Double Rebirth: The Scumbag Heroine is Terrified of the Yandere Prince! - Chapter 17

“Crown Prince! This… this isn’t necessary, surely!”

Xie Yuanxun was so startled he became incoherent. He stammered, “Prince Chu… Prince Chu probably doesn’t have the time, right? He must be very busy… After all, just a few days ago, I heard he took on some new assignment. Anyway, the Emperor ordered him to do something or other; he’s likely overwhelmed! How could he possibly have time to help me govern Fuzhou?”

No matter how furious he was, Xie Yuanxun had to grit his teeth and force a smile while facing Xie Xuanyin. However, his smile at that moment looked more painful than crying.

He wanted to lose his temper with Xie Xuanyin. But even if he was an elder, Xie Xuanyin was the Crown Prince—the heir apparent! And he was a mere subject. If the heir apparent spoke, how could he dare to disobey?

“Furthermore, the capital isn’t close to Fuzhou. For Prince Chu to drop everything and rush here, it would take a significant amount of time,” Xie Yuanxun argued logically, trying to regain control. “I have already arranged the bandit suppression. Even if Prince Chu left tomorrow, he wouldn’t arrive in time! He would only disrupt my plans!”

“He won’t.” Xie Xuanyin acted as if he didn’t see that Xie Yuanxun was about to jump out of his skin. He maintained a calm smile. “Prince Chu stayed overnight at Tianzhao Temple. By now, he should have already descended the mountain. Getting him to the Zhenbei Manor will only take an hour.”

“What?!” Xie Yuanxun was shocked once more. Xie Xuansong is also in Fuzhou? And he stayed at the temple last night?! That dog hadn’t mentioned a single word of this to him!

“Even if I were to petition Father to send someone from the court to help Sixth Uncle, the distance is great. They wouldn’t arrive as quickly as Prince Chu,” Xie Xuanyin said, standing up to deliver the final blow. “I have already sent word to Prince Chu; he should be arriving shortly. Sixth Uncle, please prepare to discuss the bandit suppression with him.”

“As for my return to the capital with Ali, we won’t trouble Sixth Uncle to escort us personally.”

Just as he finished speaking, Feng Qing stepped in quickly. “Master, Commander Yang has arrived!”

“Commander Yang?” Xie Yuanxun’s eyes flickered with dread. That was Yang Min, the Commander of the Imperial Guards directly appointed by the Emperor!

Seeing his face change, Xie Xuanyin knew his uncle understood exactly who had arrived. “Since Commander Yang is already in Fuzhou, it must be that Father sent him to fetch Ali and me. Therefore, Sixth Uncle, you don’t need to make the trip. You can stay here and focus on the bandits.”

As they spoke, Yang Min strode in. After performing his salutations, he spoke with a grim expression. “Your Highness, the Emperor was deeply worried to hear of the ambush. He has specifically sent me to escort you and the Princess back to the capital!”

“Understood,” Xie Xuanyin nodded.

Yang Min then turned to Xie Yuanxun. “Additionally, the Emperor has a message for the King of Zhenbei. ‘The bandits of Mount Tianzhao have been rampant for far too long. Although the Emperor trusts the King of Zhenbei, the fact that these bandits injured the Crown Prince and Princess has incensed His Majesty!'”

That single sentence turned the old King’s face pale.

“The Emperor has given the King of Zhenbei fifteen days. If bandits still exist on Mount Tianzhao after fifteen days, I will personally lead the Imperial Army here to assist you in the suppression!”

At these words, Xie Yuanxun clenched his fists. Xie Xuanyin had just forced Xie Xuansong onto him, and before he could refuse, the Emperor had stepped in too! This father and son pair were more difficult than the other.

“The Crown Prince has thought of everything,” Yang Min smiled. Xie Yuanxun was practically in tears.

…

Backyard Guest Room.

Runyue ran in holding a box of preserved fruits. “Princess! The Crown Prince said your medicine was bitter and told Feng Qing to prepare these sweets. Quickly, try one!”

She popped a preserved plum into Shen Ruoli’s mouth. “Is it sweet?”

The sugary taste spread across her tongue. Shen Ruoli nodded. “It’s quite good.” She didn’t fear hardship, but she hated the taste of bitter things. In their previous life, Xie Xuanyin always prepared sweets after her medicine. She hadn’t expected him to still remember.

“Prince Chu has arrived at the manor!” Runyue added excitedly. “His Highness and the others are speaking with him right now!”

“Xie Xuansong?” Shen Ruoli frowned. “Why is he here?” Did he know Qingying was here? Or did Xie Yuanxun tip him off?

“Feng Qing said His Highness summoned him. Apparently, the Prince plans to keep Prince Chu in Fuzhou to help with the bandits! He isn’t allowed back to the capital without a summons!”

Shen Ruoli was stunned. Xie Xuanyin was trapping Xie Xuansong in Fuzhou? And making him work with Xie Yuanxun?

“Princess, the Prince is standing up for you!” Runyue chirped.

“Standing up for me?” Shen Ruoli didn’t quite see it. Trapping him in Fuzhou felt more like Xie Xuanyin’s personal revenge for the past life.

Runyue explained earnestly, “Princess, do you think Prince Chu being stuck here is worse for him, or for the King of Zhenbei? The King of Zhenbei scolded you in front of everyone last night. By doing this, the Prince is suppressing the King’s authority to vent your frustrations!”

“Oh! I see,” Shen Ruoli raised an eyebrow. “In that case, he really is standing up for me.”

However, she knew Xie Xuanyin wasn’t the type of man to lose his head over a woman. In the past, he only lowered his boundaries because she was pregnant. Reborn and full of hatred, it was unlikely he would antagonize Xie Yuanxun just for her. He was playing a much bigger game.