Lin Ye stormed into Prince Ming's residence with a sword in hand.
Seeing his aggressive approach, the guards of Prince Ming's mansion surrounded him, yet mindful of his status, they dissuaded him with hushed tones, "Young Marquis, why the rush? Let's speak calmly."
"Enough talk!" Lin Ye roared, swinging his sword, forcing the guards to step back.
"Bring out Chu Qi!"
Chu Qi was Prince Ming's given name!
The guards were taken aback, thinking to themselves that the young Marquis was risking his life with such audacity.
Unexpectedly, the mansion's steward appeared behind the guards, bowing to Lin Ye, "Young Marquis, our Prince invites you."
Upon hearing this, the guards exchanged looks before stepping aside.
Lin Ye's eyes were bloodshot as he coldly glanced at the steward, then strode towards Prince Ming's quarters.
Prince Ming was enjoying his wine.
Upon seeing Lin Ye, his eyes, clouded with drunkenness, lit up, and he beckoned, "My good brother-in-law has arrived, perfect timing! Join me for a drink!"
The sight of Prince Ming so casually drinking reminded Lin Ye of the bloodstains on those stone slabs, and he yelled furiously, "Beast! I'll take your life!"
With that, he swung his sword at Prince Ming, but a guard from the shadows suddenly appeared, blocking the blade just inches from Prince Ming's head.
Prince Ming smirked, "What has the Young Marquis so enraged? Oh, could it be for Nian?"
"You vile creature, you're not worthy to speak her name!" Lin Ye, beside himself with rage, attacked again, only to be thwarted by Prince Ming's guard once more.
However, the guard's sword broke, and his arm was wounded by Lin Ye's blade.
If Lin Ye struck again, the guard would likely have to sacrifice his life to protect the prince.
Yet, Prince Ming showed no fear, not even bothering to stand from his seat.
He leaned lazily against the table, regarding Lin Ye's fury as if it were a mere spectacle, "I'm not worthy to say her name, so, are you worthy?"
This counter-question sapped some of the wind from Lin Ye's sails.
He stood there, gripping his sword tightly, "You dare to injure her so badly, are you even human!"
"This matter, I must thank the Young Marquis." Prince Ming gave a cold laugh, rising from his chair and walking slowly towards Lin Ye.
A guard stepped forward to protect him, but Prince Ming pushed him away.
Lin Ye's sword was now at Prince Ming's throat.
Even so, Prince Ming showed no sign of fear; he didn't even acknowledge the blood-stained sword in Lin Ye's hand.
His gaze was full of mockery as he looked at Lin Ye, "Hadn't the Marquisate sent her to the laundry bureau for three years of training, I wouldn't have had such fun today. So, I must thank the Young Marquis."
With that, he offered his wine cup to Lin Ye.
Lin Ye was trembling with rage.
He yearned to end Prince Ming's life then and there, but a strong grip seized his wrist, lifting his sword arm away from Prince Ming's neck.
It was Xiao Heng.
Seeing him, Prince Ming's excitement grew, "Wonderful, wonderful! Even General Xiao has come!"
He then addressed the guard, "Step back, you're no longer needed here." Turning to Xiao Heng with a provocative look, he added, "With General Xiao here, I'm perfectly safe."
The guard withdrew, and Xiao Heng had already disarmed Lin Ye.
Lin Ye roared, "Why stop me! Do you know what this beast did to Nian?!"
Xiao Heng didn't respond.
He hadn't seen Qiao Nian's injuries, but he heard from Lin Yuan that she had returned from the West City.
His eyes now brimmed with killing intent as he looked at Prince Ming, his presence exuding a chilling aura.
Prince Ming thought to himself, Xiao Heng must be imagining a thousand ways to dismember him right now.
But Xiao Heng wouldn't act; he was far more composed than Lin Ye. He knew that even with the Emperor's favor, killing a prince would lead to his ruin.
So, Prince Ming laughed.
He raised his eyebrows at Xiao Heng provocatively and turned his back to him with confidence, sauntering back to his seat and pouring himself wine, "General Xiao probably doesn't know, does he?"
He drained his cup.
Then, as if savoring the memory, he spoke to both Xiao Heng and Lin Ye, "I've never encountered a woman like her before. With such a thick whip lashing her, she didn't make a sound, even though her body was trembling from the pain. Yet, her face showed no hint of agony! Do you know how ridiculous it looked? Her face was pale, sweating, but she was holding it back so hard. Hahaha, hahahaha..."
Prince Ming burst into laughter, incensing Lin Ye to the point where he wanted to kill him.
But Xiao Heng firmly restrained him.
Prince Ming glanced at Xiao Heng's hand, where veins were bulging, and his arrogance grew.
"To be honest, I've never had such fun. The other women usually died halfway through, but Qiao Nian, she can't be killed! Hahaha, you know, she can't be killed! I was exhausted, yet she was still breathing! Don't you think she's a gift from heaven for me? She and I are meant to be! Hahahaha!"
Only someone who couldn't be killed deserved his daily beatings!
"You bastard!"
Lin Ye could no longer contain himself, kicking Xiao Heng aside and throwing a punch at Prince Ming.
Prince Ming was hit, blood trickling from his mouth, anger rising within him, but seeing Lin Ye's state, he found it amusing, "Don't be angry, Young Marquis! Didn't you also enjoy hitting her? At least I beat her in private, not in public like you. Why the double standards? Remember, I outrank you."
Those words were like a knife, piercing deep into Lin Ye's heart.
He trembled with anger, gritting his teeth, "That's different! I hit her because she deserved it!"
He only struck Qiao Nian after she had insulted him!
But Prince Ming?
He was a maniac, a beast!
He took Qiao Nian to the West City without any reason!
Yet, Prince Ming's eyes lit up, "Exactly! Because she deserved it!"
He stared at Lin Ye, satisfaction written all over his face, "Her cold, self-righteous endurance needed to be punished! I've wanted to take her to the West City for a long time! Hahaha! Looks like, the Young Marquis and I, we're kindred spirits!"