The Woman Who Played With the Minister

Xiao Zetian's words were full of threats. At first, Prince Ling didn't believe that Xiao Zetian would be so bold as to dare to execute the most favored prince. But when he saw Xiao Zetian's expression, a sudden fear welled up in his heart.

Prince Ling's forces near Qingmiao City had already been cleansed by the Crown Prince's men earlier, and now he hardly had any followers left. Almost everyone was here.

These hundred or so men could not possibly withstand the Jin Dynasty's strongest Xiao family secret guards. If Xiao Zetian really decided to go all out... he could kill Prince Ling, then slaughter all the guards to silence them, and afterwards erase all traces...

Prince Ling suddenly shivered. Everyone in the capital thought Xiao Zetian was already dead, and his body had been transported back. So no one would blame Xiao Zetian for Prince Ling's disappearance.

In other words, if Xiao Zetian really wanted to kill him and silence him, he could do it without leaving any evidence.

Sweat started to appear on Prince Ling's forehead as he immediately weighed the pros and cons in his heart.

Compared to a mere woman, his own life was far more important.

Prince Ling swallowed and pulled Su Li out from behind him, forcing a smile at Xiao Zetian: "General Xiao, this... this is your wife. I was just looking after her for you. If you want to take her back, of course, I am happy to."

As he spoke, Prince Ling called one of his men, who grabbed Su Li's arm and walked her forward.

Su Li looked expressionless, like a puppet being led forward, until she reached Xiao Zetian's side.

Xiao Zetian looked at Su Li and only then noticed her torn collar, disheveled hair, and utterly miserable state. He quickly took off his black cloak and wrapped it around her.

Su Li's eyes moved slightly, like a wooden doll, only tightening the cloak around her while subconsciously keeping a distance from Xiao Zetian.

"A Li..." Xiao Zetian called her name.

Su Li lowered her head, neither agreeing nor looking at him.

Prince Ling said, "General Xiao, your wife has been returned to you by me. I suppose I can leave now."

Xiao Zetian looked up and gave Prince Ling a deep look. "I advise you, Prince Ling, to stay away from my woman!"

Prince Ling breathed a sigh of relief and immediately fled with his men as if escaping for his life. But after a while, one of Prince Ling's men came riding back.

Xiao Zetian frowned as he watched the returning Prince Ling's guard.

The guard looked extremely frightened, trembling as he fell off his horse and knelt at Xiao Zetian's feet, shaking like a leaf: "General Xiao, my lord, the prince, has something to tell you... but only to you alone."

"Speak," Xiao Zetian squatted down, his long sword pressed against the guard's neck.

The guard swallowed and closed his eyes, seemingly resigned to death. Then he whispered in Xiao Zetian's ear: "General Xiao, our prince said that the taste of Little Chili is truly wonderful, really intense. She's the most flavorful woman our prince has ever been with... General Xiao, you are truly lucky. For a minister's woman to be played by a prince is a minister's honor."

Killing intent instantly surged in Xiao Zetian's eyes. He swung his sword horizontally, and the guard's head rolled to the ground.

Behind him, Su Li screamed at the sight. Xiao Zetian's heart jolted, his chaotic thoughts clearing. He remembered that Su Li was different from his other guards who could bear bloodshed. Hastily, he threw down his sword, turned to her, and stepped forward to embrace her. But Su Li screamed, terrified, staring at the fresh blood on his robe, backing away several steps while clutching her clothes tightly: "Don't come near me, don't touch me!"