Chapter 36: Conflict

As their gazes met, Xia Tong was about to put on a pitiful act, but upon hearing his words, she froze in place. With a quick glance, she immediately shook her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Not at all. I was still in my undergarments when the assassin suddenly broke in, grabbed my neck, and demanded that I help him find someone. Then, a swarm of people rushed in, and the assassin escaped through the window.”

As she spoke, she managed to squeeze out a tear from the corner of her eye and added, “Even so, it’s scandalous for so many men to burst into a woman’s chamber. If this gets out…”

She pinched her thigh again, but this time no tears came, so she just lowered her head and sobbed, her petite shoulders shaking.

Gu Qin remained silent, his brows furrowed as he gazed at her, his large hand rubbing along her delicate neck.

Xia Tong stiffened, feeling as though a venomous snake had wrapped around her throat, leaving her completely deflated.

“There’s a snake pit in the back bamboo forest of the manor. I enjoy tossing disobedient people in there and watching them slowly get torn apart by the snakes,” he said, his voice cold. Leaning in, he locked eyes with her, his gaze filled with an unsettling intensity. “Especially those who deceive and mislead.”

This woman wouldn’t speak the truth unless she was taught a lesson.

Meeting his fathomless gaze, Xia Tong trembled uncontrollably, her face paling, her eyes filled with dread.

She had been honest, merely omitting a few minor details, but it was true that those men had forced their way in…

As her head drooped, a large teardrop slid down her cheek. Xia Tong decided to fully confess, her voice choked. “I… I…”

“Enough.”

Unable to bear seeing her cry, Gu Qin raised his hand to wipe away her tears, his expression inscrutable. “But as long as you listen well, no one can take what’s yours.”

Feeling like a pet, she nodded through her tears, realizing that it was better to be alive than not.

“Um… actually, the butler and the others are innocent. It’s only that ugly, square-faced man who’s despicable. Can you spare the butler and the others?” She sniffled, casting a tentative glance at him.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating her pale face with two trails of dried tears, making her look pitiful. Gu Qin pinched her soft cheek and suddenly patted her head, his eyes deepening with thought. “You are the princess, you have the final say.”

With that, he turned to leave, but a flicker of anger crossed his face. That little brat had not only intruded into his manor but had also come here. It seemed he was determined not to let that woman leave alive.

She didn’t expect the other party to be so reasonable. But looking at the departing figure, Xia Tong didn’t care that she was not wearing shoes, and hurriedly chased after him, “Well… I, the princess, am actually just a decoration. Look at that square-faced man who glared at me today, as if he wanted to kill me. What if he really attacks me?”

Turning back, he saw her urgent expression, and his gaze shifted to her bare feet, which glistened in the candlelight, delicate like fine jade. His eyes darkened, and suddenly, he lifted her by the waist as if she were a child, placing her back on the soft couch, his tone heavy. “Behave.”

With that, he left the room, not wanting to linger in idle chatter. Outside, Qing’er peered in curiously and quietly followed her in.

Xia Tong hugged her knees, staring out the window, pouting in dissatisfaction. What was up with the villain lately? Why was he always getting so hands-on with her? Who was truly being unruly here?

“Master, are you alright?” Qing’er handed her a cup of hot tea to calm her nerves and whispered, “I saw the prince standing up for you just now. No one can say you’re not favored now.”

Taking a sip of tea, Xia Tong slowly exhaled, “Really?”

She also thought that the villain was strange, one moment he was torturing her, the next he wanted to help her. Truly, men were as unpredictable as the depths of the ocean.

“Of course. I heard that the prince’s birthday is in a few days. Why don’t you take this opportunity to express your gratitude?” Qing’er said mysteriously.

Xia Tong paused, resting her chin in thought. What concerned her most was where the heroine was being held.

She had visited all the obvious places in the residence, but there were still many eerie locations that even she dared not approach. She had said the heroine couldn’t escape, and she was right. The book mentioned the heroine would be tortured by the villain in various ways. Eventually, the hero found a Tianshan snow lotus to save her life, and then helped her recover her health gradually.

Oh, right, didn’t the old emperor give her that snow lotus? But the real question was, where was the heroine imprisoned? If she delayed, would she really lose her life?

“You could embroider a pouch for the prince as a token of your feelings. The prince will surely understand the master’s thoughts.”

While Qing’er babbled on about gifts, Xia Tong half-heartedly responded and then lay back on the bed to ponder further.

Though she wanted to save the heroine, it couldn’t be for free. The second male lead would definitely contact her again. It’s better to see how sincere he is first.

As the candlelight faded, darkness enveloped the room, and Xia Tong’s breathing became steady and deep.

The next day, Hongxue seemed to have gone mad, guarding her closely without leaving a single step. She checked every item that entered or exited the room, creating a particularly solemn and eerie atmosphere.

The door was open, and Qing’er carried a basket into the room, but as soon as she reached the entrance, a long sword suddenly blocked her way.

Glancing at the embroidery supplies in the basket, Hongxue coldly inspected it several times before allowing her inside, then resumed her imposing stance, like a formidable guardian.

Xia Tong was inside choosing patterns for pouches, witnessing the scene at the door with anger etched on her face. She stormed out. “What’s this? Am I now your prisoner?”

Hongxue was clearly in cahoots with that square-faced man. They must have been afraid she would contact the assassin and leak information about the Regent’s residence, hence their tight surveillance. The villains are not in a hurry, but these two people are stepping into the shoes of others!

“I’m just ensuring the princess’s safety, to prevent any mixed individuals from sneaking in,” Hongxue said, arms crossed, coldly staring ahead without even glancing at her.

Qing’er tugged on Xia Tong’s sleeve, shaking her head to suggest letting it go.

But Xia Tong grew serious, taking a moment to scrutinize Hongxue and scoffing, “If you’re really that capable, then why did an assassin manage to get in last night? If the prince has subordinates like you, I can’t help but worry for his safety!”

“You—” Hongxue’s expression changed, glaring at her with icy disdain. “The princess knows better than anyone how the assassin escaped.”

The maids outside sweeping the fallen leaves lowered their heads, pretending to be oblivious.

Xia Tong’s face darkened, and she took a deep breath, casually adjusting the decorative pearl on her hairpin, leaning closer with a sly smile. “I was the one who let him go, and the prince has known all along. So what? I’m still the princess. I’ll do as I please!”

Ignoring Hongxue’s increasingly dark expression, she took Qing’er’s basket and said nonchalantly, “The prince’s birthday is coming up soon. I need to hurry and embroider a pouch for him before I’m delayed by some ill-intentioned people.”

Xia Tong raised her eyebrows, feeling triumphant, then hummed a tune as she walked back into the room, completely unfazed by the icy glare outside. She would find a way to get rid of Hongxue sooner or later!

“Master, do you think Hongxue is angry?” Qing’er asked quietly.

Beside her, Fang Yu, who had been picking embroidery threads, suddenly spoke up. “She harbors resentment toward the master and surely cannot remain here for long.”

Xia Tong agreed completely. However, the villain was reluctant to transfer her away, and there was nothing she could do about it. Though she genuinely despised embroidering pouches as it was dull and mind-numbing, she felt it wouldn’t be right not to show any appreciation since they had helped her several times. It was the least she could do. If it became too burdensome, she would let Qing’er take her place.

Outside, Hongxue seemed increasingly agitated by her defiance. After that, she insisted on inspecting everything that entered the room as if determined to go against Xia Tong. In response, Xia Tong engaged her in a battle of wills, deliberately wandering the estate to discover where the prisoner was truly located.

“Ha! Princess, don’t waste your efforts. You’re so capable, why not just ask the prince directly?”

Hongxue, who had been following all the way, finally couldn’t help but make a sarcastic remark, holding the sword and turning her head away coldly.

Xia Tong leaned against the corridor, taking a moment to catch her breath. She had explored every corner of the Regent’s residence but hadn’t found any suspicious areas. Where on earth was the heroine being held?

As a cold breeze swept by, she pulled her cloak tighter around herself. Tilting her head, she fixed her piercing gaze on Hongxue and said, “I’m just admiring the scenery of the Regent’s residence. Why are you so nervous?”

With that, she let out a nonchalant laugh, her voice bright. “I have a close relationship with the prince. If something happens, I will ask him myself. What would a servant like you know?”

She then touched the red agate bracelet on her wrist, her small face glowing with pride. “This bracelet gifted by the prince is wonderful, it even keeps my hand warm.”

Seeing her show off, Hongxue’s eyes fixated on the red agate bracelet. The red agate was a treasure of the jade shop. Who would have thought that the master would give it to this woman!

Noticing Hongxue’s darkening expression and her tightening grip on the sword, Xia Tong deduced that her feelings were unsettled. It was clear that Hongxue had feelings for the villain. Otherwise, why would she harbor such deep hostility towards her? Indeed, those who loved the villain often had their own quirks.

“Princess?”

Suddenly, a few familiar figures approached, with the square-faced man leading and Xifeng, whom Xia Tong hadn’t seen in a long time. Upon seeing Xifeng, Xia Tong rushed over, almost as if she had seen family.

“It’s only been a few days since we last met, and you look so worn out!” She eyed Xifeng’s weary appearance, genuinely curious about what he had been through.

The woman opposite her wore a golden pine flower cloak in a warm autumn color, still beautiful as ever. However, when Xifeng saw her, he instinctively took a step back, fear flashing in his eyes. He had become this way because of the princess.

“Please step aside, princess. These subordinates have important matters to attend to,” the square-faced man said, his eyes fixed straight ahead, his tone icy.

The others behind him lowered their heads, afraid to speak. Why was their leader being so stubborn and picking a fight with the princess?

Xia Tong, annoyed, gave him a scrutinizing look and coldly replied, “Are you asking me to move aside for you?”

Her voice was frosty, and Xifeng sensed the tension in the air. He glanced at his companion, who also wore a conflicted expression. He had only been gone for a few days—what had happened in the meantime?

As someone with experience, he knew he had to save his friend from this situation. Offending anyone was fine, but offending the princess was unacceptable.

“You should quickly apologize to the princess!” Xifeng suddenly said sharply, glaring at the square-faced man.

The latter’s expression shifted, and he looked hesitant. This princess clearly had ulterior motives. Why was their leader defending her?

Xifeng was perceptive, and Xia Tong seized the moment to lightly clear her throat. “Forget it, I’m not someone who holds grudges.”

With that, she turned and left with Qing’er, who immediately parted the way for her. After witnessing how their leader had been punished the night before, none dared to provoke her again.

Hongxue shot a glance at the square-faced man, her brow furrowed in silence, but she quickly followed after Xia Tong.

Once they had left, the square-faced man looked puzzled at Xifeng and exclaimed, “This woman entered the Regent’s residence with bad intentions and deliberately let the assassin go last night. Why do you still praise her?”

It was one thing for the prince to be deceived, he couldn’t believe that his normally cold-hearted older brother would fear a woman who couldn’t even kill a chicken!

Xifeng, sporting some stubble on his chin, replied coldly while looking at him as if he were foolish, “Who she is is not for us to decide. Besides, do you know why I was suddenly reassigned to Zhoucheng?”

With that, he walked ahead. The prince clearly cared for the princess.Even if he let the assassin go, what would happen? The princess had drugged the prince before, but nothing happened.

Uncertain whether he had taken Xifeng’s words to heart, the square-faced man remained there, glaring at the direction Xia Tong had left, a glint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. He vowed that he would not let anything harmful to his master go unpunished!