A lazy bum transmigrates and marries a eunuch – it's awesome!

Chapter 119 Showdown

Xiao Yuan was indeed furious, but he still had his rationality. He didn't really intend to strangle Prince An; he just wanted to teach him a lesson so that he would know what he should and shouldn't say.

Jin Zekang showed little fear, and even with his neck being choked, a mocking smile remained on his lips.

Xiao Yuan's mind is definitely deep enough to see through his scheme; such a person couldn't be so foolish as to actually strangle him.

The more Xiao Yuan looked at Prince An's fearless attitude, the more hateful he became. He tightened his grip slightly and even thought about just strangling him to death.

As for how to handle the aftermath after strangling him, we'll talk about that later.

Jiang Xinyu, while munching on an apple, walked around to the two of them and patted Xiao Yuan's arm, signaling him to let go.

"Stop pinching, it'll be too much trouble if you really kill him."

Since Prince An has personally come all this way, it's clear he wants to resolve the issue. Calm down.

Xiao Yuan stared at Prince An with a gloomy expression, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

"I don't see any sincerity in him."

Jiang Xinyu shook her head helplessly, "You're betting that he'll back down, and he's betting that you won't dare. Have you two ever thought about how you might have messed things up?"

There's no deep-seated hatred between us, so there's no need to fight to the death over a matter of loyalty.

Let go first. Even if he wants to back down, he'll have to be able to say something, right?

"Heh, judging from the look in Prince An's eyes, he doesn't seem to be backing down."

Although Xiao Yuan said that, he still let go of his hand. Prince An suddenly took a step back and held onto the chair, followed by a violent cough.

Touching the clear finger marks on his neck, Prince An felt a pang of confusion. For a moment, Xiao Yuan had murderous intent towards him. Was he really not afraid of being exposed?

However, he was right about one thing: Xiao Yuan's feelings for his wife were no less than his feelings for A Zhuo.

As long as this weakness exists, that's fine. Xiao Yuan isn't stupid; he won't touch A Zhuo until his power is completely eradicated.

Seeing Jin Zekang's pained yet still bitterly smiling face, Jiang Xinyu clicked her tongue twice. The old emperor's genes are really good; another madman.

However, there are advantages to being a madman, especially when there is a rein on him, he can play a huge role.

Jiang Xinyu had always known that Xiao Yuan's position was a double-edged sword, seemingly glamorous but also harboring hidden dangers.

This scoundrel has offended too many people. It's fine when he's in a high position, but once he falls, everyone will kick him while he's down.

However, his personality made it difficult for him to find allies, and the old emperor would never allow it.

What people valued about him, besides his abilities, was his jinxed, always-opposing nature. If Xiao Yuan were the smooth-talking, charming, and agreeable man, the old emperor would definitely have eliminated him first.

The appearance of Prince An caught Jiang Xinyu's eye. Although it was absurd, she felt that Prince An could play a big role at crucial moments.

As for the two of them facing off now, it doesn't matter. There's a saying that goes, "No fight, no friendship."

Unfortunately, Chief Supervisor Xiao failed to grasp his wife's good intentions, his eyes fixed on Jin Zekang as if searching for the right angle to strike.

Prince An was not to be outdone, a wicked smile playing on his lips as he stared directly at Xiao Yuan without a trace of fear.

Jiang Xinyu's lips twitched slightly. "I say, have you two hit it off?"

"Or... should I excuse myself?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan immediately turned his face away, looking at his wife with a resentful expression as if accusing her of being unreasonable.

Prince An looked at Jiangxinyu with great interest.

He had seen this woman's sharp tongue before, and knowing he couldn't win, he didn't want to invite trouble. He nodded slightly and said in a hoarse voice,

"Madam Xiao, it was wrong of me to scheme against you and your husband, but Chief Supervisor Xiao, you have avenged yourselves."

Just like you said, we didn't have any deep-seated hatred for each other.

Jiang Xinyu nodded. "Yes, we didn't have any deep-seated hatred. Isn't all of this because you acted like a jerk?"

What did my husband and I do to offend you that you're plotting against us?

What's wrong with pinching you? I pinched you because you used me to threaten my husband?

What?

So you're allowed to provoke us, but we're not allowed to retaliate?

Don't think you can get away with just a pinch; it's not that easy!

Does that mean if someone slashes at you, you can dodge and then curse at them a couple of times and that's it?

"If Your Highness is truly so magnanimous, then I will have Xie Zhuo sent to you immediately. Just remember, if someone tries to harm you in the future, please try to be understanding."

Jin Zekang opened his mouth but could only manage to utter an apology. It wasn't a matter of whether he was in the wrong or not; it was that Xiao Yuan truly had the right to do so.

Seeing that His Highness Prince An had yielded, Jiang Xinyu nodded in satisfaction.

"Since you know you were wrong, let's talk about compensation."

My husband wasn't fooled because he was smart, not because you stopped, so don't say that there were no serious consequences.

You can't possibly be unaware of the immense risks your husband would face if he were to truly be with a prince or the heir to a noble family.

"Tell me, what bargaining chips do you have? I'll estimate whether this sum of money is enough to settle things."

Prince An was surprised by how straightforward Lady Xiao Yuan was and tentatively offered to send two hot spring estates as an apology.

Jiang Xinyu scoffed, "It would have been much more sincere of you to just hand over a banknote."

Don't play dumb, you know what I'm asking.

Your people in the palace are your own intelligence organization.

Jin Zekang's expression immediately hardened. "Madam Xiao, your appetite is too big. You know this is impossible."

Jiang Xinyu rolled her eyes at him. "Can you wait until I finish speaking? Why would I need your undercover agents? Even if you gave them to me, I wouldn't dare to use them."

What I need is intelligence—intelligence about the Eastern Depot and my husband. I know you have it.

"Just this?"

"Yes, that's all I need, but not just any intelligence."

First, I need the list of traitors within the Eastern Depot that you found, including the people you planted yourself.

Secondly, if you obtain any information that is detrimental to my husband, please inform me. This is a two-way street, so you won't be doing this for nothing.

We don't want to be enemies with someone as clever as you, and you won't benefit from offending us either.

The first clause is your way of apologizing to us, and the second clause is mutually beneficial so that you don't lose out.

"Your Highness, I may not be Xiao Yuan's weakness, but Xie Zhuo is definitely yours. Wouldn't it be better to have another force protecting him?"

Prince An glanced at the silent Xiao Yuan, then at the cunning Jiang Xinyu, and suddenly smiled.

"Madam Xiao's suggestion is truly tempting. Offending Supervisor Xiao would actually bring me more help. If I were to refuse, it would seem like I don't know what's good for me."

Jiang Xinyu waved her hand dismissively, "If you like playing games, you two can go at it slowly. I'm a straightforward person and I like to say what I mean."

Killing you would be too costly and not worth it, but I'm not willing to give up anything.

It's good to have some information; I'll benefit, and you won't lose out.

And don't talk about giving me any credit or anything like that. If you don't have that value, I won't bother giving you any credit.

As she spoke, Jiang Xinyu yawned, "Aren't you two sleepy at this hour? I'm going to sleep. Husband, are you going to stay here with him or come back to the room with me?"

Xiao Yuan glared at Prince An with disdain, then grabbed his wife's hand. Jin Zekang immediately frowned.

"Madam Xiao's suggestion is excellent. I agree. The intelligence will be sent over tomorrow."

"I wonder if Xie Zhuo would allow me to take him away?"

Jiang Xinyu, with a mischievous smile, hooked her arm around Xiao Yuan's.

"Young Master Xie should be sound asleep in the Prince's bedroom right now. Do you expect me to invite him back again?"

Jin Zekang was taken aback, then looked deeply at the couple, clasped his hands in farewell, and said goodbye.

He rode all the way until he saw Xie Zhuo sleeping soundly in his bed before he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But the relief only lasted a short while.

Xie Zhuo woke up, her eyes glazed and her face flushed. She snuggled into his arms like a clingy kitten, whimpering softly.

Prince An's face flushed red as he realized the meaning behind Madam Xiao's ambiguous smile.

What a wonderful gift!