Qiao Wanyan: Listen to what you're saying, is that even human language? Seriously, does he rehearse these lines in front of a mirror?
Her eyes were half-closed, and her already porcelain-white skin had turned a sickly pale from the cold. She shivered, partly from the chill, partly from the unsettling intensity of He Yanli's gaze.
Qiao Wanyan called out softly, "Yanli." The name felt foreign on her tongue, a relic from a life she hadn't lived.
A strange light flickered in He Yanli's eyes as he stared at her in silence for a long moment. "We're not that close. Don't you think it's impolite to call me by my name like that?" His voice was a low, dangerous purr.
Qiao Wanyan wanted to roll her eyes so hard they might pop out of her head. Okay, okay, who wants to be intimate with you, Mr. Brooding Villain? Come to think of it, He Yanli isn't one of the people close to Qiao Yi Huan, right? Thank goodness! That means I don't have to be nice to him. But being openly hostile isn't a good idea either; what if he decides I'm a threat and just hacks me to death? No, no, play it cool. Let's just treat him as a vaguely unpleasant stranger and avoid him like the plague.
Qiao Wanyan plastered on a weak, apologetic smile. "Oh, I'm sorry, you're right. Ninth Prince, I'm really not feeling well right now. I just had a cold, and my body is already weak and shaky. I'm afraid I might catch another one if I stay out here any longer. So, if you'll excuse me, may I leave now? If there's something you need me for, we can certainly discuss it at a more opportune time. I'm truly sorry for my impudence." Her voice trembled slightly, a carefully crafted performance of frailty.
Qiao Wanyan bowed slightly to show her remorse, the picture of delicate vulnerability. But the moment she lowered her head, safely hidden from his piercing gaze, she rolled her eyes with the force of a thousand suns.
It's best if we never meet again. My goal is solely related to Yi Huan, and you, my dear villainous prince, are most definitely not included. Stay far, far away from me and my carefully laid plans.
Jingyuan, who had been silently observing, felt a surge of indignation seeing Qiao Wanyan in such a state. In his eyes, His Highness Prince Jing was nothing more than a wicked bully, tormenting an innocent little girl.
Even though Miss Qiao is a bad woman, how is it that she can so easily evoke his pity when she acts pitifully? It's poisonous, it must be poisonous! Stay away from bad women, and stay even further away from bad women who pretend to be pitiful!
He Yanli frowned slightly, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Why wasn't she reacting the way he expected? He had only spoken a few harsh words, and she was already treating him like a stranger. No wonder she could have said such hurtful things back then. She can cut ties so easily.
But she's also incredibly delicate, he thought, a strange mix of annoyance and reluctant fascination swirling within him.
Seeing the tense situation, He Zhiyu spoke up, his voice laced with impatience, "Aren't you going to help your young lady change her clothes?"
Zi Yuan immediately scrambled to her feet, glancing nervously at Prince Jing's expression. Seeing that he made no move to stop her, she quickly and carefully helped Qiao Wanyan away, practically dragging her as they hurried towards the exit.
He Zhiyu walked to Qiao Yihuan's side, his expression softening as he focused on her. He Yanli glanced at the two of them, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "This Prince won't disturb you any longer, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I will head to Zhaohua Palace first."
Jingyuan's face darkened with barely suppressed fury. How dare he refer to himself as "this Prince" in front of His Highness? The arrogance of the man!
But one was a Crown Prince who had lived in the capital for a long time but wielded little real power, while the other was a Prince in Beiming City, commanding an army of 300,000 troops. Even if he was a bit arrogant, he certainly had the power to back it up.
Mo Xiao nodded slightly, turned, and silently followed Prince Jing away. After they had passed through the Moon Gate and were out of earshot, he ventured to speak, "Your Highness, Miss Qiao hurt you deeply back then. Please, do not allow yourself to be soft-hearted."
A cold glint appeared at the corner of He Yanli's mouth, a chilling contrast to his handsome features. "Soft-hearted? Never. She is greedy and scheming, a viper disguised as a flower. A person who so casually betrays genuine sincerity should commit suicide to avoid dirtying other people's hands with the task."