Free Web NovelChapter 412: Chapter 412: Crazy
Xiao Chengqi was momentarily speechless. His eyes shifted, and he smiled, leaning lazily back into his chair.
"Miss Ye did save my life, after all. I was planning on thanking her profusely anyway."
Xie Anbai’s gaze fell to his shoulder. He found this rather amusing. "You trust her that much?"
Though he hadn’t been there to see it, an injury to a Prince was a matter with far-reaching implications.
Judging by everyone’s reactions, Xiao Chengqi’s injury was indeed serious, yet he himself didn’t seem particularly concerned.
’Does he really believe that just because Ye Chutang took action, his arm will be saved?’
Xiao Chengqi chuckled. "Miss Ye’s medical skills are superb. Besides, my father, the Emperor, was concerned and sent men to find an antidote. Things are already looking up, so why worry so much?"
Fine. Every last one of them was more relaxed about this than he was.
Xie Anbai brushed off his sleeves and stood up.
"In that case, Your Highness should focus on recovering. I can’t stay too long today. If the old man finds out, I’ll get another earful."
Anyone could see the two Princes were locked in a fierce, underhanded struggle. The court was a treacherous sea of intrigue, and the slightest misstep could drag you under.
If he appeared here at a time like this, news was bound to reach a few influential households by evening.
Xiao Chengqi nodded, not pressing him to stay.
Xie Anbai took a few steps toward the door, then paused.
"By the way," he said, turning back with a thoughtful expression. "What do you think of... Princess Yuhe?"
Xiao Chengqi blinked in surprise. "Why are you suddenly asking about her?"
Xie Anbai prompted, "Just tell me."
Xiao Chengqi thought for a moment.
He didn’t really have much of an impression of his nominal younger sister.
"I don’t know her well. From what I recall... she has a gentle and timid personality. Very quiet, doesn’t like to stir up trouble."
Xiao Chengqi gave Xie Anbai a strange, searching look. "Why? Don’t tell me you have feelings for her—"
"Whoa, stop right there!"
Xie Anbai held up his hands and chuckled. "There are plenty of fine young ladies in the capital. I wouldn’t dare aim so high as to court our dear Princess."
There was something odd about the way he said that. Xiao Chengqi wanted to ask more, but Xie Anbai had already turned to leave. With a final, "Focus on getting better!" he was gone.
Xiao Chengqi stood rooted to the spot for a moment, replaying the events of the autumn hunt in his mind.
’From start to finish, there hadn’t seemed to be anything wrong with Xiao Lansi...’
But Xie Anbai had never associated with her before. For him to bring her up so suddenly was very strange indeed.
After a moment’s thought, Xiao Chengqi decided to drop it.
’Oh well. Xie Anbai might seem like a libertine, but he’s actually very shrewd. He can handle himself, so there’s no need for me to worry.’
...
「That night, at the Duke Zhongyong Mansion.」
The moment Xie Anbai stepped into the courtyard, he froze, his gaze turning toward his father’s study.
’At this hour, his father was still awake?’
Xie Anbai hesitated. Should he go over and announce his return, or should he slip back to his room unnoticed? Just then, a familiar, furious roar erupted from within the study:
"What did you say!?"
Xie Anbai knew that tone all too well. What he didn’t recognize was who it was aimed at. It wasn’t him, but—
"Father, please, calm down."
Xie Anbai froze.
’What in the world? Was his father actually yelling at his older brother?’
His older brother had been in poor health since childhood and was thus doted upon. That, combined with his literary genius, meant he had never once received so much as a harsh word from their father.
’So what was this about today...?’
Silence fell within the room again. It was only then that Xie Anbai noticed the courtyard servants had all been dismissed. Only two of his father’s most trusted men stood guard outside the door, staring at the ground and pretending to see and hear nothing.
Xie Anbai had no desire to get involved in this drama and turned to leave. But his hearing was exceptionally sharp, and he could make out even the faintest sounds with perfect clarity.
From inside, the sound of Xie Pei’s voice carried, thick with suppressed fury:
"Have you lost your mind?! How dare you get involved in this affair!"
