Volume One, Chapter Five: Li Chaoyang Slays His Biological Father by His Own Hand

“Is this room acceptable?”

“It’s too small; I won’t get used to living here,” Li Chaoyang said, furrowing his brows slightly and shaking his head.

“……”

Xiao Qingyu opened the door to another room. “This one is bigger. Does the prince like it?”

“It’s too large; I can’t adapt to it either.”

“……”

She opened another door. “How about this one?”

“The lighting is too dim.”

“……”

One by one, Xiao Qingyu showed him all the rooms, yet Li Chaoyang did not choose any of them.

“The rooms beyond here are for the servants. This Chengfeng Hall simply doesn’t have a suitable room for the general to live in. The regent prince should look elsewhere.”

Upon hearing this, Li Chaoyang suddenly smiled. “I think the first room is fine. Thank you for your trouble today, Your Highness.”

“……”

Xiao Qingyu was momentarily stunned, then forced a smile. “Since Your Highness is pleased, that is naturally best.”

“You have worked hard these days, Prince. Tomorrow, there will be a welcome banquet in your honor. Please rest early.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness!”

After giving her instructions, Xiao Qingyu turned and walked toward her own chamber.

Once inside, she breathed a sigh of relief.

She went to the table, picked up the teacup, and drank it all at once.

She had not expected to meet him in such a way.

Luckily, she had not shown any sign of fear before him.

She blew out the candle and slowly lay down on the bed. Though physically exhausted, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

Li Chaoyang’s face kept appearing in her mind, his breathing echoing in her ears, stirring memories from the past.

The second year of the Changzhao era.

Xiao Qingyu approached the Marquis Li’s residence with a nervous heart.

In her hand, she tightly held a stack of handwritten scriptures, half of which had been copied by Ling Zhu on her behalf. She did not know if she could escape Li Chaoyang’s notice.

It was strange: the Marquis’s residence was unusually quiet today. The main gate was wide open, yet not a single guard was in sight.

This odd atmosphere filled Xiao Qingyu with suspicion, but she did not dwell on it. She simply wanted to find Li Chaoyang quickly and get the task done.

Upon entering, she hurriedly searched for Li Chaoyang’s figure.

She crossed the courtyard, circled the corridors, but never found him.

Moreover, not a single servant was visible throughout the vast Marquis’s residence.

Unconsciously, Xiao Qingyu arrived at an unfamiliar place.

As she looked around in confusion, she suddenly heard faint sounds nearby.

Following the noise, she saw a window slightly ajar in front of her, with what seemed to be a conversation taking place inside.

Drawing closer, she recognized the familiar figure—it was Li Chaoyang!

Her mood plummeted instantly.

After hesitating for a moment, she raised her hand to knock on the door, but the voices inside stopped her.

“You unfilial son, what do you intend to do?” an angry male voice demanded.

“Do you not know what I intend, Father?”

What were they arguing about?

Xiao Qingyu tiptoed to the window, cautiously peering through the crack.

A cold glint suddenly flashed before her eyes; instinctively, she rubbed them.

A sharp sword, gleaming with icy light, appeared.

Looking up again, she saw Li Chaoyang gripping the cold sword tightly, stepping forward toward Marquis Li.

“Unfilial son! How dare you!”

With a muffled sound, the sword mercilessly pierced Marquis Li’s body, and blood gushed out immediately.

Several more similar sounds followed, each a stab deeper into flesh.

!?

The bloody and brutal scene left Xiao Qingyu stunned; she could hardly believe what she was seeing.

The usually gentle and refined Li Chaoyang was now personally killing Marquis Li!

Her heart pounded violently, fear surging like a tide.

She quickly covered her mouth tightly with her hands.

Only one thought filled her mind:

Get out of here as soon as possible!

Shaking all over, she stumbled and fled from that dreadful place.

Back at Chengfeng Hall, Xiao Qingyu collapsed onto the bed, as if she had lost her soul, unable to regain composure for a long time.

Every time she closed her eyes, the terrifying scene replayed vividly.

Like a nightmare, that horrifying image haunted her, tossing and turning her through the night. By midnight, she developed a fever.

The next day, news spread throughout the capital:

The Marquis Li’s residence was attacked by assassins last night, and Marquis Li was tragically killed!

Only Xiao Qingyu knew clearly who the real culprit was.

She hid within Chengfeng Hall, not daring to step outside, let alone face Li Chaoyang.

She wanted to forget that scene, but recalling it only brought a chill to her heart.

She knew well that even if she revealed the truth to the emperor, no one would believe her.

Moreover, she herself would not escape death.

Xiao Qingyu instructed Ling Zhu: “Yesterday, I stayed inside Chengfeng Hall all day and did not go anywhere.”

At first, Xiao Qingyu was only afraid of him. Since that day, she had come to fear him.

When she learned that Li Chaoyang had been ordered to go to Yan territory, her long-suspended heart finally relaxed somewhat, and she let out a long sigh.

Snapping back to reality, Xiao Qingyu pondered how she would deal with him in the future.

Outside the courtyard, Li Chaoyang stood silently, gazing toward Xiao Qingyu’s chamber.

When he saw the candlelight in her chamber extinguished, a faint, barely noticeable smile curved the corners of his mouth. He whispered softly, “Princess, we have a long future ahead.”

In the deep silence, Xiao Qingyu awoke from a light sleep.

She had tossed and turned all night, unable to find rest. Now, bearing obvious dark circles under her eyes, she slowly sat up.

“Ling Zhu, quickly bring me my official robe,” Xiao Qingyu whispered.

Hearing her call, Ling Zhu hurried over. Seeing Xiao Qingyu’s exhausted face and prominent dark circles, she asked with concern, “Your Highness, did you not sleep well last night? Why are you up so early?”

Xiao Qingyu nodded slightly. “Li Chaoyang has returned. I have not attended court for many days; today, I wish to go and see.”

While nimbly preparing the official robe and other garments, Ling Zhu asked, “Your Highness, would you prefer a black or red sash?”

“Use the red one, and also have the golden hairpin put on.”

Once fully dressed, Ling Zhu looked at the transformed Xiao Qingyu and could not help but praise her.

“It has been a long time since Your Highness wore the official robe. Today’s attire has changed your entire bearing. I wonder which noble son will be fortunate enough to marry such a stunning beauty!”

Hearing Ling Zhu’s teasing, Xiao Qingyu feigned annoyance. “Ling Zhu, you never know when to stop talking.”

“Right now, I only hope to stabilize the political situation. Other matters are not yet considered.I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.