Chapter 256: Chapter 256: Traitor!

The Prince squinted at her.

It seemed he hadn’t expected Xiang Ying to be so direct.

He glanced at the exiled criminals around him, noticing the guarded looks on their faces.

The Prince smiled knowingly.

When he looked back at Xiang Ying, his eyes carried a hint of chill.

“You are indeed clever, and I do admire those with spirit, but there is a saying in this world—too rigid and you will be broken.”

As soon as the Prince’s words fell, his guard walked straight over and seized Mr. Lin and all the senior ministers of Xizhou.

The Exile Team immediately became chaotic, and the water bandits shouted, “What are you doing! Let go!”

Xiang Ying’s phoenix eyes showed not a trace of panic, but instead, she looked at the Prince and coldly said, “Your Highness, the more you do this, the more it backfires.”

The Prince still wore a gentle smile.

“Xiang Ying, why are you so unyielding? You truly make things difficult for me.”

Despite saying so, he raised his hand to signal the guards to get to work.

Instantly, they began to punch and kick Mr. Lin and the other elderly ministers.

Xiang Li and Lin Lingxiang rushed to their aid, taking the beating for them.

Mr. Lin, however, clenched his teeth and shouted, “Princess, do not concern yourself with us, the one who stoops to threaten us must be a villain, you need not submit!”

Xiang Ying’s face was cold as ice.

Jie Chen stepped forward, “Your Highness, actually…”

“Shh,” the Prince gestured to him, “Jie Chen, I’ve said on the way here, Father has ordered that I manage and escort the entire Exile Team, now, these people are no concern of yours.”

Xiang Ying looked towards Jie Chen, and saw that he was also looking back at her worriedly.

The Prince took two steps towards Xiang Ying: “My patience is actually quite good, it’s just that it’s getting late today. Don’t let everyone suffer along with us; speak up about the location of the Jade Seal so I can let you all go.”

“To be kind to others, that is a principle that I have always upheld, Xiang Ying. If you refuse to tell, I will start with each one, one by one, until it moves you.”

Seeing Xiang Ying press her red lips tightly together, the Prince smiled and leaned in to whisper: “The Imperial Jade Seal is just an object. Xizhou has fallen, think carefully, is a stone worth more than these family members and ministers who have been with you day and night?”

Xiang Ying once again lifted her slender neck, her tone icy cold: “I’ve said it, I don’t know the whereabouts of the Imperial Jade Seal. Even if you kill all of us, my statement will not change.”

The Prince’s eyes turned completely cold.

“Fine, since you’re so stubborn, don’t blame me.”

He waved his hand and casually pointed: “Start with her, kill!”

But to everyone’s surprise, the one the Prince pointed at was Xiang Qianqian, who was by the Sixth Prince’s side.

The Prince didn’t seem to expect this himself, and when he realized he was pointing at someone by the Sixth Prince’s side, he also paused.

The Prince and the Sixth Prince locked eyes.

“Sixth brother…” the Prince started to explain.

The Sixth Prince interrupted with a light cough.

“Big brother, whatever you say goes; Father sent you, and there must be important matters. I will cooperate with whatever you say.”

After saying this, he pushed Xiang Qianqian aside: “She is Xiang Ying’s sister; it’s reasonable for you to start with her.”

Xiang Qianqian’s face turned pale, and with a thump, she knelt down.

Her anxious gaze turned to Xiang Ying, knowing probably that Xiang Ying would not help her, so Xiang Qianqian began to tremble and cry out.

“Your Highness, the Sinful Girl is already the Sixth Prince’s concubine; I have long severed ties and interactions with Xiang Ying, please show mercy!”

The Sixth Prince pretended to be angry: “I took you in by my side because I saw that you had some intelligence and beauty. How dare you use our relationship to coerce my brother into sparing you?”

“Although my brother is a generous gentleman, he will not fail to distinguish between public and private interests.”

The Prince quickly waved his hand: “Never mind, sixth brother, never mind…”

Xiang Ying listened as they flattered each other, pretending to have equal status, but the Sixth Prince was obviously much more treacherous, knowing when to retreat in order to advance.

Just now, the Prince had gone straight to Xiang Ying without even saying a word to the Sixth Prince.

And now, the two of them were addressing each other as brothers, as if they were amicable and respectful siblings.

All fake!

At this moment, the Sixth Prince had already seamlessly agreed on a new plan with the Prince.

The Prince looked around all the Exiled Criminals.

“All of you were once Imperial Relatives of Xizhou or important court officials. If anyone can provide information or clues regarding the whereabouts of the Jade Seal, I assure you, all will be welcomed by my Father as honored guests!”

“In fact, my Father is a benevolent ruler and does not wish to kill the innocent indiscriminately. Should you offer such information, you will be considered meritorious officials!”

After he spoke, all the Exiled Criminals still kept their heads down, remaining silent.

They had agreed upon this long before the Prince arrived.

No matter what, they would not do anything to betray their own kind, much less betray the Princess.

However, at this moment, a voice rang out.

“This subordinate has something to say!”

Everyone lifted their heads, and Xiang Rongrong also curiously looked over, but when she saw it was Li Fengcheng who had stepped forward, she was suddenly stunned.

Xiang Ying narrowed her phoenix eyes and watched Li Fengcheng walk up to the Prince, kneel, and report.

“Your Highness, Sinful Girl Xiang Ying has five heavy chests, perhaps the Jade Seal is inside.”

Xiang Rongrong in shock: “Fengcheng, what are you doing?”

But Li Fengcheng did not look at her, instead bowing and leading the way: “Your Highness, the chests are piled up in the stable nearby, please come and see.”

The Prince nodded in approval: “Good, let’s go and take a look.”

As they walked, Li Fengcheng spoke, “Along the way, Xiang Ying always had various treasures on her person that others did not possess, so even if the Jade Seal isn’t within these chests, there certainly must be some fine items!”

The cloth was pulled off, revealing a Luban lock on the chests, which proved to be particularly troublesome.

The Prince knew that a Luban lock could not be forcibly smashed open, it required a special key.

He looked towards Li Fengcheng: “Where is the key?”

Li Fengcheng immediately pulled a string of keys from behind his waist and presented them with both hands to the Prince.

“Please, Your Highness, open the chests for inspection.”

Xiang Rongrong was completely dumbfounded.

She felt around her heart area; the keys she had hidden there had actually been stolen by Li Fengcheng!

No wonder he insisted on embracing her last night… no wonder…

Tears welled up in Xiang Rongrong’s eyes, and she rushed forward to snatch the keys back.

“Give them back to me! They were given to me by my elder sister!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Fengcheng slapped her.

With a smack, Xiang Rongrong was caught off guard and fell to the ground, covering her face, even forgetting to stand up.

Li Fengcheng pointed at her and cursed, “You wench, did you really think I would fancy you? If it weren’t for helping our own people secure the Imperial Jade Seal, I wouldn’t even spare you a glance!”

The Prince’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

“Take her away, she’s in the way.”

The guards moved forward to haul Xiang Rongrong away, handling her quite roughly.

Xiang Ying stepped forward to intervene, pushing them aside and helping Xiang Rongrong up herself.

Xiang Rongrong’s mouth corner was split, bleeding a trail.

She clutched her swollen cheek, weeping in Xiang Ying’s embrace.

“I’m sorry, elder sister, I failed to keep your belongings safe, I’ve let you down…”