Mo Lian Reborn : The Jade Princess's Revenge

The Crown Prince remained silent. The man held Roulan's hand and gave it a gentle pat.

Still not satisfied, Roulan glared at Lian and whispered, "Sister, what secret do you share with the Crown Prince?"

Mo Lian didn't answer right away. She simply glanced at the Crown Prince once more and bowed respectfully.

"I'll excuse myself, My Lord," she said briefly.

Without waiting for a response, Mo Lian walked gracefully to the seat prepared for her on the right side of the hall. As she walked, she glanced back, a faint smirk playing on her lips as she noticed Roulan's sulking expression—clearly upset.

Maid Mei followed behind her slowly, carrying a seat cushion and a small fan for her lady.

"Brother Fengyan...?" Roulan muttered, her expression filled with disappointment and sadness. Her voice was soft, yet loud enough for a few people nearby to hear.

The Crown Prince merely gave her a faint smile. He gently patted Roulan's shoulder and said calmly, "Sit down. It's nothing."

Roulan nodded slightly and obeyed. She walked to her seat, directly across from Mo Lian's. Maid Yue quickly assisted her in fixing her seat and adjusted her slightly disheveled shawl.

One by one, the invited guests began arriving, filling the grand hall designed with towering wooden pillars and a red carpet stretching from the entrance to the center of the room.

Before long, Zhao Tiangsheng appeared at the entrance. He wore a black robe adorned with gold embroidery on the shoulders. His expression was stern, and his stride exuded authority. All eyes followed him as he made his way past the guests toward the seat of honor, not far from the Crown Prince's.

As he passed by Mo Lian, their eyes unintentionally met.

Mo Lian held his gaze for a moment and gave a faint smile—a smile that was hard to interpret, somewhere between polite and flirtatious. But Zhao Tiangsheng didn't react at all. He simply flicked his sleeve and turned his gaze forward with a cold, expressionless face.

He took a seat to the right of the Crown Prince without saying a single word.

Several attendants began distributing small cups of tea to the guests. The soft scent of jasmine tea slowly filled the room.

Crown Prince Fengyan reached for the small cup before him and raised it high.

"To the prosperity and happiness of the Kingdom of Liaozhai," he declared clearly.

All the guests followed his motion. "May the Crown Prince be blessed by the gods!" they chorused, raising their own cups in a gesture of respect and as a signal that the banquet had officially begun.

Mo Lian also raised her cup calmly, her expression emotionless yet still graceful.

Across from her, Roulan narrowed her eyes and glanced at Mo Lian. Her gaze still clearly reflected her displeasure from the moment between Lian and the Crown Prince just minutes ago.

The Crown Prince had just set down his teacup, and attendants were bustling about preparing snacks when suddenly—

Whoosh!

An arrow shot swiftly through the window, heading straight for the Crown Prince's seat.

Everyone in the room froze, their eyes locked on the arrow's trajectory.

"An intruder!!"

"Protect the Crown Prince!" shouted several officials and attendants, panic erupting throughout the grand hall.

Zhao Tiangsheng immediately stood, jaw clenched. His eyes narrowed, staring at the direction from which the arrow came.

Sraang!

With one swift motion, he grabbed a sword handed to him by a guard.

Moments later, five men dressed entirely in black stormed into the hall after overpowering the palace guards outside.

The assassins, clad in black and with matching face coverings, attacked everyone in the room, their main target being the Crown Prince.

Some attendants and officials fled in panic. Chairs and tea trays toppled over, the room descending into chaos.

Roulan screamed softly and rushed toward the Crown Prince, who was still standing in front of the altar.

"Brother Fengyan! I'm scared..." she whimpered, clutching the man's robe tightly.

The Crown Prince took a deep breath, trying to calm both himself and Roulan. "Stay calm. The palace guards will be here soon," he said, eyes fixed on the intruders.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Maid Mei shouted,

"My Lady, hurry! Get out of here!" she cried, pulling Mo Lian's hand.

But before they could move farther, one of the intruders kicked Maid Mei squarely in the head, sending the girl crashing hard to the floor. The loud thud echoed as she lost consciousness instantly.

"Mei!" Mo Lian screamed, eyes wide with shock and fear.

She was now alone. Slowly, her body backed away until her back hit a large wooden pillar. She covered her face with her hands, trembling.

"This wasn't supposed to happen... I forgot this scene," she muttered, her voice shaking as panic crept in.

One of the intruders approached. Raising his sword high with one hand, he prepared to strike Mo Lian.

Mo Lian froze. Her breath caught in her throat. She shut her eyes tightly, bracing for the blow.

But then—

Thud!

A powerful kick struck the intruder's back, sending him sprawling to the floor.

Zhao Tiangsheng stood protectively in front of Mo Lian, his posture firm, breathing slightly labored. His eyes scanned the room sharply, alert for any more attacks.

Mo Lian slowly opened her eyes. When she saw who had saved her, a sweet smile appeared on her beautiful face.

"I knew you'd come to save me, My Lord..." she whispered, stepping forward to express her gratitude.

But Zhao responded coldly, "What are you doing? Get out of here. You're a nuisance!"

Mo Lian froze. Her smile disappeared instantly. She bit her lower lip and stomped her foot in frustration.

"Hmph! You're so rude!" she muttered under her breath.

Reluctantly, Mo Lian stepped aside and hid behind the pillar. But instead of fleeing, she chose to stay put, quietly peeking toward the Crown Prince who was still shielding Roulan in his arms.

Her heart stirred. Her eyes locked on the pair intensely.

"I remember clearly..." she thought, jaw clenched. "Roulan intentionally blocked a sword from one of the assassins... and it grazed her arm. From that moment on, the Crown Prince became even more protective of her."

And since then, that snake woman became more free in slandering me.

Mo Lian clenched her fists. No. She wouldn't let it happen again. Not this time.

Without hesitation, she ran out of her hiding place, charging toward the Crown Prince. Unfortunately, things didn't go as smoothly as she'd hoped.

After only a few steps, someone grabbed her arm roughly.

"Hey!" It was Zhao Tiangsheng.

He had just taken down another intruder and now glared at the woman with rage.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"

"Let go!"

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