Chu Yuan smiled mockingly, saying, “He sent people to watch me. Doesn’t he already know where I went? What is there to worry about?”
Chu Xiang patted his hand, softly saying, “Let’s go back.”
Ruan Ning found the situation strange. Although Chu Yuan was younger than Chu Xiang, he was technically his uncle, yet now Chu Xiang seemed more like an elder, showing deep concern.
Chu Yuan did not insist further. He placed Ruan Ning back on the horse and mounted behind her, holding her. Looking at Chu Xiang, he said, “I’ll bring her. Your Highness can take the sedan chair.”
Chu Yuan felt that since she worried about her fugitive slave status, he would walk through the capital with her, showing everyone he had her support, and see who would dare trouble her.
“Not necessary, I’ve already killed them all.” Chu Yuan sat casually, turning his shoulder towards the trembling imperial physician, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “If Your Majesty wants to monitor me again, find some experts who won’t be discovered. Those people were indeed useless.”
Chu Xiang lowered his head, pretending not to hear. The emperor had always planted informants around Chu Yuan, and there were spies among the palace maids, eunuchs, beauties, and guards. Yesterday, when Chu Yuan went out of the palace alone, the spy in his escort team followed him as usual. However, Chu Yuan unexpectedly flew into a rage and killed everyone without mercy.
Chu Yun Zheng showed no embarrassment. “I was concerned about your safety,” he said.
Chu Yuan snorted coldly and held Ruan Ning while the imperial physician cleaned and sutured his wounds. He seemed unaware of the pain. Ruan Ning watched the stitching, trembling as the needles pierced flesh, while Chu Yuan remained expressionless.
Noticing Ruan Ning’s shivering, Chu Yun Zheng asked, “Who is she?”
“The daughter of the beheaded Ning Minister, Ruan Ning,” Chu Yuan replied. “I want to clear her status as a slave. She’ll be with me from now on.”
“Crown Prince, handle this,” Chu Yun Zheng instructed Chu Xiang. “Quickly.”
“This son obeys,” Chu Xiang glanced at Chu Yuan, hesitated, but ultimately left.
“Ruan Ning,” Chu Yun Zheng warned, “Serve Prince Ning well. If you show the slightest negligence, I’ll have your head cut off.”
