499 Tell Me (1/2)
”Where did the Crown Princess walk off to?” Yu Zhen somberly asked a guard.
”Your Highness, the Crown Princess was seen strolling down the corridor to the right.”
Yu Zhen brushed past his men. It was time to hunt a lovely rabbit.
- - - - -
Li Xueyue had made up her mind. The Empress had already decided her allegiance.
Li Xueyue refused to risk any more time to convince the Empress. First, she would ruin Lady Ge, then she would personally deal with Marquis Qin. She recognized the neat handwriting on the letters. It was definitely Marquis Qin's letters.
Li Xueyue wanted to think the best of Yu Zhen. She desperately tried to, but the letters were too incriminating. If Marquis Qin was not sending those letters to Yu Zhen, why was it open and neatly stacked on his desk? Why were they placed on top of a stack of blank parchment as if Yu Zhen would write a letter in response?
”What kind of man have I married?” Li Xueyue whispered to herself, so low, that none of the maidservants heard it.
Li Xueyue continued walking. By now, Hu Dengxiao would've already sent out an order to gather the townspeople near the long, winding staircase that climbed to the Imperial Palace. The next task was bringing Lady Ge to the foot of the staircase.
”There is no turning back now,” she muttered under her breath.
Li Xueyue took a final step before she heard a familiar set of footsteps behind her. That, and her impending doom. She turned on her heels and was surprised by the sight of Yu Zhen.
Who the hell let him out?!
Li Xueyue's face paled. She hadn't gathered her thoughts yet. She was not prepared to see him face-to-face this quickly. When her eyes met his, her heart plummeted. She could not bring herself to look at him any longer. Disgust filled her chest, as hatred burned in her heart.
How could he do this to her?
After all that she had been through, he was the one behind it all? Was Lady Xu Jiaqi just a scapegoat? How long had he planned this for? When did he plan to tell her? Why was he trying to sabotage their future together?
”Your Highness…”
Servants and guards alike bowed deeply at the presence of the Crown Prince. A few seconds passed, and they did not receive permission to raise their heads. They were confused by this, but kept their position.
”Leave us.”
The servants were puzzled by his command. They were standing in an open space. Where could they leave? Nonetheless, the servants and guards warily took steps back, again and again, until at least ten steps were taken and they were out of earshot.
”Get out of my sight,” Li Xueyue instantly hurled out.
Li Xueyue narrowed her eyes. He always joked at the worst of times. What was humor going to do in a situation like this? It certainly did not brighten her mood. As a matter of fact, it infuriated her even further. The audacity that this man had!
”By sunrise tomorrow, you will no longer be my husband.”
Yu Zhen was highly humored by her words. He took a threatening step closer, his lips curled into a sinister smile.
”That is fine with me.”
She was astonished by his words, her eyes widening. Instantly, the small fire within her grew into a big one that could burn down the entire forest. If she could breathe fire, she would.
Yu Zhen stalked towards her. She stood her ground and lifted her chin defiantly. It was all too endearing. She looked like she could stab him, and he'd gladly accept the wound.
”But I must warn you, Sunshine,” he softly murmured. ”Husband or not, I will keep you in our estate.”
”You—”
”Husband or not, I will still love you.”
”I do not care—”
”Oh, but you will, when I forbid you from leaving the country.”
Li Xueyue looked up at him as if he had grown three heads. Was he out of his goddamn mind? ”It takes a single letter for my brother to bring me out of Wuyi.”
Yu Zhen let out a bark of laughter. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of her.
Li Xueyue felt like a demon was looming over her. He might as well have been one, with his freakish height and built.
”I will have his head on a stick before he even sets foot in Hanjian.”