the covers.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, she heard the voice of a maid:
“The young lady is awake, quickly go and inform the Crown Prince.”
Before long, Xiao Yan appeared, surrounded by servants.
He had changed into a black robe, his posture upright and his face handsome, carrying a touch of laziness that contrasted with the usual imposing aura he exuded when wearing the Crown Prince’s python robe.
Yet, those dark phoenix eyes of his were fixed on her, sharp and cold, deep and unfathomable, making her heart instinctively uneasy.
Lin Zhaoyue’s hand unconsciously gripped the silk quilt beneath her.
Xiao Yan sat down by the bed and asked:
“Are you feeling better?”
Lin Zhaoyue nodded and said:
“I want to go home.”
The man seemed not to hear her words, speaking as if to himself:
“The physician said you are overthinking and need to rest well. Don’t run off recklessly next time.”
His tone was neither light nor heavy. If this were the Lin Zhaoyue of the past, she would have taken it as Xiao Yan’s concern and been so overjoyed she couldn’t sleep.
She would have completely missed the warning in his words.
“Your Highness need not worry. Today’s events—my maid Qingzhu and I saw nothing.”
Hearing Lin Zhaoyue’s words, Xiao Yan narrowed his long, narrow eyes, a flicker of interest passing through his dark phoenix gaze:
“Zhaozhao has grown cleverer.”
If she didn’t become smarter, she’d be toyed to death by him.
“So, Your Highness, may I return now?”
“Once you drink the medicine, this humble one will send you back.”
As soon as Xiao Yan finished speaking, Feng Xin entered carrying a bowl of dark, murky medicine.
The strong medicinal smell made Lin Zhaoyue frown.
Whether in her past life or now, she had never liked taking medicine.
Holding the warm medicine bowl, Lin Zhaoyue didn’t hesitate for long. Pinching her nose, she drank it all in one go.
Seeing her expression, the man’s phoenix eyes deepened.
Yesterday, he hadn’t been certain.
But today, Xiao Yan was almost sure—Lin Zhaoyue truly wasn’t the same as before.
What could have caused such a drastic change in her in such a short time?
Xiao Yan’s gaze held a trace of scrutiny as he watched her. After she finished drinking, he said quietly:
“You stumbled upon this humble one’s secret today. Aren’t you afraid I might have poisoned you?”
Lin Zhaoyue: “…I believe I am more valuable to Your Highness alive.”
If this were the past, Lin Zhaoyue would never have spoken such words.
But now, with her mindset changed, she couldn’t bring herself to act as coy and charming as she once had in front of him.
So be it—why force it?
Her father and brother were still safe, their military power intact. He wouldn’t dare do anything to her!
The most urgent matter now was how to break off her engagement to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered slightly. He stared at her silently for a long moment before saying:
“In three months, Miss Lin will become this humble one’s Crown Princess. I hope Miss Lin understands what should and should not be done. Since the position of Crown Princess was something Miss Lin sought, as long as Miss Lin remains obedient, this humble one will grant her the honors and wealth befitting a Crown Princess. But what does not belong to Miss Lin—do not covet it.”