168 A Public Duel (2/2)
”This delusion of yours will destroy everything you hold dear—”
”I have nothing I hold dear,” Wen Jinkai bit out, clenching his fist so tightly, his skin was beginning to pale. By now, he could barely feel his bleeding hand, but he did not care. There were more pressing matters at hand.
”Then find something to hold dear,” she calmly said.
Wen Jinkai shook his head. ”Impossible.”
”That's not my problem,” she chuckled, though it lacked humor.
Wen Jinkai grounded his teeth. The more indifferently she behaved, the more he wanted her. He wanted to see how far he could push her before she cracked. He wanted to see more than this aloof behavior.
Wen Jinkai knew there was more to her than what meets the eyes. He didn't want to view her as a challenge to be conquered, but he couldn't help it. This was the only thing he knew how to do—take what wasn't his, whether it was foreign territories for Wuyi, or stealing the affection the Empress should be giving to her own children.
”In that case, you will never get your pendant back.”
”Fine then.” Li Xueyue shrugged. ”In return, I'll never respect you. Not in this lifetime, not in the next.”
”That's alright.” Wen Jinkai revealed a frigid smile. ”I do not need respect from you.”
Li Xueyue was irked by his words but forced herself to remain calm. He wanted a reaction out of her, something beyond her usual dissatisfaction. She carefully watched his movements, debating whether or not it was time to retreat back to the carriage. She would not waste any more time convincing this boulder to yield for her.
”If respect will not bring you to my side, then other things will,” Wen Jinkai mused, his eyes flickering to Yu Zhen. ”No matter what stands in my way, I will have you.”
Yu Zhen's entire face darkened with disgust. This man truly lost his damn mind. Or maybe, he didn't have it in the first place.
Duchess Wang Qixing let out a quiet sigh. ”Wen Jinkai,” she began. ”If I knew you were this type of man, I would've never supported your friendship with Li Minghua.”
”Is that what you think we were? Friends?” Wen Jinkai let out a bark of cruel laughter, his eyes wide with madness. ”We were—”
”I know exactly what you were,” Duchess Wang Qixing spat out in disgust. ”And if you truly loved her, you wouldn't be disrespecting her like this.”
”I'd never disrespect her,” Wen Jinkai snarled. ”She—”
”Oh, but you did disrespect her, and you're still doing it now,” Duchess Wang Qixing mused.
”What are you talking about? When she was with me, the only thing she knew was adoration.”
”Don't make me laugh,” Duchess Wang Qixing deadpanned. Her blood boiled with how ignorant he was. Was he blinded by love? Or was he delusional enough to not see how depressed Li Minghua was in the Palace?
”Like mother, like daughter. Both of you love to jump to conclusions.”
”Speaking of mothers, why don't you ask the woman who raised you?” Duchess Wang Qixing suggested in a steady and controlled voice, even when her patience was reaching its breaking point.
”Ask her what?”
”Why did Li Minghua want to kill herself?”
”What?” Wen Jinkai breathed out, his eyes wide with disbelief. Li Minghua was… suicidal? How? Why? He couldn't process it. Wasn't she happy with him? Did something happen that he was not aware of?
Duchess Wang Qixing didn't respond further. She grabbed Li Xueyue's wrist and the two began approaching the carriage.
Wen Jinkai didn't want to see Li Xueyue leave so abruptly. He couldn't let her go like this. He needed to say something to convince them to stay, to convince her to look at him once more, even if it was a disgusted glance. He didn't care. As long as she'd look at him with those eyes, he would be satisfied.
”Are you aware that you're committing treason against the Crown with your words?”
Duchess Wang Qixing paused. Abruptly, her chest shook, and out came a heartless chuckle. She turned around, a sickening sweet smile on her face. ”I couldn't care less.”
Wen Jinkai silently watched as the two began to board the carriage, never once looking back. He knew he had lost the respect of the entire Li Family, but that did not matter to him. If that was how they wanted to behave, then fine. He knew more than one way of convincing a woman to go with him—even if it meant he would become the villain in their life.