Chapter 763: Chapter 764: Provocation

Upon hearing this, before Xiao Chenglin had any reaction, Xiao Lansi shuddered violently.

She instinctively glanced in that direction, her heart seizing as if gripped by a hand. Her fingertips began to tremble.

’I was so nervous just now, I didn’t even notice Xiao Chenglin was here!’

Xiao Lansi couldn’t describe how she was feeling at that moment.

When she was imprisoned before, she had desperately hoped to see Xiao Chenglin just once. But now that she was truly facing him, her heart was filled with a new timidity and terror.

’Will Xiao Chenglin think I caused today’s crisis?’

If so, he...

While Xiao Lansi’s mind was in turmoil, Xiao Chenglin finally turned to look at her.

His handsome, refined face was impassive.

"It is a joyous occasion that Princess Yuhe has returned safely. I am overjoyed. However, I have recently been framed and have my hands full, which is why I have been neglectful. I hope you will not take offense."

Xiao Lansi was utterly bewildered by his words.

She had no idea what was going on, but listening to Xiao Chenglin’s tone and sensing the strange, tense atmosphere in the hall...

The next moment, her gaze shifted, and she finally recognized Fan Chengzhuo, who was slumped to one side, tortured so badly he barely looked human.

Xiao Lansi’s heart plummeted.

Could it be—

"Yuhe."

Emperor Muwu finally spoke, his voice grave.

"So you’re still alive."

Xiao Lansi fell to her knees with a THUD. Tears streamed down her face instantly as she cried piteously.

"Imperial Father! I thought I would never see you again!"

She then proceeded to recount her "ordeal" from the past weeks.

"That day, I somehow fainted. When I woke up, I was no longer in the palace..."

Emperor Muwu stared at her, silent.

"During that time, I was kept in darkness day after day. I thought there was no hope of escape. I never imagined... I never imagined I would be rescued by the Heir of Duke Dingbei and be able to see you again. I am truly..."

As she spoke, Xiao Lansi began to cry again.

Perhaps because she had truly suffered during this time, her tears seemed genuine.

Her gaunt, haggard appearance only made her story seem more believable.

However, Emperor Muwu remained unmoved. He simply regarded her from his high seat, his gaze a placid, scrutinizing mask.

Xiao Lansi gradually cried herself to exhaustion. An awkward silence fell, and her wails subsided into choked sobs.

"I know my sins are great. To be able to see you again, Imperial Father, is a blessing in itself. Whatever your judgment, I will accept it willingly!"

Everyone was silent, exchanging uncertain glances.

The whole affair... was simply too bizarre.

Originally, Xiao Lansi and Xiao Chengxuan had a complete falling out. They were both placed under confinement, and the matter was only temporarily set aside because of the Wazhen Mission’s arrival.

Who would have thought that before she could be dealt with, she had "died"? All previous matters were naturally dropped.

But now, she was alive again!

What were they to do now?

Finally, Emperor Muwu asked, "Do you know who took you from the palace?"

Xiao Lansi faltered. "I... do not know."

"First, you were taken from the palace, seemingly in a rescue attempt. But then you were imprisoned and tortured into this state..." Emperor Muwu’s expression was unreadable. "It truly makes me curious. Was the person behind this trying to help you, or harm you?"

Xiao Lansi bit her lip and shook her head frantically, unable to utter a single word in her own defense.

She looked as if she knew nothing at all.

Just then, Ye Chutang stepped forward to remove Emperor Muwu’s medicine bowl.

As she lifted her arm, her sleeve slid back slightly, revealing a cord tied around her wrist.

The Turquoise Bead on it swayed with her movement, flashing for a brief moment.

Xiao Lansi’s eyes flew wide open!

She cried out in horror, "You! Where did you get that thing on your wrist!?"

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