Hou Ye's palm heart is a black lotus

As soon as Xun Cheng stepped out of the room, he saw Princess Qinyang standing in the courtyard.

Hearing the noise, she turned around, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face.

"Um... are you guys done talking? Ye Si said he gave you a big gift this time and he absolutely has to treat you to a big meal. The food is all served now, just waiting for you."

Xun Cheng smiled and said, "Of course."

Not just one meal, but more than that is fine.

Princess Qinyang coughed a few times and couldn't help but peek inside again.

"Then... what about him? Are we just going to leave him here all alone?"

"There are guards all around, so it won't get lost. Don't worry."

Xun Cheng approached her, but after taking just one step, he turned his head back.
"Or... do you also want to go and talk to him?"

“No need!” Princess Qinyang immediately refused.

Are you kidding me? What could she and Shui Xingqiu possibly have to talk about? At most, they'd discuss how to make his death more painful.

Princess Qinyang immediately followed, and couldn't help but secretly peek at Xun Cheng.

After this was repeated several times, Xun Cheng finally spoke first.

Are we really that alike?

"what?"

Princess Qinyang didn't react for a moment, and stammered.
"It seems...it seems not..."

A smile appeared in Xun Cheng's eyes.

"When I was a child, people often said that. I thought that after so many years, we wouldn't look that similar anymore, but it seems that blood ties are really quite amazing."

Princess Qinyang was completely stunned.

"I...I really didn't mean to eavesdrop! I swear—"

"I know."

She wears her heart on her sleeve. When Xun Cheng came out and saw her expression, he knew that she must have heard most of what was going on.

Otherwise, given her personality, she wouldn't be so awkward.

But Xun Cheng didn't mind.

“A person cannot choose their birth.” He smiled, his tone calm, “but they can choose what kind of person they want to be.”

For some reason, Princess Qinyang felt a pang of sadness upon hearing his nonchalant words.

"Then..." she hesitated before boldly asking, "Is your body alright now?" Xun Cheng: "..."

His lips twitched slightly. "...You should trust Miss Ye's medical skills, right?"

"Right, right! I almost forgot, it was her who saved you!" Princess Qinyang breathed a sigh of relief, all the worry on her face disappeared, and she smiled brightly with her almond-shaped eyes, "Then there's definitely no problem!"

Xun Cheng: "...Hmm."

Princess Qinyang knew that he had indirectly revealed his identity to her, and many of her previous questions were now answered.

She was filled with mixed emotions.

However, Xun Cheng didn't seem interested in continuing the conversation, so she didn't ask any further questions.

What's past is past.

"Ye Si is known as someone who can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. I heard from Chu Tang that you also have a high alcohol tolerance?" Princess Qinyang asked curiously.

Xun Cheng's expression was strange.

Ye Chutang said he has a high alcohol tolerance?

That's probably not a compliment... It's just that I was a little slow to pay for the drinks the first few times.

"It's alright," he said.

Princess Qinyang suddenly leaned closer, her eyes sparkling.

"Then—how about we have a drinking contest today to see who can drink the most?"

Xun Cheng: "...???"

……

Capital City, Imperial Palace.

Shen Yanchuan was investigating a case when he was urgently summoned to the palace.

Upon arrival, he discovered that several cabinet ministers were present, their expressions serious and their anger barely concealed.

He frowned slightly. "What has angered Your Majesty?"

Xiao Chengqi's face was as cold as ice.

"Xiao Chenglin has gone mad! After fighting the Prince of Yannan and losing three battles in a row, he actually changed direction and launched a night attack on Fengdu! The garrison of Fengdu surrendered voluntarily, hoping that he would spare the people in the city, but do you know what he did?"

Xiao Chengqi gritted his teeth.

"He massacred the entire city!" (End of Chapter)