Chu Yin lazily lifted his eyelids, casually raising his hand. With a light pinch, the steward’s life ended instantly.
Madam Liu staggered back in fright, but fortunately Yu Ning’er reached out and steadied her, preventing her from collapsing to the ground.
Yu Ning’er froze for a moment, her face turning pale.
He had killed so many people just like that?
Yet…
She looked at the man before her, someone utterly lazy yet fiercely proud, and felt her face heat up slightly.
Wasn’t the rumored Prince of Yan a relentless killer, someone who didn’t blink when taking a life? Wasn’t he said to be unpredictable, terrifying in appearance, and on the brink of death?
But the man in front of her had sharp, handsome features. He leaned casually against the door, his long, narrow eyes utterly lazy, with a hint of unruly charm between his brows.
Even killing someone exuded a sense of nobility. This man was even more outstanding than the Second Prince.
He should have been hers.
If he truly were as fragile as the rumors said, letting Yu Jiao perform a ritual to bring him luck would have been acceptable. But if he was like this…
Yu Ning’er pursed her lips, raising a seductive smile, and deliberately performed a soft, graceful bow. “Greetings, Your Highness. I am Yu Ning’er.”
There was a hint of shyness beneath the charm. Yu Jiao blinked, then glanced at Chu Yin, who seemed not to notice, letting the steward’s body fall to the ground.
“Your Highness~” Yu Jiao spoke in a soft, plaintive voice, attempting to throw herself into his arms. Chu Yin cast her a cold glance. “Stand still.”
His voice was icy, devoid of warmth, as though he had never been the one to hold her and kiss her moments ago.
He looked down at his hand, then at Yu Jiao, who seemed a little aggrieved by his tone, frowning.
This hand… it was filthy.
Yu Ning’er felt a small surge of pride seeing Chu Yin’s attitude toward her.
Glancing at the steward on the floor, she inhaled sharply. Her smile froze for a moment before she spoke again: “Your Highness, actually… I am your Princess Consort.”
Finally, Chu Yin lifted his eyelids, regarding her with interest, his tone rising slightly. “Oh?”
Yu Ning’er straightened her neck and glanced at the neglected Yu Jiao. She already knew that in her presence, Yu Jiao was nothing.
Her voice carried a hint of grievance. “Your Highness, Ning’er is your Princess Consort. It was Yu Jiao—Yu Jiao who went to great lengths to knock me unconscious, dress me in wedding attire, and try to climb into the prince’s bed.”
“Went to great lengths? Climb my bed?”
Chu Yin looked at her like a cute little white rabbit, raising an eyebrow. Interesting.
“Then why didn’t you clarify this with me, the Prince?”
Yu Jiao touched her nose, confused, and muttered softly, “Because she thought you were dead.”
“Yu Jiao, did the prince ask you anything? Talk too much and I’ll tear your mouth off,” Yu Ning’er glared at her fiercely.
Chu Yin frowned slightly. His little rabbit—he hadn’t used such a harsh tone on her before.
“Ha,” he suddenly chuckled, “then explain to me, the Prince, why.”
“Was it because this Prince, am unpredictable? Or frighteningly insane? Or because this Prince, am near death?”
Chu Yin licked the corner of his mouth, tilting his head in a creepy smile.
Yu Ning’er paled further, forcing herself to maintain composure. “Your Highness, you must be joking.”
“Then why do the rumors outside say otherwise?”
Yu Ning’er twisted her fingers nervously. “Your Highness, the rumors are false.”
Chu Yin’s gaze immediately grew cold.
Lying.
Yu Jiao had said it was because they were blind.
He stepped forward, standing before Yu Ning’er, looking down at her. “Lift your head.”
Yu Ning’er felt a surge of excitement. She was known as one of the beauties of Yan Capital; no one had ever visited her father for business without commenting on her appearance.
She straightened her back, shyly lifting her head to meet his gaze. She coquettishly called out, “Your Highness~”
Yu Jiao watched, lips pressed together, a pang of jealousy in her heart.
Chu Yin lifted her chin with the hand that had pinched the steward, and Yu Ning’er let out a soft moan.
“You know… what if I split your face in half?”
Wha… what?
Yu Ning’er’s expression froze.
“Tch… truly ugly.” Chu Yin tossed Yu Ning’er to the ground like trash, staring at the hand that had touched her, frowning.
Madam Liu, seeing her precious daughter treated this way, bristled with anger, but the cold glance from Chu Yin made her swallow her words.
Tch, his hand is even dirtier now.
If it’s soiled, then it should be washed with blood.
Chu Yin shifted slightly. Suddenly, something soft bumped against him. Yu Jiao looked at his hand with inexplicable disdain, disgusted that he had touched Yu Ning’er.
She took out a handkerchief, rubbing his hand repeatedly until it was red before stopping.
Chu Yin quietly observed her; in this light, his hand seemed clean again.
Yu Jiao looked up, glaring at her. “Your Highness, don’t touch her again!”
Chu Yin raised an eyebrow. Hah, showing his fangs.
They say a rabbit will bite when cornered.
“This Prince, am not touching you. Am I touching you instead?”
Yu Jiao lifted her head. “Of course.”
“Oh?” Chu Yin leaned close to her ear. “How would you be touched?”
Yu Jiao’s earlobe flushed, and she glared at her.
Chu Yin chuckled. His little rabbit’s courage was growing.
“Fine.” He straightened up, towering over the two on the ground. “Even without using my hands, this Prince, could still kill her.”
Madam Liu and Yu Ning’er paled immediately.
When the Prince of Yan said he would kill, it was never a joke.
Yu Ning’er had no other thoughts. The two of them kowtowed frantically, pleading for mercy.
Seeing Chu Yin unmoved, they kowtowed toward Yu Jiao. “Sister, it’s my fault! Please save me!”
“Jiaojiao, it’s Second Aunt’s mistake, I was wrong,” Madam Liu said, slapping herself twice. “Jiaojiao, please intercede for us!”
Chu Yin’s smile twisted as he contemplated, “Should I make them into lamp wicks or burn them for fertilizer?”
The two on the ground nearly fainted.
Yu Ning’er’s face was drained of all color as she begged miserably, “Your Highness, don’t… please!”
Chu Yin’s eyes darkened, full of impatience. “Did this Prince, ask you anything? Talk too much and I’ll tear your mouth off.”
Yu Ning’er’s pleas choked in her throat.
Chu Yin then looked at the person in his arms, warmth brushing her face. “Hmm… this skeleton would make an ugly lamp wick. Burning it won’t produce a pretty color. Perhaps it’s better as fertilizer for growing flowers. What do you think, Jiaojiao?”
The way he said “Jiaojiao” was lingering, and Yu Jiao shivered involuntarily. Hearing about making fertilizer, she frowned.
Madam Liu, afraid that a nod from Yu Jiao would seal their fate, begged, “Jiaojiao, please! We’ll do anything, take whatever you want, just spare us!”
Yu Jiao’s eyes lit up. She tugged on Chu Yin’s sleeve, her eyes sparkling like little stars. “Your Highness, Jiaojiao doesn’t like ghost-fire lanterns.”
Then she quickly added, “Nor being made into fertilizer.”
She extended her hand, beckoning toward Chu Yin. In a low voice, she whispered, “Your Highness, lower your head. I have a secret to tell you.”