Xiao Jinyan watched her cautious movements and couldn’t help feeling a little surprised. He hadn’t expected his Princess Consort to be this capable.
He was already used to being watched, so he knew where that person was hiding and how to deal with it. But from the very moment that person appeared, she seemed to have immediately sensed the danger.
That was why, when she had been holding his hand, she suddenly tightened her grip without realizing it, followed by a series of instinctive reactions. Yet her reactions weren’t defensive or panicked—she clearly looked like someone ready to fight at any moment.
It left him utterly astonished.
He wasn’t sure how strong his wife actually was. After all, he had never seen her fight with his own eyes. But he did know General Hua’s combat skills very well.
Like father, like child, most likely. Even though Hua Miaomiao was a woman, her fighting ability probably wasn’t weak at all. Judging from her reaction just now, she was definitely not to be underestimated.
It seemed that if there were a chance in the future, sparring with her might be interesting. He just didn’t know what kind of weapon she specialized in.
General Hua was accustomed to using a great saber—could it be that she had learned the same weapon from her father?
Xiao Jinyan looked at her slender figure again: the delicate waist that could be wrapped in one hand, the long, thin arms.
No matter how he looked at her, he couldn’t imagine what kind of weapon she might excel at.
What he didn’t know was that his Princess Consort’s greatest specialty was sniping—and that she was the absolute top-tier king among snipers.
After Hua Miaomiao closed all the doors and windows, she quietly returned to his side.
With a serious expression, she said, “Your Highness, I think someone was watching us just now. Could it be that a bad person has sneaked into the manor?”
She truly couldn’t understand it. Her Prince was already in this condition—could the Empress still refuse to let him go? Or was it someone sent by another prince?
He had already fallen so low and had effectively withdrawn from the struggle for the throne. Did they really have to push things to the point of extermination?
Hua Miaomiao frowned as these upsetting thoughts ran through her mind. She even felt that she needed to form a special operations team as soon as possible and teach them how to use firearms.
Only then could she protect him better and more comprehensively. With that thought, she decided she would find an opportunity to discuss this matter with him properly.
Of course, the first problem was how to explain those weapons. Just thinking about it made her feel a little frustrated—it really wasn’t easy to explain.
“It’s fine. The spies in the manor were sent by the Empress, but they shouldn’t harm me.
After all, I no longer pose any threat to her. Those spies are merely here to monitor me. You don’t need to worry so much, my lady.”
Xiao Jinyan smiled gently as he comforted her. In truth, those wretches were not worth fearing at all—his own hidden guards had been watching their every move closely.
It was just that the time wasn’t right yet. He couldn’t reveal that he had already recovered, because dismantling the Sun clan’s power at court was no easy task, especially with the Emperor openly shielding them.
If he wanted to act, he could only proceed step by step, gradually eroding their influence. After all, the Sun family’s power at court was deeply entrenched.
Still, this was something he had to do himself. This was the blood feud between him and the Sun clan—one he must personally settle, or he would be failing his tragically murdered mother consort and elder brother.
As for the throne, he had never truly wanted it. All he wanted was to avenge them, then leave this place far behind—a place devoid of humanity and familial affection.
Hearing him say this only made Hua Miaomiao’s anger burn hotter.
This was truly bullying someone too far. That old woman and that damned emperor—they truly had no humanity at all!
At that moment, Hua Miaomiao desperately wanted to rush into her personal space, take out her sniper rifle, and wipe them out that very night.
Xiao Jinyan watched her furious expression and almost laughed, but he knew the atmosphere wasn’t right. Otherwise, his wife might find it baffling.
He, too, had once been angry and full of hatred. But after so many years, he had buried most of those emotions deep inside. If he had worn everything on his face, he likely wouldn’t have survived this long.
When his master saved him back then, he had told him, “If you can’t endure small setbacks, you’ll ruin great plans.” Only with thorough preparation could revenge be carried out.
After all, the people he faced were no ordinary enemies. If anything went wrong and he were exposed, the punishment by law would be death by dismemberment.
Throwing his own life away for revenge would be utterly foolish. The best revenge was to let her watch helplessly as she lost everything she had gained through ruthless means.
For this, Xiao Jinyan had planned for ten years. One day, he would make her repay her blood debt in full.
Xiao Jinyan took the initiative and opened his arms toward her.
Seeing his posture, Hua Miaomiao wondered—did he want her to hug him?
So she stepped forward and embraced him, intending to give him a comforting hug. Unexpectedly, he directly lifted her and sat her on his lap.
The position was unbearably embarrassing. It was her first time sitting on his lap, and the feeling was strangely wonderful.
Although she often felt that her mind was full of dirty thoughts, when it really came time to act, she was all desire and no courage.
This was exactly the case now. She could clearly take the initiative to tease him, yet she was so shy that she didn’t know what to do with her hands and feet.
Even though they slept in the same bed every night, she only dared to sneak a few touches after he had fallen asleep, just to satisfy herself a little.
Thinking this way, Hua Miaomiao felt she was far too timid. She should be bolder—use her hands, use her lips, go all the way!
Summoning her courage, Hua Miaomiao wrapped her arms around his neck, rested her chin on his shoulder, and then mustered the nerve to pull out the golden needle hidden at the back of her head.
She thought to herself that even though Xiao Jinyan didn’t know her true appearance, she still wanted to face him with her real face.
Seeing her actions, Xiao Jinyan knew she had removed her disguise. His heart filled with even greater joy—but he had to steady himself carefully.
Otherwise, at such close proximity, she would definitely notice something was off.
With his heart racing, Xiao Jinyan waited for her next move.
He heard her take a deep breath, then she quickly kissed him on the lips—and pulled away just as fast.
That fleeting kiss made Xiao Jinyan’s heart pound violently, but it was clearly not enough. He immediately seized the initiative, cupping her face with both hands and kissing her deeply.
That kiss made Hua Miaomiao’s mind go completely blank. Her body stiffened uncontrollably at first, but gradually she became dizzy from the kiss, her body softening into his arms.
She felt as if she were about to suffocate, yet Xiao Jinyan had no intention of letting her go so easily.
This was a moment he had long awaited—how could he possibly allow it to end so quickly?
His lips and tongue remained entwined with hers, lingering and unwilling to part for a long time.