Chapter 51 “Are You Really Sure”

Chapter 51 "Have You Truly Thought It Through?"

Most imperial scions are cunning and treacherous, often resorting to unscrupulous means to achieve their ends. If Xie Yan were a cold, venomous snake silently coiling in the shadows, then Xie Xing would be the sly and insidious jade-faced fox. He approaches with perfect grace, disarming your defenses with his rose-like beauty, only to slowly consume you when your guard is down.

Unlike Xie Yan, whose depth of cunning is unfathomable, Xie Xing wears his ambition and raw desires openly. He has only escaped scrutiny because he has been overshadowed by Xie Yan’s dazzling brilliance. If Xie Xing were to become the Crown Prince, it would likely not be long before the capricious and suspicious emperor would strip him of the title.

Of course, this is beyond my concern. All I need to do is forge an alliance with Xie Xing.

Xie Xing’s direct accusation was merely a bluff, an attempt to catch me off guard and expose any weaknesses in my panic. If I am to cooperate with him, I must be forthright about my identity. He craves the Crown Prince’s position and supreme power, while I desire Xie Yan’s life. If I were not Feng Jiuyue, I would lack a compelling reason to convince Xie Xing of my true intentions.

Had I arrived merely as Chou Yunqing, Xie Yan’s newly appointed study attendant, I doubt I would have even crossed the threshold of the Rain-Listening Pavilion, let alone received such lavish hospitality.

Do not be deceived by Xie Xing’s current sweet, saccharine smiles, like a fragrant rose swaying in the breeze. Beneath that flawless facade lies a heart as venomous and treacherous as any.

I quietly observed the steaming porcelain cup before me, its surface swirling with layers of dark, rich color. After uttering his probing words, Xie Xing withdrew his slender, pale fingers and meticulously wiped away the tea stains with a silk handkerchief. Though a smile played on his lips, his eyes harbored a hidden malice and venom.

I slowly raised my gaze to the ceiling. At this moment, who knew how many eyes watched me from the shadows, how many poison-tipped arrows were aimed at me? A sudden panic seized me, and my fingers, resting on my lap, involuntarily curled. For some reason, in my agitation, I found myself thinking of Xie Yan.

Regarding my identification, Xie Yan should have been far more frantic and desperate, yet his approach was entirely different from Xie Xing’s. Xie Yan could have treated me with the same aggressive disdain as Xie Xing, but he did not.

He recognized me the moment he saw me at the Feng residence, yet he never forced me into submission with such aggression. Instead, he repeatedly let me off lightly despite my deliberate provocations.

Though his cunning and stratagems far surpassed Xie Xing’s, he consistently yielded to me, not even daring to lay a finger on me. All of this was because, after using the former Feng Jiuyue, he had somehow developed lingering feelings for her, even demanding of himself unwavering loyalty to Feng Jiuyue.

Thus, he could not force me, could not provoke me, not even daring to touch me. In my presence, he was cautious, almost deferential.

In contrast, Xie Xing harbored no affection for me. Therefore, he openly voiced his suspicions. Even if he were wrong, the consequences would not be severe—it would merely be a case of mistaken identity. It’s not as if he mistook me for Yu Chou; what does it matter?

But Xie Yan was different. If he were to mistake someone else and engage in acts of intimacy with them, he would perceive it as a betrayal of Feng Jiuyue. So he deliberately maintained a distance, repeatedly testing me, not daring to overstep until he was certain of the outcome.

Precisely because of this, he was exceptionally cautious about my identity, preferring to let things slide rather than do anything that might betray Feng Jiuyue. How hypocritical and absurd. Later, when he arrived at a disappointing conclusion, he kept his distance from me.

How ridiculous. Why is it that every time I feel panicked and uneasy, I can’t help but think of Xie Yan? I clearly no longer have feelings for him.

Xie Xing is, apart from Xie Yan, the strongest contender for the Crown Prince’s position and the only prince capable of rivaling Xie Yan. My purpose here is to form an alliance with him. Realizing this, I understood that revealing my identity would be the greatest show of sincerity I could offer Xie Xing. Yet, still curious, I asked, "Why would you say that, Eighth Prince?"

Xie Xing and I sat across the table, our eyes meeting leisurely. I could see the cunning, lively glint in his eyes. He lifted the hissing kettle and slowly poured boiling water into the teapot, tilting his head slightly as he watched the rolling water intently. His eyelashes, even longer and thicker than a woman’s, fluttered gently before he smiled.

He looked up at me, his dark eyes narrow and fox-like, exuding a subtle charm when he gazed intently. The aura around him was no longer as imposing as before, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly. "Because of your eyes."

"My eyes?" I repeated softly. I had speculated many answers—I thought Xie Xing might say I resembled Feng Jiuyue or something else—but he said it was my eyes. Instantly, I was confused, my tone filled with doubt.

"Mhm," Xie Xing nodded with a sweet smile, slowly pouring hot water over the fresh tea leaves. The vibrant green leaves unfurled under the scalding water, settling neatly. His dark eyes fixed on me again as he spoke slowly, "Because your eyes are like a rabbit’s."

"I’ve seen countless people’s eyes, and they all differ. Some are as cold as snow, like icy snakes; others seem cold at first, but over time, you can sense an endless warmth in them."

"From the first time I saw you, I was deeply impressed. Not just because you are more beautiful than anyone I’ve ever seen, but because your eyes are like those of a timid, skittish rabbit—fragile, yet remarkably clear."

"I liked it even then. The other day, I only caught a brief glimpse of you from afar, but I noticed your eyes had changed. They’ve become even more to my liking."

As he spoke, Xie Xing leaned across the low table, slowly drawing closer to me. His fingertips, damp with water, gently touched my chin. His smile was like a blooming, thorny flower. "Your eyes now hold hatred. You’ve become a fierce rabbit. I like it. No wonder Brother Crown Prince is so infatuated with you. Even knowing you’re a dangerous substitute, he insists on keeping you by his side."

Since Xie Xing had spoken so plainly, there was no need for me to hide anything. Only as Feng Jiuyue could I stand on the same side as Xie Xing.

With this in mind, I pushed aside Xie Xing’s hand from my chin and said coldly, "You want the Crown Prince’s position; I want Xie Yan’s life. How about it?"

Xie Xing laughed immediately upon hearing this. "Haha, indeed straightforward. I like it."

"But, pretty brother, will you really have the heart to destroy everything Brother Crown Prince has worked so hard to build?"

"Though Brother Crown Prince caused your father’s death, who’s to say he didn’t have his reasons? What do you think, pretty brother?"

Xie Xing’s words were light but carried a tone of coaxing and probing. He was testing how much genuine feeling I still held for Xie Yan and whether I could be fully utilized. No one wants a pawn with divided loyalties, and Xie Xing is no exception.

The deep-seated hatred in my chest was ignited by Xie Xing’s words. I suddenly looked up, my eyes clashing with his fox-like gaze. I bit my lower lip until it nearly bled, my fingers clenched into tight fists, nails digging deeply into my palms. Perhaps my expression was too terrifying, for Xie Xing instantly recoiled in fear, his gaze flitting nervously toward the eaves.

My throat was dry, and my voice trembled and rasped with emotion. "After this is done, the Crown Prince’s position is yours. Xie Yan’s life is mine."

"Beyond that, I, Feng Jiuyue, want nothing else." After saying this, I withdrew the hatred from my eyes, returning them to a calm stillness.

"Ahem," Xie Xing finally noticed his loss of composure and quickly concealed the fear in his eyes, speaking with an embarrassed expression. "I want Brother Crown Prince’s personal seal. If you can get your hands on it, everything will go as you wish."

"Mm," I responded indifferently, then stood up. Glancing at the dim sky outside, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. "Do I need to steal it, or...?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Xing suddenly chuckled, his fox-like eyes curving upward with an intoxicating coyness, though his words were surprisingly calm. "Pretty brother, you’re still as foolish as ever. How could Brother Crown Prince, so clever all his life, fall for a fool like you?"

He patiently explained in detail, "If you steal it and don’t return it in time, Brother Crown Prince can simply claim the seal was lost and shift the blame entirely, couldn’t he?"

My face flushed with embarrassment, and I muttered, "Then I’ll just steal it and return it to him afterward."

"Ah, no need for such trouble." Xie Xing took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to me, his dark eyes innocent and harmless, his smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. "Pretty brother, all you need to do is stamp Brother Crown Prince’s personal seal on this treasonous letter, and your revenge will be complete. Isn’t that simple?"

Xie Xing, radiant and captivating like a magnificent rose, smiled with an air of innocence, like a youth untouched by the world.

Yet the letter he handed me was blatantly filled with words of false accusation and murder. With just the stamp of Xie Yan’s seal, it would be an irrefutable death sentence.

Xie Yan could die, but he must die by my hand.

I skimmed the letter briefly before tucking it into my robe, saying solemnly, "The Crown Prince’s position is yours. Afterward, Xie Yan is to be dealt with as I see fit. Can you guarantee that?"

"Pretty brother, are you afraid I’ll deceive you?" Xie Xing seemed surprised, as if his impeccable reputation had been questioned for the first time. His pupils widened slightly in shock before he raised three fingers toward the sky and declared, "If I, Xie Xing, deceive pretty brother, may I die horribly."

I inwardly mocked my own foolishness. If Xie Xing truly intended to deceive me, what use were mere promises and vows? I am insignificant now, and my only reliance is Xie Xing.

"Remember your words today." With that, I turned to leave, but Xie Xing’s voice drifted leisurely from behind. "Pretty brother, are you really determined to avenge your father, rather than first clarifying things with Brother Crown Prince?"

I turned back to see Xie Xing lounging lazily on the soft couch inside, propping his cheek with one hand, his bright eyes fixed on me with an air of innocence. As he spoke, his full lips quivered slightly.

"I like pretty brother too much, so I can’t help meddling. Though I despise Brother Crown Prince for taking the Crown Prince’s position from me, this is the first time I’ve seen that cold block of ice melt into warm spring water. Pretty brother, have you truly thought it through?"

Have I truly thought it through?