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The Prince's music banquet was held at Qingfeng Pavilion. Although it was called a music event, it felt more like a small-scale cocktail party. I followed Xiao Yuan, watching the lively crowd around us, my heart racing.
"Lord Commander!" The Prince greeted us with a beaming smile. "It’s been a while since I last saw you."
Xiao Yuan responded calmly, "Your Highness."
"Come, come," the Prince said warmly, pulling him to the main seat. "You must drink a few good cups today."
I hid behind a screen as planned, observing and silently critiquing the scene: it resembled a corporate annual meeting with leaders clinking glasses.
After several rounds of drinks, the music began to play. The Prince suddenly lowered his voice. "Lord Commander, do you know why I invited you here today?"
"Please enlighten me, Your Highness."
"You’ve been by Liu Mei’s side for too long," the Prince said meaningfully. "I’m afraid you might not see the situation clearly."
Ding! Warning! Warning! There’s something wrong with the wine! The system suddenly screamed in my mind.
"What’s wrong?" I thought anxiously.
"Detected abnormal substances that could impair one’s judgment and make them easily influenced!"
My heart sank as I looked up just in time to see a Dancer approaching Xiao Yuan with a wine jug. This was bad; they were going to force something on him!
"The throne will eventually change hands," the Prince continued. "Who do you think should inherit it, Lord Commander?"
Just then, someone grabbed me from behind!
"Don’t make a sound." It was guard Zhao's sinister voice.
At that moment, a warm hand grasped my wrist. The familiar scent of pine wafted over; it was Xiao Yuan!
"Let her go." His voice was as cold as ice.
The grip loosened, and I turned to see guard Zhao smirking. "Lord Commander, bringing a palace maid to such an occasion seems rather inappropriate, doesn’t it?"
Xiao Yuan said nothing but pulled me protectively behind him. This gesture of protection... was too obvious!
"Lord Commander, is this..." The Prince chuckled playfully. "Are you concerned about this maid?"
Oh no! This was their trap!
"The male lead is caught in a dilemma!" the system urged anxiously. "They are testing Xiao Yuan's stance!"
I realized what was happening. In modern workplaces, this was a classic "Beauty Trap" combined with provocation—testing whether one would compromise their principles for beauty!
"She's just a palace maid," Xiao Yuan said with a detached tone, "not worth mentioning."
Hearing this made my heart ache. Although I knew it was all an act, why did it hurt so much?
"Is that so?" The Crown Prince smiled meaningfully. "Then how about... granting her to guard Zhao? I see he quite likes her."
I noticed Xiao Yuan's hand tremble slightly. Though he appeared calm, the grip on my wrist was frighteningly tight.
"He’s angry!" the system exclaimed excitedly. "The male lead's possessiveness is about to overflow!"
"Stop it!" I mentally shouted. "Is this really the time for that?"
"Your Highness is joking," Xiao Yuan said, suppressing his anger. "She is with the Sixth Princess."
"That's easy to arrange," the Crown Prince waved his hand. "I'll have someone inform Liu Mei shortly. Come, come, let’s drink!"
"Warning! Warning!" the system blared frantically. "That wine must not be consumed! It contains poison—initially asymptomatic, but without an antidote, it will be fatal in three months."
I saw Xiao Yuan give me a glance. Was this... a signal to cooperate?
Years of workplace experience allowed me to grasp the situation instantly: they were planning an "accident"!
"Lord Commander!" I quickly caught on and pretended to stumble, accidentally knocking over the wine from the dancer's hands.
"You clumsy fool!" the dancer shrieked. "You've stained His Highness's carpet!"
I hurriedly knelt down. "This servant deserves punishment!"
But the Crown Prince just laughed. "No harm done," he said, looking meaningfully at Xiao Yuan. "It seems Lord Commander is... quite concerned about this maid?"
The system chimed in at just the right moment: "Be careful, the Crown Prince is testing him."
I bit my lip. I was all too familiar with this scenario; in the workplace, leaders often used such methods to probe their subordinates' loyalties.
Xiao Yuan merely replied coolly, "I am only worried that the Sixth Princess might be displeased if she finds out." He turned to me with an icy tone. "Why aren’t you leaving yet?"
I lowered my head and stepped back, feeling his gaze follow me all the way. Beneath that cold demeanor lay a torrent of suppressed emotions.
Just as I retreated behind the screen, I heard the Crown Prince say, "Why is Lord Commander so tense? Come, let’s change to another jug of wine!"
"Thank you, Your Highness," Xiao Yuan's voice came through. "But I'm afraid I'm not feeling well today and cannot drink much."
"That won't do," the Crown Prince emphasized. "It’s rare for me to invite you to listen to music; you wouldn’t want to spoil the mood, would you?"
Hiding behind the screen, I felt a surge of anxiety. This was clearly an attempt to force him to take a stand! In modern terms, it was akin to a leader calling you out at a dinner party to pledge your loyalty.
The system suddenly reminded me, "The wine held by that Dancer still contains poison. The Crown Prince intends to control the male lead."
I cautiously leaned forward to take a look, and sure enough, another Dancer was gracefully approaching. This time, the wine had a deeper hue and emitted a faint, alluring fragrance. If Xiao Yuan were to drink it...
Just as I was at a loss for what to do, I suddenly heard hurried footsteps from outside.
"Your Highness!" It was the Senior Maid by the Sixth Princess's side. "The Sixth Princess has suddenly felt unwell. Please, Lord Commander, hurry!"
Xiao Yuan immediately stood up. "I take my leave."
"Wait!" The Crown Prince stopped him, his tone suddenly turning serious. "This cup of wine must be drunk by you, Lord Commander."
The atmosphere instantly froze. I saw Xiao Yuan's hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. This man, who was usually so composed, was now suppressing his anger with such intensity.
The system whispered, "He is holding back to avoid exposing the plan."
But I knew he was primarily protecting me. If he revealed himself now, my situation would become even more perilous. This man... when did he start prioritizing my safety over his own?
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