Chapter 297

A powerful internal energy surged in the courtyard like rolling waves.

Jiang Yin swiftly retreated, his back slamming heavily against the wall as he forcefully coughed up a mouthful of blood.

As the gust of wind subsided, Zhao Changdu's robes fluttered, and he stood calmly in the courtyard, pulling Gu Ying closer to him. With a cold gaze from a superior position, he looked down at the disheveled Jiang Yin on the ground and spoke in a calm tone, "I, the prince, want to see what your limits are."

Gu Ying turned her face and looked up at the prince's chiseled profile. "Prince, why did you come?"

"If I hadn't come, were you planning to fight him on your own?"

Gu Ying blinked innocently and replied, "He attacked me first... I was just defending myself."

Zhao Changdu helplessly pinched the waist of the young girl. "Remember, you are going to be a mother."

Gu Ying's cheeks flushed, and she hurriedly covered her stomach. "Our baby is fine."

Jiang Yin held his chest, a sweet and bloody taste rising in his throat. He stared fiercely at the man standing in the center of the courtyard, amazed by his formidable internal energy.

No wonder it had been so long, and the poison he had administered to him hadn't taken effect yet.

Zhao Changdu was indeed as powerful as he was in the previous life, making it impossible for people not to look up to him.

And that woman dared to look at Zhao Changdu with such adoring eyes... How could she look at another man!

There was also the sachet hanging from Zhao Changdu's waist, the one with a blooming pomegranate flower...

It was clearly her craftsmanship...

She had said she would only make it for him in this lifetime! Jiang Yin's gaze faltered, and he found the sachet particularly glaring. Remembering her past tenderness and affection towards him and now carrying Zhao Changdu's child, his anger burned hotter, twisting his heart with pain. It took him quite some time to suppress the surging fury in his heart.

He stared back at Zhao Changdu with a defiant smile. "Prince Zhao, impressive skills. I admire you."

The provoking voice sounded, and Zhao Changdu's lips curled up coldly.

He had wanted to capture him for a long time, and Jiang Yin was indeed cunning. Today was quite good—coming to him willingly.

Zhao Changdu's indifferent gaze landed on Jiang Yin's face, without wasting any words. "Men, take him down."

Dozens of black-clad figures appeared out of nowhere, swiftly surrounding the entire sickroom like thunder, making the useless officials from the government retreat and no longer dare to protect Jiang Yin.

Jiang Yin's eyes flickered. "Zhao Changdu, how dare you!"

"You." Zhao Changdu raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes and brows filled with taunting meaning. "You dare to address me so directly?"

The man exuded a powerful aura, making even Li Yang, who was bound to a chair, feel intimidated, his breathing growing heavier.

Jiang Yin considered himself no longer the poor scholar from before. He was the prime minister who had held power and enjoyed boundless wealth and fortune.

The son of a mere Duke Zhen, under his command, was nothing in his eyes.

"What? Is there anything wrong with calling you Prince Zhao? No matter how powerful you are, you are still a servant of the Dongli Imperial Clan. In the grand scheme of things, you're just a slave to Prince Shu! If you don't release Prince Shu, I will write a detailed report to the Emperor, exposing all your crimes and ensuring that you are punished!"

Zhao Changdu sneered, "You're his slave, so everyone looks like a slave to you?"

Jiang Yin choked on his words, "You—"

Zhao Changdu glanced at him expressionlessly and said calmly, "The Zhao family, which I belong to, is a prominent clan in Jianbei. We have been loyal for generations. What are you? How dare you compare yourself to the Zhao family?"

Jiang Yin forced a smile, clenching his fists in humiliation. "You are nothing more than a mere prince. How dare you plot against the heir to the throne—"

There was no change in Zhao Changdu's eyes as he spoke in a flat tone, but it instilled fear in people.

Gu Ying, with a calm expression on her face, slightly curled her cherry-red lips in a mocking smile, her small hand still held within the man's broad palm.

Jiang Yin clutched his chest in discomfort, his crimson eyes fixed on the couple, unsure if he was feeling jealous or angry, but he felt a knot in his stomach.

He tightly gripped the long sword and stared at the approaching figures dressed in black, his eyes filled with a surge of killing intent.

Zhao Changdu didn't spare him a single glance.

"Take him away and send him to the dungeon at Qingjiang Manor." After speaking, he lifted Gu Ying in his arms and was about to leave.

Someone suddenly stopped her and said gratefully, "Miss, are you the consort of the prince?"

Gu Ying turned her head and looked at the person with surprise, "I'm dressed like this, how did you recognize me?"

Another person teased with a smile, "Madam is wearing the prince's clothes! We see the prince every day, so naturally, we know that the prince doesn't consort with women. If the madam can wear the prince's clothes, then she must be someone we admire! Madam, the prince is our benefactor, and as his wife, you are also someone we respect!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ying's lips curled slightly, "I... I only wore Ah Du's clothes because I didn't have any. Please don't make fun of me."

Everyone laughed amicably when they heard her words.

Gu Ying's arrival brought some vitality to the stagnant and gloomy sick ward. The place filled with pain and torment seemed a little brighter because of her smile.

"People say that the prince and his wife are deeply in love, and it seems that the rumors are true!"

"We thank Madam for her righteous act!"

"Thank you, Madam, for your righteous act!"

"With Madam and the prince here, what is there to fear? We will definitely overcome this difficult situation!"

These compliments echoed within the sick ward, enthusiastic and uplifting.

Gu Ying blushed slightly, her small hand hooked around the neck of the prince. She raised her head and looked at the noble man with a faint smile.

"Ah Du, there are so many people here. Maybe you should let me down. I can walk on my own."

"How can that be? Everyone says that I dote on my wife excessively. How can I let this rumor be unfounded?"

Gu Ying's eyes curved into a smile as she rested her head against his chest, listening to the strong and powerful heartbeat of the Crown Prince. Her heart was filled with contentment.

The soldiers of the Qilin Army quickly bound Jiang Yin.

Before leaving, Gu Ying glanced back slightly, witnessing Jiang Yin being dragged out in a miserable state. She thought he would publicly expose her scandalous secrets, but he didn't.

He stared at her intently, his eyes like two icy swords piercing through her. Then, he coldly curled his lips and silently uttered, "Gu Ying, just you wait."

Her smile instantly froze, and her hands wrapped around the Crown Prince tightened involuntarily.

Zhao Changdu lowered his gaze and glanced at the young girl in his arms. He stepped forward and left the sick ward, heading towards the direction of the pharmacy.