494 Poisoned (2/2)

Yu Zhen gently smiled at her. He patted the side of her face and directed her down the different rows of bookshelves.

”I have practically everything that you need. What would you like?” he asked, deciding to change the subject. He did not intend to make the atmosphere so dreary, but talks of war brought out that side of him.

Li Xueyue opened her mouth, as a word rested on the tip of her tongue. But then she paused and clamped her lips shut. It would be too cruel. She would not wish that punishment even on her worst enemy.

”What's wrong?” Yu Zhen asked. He turned to her and noticed a flash of hesitation on her face.

”Sunshine…” Yu Zhen could see guilt begin to claw its way out. Her lips trembled and she glanced away from him. There it was—that pesky compassion of hers, coming out at the oddest of times.

”Xueyue.”

”I don't want to stoop to her level,” she blurted out. ”I-I don't want to inflict that kind of pain on a woman. Being defiled like that is just—”

”Aphrodisiac,” he deadpanned.

Yu Zhen narrowed his head when she hung her head in shame.

”It would be horrible.”

”She did it to you first.”

”But she also did it to herself.”

”Or so she claims.”

Li Xueyue coiled back from his words. She was evil and cruel. But there were some things that she did not want to do. She did not want to stoop to Lady Ge's pathetic level. If she had Lady Ge defiled like that, what difference would Xueyue be from Lady Ge?

”Yu Zhen, I—”

”How many times are you going to get cold feet and never enact out your revenge?”

Li Xueyue instantly shook her head. ”It's not like that, Yu Zhen. I just don't want another woman to experience the same kind of terror I felt.”

”She didn't hesitate to do it to you.”

”I am not her.”

”No, you are more stupid than her.”

Li Xueyue flinched. He might as well have slapped her in the face. When she opened her mouth, ready to argue, he gripped her jaw. Her lips were squished together.

He squinted down at her, his lips curled in a snarl. He was furious.

”Listen to me,” he growled. ”And listen well.”

Li Xueyue coiled back from him. His grip tightened—keeping her in place.

”Did she hesitate to hurt you?”

”No.”

”Did she hesitate to poison you?”

”Well—”

”Would she hesitate to kill you?” Yu Zhen spat out. And before she could answer, he did so for her.

”No,” he growled out. ”No. She would not. At the first chance, she would dispose of you.”

Li Xueyue glanced over his shoulders, where a candle began to flicker. Suddenly, it died off, shrouding that area in utter darkness. It was as if the Heavens knew that was where the aphrodisiac was stored.

Her eyes watered, and she knew, there were times her morals would have to be questioned. Her conscience was always misplaced.

”Release me.”

Yu Zhen's glare darkened. He released her with a flick of his hand and took a cold step back.

”You are a fool.”

Li Xueyue's heart was stabbed by his words. The truth was too hard for her to hear, much less, swallow.

Yu Zhen's face became aloof. His gaze hardened, his fingers clenching into fists. He took a cold step in her direction.

”If you don't poison her with aphrodisiac, I will.”

Li Xueyue pushed him away. ”And do what? Steal the satisfaction of revenge from me yet again? You poisoned her without consulting me!”

Yu Zhen narrowed his eyes. ”I did what you should have done a long time ago.”

He stalked towards her and tightly gripped the side of her shoulders. ”I've told you before, Li Xueyue. Anyone that hurts you, their head will roll before they take another step.”

Li Xueyue glared up at him. Her blood boiled with frustration. They were back to the same argument again. ”And what am I supposed to do? Sit there and look pretty?”

Yu Zhen's fingers dug into her flesh, his hands flexing in restraint. He forced a heartless smile. ”When all you do is have random spurts of compassion, then yes. Just sit there and look pretty.”

Li Xueyue was floored at his words. If she could, she would slap him. But she was never fond of violence, even if she was well-versed in it.

”Then you might as well have married a wooden doll.”

Yu Zhen scoffed at her petty words. He was tired of this side of her. Tired of her stupid compassion and the hesitation in her eyes.

Wordlessly, he released her and took a step back.

”Do as you wish.”