The daughter of the Marquis is too delicate, the abstinent prince pinches her waist and loves her

Chapter 165 A Perfect Return to Zhao
As the warm morning sun shone through the cracks in the window, Yan Chuan glanced at the time on the sundial and frowned slightly.

This is the first time Your Highness has gotten up so late. If you sleep any longer, you'll miss the morning court session.

He walked to the door and was about to knock when he heard the sound of shattering porcelain coming from inside.

A huge fire broke out at night, and no one dared to break in.

"Yan Chuan!"

Upon hearing the voice, Yan Chuan dared to push open the door and enter, bowing his head as he asked, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

“Contraceptive.” Ye Jingnian’s voice trembled uncontrollably.

Yan Chuan paused for a moment, then saw the tattered clothes on the ground. Through the beaded curtain, he could vaguely see a girl sobbing with her head down on the bed.

Last night he and Zhixing...

"Hurry up!" Ye Jingnian's angry tone revealed his impatience.

"Yes!"

Ye Jingnian lowered his head, and the bright red bloodstains on the brocade quilt stung his eyes.

He stared at the girl curled up on the bed. Zhi Xing's pale face, devoid of color, showed helplessness. Her snow-white skin was covered with mottled red marks, and her slightly empty almond-shaped eyes dared not look at him. A few tears flashed in the corners of her eyes.

The charm's power caused Ye Jingnian to lose control, nearly killing her. Exhausted, she was awakened by Ye Jingnian's antics.

He had just carefully examined the bandaged wounds on her body and found that there was no bleeding. He then checked the unbandaged areas, not believing it.

But no matter how much he checked, the only place that bled was the one he couldn't stand the most.

He sneered in anger, grabbed Zhixing's hair, and gritted his teeth, saying, "So this is how you return a jade disc intact? Zhixing, you even dare to deceive me?!"

Zhi Xing could clearly feel his breath trembling, as if he was suppressing something.

Is he terrified?

Zhi Xing snorted coldly and said, "Your Highness, Prince Xian should be arriving at the Xie residence soon." She raised her slender, trembling arm, looking at the numerous pinch marks, and asked, "Can Zhi Xing still marry Prince Xian?"

She tried to smile, but found she had no strength at all; her heavy eyelids seemed like they would close at any moment.

"You!" Ye Jingnian was furious. He threw her away and paced back and forth angrily.

After a while, Yan Chuan came in carrying a bowl of medicine: "Your Highness, the medicine..."

Ye Jingnian took the medicine, pulled Zhixing up, grabbed her teeth, and roughly forced it down her throat.

"Cough..." Zhi Xing struggled in pain, but the grip on her tightened, causing tears to well up in her eyes.

"Snap!" After finishing the bowl of medicine, Ye Jingnian casually threw the porcelain bowl on the ground.

Zhi Xing lowered her head and coughed awkwardly, her fingers slowly clenching into fists. Unable to suppress the grievances in her heart any longer, she said in a trembling, tearful voice, "Does Your Highness really despise me so much?"

Ye Jingnian glanced at Yan Chuan standing outside the beaded curtain. Yan Chuan wisely kept his head down and did not look up at the bed. His thoughts were just as complicated as Ye Jingnian's.

"Get out!" Ye Jingnian shouted sternly.

"Yes." Yan Chuan responded and withdrew, letting out a silent sigh as he closed the door.

Ye Jingnian closed his eyes, took a deep breath, sat on the bed, pulled her into his arms.

Zhi Xing was surprised by his gentle strength, her whole body stiffened, and she stared at him blankly.

She thought he would grab her by the neck and interrogate her, vent his anger on her, or even... kill her.

But he didn't.

Ye Jingnian's warm palm stroked her long hair, causing her to instinctively flinch and tremble as she buried her head in her hands. But the touch was incredibly gentle, as if he were caressing a precious piece of porcelain, afraid that he might shatter her with the slightest force.

"Does it hurt?" Ye Jingnian asked softly, his voice slightly hoarse.

Upon hearing this, Zhi Xing's eyes suddenly reddened, and a tear silently fell onto the back of his hand.

"It hurts..." she replied, sounding aggrieved.

Ye Jingnian's anger gradually subsided, and he wiped away her glistening tears with his fingertips.

"Go back to the Xie residence." His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. "I will handle things with Prince Xian."

Zhi Xing paused slightly, looked up at him, and asked in confusion, "Your Highness...aren't you going to force me to marry?"

Ye Jingnian's fingertips paused slightly. Looking at her appearance, he chuckled helplessly, "How can you get married looking like this?"

Her body was covered in his marks—her neck, wrists, waist… even her thighs were covered in bruises and finger marks.

She had difficulty even walking, let alone putting on a wedding dress and standing in front of another man.

Zhi Xing blushed, and under his scrutiny, her ears burned. She bit her lip and remained silent.

Nightfall gently patted her back to comfort her, then lowered his head to inhale the fragrance of her hair, revealing a tender smile that he himself was unaware of.

The servants prepared a carriage to take Zhixing back to her residence.

Before the curtain fell, Ye Jingnian stood under the eaves, his dark blue robes billowing in the morning breeze, making him appear lonely and desolate.

Zhi Xing peeked at him through the gap in the sedan curtain, a shy smile on her face.

Ye Jingnian watched the departing carriage, his eyes darkening: "Yan Chuan."

Yan Chuan came before him, bowed his head, and obeyed his command.

"Investigate." Ye Jingnian's eyes were somewhat vacant and unfocused. His voice was low and hoarse as he said, "Is there a cure for the love curse? I... want her to live."

Yan Chuan paused for a moment, frowned with a complicated expression, sighed, and said, "Your Highness, wasn't everything already investigated back then..."

"Investigate again!" Ye Jingnian clenched his fist and slammed it hard against a pillar beside him, causing several cracks to spread out.

"Yes."

Prince Xian's Mansion.

Ye Jinlan looked at the book of annulment and the returned betrothal gifts, and sat on the throne in deep thought for a long time.

Wen Fei, the personal guard, looked at Ye Jinlan with concern and said, "Your Highness, you've been sitting here in a daze since the court session ended. Are you alright?"

Ye Jinlan closed the booklet, let out a soft sigh, his eyes showing a hint of frustration, and then chuckled with relief, saying, "Miss Xie is right. Even if she really marries into the Prince's mansion, I will feel guilty for the rest of my life if we use such a despicable method to force her to submit."

Wen Fei smiled and said, "Your Highness, there's no need to worry too much. If you really like Miss Xie, why not try to win her over? I believe Miss Xie will eventually be moved by Your Highness."

"Hmm." Ye Jinlan responded softly, "Miss Xie must be in a bad mood these days, so let's not disturb her for now."

"Your Highness is right."

The Zhenbei Marquis's mansion had its vermilion gates tightly shut.

Sheng Yunqing stood in front of the mansion, looking at the imposing Imperial Guards standing in formation outside, her fingertips digging into her palms.

"By order of the Emperor, no one in the Sheng family is to step out of the mansion!" the head of the Imperial Guards shouted coldly, his spears crossed, making a cold clanging sound.

"I want to see the Emperor." Sheng Yunqing's voice was cold, each word like a knife. "The Sheng family has a long history of loyalty and integrity, and my uncle has absolutely no intention of rebelling."

The commander stood expressionless at the door, his tall figure blocking the warm sunlight: "Miss Sheng, the imperial decree has been issued. If you insist on forcing your way in, you will be defying the decree!"