After dealing with the emperor, I watched his figure disappear at the doorway not long ago, only to see another figure sneakingly slip in.

He truly is an adorable little crown prince.

I knew he would appear sooner or later.

It must be said that the emperor is indeed wary of the forces behind the crown prince; otherwise, how could he be on the verge of being betrayed and not kill him?

When the crown prince walked in, her heart almost stopped beating. Just a few days ago, he was clearly on horseback. His vibrant and beautiful figure has now become significantly thinner, and his eyes lack any vitality. Upon seeing him enter, she struggled to sit up.

"Why... why have you come?" He Toomien struggled to sit up a little, and let out a soft, low groan as he accidentally touched the painful spot he didn't know where it was torn.

Looking at it from the perspective of the Crown Prince, one could just make out the traces of recent violence on his body.

The person in front of him was someone he fell in love with at first sight. However, he was treated so badly, as if he had just discovered a priceless treasure, only to have it shattered in front of everyone.

"Don't move, I'm here to save you," the Prince is indeed very naive.

He Tulu chuckled and said, "You go ahead, I'm doing just fine here. There's no need for you to take such a great risk."

The eldest son rushed over and grabbed his thin wrist, which was covered in bruises and even had broken skin from struggling. "He doesn't treasure you at all, so why are you still so infatuated with him?"

"Unrequited love?!" He Tu couldn't help but feel like he had just heard the most hilarious joke in the world. "Who told you I have unrequited love for him? I hate him to the core! I wish I could peel his skin off..."

The crown prince finally let go of his suspended heart and said, "You saved me last time, and I still owe you a favor. Come with me, let's return to the Northern Land together. There, you will definitely like the vast grasslands."

He Tu smiled and said, "If you knew my identity, you wouldn't be saying these words."

"I don't care who you are, as long as you are willing to follow me."

He Tu's eyes flickered for a moment.

"Are you worried about your family? Don't worry, just tell me where they live, I'll go pick them up."

He Tu's expression grew dim as he said, "I no longer have any family..."

The prince hastily said, "Yes, I'm sorry. I had no idea it would hurt you."

He Tu smiled and said, "Ignorance is pardonable, and besides, you were simply thinking of me. How could I possibly blame you?"

"So, are you planning to follow me?"

He Tu fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"There are people outside ready to assist us. Once we go out, we can immediately return."

The crown prince drew his sword and cut off his chains, then helped him put on his clothes.

Just as he was about to walk out, a cold laugh came from outside.

"What an intense and affectionate scene." The emperor walked in, pushing the door.

Both of their faces turned pale.

He Tu coldly shielded the Crown Prince behind him, saying, "Don't touch him. It's all my fault for what happened today."

The eldest prince swiftly stepped forward and drew his sword. "Your Majesty, today I am here to make a deal with you."

The emperor seemed to have heard the funniest joke in the world: "What kind of transaction?"

"How much do you want in exchange for him? Although I might not have many bargaining chips at the moment, North Continent and South Huai have been at war for many years. If you want peace, I can make concessions. Treating him so cruelly, it's clear that you don't like him in your heart, and he doesn't like you either. Why not let bygones be bygones?"

"What you mean is," the emperor said in a cold voice, "you want me to hand over my empress to you?"

It's truly the most amusing thing in the world.

The crown prince's expression changed at this moment.

Empress? So, he is the Empress... No wonder he had such a look on his face earlier. A few days ago, when the Crown Prince came on his way here, he heard the news that almost all the members of the Empress's family were annihilated. If Brother He doesn't hate him to the core, it would be the most unlikely thing to happen. It turns out the previous rumors were indeed unreliable. They said that the Empress of Nanhuai was not only born well but also worthless in every other aspect, hideously ugly. However, now it seems that someone must have been jealous of his beauty and deliberately spread such false rumors. And the Emperor is so negligent about it.

So now it's not entirely his fault for stirring up trouble, it's because the Emperor himself is too ruthless and merciless.

"Don't think that just because you are the Prince of the Northern Land, I won't dare to do anything to you," the emperor said solemnly. "Guards, lock him up. The charge is molesting the palace concubines."

"Today's matter has nothing to do with him. I'll leave it up to you how you handle it. Let him go, okay?"

"Release him back?" The emperor gripped He Tu's chin, feeling the smooth and comfortable texture in his hand. "He doesn't value me at all, so why should I treat him with respect?"

He Tu's face turned deathly pale. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault for burdening you…"

The heir apparent said with anger, "Why would there be any accusations against you? You haven't done anything wrong. Today, it's my own fault, so you don't need to worry. I won't let you die."

A bunch of guards rushed in and surrounded the two individuals.

The emperor looked at He Tu and said teasingly, "Since you like him so much, then go to prison with him."

"Yearned for, yet unattainable." The rare smile on He Tu's face only made people feel more uneasy.

Why is it that, in the past, I clearly found him so annoying, but now it's as if I'm under some kind of spell, and I can't let go of this person in my heart, despite the guilt I feel?

After the two people left, the emperor viciously smashed his fist onto the table.

What has happened to me?