Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 451: Si Yao Returns to the Palace

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

In the open and hidden places.

The men brought by Xiao Chen and the opposing side were locked in direct confrontation.

Zhan Lan lit the flare in her hand, and in an instant, Yun He led people to encircle from hidden spots.

"Master, it’s a trap!" someone shouted.

The masked man with a camellia pinned to his waist while riding a horse gritted his teeth, immediately turned the horse’s head, and charged out under the protection of a group of guards.

"Tell me, who is your master?" Zhan Lan aimed an arrow at the leading henchman.

After being abandoned by his master, the leading henchman realized that their master wanted to silence them for fear of them spilling secrets. It seemed that the opposing side was someone even their master couldn’t offend. He was so frightened he knelt and said, "I don’t know, I only know that my master’s status and identity are very high; I know nothing else!"

Zhan Lan saw he was terrified and thought it best for Xiao Chen to question him slowly.

In Ding’an City, there weren’t that many people with a high status and identity, so it wouldn’t be difficult to investigate.

"Pursue them!"

Zhan Lan and Xiao Chen led people to chase after them.

"Keep the witnesses secured!" Xiao Chen ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The constables immediately detained the remaining henchmen.

The leading henchman asked in horror, "Who... who were those people just now?"

The constable coldly replied, "You’re in big trouble, not even recognizing Prince Zhenbei and Minister Xiao of the Ministry of Justice!"

"Ah!" The leading henchman was shocked and, unable to stand, his legs gave way, making him kneel again.

The constable disdainfully looked at the leading henchman and slapped the back of his head, "Weren’t you acting tough before? Do you even know the kind of people you’ve offended today? You’ve even captured the heir of Prince Zhen Nan and the personal maid of Prince Zhenbei. Are you tired of living?"

"What..." The leading henchman was terrified out of his wits. He had even flogged the heir of Prince Zhen Nan and the personal maid of Prince Zhenbei.

He was drenched in cold sweat, filled with regret, realizing that even if his master didn’t kill him, he would be tortured to death in the Ministry of Justice!

Zhan Lan, Xiao Chen, and Yun He continued their chase, but the masked man vanished into a small alley in the inner city under the protection of his guards.

Zhan Lan, on horseback, looked at the imposing gate of the mansion before her, which bore three large characters — Prince Qi Mansion.

By the high wall of the mansion, Zhan Lan noticed a dropped camellia.

Xiao Chen looked at Zhan Lan, "The Flower Demon usually leaves a flower on a woman’s chest after committing such acts to silence her."

Zhan Lan furrowed her brow, could the Flower Demon be Prince Qi?

She looked at Xiao Chen, "Don’t you think there’s something strange?"

Xiao Chen nodded, "If the Flower Demon is Prince Qi, blatantly escaping back to his mansion seems like over-compensating, but he could also be deliberately leading us to think this way."

Zhan Lan gestured with her hand, "Let’s go."

Xiao Chen and Zhan Lan spurred their horses away.

Zhan Lan analyzed, "The Flower Demon isn’t injured, and entering Prince Qi Mansion now would surely alert him. This incident reminds us that the Flower Demon is someone with a very high status. It could be Prince Qi, Prince Xian, or even Marquis Lin Yuan!"

Xiao Chen nodded, "I’ll go back and interrogate those people to see if I can find any clues. After all, if the Flower Demon wanted them dead, there must be a reason, even if they don’t know his true identity."

"Alright, I’ll head back with Yun He."

Xiao Chen watched as Zhan Lan and Yun He galloped away.

Now, the target for the Flower Demon was getting smaller and smaller, which was progress of sorts.

He finally understood why in the previous life, the Flower Demon was never caught. It was a group crime, and the identity of the Flower Demon was at a prince level.

Even if someone had traced it to a prince in the past, perhaps they didn’t dare to act!

Zhan Lan returned to her mansion and first checked on Liu Xi, whose injuries had been bandaged with the help of Qiuyue.

Zhan Lan saw Bai Chen was also in Liu Xi’s room.

"Your Highness, I have called a doctor to help you treat your wounds."

Bai Chen quickly raised his hand to stop her, "No need, sister-in-law. Those men are rough-handed, and I’m afraid of pain. Besides, it’s so late, and the clinics must be closed. Just let Liu Xi apply some medicine for me."

Zhan Lan’s lips twitched. Bai Chen didn’t fear pain when hit with a whip, but now he fears it when applying medicine? How shameless.

No wonder he was brothers with Mu Yan; birds of a feather flock together. Wasn’t this the tactic Mu Yan used to seduce her back then?

Zhan Lan coughed and looked at Liu Xi, "Are you alright? Can you help the heir apply the medicine?"

Liu Xi’s cheeks flushed, and she nodded, "I am fine and can... help the heir with his wounds."

Zhan Lan nodded. The atmosphere between these two was different today; maybe Liu Xi was moved by Bai Chen as well.

Not wanting to disturb them further, Zhan Lan waved her hand and prepared to leave the room.

Suddenly, Mu Yan appeared at the door, looking anxious. He examined Zhan Lan from head to toe, and upon seeing she was uninjured, he sighed with relief.

"My prince, you’re back." Zhan Lan linked her arm with his, knowing Mu Yan was worried about her, and she immediately smiled gently.

Mu Yan gently tapped her forehead, "You. Next time something like this happens, inform me at once."

His Lan’er had gone to find Xiao Chen first, which was understandable since Xiao Chen might have clues. Still, Mu Yan felt it necessary for Zhan Lan to inform him as well.

If it were him, he would have captured the Flower Demon today no matter what.

"Bai Chen, are you dead?" Mu Yan turned to look at Bai Chen lying on the soft couch.

"Brother, do you have any heart? Please send word to my mother that I’m here with you, or else she’ll worry again!" Bai Chen lifted his eyes to Mu Yan.

Mu Yan snorted, "You still remember you have a family!"

With that, he left with Zhan Lan.

Zhan Lan looked at Mu Yan, "You’re right. It seems Bai Chen does have feelings for Liu Xi. He even took a whipping for her; his back was beaten to shreds."

Mu Yan sneered, "Lan’er, don’t be fooled by that kid’s facade. His heart is as dark as charcoal!"

On the way back, Mu Yan had already learned everything about the events. Others might not know Bai Chen well, but he knew Bai Chen’s true capabilities. During the recent Palace Coup, Bai Chen had led his men outside the capital, blocking most of the rebels.

Even if he had been drugged, there was no way he would willingly allow himself to be beaten by a group of thugs.

There was only one possibility: he wanted Liu Xi to feel sorry for him.

"What do you mean? Bai Chen is cunning?" Zhan Lan was puzzled.

Mu Yan chuckled, "Yes, not a beating he suffered was in vain."

Zhan Lan suddenly understood that Bai Chen had, to some extent, used the ruse of suffering to his advantage. Indeed, these brothers were both rather scheming.

"Si Yao has returned and is already in the palace," Mu Yan mentioned as they walked.

Zhan Lan nodded, "Oh."

The one who had once tried to kill her was back—the purpose of this return was undoubtedly not simple!

...

Bai Chen lay on the soft couch in Liu Xi’s room, illuminated by the flickering candlelight. He looked up with deep affection at Liu Xi, who was bringing warm water.

Seated beside the soft couch, Liu Xi took out scissors, ready to skillfully cut open his clothes at the back.

Suddenly, a hand grasped her wrist.

Bai Chen pulled her towards him, bringing their cheeks incredibly close, allowing them to feel each other’s warm breath.

Liu Xi panicked instantly, "Your Highness, what are you doing..."