Yun Xi forced herself to speak. Her voice was broken, but the words she uttered made Qi Rong's eyes turn even darker.
A tear slid down Yun Xi's cheek and landed on Qi Rong's hand. The warm touch burned him like a branding iron!
Suddenly realizing that Yun Xi's life was slipping away, a flash of panic crossed Qi Rong's eyes. He immediately loosened his grip and caught her falling body.
Qi Rong held Yun Xi tightly, his black eyes fixed on her pale face and closed eyes. His voice was urgent and tinged with a threat.
"If you dare to die, I'll raze the entire Prime Minister's Mansion to the ground and bury them with you!"
Hearing Qi Rong's words, Yun Xi slowly opened her eyes. She frowned helplessly, her voice hoarse.
"What on earth do you want?"
He was the one who had tried to strangle her just now, and now he was threatening her not to die! Why was he always so overbearing?!
Seeing that Yun Xi was not seriously injured, Qi Rong let out a sigh of relief, but his tone remained as tough and cold as ever.
"You have only one choice now: Immediately clarify in public and marry into my Xian Prince's Mansion!"
Hearing Qi Rong's demand, before Yun Xi could speak, Yun Qi quickly retorted.
"Absolutely not! My elder sister is going to marry Brother Shi. This is a marriage personally arranged by our father!"
After getting to know Shi Qian during this period, Yun Qi admired his way of dealing with people. So when he learned that his father had betrothed his elder sister to Shi Qian, he was really happy!
Qi Rong ignored Yun Qi's words. He stared sharply at Yun Xi, pressing on with each word.
"And your answer?"
He didn't care what others said. All he wanted was her answer!
Qi Rong's eyes were deep and as black as a pool. Under his intense gaze, Yun Xi felt a great deal of pressure. Glancing at Shi Qian, who was quickly approaching in the distance, Yun Xi gritted her teeth and avoided Qi Rong's eyes.
"I dare not go against my parents' wishes. Please, Your Highness, show mercy!"
"Show mercy?!"
Hearing Yun Xi's answer, Qi Rong seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. A cold smile curled up on his lips.
He reached out and grabbed Yun Xi's chin, forcing her to face his angry eyes.
"Since you know how to do business and are even willing to sell yourself for the Prime Minister's Mansion, why don't you think about selling yourself for a higher price?"
Qi Rong's words were full of sarcasm, and his anger was boiling over.
She could have asked him for help if she wanted to save Yun Sheng. Why did she have to choose someone else?
When he rushed back to the capital non - stop and saw the Prime Minister's Mansion decorated in celebration, hearing the people at the door talking about her wedding with another man, he wished he could destroy everything in front of him!
She was the treasure he always held in the palm of his hand. He had repeatedly crossed his own bottom line for her, changed his principles, and exhausted himself to eliminate all the dangers around her. He even worried every day about where to keep her safe!
And yet, one day, she told him to show mercy?! Just for a man she had only known for a few days!
Others said he was cold - hearted and ruthless, but he suspected that her heart was made of stone!
"Your Highness, could you please let go of my fiancée? She's not feeling well."
At this moment, Shi Qian rushed over after hearing the news. He bravely met Qi Rong's cold gaze.
Although his tone was gentle, he was firm and fearless, showing no sign of retreat.
"Are you okay?"
Shi Qian quickly walked up to Yun Xi and reached out his hand to pull her away from Qi Rong's grasp.
Yun Xi instinctively wanted to reach out, but Qi Rong intercepted her hand and tightly grabbed her wrist. He gritted his teeth and said,
"You're forcing me to kill him."
Qi Rong's cold eyes narrowed slightly, filled with a heavy killing intent.
Seeing the determination on Qi Rong's face, Yun Xi's heart tightened. She stared at him in horror.
"You can't do this!"
She had seen his ruthless methods, so she knew he was serious about killing.
But Shi Qian was innocent. She didn't want him to be involved because of their feud.
"Who says I can't?"
Qi Rong's voice rose slightly. He smiled recklessly. The next moment, he suddenly kicked Shi Qian beside him with lightning speed! Fortunately, Shi Qian was skilled in martial arts and quickly dodged the kick. However, then Qi Rong unexpectedly slapped him in the chest.
Although Shi Qian was quick - witted and blocked Qi Rong's palm with both hands, he was forced to take several steps back due to the opponent's powerful attack. He only stopped when his body hit the wall behind him!
"Brother Shi!"
Just as Shi Qian was about to get up, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, and a mouthful of blood spurted out!
Seeing this, Yun Qi immediately stepped forward to support Shi Qian. Shi Qian looked at Qi Rong with a deathly pale face.
Fortunately, he had practiced martial arts since childhood and had a good foundation. If it were an ordinary person, they might have died on the spot. This Xian Prince really wanted to take his life!
"Qi Rong!"
Yun Xi was shocked. She didn't expect Qi Rong to attack so quickly. Instinctively, she hugged his arm.
"So you're already feeling sorry for him?"
A cold smile played on Qi Rong's thin lips.
"You should have thought about the consequences when you decided to do this."
"If you don't want to be a widow and don't want your father to die in the imperial prison tonight, then immediately follow me into the Xian Prince's Mansion!"
Qi Rong paused slightly, raised his eyebrows slightly, and stared at Yun Xi.
"Maybe if I'm in a good mood, I'll even get Yun Sheng out of the imperial prison."
Yun Xi was slightly stunned. She knew that Qi Rong was not just talking. He really had the ability.
After all, "the one who tied the bell must untie it." He was the one who had framed her father!
Seeing Yun Xi fall into silence, Qi Rong suddenly smiled. Then he called out to the outside of the door.
"Bring the things in!"
As soon as Qi Rong finished speaking, more than a dozen guards in tight - fitting clothes carried many boxes tied with red silk into the yard and lined them up in a row.
And Nightingale stood at the end of the line, looking at Yun Xi from afar with a hesitant expression.
"If you accept these betrothal gifts, it means you've agreed."
Qi Rong took the gift list from Nightingale and handed it to Yun Xi with a wicked smile. There was a look of determination in his deep eyes.
On his way back to the capital, he had already ordered Nightingale to prepare the betrothal gifts early, so as not to give Yun Xi a chance to hesitate!
"Wait! I won't allow it!"
An angry shout came from outside the yard. Old Lady Yun was carried into the yard. Her eyebrows were raised in anger, and her cloudy eyes were full of rage.
"Are you, as a prince, allowed to force a civilian girl to marry you? Although the Prime Minister's Mansion is not what it used to be, it's not a place where you can do as you please!"
Facing the old lady's accusation, Qi Rong remained calm. He reached out and touched Yun Xi's face. Ignoring her struggle, he hooked her waist with one hand and sat down in front of the dressing table.
He showed a possessive attitude towards Yun Xi and looked at the old lady provocatively.
"Then why don't you of the Prime Minister's Mansion give it a try and see if I can do as I please?"
Although Qi Rong was smiling, everyone present could only feel a chilling coldness. The powerful pressure made the air around them seem to become heavy.
No one dared to doubt his ability to follow through on his words!