Chapter 121: Chapter 117: Your Highness, Please Use Me

The main hall of Yi Fen Palace was right next to Song Yan’s room, so Shen Jingxian led everyone to a relatively secluded side hall to avoid disturbing Song Yan.

But as they walked, Pan Jiaojiao suddenly fainted for some reason.

Shen Jingxian reached out to support her, barely preventing her from falling heavily to the ground.

She then looked at the other palace attendants, who had all collapsed as well, leaving only Mu Yuan still standing.

“Princess of Yunyi Country, I’ve really underestimated you.”

At this moment, Mu Yuan was no longer the least bit enchanting; instead, he exuded a chilling aura, as well as… the regal air Shen Jingxian had only ever seen from her own father!

Although she knew Mu Yuan was up to something, seeing it actually unfold, the man still surprised her!

The step of drugging them was done too thoroughly, exceedingly meticulous! Very nice!

With no one else around, Shen Jingxian was not afraid of being misconstrued by Yiren Pavilion’s rumor mill, so she dropped the act. “The missing Eldest Prince of Dongwu Country, I’ve underestimated you too. I didn’t expect you could be so trace-free.”

Mu Yuan, identified by Shen Jingxian, squinted his eyes dangerously, “You know my identity?”

“Not only do I know your identity, but so do my father and mother. We even know about the assassination attempt on Li Yan at my birthday banquet you orchestrated,” she said.

Mu Yuan had always thought he hid well, but he hadn’t expected Shen Jingxian to reveal the secrets he had kept for years so easily.

After a brief moment of panic, he quickly made a decision, moving behind the princess and placing a dagger to her neck. “Since Your Highness already knows, it’s perfect for you to come back to Dongwu Country with me.”

“The Hidden Guards are just outside Yi Fen Palace. Do you think you can still return?”

Mu Yuan could not see Shen Jingxian’s expression at the moment, but he knew the princess, held captive by him, was not in the least bit afraid.

Princess Yi Fen was nothing like the persona she usually portrayed.

Mu Yuan threatened, “If I can’t return, I will kill you.”

“You won’t,” Shen Jingxian confidently replied, “Mu Yuan, you are a very ambitious person. All these years in Yunyi Country, haven’t you hoped these people and events would become your aid when you return to Dongwu?”

Shen Jingxian extended a hand to gently pry the dagger from her neck, to no avail. “You don’t dare kill me because you’re not willing to give up. You want to go back to Dongwu to fight for the throne.”

“Mu Yuan, all your actions over the years have been under the watch of the Hidden Guards without exception. Do you still think you can escape?”

Mu Yuan didn’t immediately answer, not completely trusting Shen Jingxian’s words.

He knew his activities had always gone too smoothly and had considered the Yunyi Emperor might have let him act intentionally, but he had to take the risk.

He had no choice; he had to do this to inherit Dongwu Country’s throne, to avenge all who had once looked down on him, and for his mother’s sake.

Mu Yuan withdrew the dagger, “What does Your Highness want to say?”

Shen Jingxian smiled subtly. She knew Mu Yuan was a smart man.

“I will help you seize the throne of Dongwu.”

Mu Yuan’s expression finally changed. His charming phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, as though contemplating the reliability of her words.

After some time, he asked, “There are many princes in Dongwu; why did the princess choose me?”

Mu Yuan had not anticipated the situation developing this way, betting everything when he arrived at Yi Fen Palace, meticulously planning the poisoning, only to have the situation turn with just a few words from the princess.

He couldn’t understand why the princess wasn’t poisoned. Perhaps it was because she could still stand before him now that he didn’t dare act rashly.

He didn’t know how many cards the princess had yet to play.

Nor did he know the princess’s intentions.

He even suspected his arrival at this stage was entirely orchestrated by the princess.

During his days in Yunyi Country, he moved cautiously, even triple-checking his meals before eating, but he had underestimated the princess.

A child who slept for six years is still a child upon waking. Why care about that? At most, she’s rather beautiful; if she weren’t born into the royal family, it’s unknown how many would have kept her as a possession.

It was this underestimation of someone he believed incapable that led him into such a passive situation.

“Mu Yuan, do you really not understand? The other princes have family support and power, but you have nothing. Your only advantage is operating in the shadows while they are in the open. However, everything you’ve built in secret is actually under Yunyi’s control, which means you are the easiest prince to manipulate.”

Mu Yuan didn’t deny it, knowing the princess was right. He was a weakling now, and as a weakling, he had to be prepared to be dominated by the strong.

He couldn’t help but wonder, if Li Yan were in his position today, what would he have chosen?

Li Yan, a heavenly favored child and the most cherished by their father, had always been immensely proud. If faced with such a scenario, he’d rather die than become subordinate to Yunyi’s people—that’s the pride of Li Yan as a prince.

But for himself, it wasn’t like that. He had lived in an abyss since childhood, and to climb out, he’d grasp at anything, even if it meant being held by the throat, even if a guillotine awaited him at the final position; he’d continue.

As long as he could achieve his goals, he didn’t mind becoming someone’s weapon.

“Your Highness, I’d like to know one more thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“Did Your Highness predict that Mu Yuan would take action today?”

Shen Jingxian’s mouth opened wide in shock as if puzzled by Mu Yuan asking such a foolish question, “I am a person, not a god; how could I foretell the future?”

“However, ever since the first time I sent you food and you didn’t touch it, I felt you weren’t simple and had someone briefly investigate. As for today, I did suspect you were up to something, but I didn’t know what.”

“Your Highness intentionally brought Mu Yuan here.”

Shen Jingxian admitted, “Of course, I must see what you intend to do; otherwise, I won’t sleep peacefully tonight.”

She sighed, appearing pitiful. Curiosity, they say, kills the cat.

Mu Yuan muttered ’madman’ under his breath; all because of curiosity, she knowingly placed herself in danger as bait — this princess…

Was too alluring!!

Gazing at the princess’s charmingly beautiful smile, his heart began to pound vigorously.

For the first time, he felt a rush of blood towards a woman.

“I accept Your Highness’s proposal.”

Shen Jingxian was a bit surprised by how quickly he agreed, thinking she’d need to argue more.

“Mu Yuan, you’re even more discerning than I thought.”

With that settled, today’s operation was perfectly concluded.

Xiqi Country, Dongwu Country, both solved; next up were Fang Yao Country and Fushui Country.

Mu Yuan lowered his head, suddenly uttering a golden phrase.

“Your Highness, please use me.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep