Chapter 210: Chapter 210: If She Is Happy, You Should Be Unhappy

Even a clean sweep against these sons of nobility wouldn’t have been enough to catch his eye.

He slouched in his chair, gaze lowered, his posture as indifferent as ever. He showed no sign of interest.

Cui Mingrui glanced toward the high platform, then looked down at his wife. "Do you want to watch a match?"

"No," Princess Anning said, shaking her head, her expression cool. "I’m going riding."

She hadn’t attended a banquet in a long time. She had only agreed to come today because Cui Mingrui, unable to bear seeing her cooped up, had persuaded her to come out for a change of scenery.

Hearing she wanted to ride, Cui Mingrui didn’t press the issue. He personally selected a docile mare and helped her mount. After she galloped away with a crack of her whip, he stood there for a moment longer before finally making his way toward the high platform.

Xie Jinbai caught sight of his brother-in-law arriving. He glanced around, considered for a moment, and then actually stood up, taking a few steps forward to greet him.

The air was suddenly still. Everyone around them was dumbfounded.

Even the shouts from the edge of the martial arts arena seemed to fade.

The gesture was simply that shocking.

Before everyone’s watchful eyes, the Prince himself had personally gone to greet him.

Such a reception was likely reserved for the Emperor himself.

Only Zhao Shijie raised an eyebrow.

’He probably wants to speak with his brother-in-law alone,’ he guessed. ’He needs to get away from the crowd but can’t just tell everyone to leave.’

’After all, this was the man who, six years ago, had been so desperately in love that he could think of nothing but marrying her. This was the man who, upon finally succeeding, hadn’t even thought to bow when bidding farewell to his parents on his wedding day. Why would he suddenly be acting so humble now?’

It wasn’t that Xie Jinbai had been intentionally arrogant back then; the man simply had no concept of deference in his bones.

After so long in a position of power, he simply didn’t know how to bow, nor did he understand the need for it.

Meanwhile, Cui Mingrui was also taken aback to see him approach.

But his reaction was swift. He immediately understood and stopped in his tracks to wait.

Sure enough, the moment Xie Jinbai reached him, he said, "Let’s cancel that plan. I’m not doing it."

"..." Cui Mingrui was speechless.

’From their planning over the past few days, I could already tell the man was completely wrapped around my sister’s little finger. Seeing him now, I’m guessing my sister must have shown him some favor today, causing him to change his mind on a whim.’

’Honestly... ’

The corner of Cui Mingrui’s mouth twitched. He was about to say something when he noticed countless eavesdroppers straining to listen. He immediately stopped and changed the subject. "Your Highness, may we speak privately?"

Xie Jinbai was willing to accommodate him, so he nodded.

The two moved to a nearby viewing pavilion.

There was no one else for dozens of yards around.

Cui Mingrui got straight to the point. "Everything is in place. Why the sudden change of heart, Your Highness?"

Xie Jinbai didn’t hide the truth. "Your plan is too risky," he said bluntly. "Yaoyao would be displeased."

’That’s the whole point!’

’If she’s happy about it, *you’re* the one who should be unhappy.’

Cui Mingrui grumbled internally.

’There probably wasn’t another brother like me in the entire world.’

’Helping his brother-in-law test his own sister, forcing her to confront her feelings.’

’And yet, this brother-in-law of his...’

Cui Mingrui’s head began to ache. "Are you sure about this?"

"I’m sure," Xie Jinbai said. "I’m certain Yaoyao has feelings for me. I don’t want to stir up trouble for no reason and displease her."

His expression was placid, his tone even.

But Cui Mingrui could clearly detect the smugness in his voice.

’As if he’s the only one who can please his wife.’

’What’s there to show off about?’

Thinking of his own wife, whom he had spent months coaxing only for her to grow increasingly distant, Cui Mingrui felt a surge of irritation. He decided to wash his hands of the whole affair. But, fearing his sister might act up again, he couldn’t stop himself from asking, "So, has Yaoyao given up on finding you a concubine?"

"..." Xie Jinbai was stumped.

Cui Mingrui instantly understood.

He pressed a hand to his forehead. "What did she do to make you think she likes you and won’t bring up the matter of a concubine again?"

’She gives him one little taste of sweetness, and he’s completely smitten.’

Xie Jinbai remained silent.

He disliked discussing the private matters of the marriage bed with others.

Even with her own brother.

After a few moments of contemplation, he said, "Let’s just shelve the matter for now. If she brings up finding a concubine again, I... I’ll..."

As he hesitated, a loud BANG! suddenly echoed from the distance.

A streak of scarlet flame shot into the air, dyeing the azure sky crimson.

In moments, half the sky was stained a deep red.

Everyone present knew what it was: the highest-level distress signal of the Yulin Guards.

It was never used lightly, only in matters of life and death.

In the entire Capital City, only a select few were authorized to use the crimson flare: the Emperor, the Empress, Xie Jinbai himself, and... Cui Lingyao.

’What’s happened now?’

’In the Capital City, right under my own nose.’

Xie Jinbai’s face went white as a sheet. Not daring to entertain the thought any longer, he vaulted over the railing and leaped directly from the high platform.

Seeing this, Cui Mingrui and Zhao Shijie reacted just as quickly, following right behind him.

One worried for his sister; the other feared his own wife would be caught in the crossfire.

Chen Minrou was with Cui Lingyao!

Zhao Shijie was frantic with worry.

’I can’t believe I didn’t stop my wife from seeing Cui Lingyao!’

That woman was now a thorn in the side of the Empress and her allies.

’I can’t believe I didn’t tell my wife to keep her distance!’

Behind the three men, the crowd was horrified. Li Yong, in particular, was so tense his arms were trembling.

’All the noble families capable of making waves are being watched like hawks.’

’So where did these attackers come from?’

’The Princess Consort is surrounded by skilled guards. If something still happened... then it must be fate itself that wants her dead!’

’And by extension, our Prince.’

Everything around them descended into chaos.

With the main spectators gone, the matches in the arena ground to a halt.

Everyone exchanged uncertain glances. One of the bolder men tentatively asked Li Yong, "Sir, what’s happened?"

Li Yong shot them a look. "I’ll have to ask you all to wait here. No one leaves without an order from the Prince!"

’Who knows if any of them are involved.’

Once he had the scene under control, Li Yong grabbed his reins and spurred his horse in pursuit.

The martial arts arena was now under the control of the Yulin Guards.

No one was allowed in or out.

Everyone was forced to comply.

「A short time earlier.」

Chen Minrou was just saying, "Can you imagine how much Xie Jinbai’s enemies must hate you? They finally managed to suppress him, leaving him to live a life worse than death, completely devoid of ambition. And then, you came back..."

Three years ago, with Xie Jinbai’s status and influence, none of the other Princes would have dared contend with him.

But for the past three years, he had been mired in grief over his wife’s death, living in a stupor and ignoring all worldly matters.

Naturally, the ambitions of the other Princes grew wild.

Xie Jinbai himself had fed their ambitions for three years, giving them ample hope. And then, just as their aspirations had peaked and they were beginning to disregard him entirely, the woman who had been dead for three years came back.

And with her, Xie Jinbai’s spirit returned.

Only because he wasn’t competing did the others have a chance.

Now that he was back in the fight, what chance did anyone else have?

For the Princes who were eagerly preparing to make a run for the throne, how was this any different from the sky falling down?

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