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This was the only thing Xiao Jinyan could use to threaten Ye Suhuan, and given everything that had happened, Xiao Jinyan understood that reasoning with him was futile, except through threats.

Along with the threat, he also had another layer of probing intent.

Having been in Nanzhao Country for so many years, his understanding of Ye Suhuan came from hearsay and his own interactions.

As Xiao Jinyan waited expectantly, Ye Suhuan suddenly stood up, matching his height. As fellow princes, they both possessed a certain innate nobility.

"I said, I don’t know who Wu Tan is. What’s the harm in telling Xiao Jiu? And don’t forget, I knew Xiao Jiu before you did, and we’ve always had a good relationship. It’s just that she’s forgotten," Ye Suhuan said.

Xiao Jinyan clearly didn’t believe what Ye Suhuan said. If he didn’t have evidence proving Ye Suhuan was Wu Tan, he wouldn’t be so decisive.

"Is that so? Then why do you wear a mask? If one day she remembers, and realizes that the kind third brother who once cared for her tried to kill her husband, do you think your relationship can go back to what it was?"

In terms of hitting each other’s sore spots, Ye Suhuan and Xiao Jinyan were evenly matched; it was a matter of who was more ruthless.

Why had Xiao Jinyan been jealous of Xiao Jiu’s good relations with Ye Suhuan before?

Ye Suhuan was jealous that although he had known Xiao Jiu earlier than Xiao Jinyan, it was Xiao Jinyan whom Xiao Jiu liked.

Ye Suhuan was taken aback by these words. If Xiao Jiu remembered, if she knew he wanted to kill Xiao Jinyan, would she hate him?

She would, most likely.

At Ye Suhuan’s moment of hesitation, Xiao Jinyan knew that he cared, and it couldn’t be otherwise.

However, when accused of being Wu Tan, Ye Suhuan’s reaction was somewhat unexpected to him.

For a moment, the two men just stared at each other, neither speaking, as if engaged in a silent contest.

Meanwhile, on the border of Nanzhao Country

After days of traveling by carriage, Xun Qingqing looked exhausted. Having never traveled far from home, she had come to know what it meant to traverse mountains and rivers, to journey a thousand li.

Looking at the man beside her, who had taken great care of her throughout the journey, she felt happy every day they were together, so the fatigue of the road seemed trivial.

Jun Wuxian withdrew his gaze and looked at Xun Qingqing. Even behind the veil, her tiredness was visible in her eyes and brow.

"We’ll rest in the town tonight and should reach the capital before dark tomorrow," he said.

Xun Qingqing’s eyes lit up at the prospect of entering the city, "Does that mean I can see Shen Chuwei?"

Jun Wuxian nodded, "As long as she’s still in the capital."

Xun Qingqing said, "I’m really looking forward to meeting her. It’s been so long, and I don’t know how she’s been?"

Not just Xun Qingqing, but Jun Wuxian too was looking forward to meeting Shen Chuwei, to verify if she was Xiao Jiu.

But now that Shen Chuwei had arrived in the capital, might she be recognized by someone at the palace?

It was no use pondering it now; they’d find out once they entered the capital the next day, and a visit to the Imperial Palace at night would reveal all.

Although the Inn in the town couldn’t compare to those in the capital, it was much better than spending the night outside.

After dinner, Jun Wuxian asked the Inn attendant to prepare hot water for Xun Qingqing to bathe.

A pampered young miss would naturally want to bathe after a day’s journey.

Xun Qingqing wasn’t surprised; Jun Wuxian had thought of these things for her all along the way.

Once the hot water was ready, Xun Qingqing closed the door and, behind the screen, steam swirled around her.

She slowly removed her outer clothing and stepped into the wooden tub, her body embraced by the warm water, soothing her aching limbs.

Just then, there was a knock at the door, "Qingqing."

Hearing Jun Wuxian’s voice, Xun Qingqing lifted her head, puzzled, and looked towards the door. Because there was a screen blocking her view, she couldn’t see.

"Is something the matter?" she asked.

"Just a reminder, I’m coming in."

Xun Qingqing’s eyes widened, thinking she had heard wrong. Why would Jun Wuxian come in now?

All along the journey, Jun Wuxian had treated her with respect, never once crossing the line.

Why would he suddenly come in while she was bathing?

In her moment of doubt, the door creaked open from the outside. Instinctively, she shrank back into the water, her gaze fixed on the screen, fearing that Jun Wuxian might suddenly walk in.

Jun Wuxian’s tall figure stood in front of the screen, watching the warm steam drift out from behind it, knowing even without entering that she was sitting in the bath tub.

"I just went to the Pharmacy and bought some ointment. It’s best to apply it after bathing," he said.

It was then that Xun Qingqing remembered she had accidentally bruised herself, turning her lower back a deep shade of purple. She hadn’t expected Jun Wuxian to remember.

"Just leave it on the chair," she replied.