Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: Fury

“Man’er, I will protect you forever, don’t be afraid.” The man’s voice was very gentle. Qiu Shuiman could only make out a white silhouette, but she could not see his face clearly.

Seeing her lost in thought, Xiao Jue suddenly pinched her chin, his eyes burning like fire: “Is it him?” Xiao Jue gritted his teeth, glaring at her.

Qiu Shuiman came back to her senses and averted her gaze from Xiao Jue: “I don’t know what you are talking about, Your Highness.”

“Qiu Shuiman, don’t blame me for not warning you. If you want to leave this Prince Yin’s mansion, it will only happen when you are dead. No, even if you are dead, you are still my person—for all eternity, forever and ever.” Xiao Jue’s voice was like a messenger from purgatory, lingering in Qiu Shuiman’s ears like a demon, impossible to shake off.

Qiu Shuiman sighed inwardly. As expected, a woman’s status in ancient times was humble, and ancient men, especially noble princes like Xiao Jue, would not allow a woman to harbor thoughts of others, even if they did not love her.

However, she, Qiu Shuiman, was a person from the 21st century. Her life would not be controlled by others, even if that person was the supreme ruler.

Thinking of this, she looked straight at Xiao Jue, her eyes filled with determination.

This look made Xiao Jue slightly dazed, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Escort the Princess back to rest.” Xiao Jue let her go and turned his head to say to Qing Zhui, who was standing to the side.

Qiu Shuiman stepped down the stairs, looked back at Xiao Jue, and then at the woman in the gap, who was looking at Xiao Jue with infatuated eyes. “This young lady’s actions were unintentional; I ask that you let her go, Your Highness.” Qiu Shuiman said this, then turned and walked away with Qing Zhui.

Behind her, Qiu Xiangxue was ungrateful: “I don’t need your hypocritical kindness. You’d better look after yourself.”

Xiao Jue’s expression changed, his hands clenched tightly. Suddenly, he unleashed a palm strike, and the lock on the door fell away.

The door opened, and Qiu Xiangxue suddenly threw herself into Xiao Jue’s arms: “Brother Jue, I knew you wouldn’t ignore Xiangxue. Xiangxue has no family left, only Brother Jue. Brother Jue, you cannot abandon Xiangxue. Have you forgotten that you promised my parents you would take care of me for the rest of my life?”

Xiao Jue allowed Qiu Xiangxue to weep in his arms. He remembered when he was fifteen and was unfortunately ambushed and fell off a cliff. It was fortunate that Xiangxue’s parents saved him, but it also brought them a fatal disaster.

At that time, he had promised Xiangxue’s parents that he would take good care of her. That was why he had kept her by his side all these years, giving her the best, while also indulging her arrogant, domineering nature and lawless audacity.

“From now on, restrain your temper. If you dare to cause trouble for me again, I will send you away and never see you again.” Xiao Jue’s face was stern, his tone somewhat reproachful.

Qiu Xiangxue nodded, looking at him with aggrieved eyes: “Brother Jue, I won’t do it again. I will be well-behaved and honest from now on. But, Brother Jue, you can only have me in your heart. You cannot fall for that woman.”

The corners of Xiao Jue’s mouth twitched slightly. The image of Qiu Shuiman’s unyielding eyes and what she had just said flashed through his mind, and the anger in his heart flared up again, but his tone was somewhat low: “You are overthinking it. Alright, it’s getting late, go back and rest.”

Qiu Xiangxue gave Xiao Jue a sweet smile, acting somewhat coquettish: “I want Brother Jue to take me back. You left me hungry all day and I have no strength left. Carry me back.”

Xiao Jue felt somewhat helpless; he tapped Qiu Xiangxue’s forehead with his finger and said: “I really can’t do anything with you.” Saying this, he scooped Qiu Xiangxue up in his arms and disappeared into the night.

After they left, Mu Liufei’s figure appeared in the moonlight. He held the food box in his hand, his fingers gripping it tightly, watching the direction in which Xiao Jue and Qiu Xiangxue had departed.

A long sigh sounded desolate in the moonlight, just like his lonely shadow and the bone-deep longing and love hidden within his heart.

“Princess, these are the clothes the Prince sent over. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and you will be attending the banquet in the palace with the Prince tonight.” Qing Zhui said, bringing over a set of gorgeous garments.

Qiu Shuiman glanced at them; they were in her favorite light purple, with lifelike flowers embroidered on the fabric. Qiu Shuiman’s slender fingers stroked the smooth, luxurious material, her eyes flickering as she asked: “Who will be attending the banquet?”