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Concubine Xu grabbed the little bell impatiently, and saw it twitch twice in the palm of her hand, her excitement causing her to look around.

At that moment, she was inside her tent. One glance swept over the modest decorations and the beige fabric of the tent; there was no sign of a person in black.

She looked down at the little bell in her hand, which twitched again and emitted a clear sound.

Concubine Xu held the little bell tightly and hurriedly ran out.

It was the time when lanterns were lit. The tent was engulfed in darkness, torches were being lit outside, and there was no shortage of Guards on patrol.

Could it be because of the Guards patrolling that the person in black didn’t dare to come close?

Thinking of this possibility, Concubine Xu lifted her skirt and walked to the back of the tent.

Behind it was a forest, secluded and sparsely populated.

Concubine Xu hadn’t walked far when a hand seized her arm, startling her so that her hair stood on end.

"It’s me."

Upon hearing the person in black’s voice, she calmed down.

She turned to look at the person in black. In the pitch-black night, the figure clad in a night-suit blended in with the darkness, and she could only feel the imposing aura emanating from their tall stature.

"What brings you here? If the patrolling Guards discover you, you’re done for."

The person in black was not the slightest bit concerned, "I’ve come, and I can leave just the same. They are not enough to stop me."

Concubine Xu knew the person in black was formidable, but still couldn’t help but think to herself, always boasting!

"Did you come looking for me?"

The person in black nodded, "Yes."

Concubine Xu felt a surge of secret delight, only to hear the person in black say, "I came to ask you, when did Xiao Jinyan start raising his pet Xuetuan? And where did he get it from?"

Concubine Xu asked with confusion, "Why do you want to know that?"

"Obviously, it’s for a reason. Answer my question first," the person in black said.

After thinking for a while, Concubine Xu said, "I don’t know. All I know is that His Highness raised his pet with his own hands, cherishing it greatly. And Xuetuan is quite fierce; ordinary people can’t get close."

The person in black pressed further, "What about you?"

Concubine Xu shook her head, "I don’t dare to go near Xuetuan. It scratched my clothes the year before last."

The person in black frowned upon hearing this; was Xuetuan really that fierce?

Perhaps it’s because it has grown up?

Xuetuan was raised by Xiao Jiu personally, and he rarely interfered.

Whether it’s true or not, he had no way of finding out.

Nevertheless, Xiao Jiu went missing, and Xiao Jinyan had a pet similar to Xiao Jiu’s – the coincidence was a bit too suspicious.

What enraged him most was Xiao Jinyan’s claim that he didn’t remember Xiao Jiu.

Xiao Jiu should never have protected him in the first place.

The person in black couldn’t help but swear, "Ungrateful wretch!"

Concubine Xu noticed that the person in black was somewhat different tonight, with an air of anger, abruptly cursing someone out.

"Who’s the ungrateful wretch?"

The person in black was blunt, "Xiao Jinyan."

Concubine Xu was initially taken aback, then said with confusion, "It’s not nice of you to say that about His Highness. He’s actually a very good person."

The person in black snorted, "Good? If he’s so good, how come you’ve been left in a cold room for over two years? Doesn’t he know how precious a woman’s youth is?"

Concubine Xu was stunned; she had long forgotten the term ’left in a cold room’, and she no longer regarded Xiao Jinyan as her husband.

She thought Xiao Jinyan was good because he was faithful. Compared to those men with multiple wives and concubines, he couldn’t be more commendable.

"Why are you being so harsh? Xiao Jinyan is being faithful, that’s why he didn’t let me serve him in bed."

"..." The person in black, "Idiot!"

Concubine Xu was beyond angry, "Why do you have to insult me?"

The person in black retorted, "Did I say anything wrong?"

"As if you’re the only smart one." Concubine Xu was truly angry this time. After shouting, she turned to leave but the person in black swiftly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, staring at Concubine Xu with confusion, "Where are you running off to?"

Concubine Xu struggled forcefully, but her strength was no match for the person in black. Even pulling with all her might, she couldn’t break free from their grip.

"Let go of me."

The person in black noticed something wrong with Concubine Xu’s voice, and reached out to touch her face, fingertips brushing against something moist and cooler than the lake water at night.

He froze.

Concubine Xu had always been coddled, spoiled by her parents and brothers at the General Residence; no one had ever dared to be harsh with her.

Even after entering the palace, Xiao Jinyan had never been harsh with her.

The person in black was harsh with her, and she was so aggrieved that she couldn’t help crying.

The person in black took out a handkerchief from his bosom and wiped away the tears on her cheeks, "What are you crying for? Anybody would think I’ve bullied you."

Concubine Xu sobbed, "I’ve never been scolded by anyone since I was a child, why are you scolding me? I haven’t done anything wrong."