Chарter 25: Somеone Еvеn Моrе Ruthlеss Thаn Нim Арpeаrs
“Greetings to the Fifth Рrinсess! Grееtings tо thе Fifth Рrincеss!”
Не had heаrd frоm his mothеr that currentlу, the Fifth Рrincess was thе most fаvorеd in thе entire рalacе.
Shе wаs аbsolutelу nоt tо bе offendеd.
Shangguаn Sui glared аt Xiaо Feng. “This рrincess doеs nоt wish tо seе уou! Get lost nоw!”
In the оriginаl story, Хiao Fеng, relуing оn his mоther Сoncubinе Liu’s favor, hаd bulliеd Хiao Ziyuan countless times.
During thеir studiеs in the Imperial Studу, hе often knoсkеd over Xiao Ziyuan’s meals, leaving him to attend classes on an empty stomach.
He had been a bad child since he was young.
Xiao Feng didn’t know why the Fifth Princess disliked him, but he quickly ran off with his two little followers.
In his haste, he even tripped and fell.
Xiao Ziyuan had already stood up from the ground, brushing the dirt off his clothes.
Seeing Shangguan Sui, he turned and bowed respectfully. “Greetings to the Fifth Princess.”
Shangguan Sui blinked, examining the little boy before her.
Xiao Ziyuan was exceptionally handsome, with beautiful phoenix-shaped eyes, dark pupils that held a cool, penetrating gaze.
His skin was pale and striking, with thick eyelashes slightly lowered, making it hard to discern the emotions in his eyes.
[Wow, is this the male lead? So handsome~]
[He’s already this good-looking as a child. Tsk tsk, imagine how devastatingly charming he’ll be when he grows up!]
Shangguan Sui blinked and took the initiative to speak to him.
“Hello, I’m Shangguan Sui.”
Xiao Ziyuan looked at the exquisitely beautiful little girl before him.
She only reached his chest in height, with two small buns tied atop her head, her large, pretty eyes blinking as she gazed at him.
She wore a delicate new dress made of Shu Brocade, clearly showing she was well cared for.
Unlike him…
Xiao Ziyuan pursed his thin lips lightly, his voice clear and bright. “I’m Xiao Ziyuan.”
Shangguan Sui continued trying to get closer. “Was that person just now your brother?”
Xiao Ziyuan glanced in the direction Xiao Feng had left, his expression instantly darkening, his eyes filled with malice.
He said in a sinister tone, “He is not my brother!”
“His name is Xiao Feng. I will kill him sooner or later.”
Shangguan Sui hadn’t expected Xiao Ziyuan to reveal his hatred so directly in front of her.
Watching Xiao Ziyuan’s handsome face gradually twist with anger.
Without a second thought, Shangguan Sui slapped Xiao Ziyuan’s arm.
Xiao Ziyuan immediately winced in pain and snapped out of it, his dark transformation forcibly halted.
He turned to look at Shangguan Sui beside him. “What are you doing?”
Shangguan Sui blinked. “Do you really hate Xiao Feng?”
Xiao Ziyuan was puzzled. Why was she asking this?
Before he could answer, Shangguan Sui turned and looked at the twenty eunuchs who had followed her.
Her voice was still as sweet and childish as ever, but her tone was very serious.
“Remember what that little chubby kid looked like?”
The eunuchs nodded.
Shangguan Sui continued, “After school today, intercept him for me!”
“Put a sack over his head and throw him into the nearby bushes. Beat him up thoroughly.”
The eunuchs dared not object and immediately bowed in acknowledgment.
“Your servant obeys.”
Satisfied, Shangguan Sui nodded, then turned back to Xiao Ziyuan and raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t worry, from now on, I’ve got your back!”
Xiao Ziyuan, who had witnessed everything: !
Someone even more ruthless than him had appeared.
But indeed, he didn’t feel as angry anymore…
Seeing the malice gradually fade from Xiao Ziyuan’s eyes, Shangguan Sui couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.
[Whew~ It seems Xiao Ziyuan’s dark transformation process has been delayed a bit.]【But this isn’t enough. What truly caused the dramatic change in Xiao Ziyuan’s life happened this year—his mother, Princess Consort Song, passed away due to illness.】
【Only by keeping Princess Consort Song alive can we truly prevent Xiao Ziyuan from turning dark.】
Shangguan Sui decided to find a quiet place to tell Xiao Ziyuan.
“Qing Ping, wait here for a moment.”
Before Qing Ping could react, she grabbed Xiao Ziyuan’s sleeve and headed toward the nearby lakeside.
Xiao Ziyuan didn’t understand why, but he quietly followed Shangguan Sui.
Shangguan Sui walked too hastily and, not watching her step, stepped on a protruding pebble, nearly tripping.
Xiao Ziyuan reacted quickly, immediately reaching out to steady Shangguan Sui.
The moment he held Shangguan Sui’s small hand, Xiao Ziyuan realized—
Why had his ears suddenly become so noisy?
【Oh dear! I almost fell to my death! That was close!】
【This darn pebble!】
Seeing Shangguan Sui steady herself, Xiao Ziyuan released her small hand.
But he found that the noise in his ears didn’t disappear because of it.
Instead, it grew even livelier…
【Xiao Ziyuan’s hands are so big. Is he really only seven years old?】
【Still, I really owe him this time. Otherwise, I would have fallen flat on my face!】
Xiao Ziyuan: …
He was now completely certain that what he was hearing was Shangguan Sui’s inner thoughts.
Xiao Ziyuan found it somewhat unbelievable but quickly accepted it.
Shangguan Sui pursed her lips, unable to stop her mind from racing.
【How should I start so that Xiao Ziyuan will believe me?】
【I can’t just tell him directly that his mother is going to die this year, can I?】
Xiao Ziyuan: ?
His mother is going to die this year?
Shangguan Sui sighed.
【But her death isn’t an accident—it’s due to poisoning!】
Xiao Ziyuan: ?
Poisoning!
【The one who poisoned her is Prince Rui’s favored concubine, Xiao Feng’s birth mother, Concubine Liu.】
【Concubine Liu bribed one of Princess Consort Song’s maids, named Tao Hong.】
【Concubine Liu had Tao Hong secretly poison Princess Consort Song’s medicine, which is why she was chronically ill and never recovered.】
Xiao Ziyuan’s heart tightened violently.
Tao Hong had been by his mother’s side for many years, always respectful and loyal.
Who would have thought she would betray his mother, side with Concubine Liu, and poison her!
Xiao Ziyuan couldn’t help but feel a chill of fear, his hands and feet turning cold.
If Concubine Liu succeeded, he would lose his mother forever…