Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 516 - 450: Seeking Justice

Chapter 516: Chapter 450: Seeking Justice

Dou Qingyi’s heart skipped a beat. She subconsciously took a few steps back, looking at the man in front of her with some panic. "Your Highness..."

Chuntao, who was following behind her, hurriedly bent into a bow and greeted, "Your Highness."

Lu Zhaoyan coldly stared at Dou Qingyi, saying nothing, and did not ask where she planned to go in her current attire.

There were too many emotions hidden in that gaze that Dou Qingyi could not understand.

Even Chuntao could genuinely feel the Crown Prince’s anger.

Last night, Sister Huizhi had just been beaten to death by the Crown Prince’s staff, and now the Crown Prince had come here to question again...

She stole a glance at her mistress, fearing she would end up like Sister Huizhi. She didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.

Dou Qingyi composed herself, sidestepped, and spoke gently to Lu Zhaoyan. "I wasn’t aware that Your Highness would come over. I was just about to fetch the wedding gifts for Qi’er and Liuying."

By bringing up the two children, she hoped that Lu Zhaoyan would calm down for the sake of their son and Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

Although she truly didn’t know what he was annoyed about.

However, Lu Zhaoyan clearly saw through her intentions and mercilessly said, "I don’t care if you’re getting something or seeking aid from Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. Today, you’d better make everything clear."

Dou Qingyi’s heart thudded. "Your Highness..."

Lu Zhaoyan turned without looking back and headed to the front courtyard.

Dou Qingyi watched his retreating figure with a pained expression.

He... he doesn’t even want to step into her room?

"My lady."

Chuntao cautiously looked at Dou Qingyi.

Dou Qingyi said, "You may leave. It’s enough for me to deal with His Highness."

"Yes."

Chuntao sighed in relief.

Lu Zhaoyan stood directly facing the courtyard gates, under the blazing sun and the draft sweeping through.

In the shadows, Cui Hu stroked his chin. "What’s our prince up to this time—"

Ji Feng replied, "Avoiding suspicion."

Cui Hu muttered, "Uh..."

Dou Qingyi didn’t want the servants to see her in a state of being unloved, so she had sent them all to the back courtyard early on.

She removed her cloak, straightened her clothing, and walked gracefully toward Lu Zhaoyan step by step.

Having calmed herself by now, she asked composedly, "May I ask what matter Your Highness has sought clarity from Qingyi with such severity?"

Lu Zhaoyan said bluntly, "Dou Qingyi, was it truly you who spent that fateful night with me years ago in Niushui Town in the Southwest?"

Dou Qingyi let out a bitter laugh. "Whether it was me, doesn’t Your Highness already know? You once admitted before His Majesty that I am with Qi’er. But now that you’ve become the Crown Prince, you’ve found new affection and deem me an eyesore? Let me guess, is Your Highness planning to question next if Qi’er is even your flesh and blood?"

Lu Zhaoyan coldly stared at her. "I saw with my own eyes that you drank the Abortion Soup."

Dou Qingyi responded calmly, "Qi’er is the Guardian Qilin. How could a mere Abortion Soup prevent his birth? These doubts were already raised months ago, weren’t they? Is Your Highness planning to question your concubine over and over every so often?"

Lu Zhaoyan’s gaze locked on Dou Qingyi’s face, scrutinizing every expression of hers. "Who healed your face?"

Dou Qingyi had never expected such a sudden change in his line of questioning.

Her brow twitched violently, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes.

"Who are you?"

"Young Master, don’t come closer! Don’t look at my face... My appearance is hideous... I dare not sully your noble eyes!"

And he truly didn’t look.

Years later, when she appeared before him with godlike beauty, she thought he’d be utterly captivated. Yet, the way he looked at her never reached even a fraction of the affection in his eyes for Bai Liu.

Suppressing the deep jealousy in her heart, Dou Qingyi forced a self-deprecating smile. "Didn’t I already tell you? After parting ways with Your Highness, I encountered a wandering doctor who healed my face. Later, I discovered I was pregnant and returned to the inn to find Your Highness, only to find no sign of you."

Lu Zhaoyan narrowed his eyes. "Was it Bai Liu?"

Dou Qingyi’s body trembled. She looked at Lu Zhaoyan, incredulous. "Did she tell you?"

Lu Zhaoyan gave a cold sneer. "So it’s true."

Dou Qingyi covered her mouth.

She realized she’d fallen into his trap. Bai Liu hadn’t said a word—he’d just been testing her.

"You’ve changed a lot since back then—not just your appearance, but your demeanor and manners. I’ve caught glimpses of Bai Liu in you."

Initially, Lu Zhaoyan hadn’t thought the worst. In the vast world, how many people bore similar resemblances?

But ever since his misunderstanding with Xiao Bai was cleared, many details he once ignored suddenly became clear in his mind.

Once, he and Bai Liu had taken an escort mission to Medicine King Valley.

He had asked Bai Liu why she chose to be an escort. If she needed Silver, he could provide it.

Bai Liu told him that it wasn’t the money she sought—it was an herb she hoped to find in Medicine King Valley.

"It’s for another friend, someone you don’t know. She’s a bit timid. Once I’ve helped her heal, I’ll introduce her to you!"

That was a mission even seasoned Escort Masters avoided, yet Bai Liu had risked it all for her friend.

And how did that ’friend’ repay her?

Thinking of this, the murderous intent in Lu Zhaoyan’s gaze nearly overflowed. "You’ve known her for a long time, haven’t you?"

Hearing his unequivocal tone, Dou Qingyi knew there was no longer any room for denial.

She dropped the act and coldly smirked, confessing, "Yes, I’ve known her. I also knew Your Highness—long before she ever did!"

Lu Zhaoyan frowned.

He didn’t recall ever meeting Dou Qingyi before.

Dou Qingyi reminisced, "Has Your Highness forgotten? The day before arriving at the posthouse, it rained heavily on the road. You and I were trapped under a tea shack, and my maid borrowed an umbrella from you. Later, at the posthouse, I saw Your Highness again—you were scalded, and I had my maid send you ointment for the burn."

Lu Zhaoyan had no memory of the umbrella incident.

He only vaguely remembered that a kind-hearted maid had sent over a jar of ointment, which Xiao Bai had personally applied for him.

"It seems Your Highness has truly forgotten."

Dou Qingyi’s eyes swelled red with self-mockery. "That night, I saw Bai Liu rushing into the inn. I wanted to greet her but accidentally walked into the wrong room, losing my purity... When I woke, I intended to take my life, only to discover the man was Your Highness..."

"Your Highness, your heart belongs to Bai Liu. But do you know, Qingyi has always admired you..."

Tears streamed down in large drops.

Yet, looking at her, Lu Zhaoyan’s sharp eyes showed no trace of pity.

"Dou Qingyi, save your tears for His Majesty."

Dou Qingyi lifted her head abruptly, wounded beyond belief. "Your Highness!"

Lu Zhaoyan said coldly, "That night, the one who was with me wasn’t you. I will enter the palace to report this to my father. Take care of yourself."

With that, he left the courtyard without a backward glance.

Dou Qingyi’s face twisted in anger. "Your Highness... Your Highness!"

Lu Zhaoyan walked straight to the main courtyard, where he paused at the door, gazing silently for a long while.

Cui Hu, unable to bear it, leapt down from a tree branch and said, "Your Highness, are you going in?"

"No, to the palace."

Lu Zhaoyan had intended to bring Xiao Bai along to see his father, but she was currently sleeping, and he couldn’t bear to wake her.