Xiao Jinyu clearly saw Xue Ming's dark face instantly flush crimson, his Adam's apple trembling noticeably.
Steward Zhao was momentarily stunned by the unusually intimate address "Xiao Yi," but responded as usual.
Ashina Suwu hurriedly added, "And the Prince of Wu Commandery, Xiao Jue."
Steward Zhao looked toward Xiao Jinyu, who gave a slight nod.
Ashina Suwu supplemented further, "And the Imperial Concubine of Prince An."
Xiao Jinyu frowned slightly but still nodded.
Once Steward Zhao withdrew, Xiao Jinyu's gaze swept past Xue Ming before settling indifferently on Ashina Suwu. "Great Khan, since you wish to negotiate matters amicably, why make things difficult for Lord Xue?"
Ashina Suwu raised an eyebrow. "Does Prince An know why I've come?"
"I don't..." Xiao Jinyu calmly looked toward Xue Ming, who remained silent nearby. "But I know you administered a mute drug to Lord Xue, bound his hands, yet didn't take his life or inflict physical harm—certainly because you don't wish to break with our court. You brought him here merely to see me and Xiao Jue. Since I've already agreed, why keep him bound?"
Ashina Suwu showed no surprise that Xiao Jinyu had discerned Xue Ming's condition with just a few glances, merely spreading his hands with an innocent expression. "This isn't my fault. After all, I'm now a Khan. If this man hadn't spoken so offensively and had such a terrible temper, I wouldn't have resorted to such underhanded methods."
Xiao Jinyu glanced at Xue Ming's stony-faced glare and sighed softly. "Then first untie the ropes on Lord Xue's hands... let's not delay the drinking."
Ashina Suwu smiled meaningfully. "Isn't Miss Xiao Yi here?"
Xiao Jinyu raised a subtle eyebrow, observing Xue Ming's suddenly crimson face. "Very well... What does Lord Xue think?"
Xue Ming frantically shook his head, his face reddening as if about to bleed.
Xiao Jinyu nodded gently. "Since Lord Xue himself is unwilling to be untied... then let it be."
"...!"
The Erquan Hall was located in the first courtyard of the Royal Mansion's front compound, while the Wujing Pavilion stood at the center of the lake in the rear garden's backyard—almost spanning the entire Royal Mansion. Xiao Jinyu refused to let Ashina Suwu touch his wheelchair, so Ashina Suwu and Xue Ming followed behind it, slowly making their way around. By the time they reached the Wujing Pavilion, Chu Chu, Xiao Jue, and Jing Yi—dressed in a bamboo-green gown—were already waiting inside.
Two years of constant travel had left no trace on Jing Yi's impeccably maintained complexion. Because of the little one still nestled in Leng Yue's womb, Jing Yi's eyes often inadvertently revealed a unique tenderness. Combined with the antics of Xiao Xiang and Chu Chu, Xue Ming lost his composure at first glance, even forgetting how he had entered the room.
Xiao Jinyu sighed silently to himself. He had originally intended to give Jing Yi a chance to clear his name, but this person... had instead plunged headfirst into the mud and refused to emerge.
Ashina Suwu also froze upon entering, not because of Jing Yi, but because of Xiao Jue—leaning against his wheelchair, so emaciated he was almost unrecognizable.
He had only vaguely heard that Xiao Jue had been stripped of his position for some reason, no longer serving as a general or fighting battles, but he never expected...
Xiao Jue coldly watched Ashina Suwu staring in shock at his frail body, not even lowering his head. "Great Khan."Ashina Suwu felt an inexplicable grief and indignation welling up inside him, a hundred—no, a thousand—times more intense than when he had personally beheaded the traitorous general.
His lingering attachment to the Liangzhou battlefield was, to some extent, driven by a desire to cross swords with this man once more, to determine a clear winner in a satisfying contest. Yet this man had denied him even the chance for a rematch.
Ashina Suwu gritted his teeth, his lips pressing together slightly, and said in a low voice, "Prince of Wu Commandery."
Chu Chu habitually moved closer to Xiao Jin Yu and greeted Ashina Suwu with a bright, cheerful smile, "Greetings, Great Khan!"
Ashina Suwu concealed the complex emotions that had inadvertently surfaced, revealing a relaxed smile. "Greetings, Imperial Concubine." His gaze then shifted to Jing Yi, who was silently staring at the ground. "It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Xiao Yi?"
Jing Yi bowed slowly, her voice deliberately softened and refined, carrying a faint tremor. "Great Khan..."
The subtle quiver in her voice sent an irresistible shiver down Xue Ming’s spine, his ears flushing red.
Xiao Jin Yu took note of everyone’s emotions but remained composed, clearing his throat lightly. "Great Khan... all the people you wished to see are here. There’s no room for eavesdroppers in these surroundings. It would be best to speak clearly before the wine flows... If we wait until after drinking, and any of us become too intoxicated to acknowledge our words, your efforts would be in vain."
Ashina Suwu picked a chair in the hall and sat down, a faint smile curling his lips. "Whether Prince An acknowledges it or not doesn’t matter. I came here to repay a debt of gratitude to him..."
"I’ve never given you any such debt."
Ashina Suwu waved his hand dismissively. "If Prince An hadn’t exposed the one who poisoned and committed crimes in the Liangzhou military camp, I wouldn’t be Great Khan now... I’d probably have become a headless ghost long ago." He added casually, "And if, by the way, we can negotiate a peace treaty with your court, that would be even better."
Xiao Jue stiffened his neck, gritting his teeth as he glared at Ashina Suwu, who had resumed staring at his figure. Before he could speak, Xiao Jin Yu’s warning gaze silenced him. Pressing his pale lips together, Xiao Jue ultimately turned his eyes toward the window.
Ashina Suwu watched Xiao Jue unabashedly, pulling a stack of papers from his robes and handing them to Jing Yi, who stood closest to him. As he did, his eyes swept over the intentionally padded curves of her chest, earning a sharp glare from Xue Ming.
"Please show these to the Prince of Wu Commandery, Xiao Yi. None of these letters are signed, but the more I look at them, the more they resemble his handwriting."
Both Xiao Jue and Xiao Jin Yu were taken aback. Letters delivered personally by the Turkic Khan... Xiao Jin Yu suddenly recalled the irrefutable evidence that had sealed the case of Ning Jun Wang Xiao Heng, and a chill ran down his spine.
Jing Yi glanced at the top page and paused for a moment before bringing the letters to Xiao Jue.
Xiao Jue took one look at the papers in Jing Yi’s hands, froze, then let out a cold laugh. Raising his eyes to meet Ashina Suwu’s gaze, he asked, "Might I ask, Great Khan, on what date were these letters delivered to the Turks?"
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