Chapter 10 Yan Lin Stands Up for Her

Chu Baihan hesitated and looked up, only to see the cold visage of a certain prince.

He had actually come.

"Opposing this prince in the Prince Residence, and now, you find yourself in such a sorry state back at the Chu Residence?" he sneered.

Chu Baihan: "..."

A dog can't spit out ivory; she would have been better off without his help.

Just then, Chu You also came running over. She had always been pampered and only did what she wanted, so she didn't even notice Yan Lin's presence.

She raised her hand and lunged forward, her sharp nails targeting Chu Baihan's face.

"Ziyi." Yan Lin had excellent hearing. Hearing the commotion, his expression darkened once again, and he sharply called out to Ziyi.

Ziyi immediately stepped in front and drew his sword, placing it against Chu You's neck.

Only then did Chu You react. She screamed in fright and glared at him with resentful eyes.

"Ziyi, anyone who harms the Princess Consort should be killed," Yan Lin said, his voice devoid of warmth, uncaring of Chu You's status.

Ziyi, expressionless, was about to act.

"Stop."

Just then, Chu Hesheng and Madame Jiang arrived in haste with others.

Chu You seized the opportunity to break free and ran behind Chu Hesheng, unable to speak, only able to cry and stamp her feet, appearing extremely aggrieved.

"Chu Baihan, you really tried to harm your own sister? Is this the vile nature you developed over the years in Jiangnan? Apologize to your sister at once!"

Chu Hesheng didn't even inquire about the truth and started berating Chu Baihan outright, putting all the blame on her.

Listening to these words, Chu Baihan's mouth twitched, and she didn't even bother to defend herself.

After all, she was all too familiar with such incidents from eleven years ago.

Whenever Chu You complained, the wrong would invariably be hers, and so would the punishment.

It was merely a repetition of the past.

"General Chu, everyone says this prince has become blind. But it seems you are blinder than I, not just in eyes, but in heart as well," said Yan Lin, his voice colder with each word.

At that moment, Yan Lin spoke out sharply, the irony clearly striking Chu Hesheng.

Hearing this, Chu Baihan looked at him in shock once more. Was he speaking up for her?

Only then did Chu Hesheng notice Yan Lin's presence, his expression subtly changing.

He squinted his calculating eyes, scrutinizing Yan Lin, who stood next to Chu Baihan, his mind possibly scheming something.

After a while, he maintained an unchanged expression and bowed respectfully, "This subject greets Prince Yan. I thought the Prince wouldn't come to the Chu Residence today, hence the lack of reception earlier, a lapse on this subject's part."

"Had General Chu come to receive this prince earlier, this prince would have failed to see how the Chu Residence treats the Princess Consort. General Chu, accustomed to favoring concubines over your wife, now you even insult your legitimate daughter for a concubine daughter?" Yan Lin's voice grew increasingly cold.

He was, after all, the War God Prince who began leading troops into battle at fifteen. His hands were likely stained in more blood than even Chu Hesheng. Thus, his presence carried the scent of blood. At that moment, his anger sent the nearby servants nearly fainting.

Chu You was even more terrified, trembling in fear.

Only now did she realize that the man before her was Prince Yan.

Weren't people saying that Prince Yan greatly disliked the wretched Chu Baihan and wouldn't accompany her back to the Prince Residence? What was happening now?

Dad, save me. Chu You pleaded with her eyes.

Chu Hesheng's eyes darkened, and his expression soured.

After a long time, he forced a smile, "Perhaps the Prince misunderstands; it's merely a small fight between sisters, a trivial matter."

"Hanhan, tell me, your sister has always been gentle in nature. It must be something you did to anger her, causing her to act this way. There can't be any enmity between you two sisters, right?" Chu Hesheng glanced at Chu Baihan, his words carrying a threatening tone.

While both were his daughters, Chu You was his darling, and Chu Baihan was less worthy than even a beggar on the streets!

Having realized his position in the Chu Residence, Chu Baihan found it both amusing and extremely ironic.

Chu Hesheng's gaze shifted toward Yan Lin as he lowered his voice and said, "Prince, my second daughter is spoiled and deserves some punishment. But the Empress is fond of her, and she has summoned her to the palace in a few days to alleviate her boredom. If anything were to happen to her, it would be difficult to explain to the Empress, wouldn't you agree?"

Was he using the Empress and the Crown Prince to pressurize Yan Lin?

Chu Baihan's breathing changed, and it was no wonder Yan Lin disliked the Chu Family, after all, Chu Hesheng was too adept at playing the loyal dog to the Crown Prince and the Empress!

It was uncertain how Yan Lin would respond.

He currently held no official position, and though he controlled one hundred thousand troops, these soldiers were in the hands of other generals.

In contrast, the Crown Prince, supported by countless powerful ministers, commanded several hundred thousand troops. Even the Chu Residence controlled two hundred thousand troops through the Commander's Seal.

"Prince, I will handle this matter myself," Chu Baihan suddenly tugged at his sleeve and then stood in front of him.

She didn't want to drag others into this.

Noticing her movement, Yan Lin tensed slightly, emotions seemingly swirling in those hollow eyes.

After a long time, he pulled her back behind him and coldly said to Chu Hesheng, "What if I insist on seeking justice for the Princess Consort today?"

The expression on Chu Hesheng's face changed; he hadn't expected the crippled prince without real power to be so defiant.

He tugged at the corner of his mouth, his tone no longer respectful, "Prince, if..."

But before he could finish his words, Yan Lin once again ordered Ziyi, "Ziyi, the Princess Consort was injured in the left arm, sever the tendons and bones of her left hand."

With a single "Yes," before anyone could react, Ziyi had already made a swift cut, and Chu You's wrist was covered in blood.

The pain caused her to scream again.

"Youyou!"

Chu Hesheng and Lady Jiang both cried out in concern at the same time.

Lady Jiang hugged Chu You, crying bitterly, "My Youyou, my Youyou!"

Chu You also collapsed; her tendons were severed, and she could no longer play the piano, her most proud skill that outshone all the noble ladies in the capital city.

Watching the mother and daughter crying together, Chu Hesheng's eyes also turned bloodshot as he clenched his fists; his carefully nurtured daughter had been ruined just like that.

He turned around, his eyes filled with hate and murderous intent as they fixed on Yan Lin and Chu Baihan.

Ziyi alertly raised his sword, assuming a defensive stance.

So, he could feel pain too...

It was the same with his daughter, Chu You getting hurt had caused him such distress.

Chu Baihan was not afraid, carrying only a persistent bitterness and irony in her heart.

"Prince Eighth, what do you mean by this?" Chu Hesheng gasped for breath, his anger flaring as he questioned Yan Lin.

"She injured the Princess Consort, she should have been sentenced to death. But considering she is General Chu's daughter, having Ziyi break only one side of her arm's tendons and bones was already very considerate," Yan Lin responded leisurely.

"You..." Chu Hesheng's eyes were filled with extreme resentment, wishing he could tear apart the three people opposite him.

"General Chu, if you have any complaints, feel free to present them to the court, and I will accompany you at any time," Yan Lin said, his words leaving no room for courtesy.

Chu Hesheng trembled with rage, his teeth grinding loudly.

"Princess Consort, let's leave. You are still injured, and if something fatal happened to you in the Chu Residence, that would be troublesome for the Great General," Yan Lin said coldly, looking down.

Chu Baihan: "..." His words were truly venomous.

She was still worried about Nan Xing, but the poison acted very fast, causing dizziness in her head. She could only let Ziyi escort her and Yan Lin out of the Chu Residence.

Chu Hesheng kept watching them; at the end, he spoke in a strange tone, "Hanhan, don't forget what Princely Heir Su and I have entrusted to you."

Chu Baihan's anger flared.

Her "wonderful" father, truly "wonderful" indeed, had to deliberately say such a thing before leaving, just to make Yan Lin suspect her.