His eyes were the color of freshly ground ink. His deep, sharp gaze fell upon the white cat thrashing and struggling on the ground, watching until it foamed at the mouth and bled from its eyes.
Even when it finally lay completely motionless, he did not withdraw his gaze.
The air pressure in the room dropped to the freezing point. Eunuch Liu was paralyzed with fear, not even daring to breathe.
After a long while, Xiao Yi slightly shifted his gaze, his voice as cold as a blade of ice. Dispose of it, and wipe the floor clean.
Eunuch Liu received the order and shakily scrambled to his feet.
When Cui Yunfeng entered, Xiao Yi was standing before the window lattice. With his head slightly lowered and hands clasped behind his back, he was looking at the scenery outside. Hearing the noise, he did not turn around, and his voice remained gentle. You have returned.
Cui Yunfeng's gaze swept over the desk, and she gave a soft response.
What did you choose? Let me see.
Cui Yunfeng frowned and did not move for a moment.
Xiao Yi turned around, an enigmatic smile playing at the corners of his lips. Didn't you say you wanted me to accompany you to pick things out? What, did you not buy anything?
I bought some. Cui Yunfeng called Yun'er into the room and placed a brocade box on the desk. They are all here. Take a look and see which hairpin is better.
The brocade box was opened, and Xiao Yi's gaze fell upon the hairpins inside.
Your preparations to fool me are certainly thorough.
Cui Yunfeng asked, What did you say?
Nothing. Xiao Yi picked out a hairpin with his fingertips and handed it to Cui Yunfeng. Let's go with this one. It's your favorite flower, and the color is your favorite pink.
Then you keep it, and put it on me tomorrow when you present the betrothal gifts.
Cui Yunfeng ordered Yun'er to put the brocade box away, then looked at the motionless Xiao Yi. Is Your Highness not going to sit?
Xiao Yi smiled, a smile that was hard to decipher. If you call me Yi-gege, I will sit down.
Yi-gege.
Xiao Yi looked at her features, then lowered his eyes, pinched his brow bone, and sat down beside her.
Those hairpins seem to be from your own shop. Did you not go anywhere else today?
There wasn't enough time, so I just picked some from the shop. Fortunately, I quite like the styles.
Xiao Yi nodded, poured himself a cup of wine, and downed it in one gulp.
Yunfeng, do you hate me?
His sudden question made Cui Yunfeng's body tense up, her fingertips trembling slightly. Why ask this all of a sudden?
He lowered his eyes and said nothing. The candlelight cast a dark shadow over his face, making it impossible to read his expression.
It is getting late. We should head back after eating. Only by resting early can we... welcome tomorrow's betrothal ceremony.
Cui Yunfeng picked up her chopsticks and served him a piece of roast goose. I ordered all your favorite dishes today. Have a taste.
He looked down at the food on his plate, then turned his head to look at Cui Yunfeng. Do you want me to eat it?
Cui Yunfeng smiled faintly. I am eating with you, do you not like that?
Xiao Yi remained silent. His heavy gaze stared fixedly at Cui Yunfeng until it made her nervous, and only then did he slowly shift his eyes away.
Do you like the betrothal gifts I prepared?
I like them.
As Cui Yunfeng spoke, she personally picked up a meatball with her chopsticks and brought it to Xiao Yi's lips.
He did not open his mouth to take it, but continued to ask, What about the bridal chamber? I arranged it to look exactly like your boudoir, and changed everything to your favorite pink.
Cui Yunfeng's hand seemed to tremble slightly. I like it all. As long as it is you, I like it all.
Then why do you want me dead? His first words were very soft, but by the second part, a mad coldness surfaced in his eyes as he tightly gripped Cui Yunfeng's wrist.
Hmm? Do you want me dead that badly? Do you hate me that much?
Cui Yunfeng's chopsticks dropped to the floor with a clatter.
Do you know what the crime is for poisoning a prince? Do you no longer care about the Cui and Tang families? In order to kill me, you would go so far as to perish together with me?
With his other hand, he pinched her jaw, forcing her to look up at him. How did I never realize before that my Yunfeng was so formidable?
Cui Yunfeng's expression went from initial panic to utter calmness.
For the first time, Xiao Yi lost his temper with her to such an extent. His eyes held every kind of emotion—anger, deadliness, ashen despair—yet the only thing missing was murderous intent.
The corners of his eyes were bloodshot, and moisture gathered in them before a tear fell.
What kind of temperment does my eldest sister have? She knew full well that you were the one who caused her to fall off the cliff back then, yet she never mentioned a word of it. She continued to act flawlessly in front of me, all for my sake.
Cui Yunfeng finally shed tears as well. I owe her. It was my stupidity that nearly got her killed.
For... Cui Yunchu.
Xiao Yi's fingertips slightly loosened. Who told you?
It has nothing to do with you. Xiao Yi, between you and me, there is only family vendetta left, and no more personal affection.
No. Xiao Yi lowered his eyes and shook his head. I never wanted to kill Cui Yunchu. What good would killing her do me?
Because the person you wanted to kill was my cousin! Cui Yunfeng shouted.
Do you dare say you knew absolutely nothing about my uncle's matter? What is your next step? Who else do you want to touch? My father? My grandmother? Or me? Or my entire Cui clan?
Cui Yunfeng slowly closed her eyes. I failed today because my skills were inferior. Whatever you want to do with me, I am at your disposal.
Xiao Yi squeezed his hand bones, the faintly bulging veins extending all the way into his sleeve.
After that incident with Cui Yunchu, I never planned to touch anyone from the Cui or Tang families.
It was your father who pressed me at every turn.
Regarding the matter of Grand Tutor Tang, he had originally planned to maneuver around it. But as it happened, Prime Minister Cui united with the court officials to pressure His Majesty, attempting to force the Emperor to bestow a marriage decree.
Zhou Yuanmo and Yunfeng.
How could he accept that? How could he endure it? It also gave the Emperor a weakness to control him.
Xiao Yi slowly released her. He bent his spine slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, and called out, Eunuch Liu.
The door was pushed open, and Eunuch Liu spoke with trepidation, Your Highness, your orders.
Escort the future Princess Consort back to the Cui residence. Tomorrow's betrothal ceremony will proceed as usual.
He raised his eyes and met the shock in Cui Yunfeng's gaze. The depths of his eyes were like rolling tides, clearly on the verge of collapse. After tonight, the Crown Prince's power will wane. If you do not want the Cui and Tang families to suffer any more mishaps, then behave yourself.
You wouldn't dare. Cui Yunfeng gritted her teeth. Before Eunuch Liu could step forward, she abruptly pulled the gold hairpin from her hair and stabbed it toward the man.
Xiao Yi looked at her, neither dodging nor avoiding it. The sound of the sharp blade piercing flesh was deep and muffled. From the end of the pure gold hairpin, blood dripped down, growing more and more profuse.
Cui Yunfeng looked at the hairpin stabbed into his chest, suddenly let go of it, and took a step back as if in panic.
Xiao Yi bent over, resting his hand on the desk.
Xiao Yi, you are not allowed to touch my family again! Cui Yunfeng screamed.
Eunuch Liu turned pale with fright. He immediately rushed forward to support Xiao Yi, preparing to call for help.
Shut up.
Xiao Yi's eyes were so cold they held not a trace of warmth, sinister and grim. Send her away.
If Eunuch Liu cried out, the Prince An Manor guards and hidden guards stationed outside would rush in. Today's incident would be impossible to conceal, and once it reached the Emperor's ears, Cui Yunfeng would have only one path: death.
If you do not want to make things worse for the Cui and Tang families because of you, then be obedient.
He truly did not know who gave her the courage to dare poison him.
Xiao Yi's lips curled into a mocking smile, a smile that was strained and difficult. A teardrop from his eye fell onto his lips; it was so incredibly bitter.
He did not raise his eyes to look at the hatred in Cui Yunfeng's gaze.
Eunuch Liu escorted her into the carriage and dispatched guards to see her safely back to the Cui Manor. By the time he rushed back to the private room, Xiao Yi was still sitting there. The hairpin remained lodged in his chest. Chopsticks in hand, he held up the piece of roast goose from the plate, staring at it over and over again.
A deathly silence filled the room, heavy with a profound despair and stillness so palpable that even Eunuch Liu could feel it.
