Double Rebirth: The Scumbag Heroine is Terrified of the Yandere Prince! - Chapter 16

“Crown Prince, it has been confirmed. She is indeed Qingying,” Xie Yuanxun replied. “She was mangled beyond recognition from the fall, but she is incredibly lucky—she still has a breath left in her! All the physical traits the Princess mentioned last night match perfectly.”

“Also, this waist token was found where she fell.” He took a wooden token from a guard and presented it to Xie Xuanyin.

Xie Xuanyin didn’t take it. A single glance was enough to recognize it as a token from the Eastern Palace.

“Since it’s confirmed to be her and she’s still alive, see that she is treated well. After all, she has served Ali for a long time and understands her preferences.” When mentioning Shen Ruoli, Xie Xuanyin’s tone noticeably softened.

Xie Yuanxun hurriedly complied. Who on earth said the Prince and Princess were at odds?! That slippery dog Xie Xuansong hasn’t spoken a single word of truth!

In Xie Yuanxun’s eyes, Shen Ruoli was not only beautiful and intelligent, but her family’s status was top-tier, backed by the Empress Dowager herself. Among all the noble ladies, only she was a perfect match for the Crown Prince. As a man himself, Yuanxun knew that beauty plus a powerful family was a “winning hand.” Even if Xie Xuanyin’s heart was made of ice, it would surely melt for her.

He now firmly believed that the claims in Xie Xuansong’s letter—that the Prince wanted to kill her—were utter nonsense.

“Crown Prince,” Xie Yuanxun paused, “tomorrow I must head to the capital to have an audience with the Emperor.” He glanced tentatively at Xie Xuanyin. “If I am not at the manor, I fear I will neglect you and the Princess. Why don’t you return with me? I can escort you both personally.”

So, he’s already issuing the ‘guest expulsion’ order? Xie Xuanyin noted. Shen Ruoli had predicted this last night. He hadn’t wanted to doubt the uncle who had always shown him affection, but the evidence was mounting: in the Imperial family, no one was truly worthy of his trust.

“I shall trouble you then, Uncle,” Xie Xuanyin nodded, accepting.

Just then, the doctor arrived. He was about to examine the mangled Qingying when Xie Xuanyin stopped him. “Since that girl still has a breath, she is lucky enough. My Princess caught a chill and has been suffering from a fever all night. Go to her first.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” The doctor dared not even breathe loudly as he followed a servant away.

Xie Yuanxun became even more certain that Xie Xuansong was a liar. Look at how much he cares! Just a common cold, and the Prince is this anxious! His resentment toward the Prince of Chu grew.

“Sixth Uncle.” Once the doctor was gone, Xie Xuanyin got down to business. He sat down slowly. “My trip to Mount Tianzhao was not known even to the court ministers. I wonder… how did you learn of my injury so quickly?”

Xie Yuanxun’s face stiffened. He couldn’t tell if the tone was one of suspicion or a direct interrogation. Xie Xuanyin looked calm, even sporting a faint smile as if they were just chatting. But Yuanxun dared not lower his guard.

“To be honest, I was already deploying troops yesterday for another attempt to wipe out the bandits. I happened to be nearby when I heard the news. I was terrified and rushed over immediately.”

“Is that so?” Xie Xuanyin arched an eyebrow. “The Princess and I were ambushed at noon. Yet, Uncle, you arrived in the middle of the night.”

If he were truly “nearby,” why did a half-day journey take until midnight?

“This…” Xie Yuanxun’s heart leaped into his throat. This brat has never been easy to fool. Now that he’s grown, no one can lie to his face!

“Yin’er, I only heard that someone had been ambushed, but didn’t know their identity at first. I was tied up with other matters, so I sent scouts first. Once I learned it was you, I nearly lost my soul from fright!”

He squeezed out a few tears, playing the “family card.” “You know I have no children of my own. I’ve loved you since you were a boy. If anything happened to you, I would never forgive myself!”

Xie Xuanyin sneered inwardly at the performance. Even Shen Ruoli might lose to this man in an acting contest. “Don’t blame yourself, Uncle. I am fine.”

Since Yuanxun wanted to act, Xie Xuanyin played along. He gestured for him to sit. “Speaking of which, Uncle, you must be forty-five now?”

Yuanxun sat, but his skin crawled instinctively. “Thank you for your concern. My birthday falls on the same day as the Empress.”

“Ah, yes. Mother said she will soon begin teaching Ali how to manage the inner palace affairs.”

Xie Yuanxun’s eyelid twitched. The sense of dread intensified.

“Sixth Uncle is getting on in years,” Xie Xuanyin continued smoothly. “I imagine there are times when you are simply too busy to manage everything.”

“Prince! My energy is still quite good!” Yuanxun interjected.

Xie Xuanyin ignored him and continued his “arrangements.” “Fuzhou is vast. Governing it alone is exhausting. If Uncle had a son to share the burden, the Emperor and I would be at ease.”

Xie Yuanxun: “…”

Fine! He was criticizing his governance of Fuzhou blaming his “old age” for the bandit problem and then rubbing salt in the wound by mentioning his lack of an heir! What a vicious verbal assassination.

“It is good that Uncle refuses to feel old, but the incident at Mount Tianzhao proves your ‘heart is willing but the flesh is weak.’ Otherwise, how could these bandits persist for years despite your many attempts to wipe them out?”

“I—”

“Therefore, I have decided. The Eldest Prince shall remain in Fuzhou for a period to assist you in exterminating the bandits and governing the region until peace is restored!”

Xie Yuanxun nearly leaped out of his skin in shock!