Chapter 98: Murderous Intent

Chapter 98: Killing Intent

Under the scorching sun, the man sat alone amidst a boat full of lotus flowers, like a spirit born from the blossoms.

Qiu Shuiyi smiled and reached out her hand to him.

Shen Yuchao smiled as he pulled her aboard.

After she sat down, he picked up the oars.

Lotus buds bloomed lushly on both sides, dewdrops fell like pearls onto green plates, and the lake shimmered. The small boat cut through the water, sending ripples circling outward.

Qiu Shuiyi sat at the bow, her fingertips brushing over the dewdrops on the lotus leaves, getting her hands all damp.

The boat was stocked with various snacks. She picked up a bright red lychee, peeled it, and held it to Shen Yuchao’s lips.

He opened his mouth and accepted the white fruit.

Qiu Shuiyi chuckled softly, her feet dangling happily over the edge of the boat. Her fingers moved swiftly as she peeled lychee after lychee, popping them into her own mouth.

The two spoke in low voices, their reflections in the water having, at some point, drawn together.

She leaned against his shoulder, their dark hair intertwining, inseparable.

…

“Who knew you were into this type?” Princess Nanqi nudged Qiu Lianying’s shoulder, giving her a knowing wink.

Qiu Lianying blushed and whispered, “So what if I am?”

Princess Nanqi discreetly glanced outside.

A man stood not far away, his perfect physique accentuated by form-fitting martial attire. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs—lean yet powerful.

His features were strikingly handsome, which should have made him appear beautiful, but the sharp, defined lines of his face softened any hint of femininity. Paired with his cold, piercing eyes and a trace of defiance in their dark depths, he resembled an eagle soaring through the sky—sharp, dangerous, yet irresistibly captivating.

Her eyes swept over Mu Yuanxi, and Princess Nanqi tilted her head in confusion.

This person… why did he look so familiar?

“Nan Qi!”

Snapping back to reality, she saw Qiu Lianying giving her a hard stare. Princess Nanqi grinned and gave her a thumbs-up.

Wrapping an arm around Qiu Lianying’s shoulder, Princess Nanqi raised an eyebrow. “Well, well, Qiu Lianying. You go away for a bit and come back with a catch like this? Truly worthy of being the capital’s number one beauty.”

Qiu Lianying blushed and pushed her away. “Stop talking nonsense.”

“Which part of what I said isn’t true?” Princess Nanqi chuckled. “The part about being the capital’s number one beauty? Or the part about the outstanding man?”

She then winked suggestively.

Qiu Lianying shot her a reproachful look.

Though she considered herself a rare beauty, seeing Qiu Lianying’s shy and bashful demeanor made her feel as if her bones had melted.

Regaining her composure, she patted Qiu Lianying’s shoulder twice and said wistfully, “Speaking of which, I once thought you’d end up marrying Cousin Yue.”

Princess Nanqi continued, “Even if we couldn’t become sisters-in-law, at least we could’ve been cousins-in-law. Who would’ve thought…”

She let out a wistful sigh.

Mentioning Zhou Yundun, Qiu Lianying froze.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen him since returning to the capital.

Before meeting Mu Yuanxi, Zhou Yundun had indeed seemed like a good match, but now…

It felt as if her connection with Zhou Yundun belonged to a past life.

Qiu Lianying was momentarily lost in thought.

“What Cousin Yue? Who’s getting married?”

The sudden voice startled both of them.

Mu Yuanxi stood just two steps away, frowning at Qiu Lianying.

The latter discreetly grabbed Princess Nanqi’s hand and pinched the back of it.

“Ouch.” Princess Nanqi swallowed a cry of pain and forced herself to say, “Nothing, nothing. We were just talking about Second Sister and the prince. I suppose they’ll be getting married soon?”

She shot Qiu Lianying a meaningful look.

Qiu Lianying nodded quickly. “Yes, yes, it should be soon.”

Mu Yuanxi watched her silently, not saying a word.

Under his oppressive gaze, Princess Nanqi couldn’t bear it any longer. She smiled at the two and said, “I just remembered, I still have guests to attend to. Please, make yourselves at home.”

With that, she waved and turned to leave quickly.

Pretending not to hear Qiu Lianying’s calls, Princess Nanqi walked faster and faster.

Only when she could no longer see their faces did she look back, frowning as she gazed at Mu Yuanxi from a distance.

After a long moment, she slowly let out a breath.

Handsome men often share similarities. She must have been mistaken.

Turning back, she walked away with light steps.

…

“Nan Qi!”

Watching the figure ahead grow farther away, Qiu Lianying lowered her head and muttered a complaint. Then, she looked up and smiled at Mu Yuanxi. “The scenery here is lovely. Shall I show you around?”

Mu Yuanxi remained silent.

Qiu Lianying took his silence as agreement and led him toward the lake.

Under the blazing sun, Mu Yuanxi walked beside Qiu Lianying, his tall frame shielding her from the scorching heat.

Qiu Lianying glanced at him, feeling warmth in her heart, when he suddenly asked, “If the elder sister hasn’t married yet, how could the marquis arrange Second Miss’s wedding first?”

Her foot stumbled, and as she fell forward, a strong arm suddenly caught her.

Instinctively, Qiu Lianying clung tightly to that arm.

Once she had steadied herself, Mu Yuanxi frowned and said, "Walk properly, stop daydreaming."

A faint blush colored Qiu Lianying's cheeks as she asked him, "How did you know my mind was wandering?"

Mu Yuanxi gave her a cool glance.

Her hand clutching his sleeve, Qiu Lianying said playfully, "You're not me, how could you know..."

"Lian Ying."

A somewhat familiar voice drifted over from not far away, interrupting Qiu Lianying.

They both turned toward the voice.

A man stood under the dense canopy of a tree.

Bright sunlight pierced through the leaves and branches, dappling him with light.

The flowing water patterns on his celadon brocade robe seemed to come alive, rippling gently with the breeze that stirred the hem. The jade crown was edged with gold, adding a touch of nobility to its gentle luster.

He walked toward her step by step, a refreshing breeze brushing his face, handsome and poised.

Qiu Lianying pursed her lips slightly and tightened her grip on Mu Yuanxi's arm ever so slightly.

Mu Yuanxi noticed, glancing at her.

As he drew near, Zhou Yundun swept his gaze over their still-intertwined hands, his eyes dimming slightly.

Qiu Lianying released her hold and performed a graceful, proper curtsy. "Greetings, Prince of Yue."

"Prince of Yue?" Zhou Yundun gave a bitter smile. "Lian Ying, when did we become so distant?"

"Your Highness's status is noble; it is only proper to show respect."

Zhou Yundun stared at her impassive face, the light in his eyes growing dimmer.

After a long while, he said, "Since respect is due, then Miss Lianying would not refuse our request, would she?"

Qiu Lianying's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. "What does Your Highness wish to do?"

Zhou Yundun took a deep breath. "Let us speak alone."

Mu Yuanxi's hand shot out almost instantly.

A soft, small hand landed on the back of his. Qiu Lianying gave a slight shake of her head, then said to Zhou Yundun, "Very well."

Zhou Yundun forced a smile and took the lead.

From beginning to end, he never once looked directly at Mu Yuanxi.

Her fingertip gave Mu Yuanxi's hand a reassuring squeeze. Qiu Lianying smiled and followed Zhou Yundun away.

Watching their figures disappear one after the other, Mu Yuanxi's sword-like brows knitted together, his gaze deep and somber.

The leaves rustled. He paused slightly and looked toward the back of the tree, his voice cold. "Who's there? Show yourself."

A figure slowly emerged from behind the tree.

The sunlight was brilliant, yet it could not illuminate his features.

His complexion was pale, as if he had long dwelled in dark, damp places, leaving a lingering gloom in his eyes.

The two men, of similar stature, stood facing each other, neither speaking.

Until the man said, "She is beyond your reach."

Mu Yuanxi replied indifferently, "Who are you?"

The man ignored him, continuing on his own. "The disparity in your family backgrounds is too great. The Marquis of Yun'an and the Marchioness would never agree."

Mu Yuanxi's expression turned icy.

"Even if the Marquis reluctantly agreed, you could not protect her."

The man suddenly looked up, his tone agitated. "Do you know how many princes and nobles in this capital city covet her?"

"For instance, do you know who that man just now was?"

Mu Yuanxi remained silent.

The man said, "He is the Prince of Yue, the current Emperor's own nephew. The Emperor has no sons; it is highly likely he will choose an heir from either Prince Yue or Prince Xian. In the future, he has a fifty percent chance of ascending to that supreme throne."

"So?" Mu Yuanxi's voice was cold.

"How can you still not understand? You cannot protect her."

The man took two urgent steps forward. "If he ever wishes to bring Lianying into the palace, it would be a matter of a single word. You have no official rank, no marquis title—what can you rely on to protect her?"

"Even if your martial arts are superb and you can take her far away, what of the Marquis's household? What of her parents? Defying an imperial decree is a capital offense."

Mu Yuanxi's jaw tightened. "You investigated me."

The man's expression grew calm. "Indeed."

"You see, this is the benefit of power. I am the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a favorite of His Majesty. Your entire history is an open book to me." He said, "Stand down. I can guarantee you wealth and honor, and even your family's vendetta, I can avenge for you."

His words were soft, each syllable carrying a seductive tone.

Mu Yuanxi stared at him and suddenly laughed.

He rarely showed such a smile. This laugh was like a bird soaring through the sea of clouds, carrying a sense of openness and freedom.

"You are nothing more than this."

The man's expression faltered.

Mu Yuanxi stood with his hands behind his back, his face indifferent. "Qiu Lianying is a person, not an object. She cannot belong to you simply because I stand down."

"No wonder," he said, his lips curling into a smile filled with intense mockery. "She looks down on you."

The man's face changed abruptly, his gaze sharp as a sword.

Mu Yuanxi stood firm and unmoving.

Yet the man smiled, malice directed at Mu Yuanxi. "In that case, you cannot be allowed to remain."

...

Amidst the green and pink hues, a section of jade-like, delicate, and lustrous white suddenly appeared.

She broke off a lotus blossom, the droplets half falling onto her hand and half dripping back into the lake.

Qiu Shuiyi held the lotus, her eyes curving into smiles as she asked, "Is it beautiful?"

He casually tossed the oar aside. Shen Yuchao pillowed his head on his arms, his eyes sparkling like scattered stars. "Beautiful."

"I think so too, it's the prettiest one."

Her fingertips toying with the stamens, Qiu Shuiyi smiled. "How about I pick a few more to take back for a vase?"

"Though I wonder, if I pick such beautiful flowers, will Princess Nanqi be mad at me later?"

"If she gets upset, I'll just say my elder sister told me to pick them." She said with a bright smile.

Shen Yuchao looked surprised. "Were you asking about the flower?"

"If not the flower, then what?"

Qiu Shuiyi retorted.

Meeting Shen Yuchao's amused gaze, she realized something, and a pink flush spread across her fair cheeks.

Annoyed, she swatted at him playfully with the lotus and chided, "You're being indecent."

"This prince is nothing if not a gentleman. Why don't you tell me, Second Miss Qiu, exactly how I am being indecent?"

Qiu Shuiyi lowered her gaze to look at him, her tone carrying a hint of grievance. "You are a prince. Who would dare to criticize you?"

A low chuckle escaped his chest. Shen Yuchao grasped her wrist, smooth as fine jade. "My wife-to-be, naturally."

Qiu Shuiyi blinked, feeling the warmth of his touch on her wrist, her face growing even redder.

Shen Yuchao felt a stir in his heart and leaned closer to her.

At that moment, a messenger pigeon flew over the lake, its claws accurately grasping his wrist.

A flicker of impatience crossed his eyes. Shen Yuchao released Qiu Shuiyi, retrieved the message, and quickly scanned it.

After reading, he let out a cold laugh.

"Fool."