freenovelworld Chapter 164 Even if you come back to kill me
Chapter 164 Even if you come back to kill me
Xiao Jizhong was still speaking slowly.
Seeing that Xiao Hengzhi was absent-minded, she called out, "...Hengzhi..."
Xiao Hengzhi did not hear it.
He followed Xiao Hengzhi's gaze and quickly sensed a subtle atmosphere.
He swallowed all the words he hadn't finished saying.
"Alright, let's eat. Hengzhi, you're getting married soon, so don't think about anything else."
These words were a direct message to him: stop thinking about other people.
Xiao Hengzhi didn't react and didn't even glance at Wen Yin.
But Wen Yin smiled sweetly when she heard this.
She stood up, placed a few pieces of red dates and lotus root into Xiao Hengzhi's bowl, and said gently, "Your Highness, please eat something before drinking, so as not to upset your stomach."
But Xiao Hengzhi did not utter a word.
Wen Yin felt a little embarrassed.
She then turned to Jiang Wan: "Miss Jiang, you look radiant today. Do you have any beauty secrets?"
Jiang Wan smiled slightly: "I'm just in a good mood."
"In a good mood? Tell me how you feel."
"Today I went out and the streets were bustling. Seeing the excitement naturally put me in a good mood."
As she said this, she became tentative.
He then turned to Xiao Hengzhi and asked, "Does Your Highness still remember Zuiyin Tower?"
"Hmm," he responded with a single word.
"The Third Prince is in prison, so there shouldn't be anyone there. But I passed by today and found the gate wide open. Could it be that they're reopening?"
Xiao Hengzhi was taken aback and asked, "What does Zuiyin Tower have to do with the Third Prince?"
"Does Your Highness not know? Zuiyin Tower is run by the Third Prince."
Xiao Hengzhi frowned: "What makes you think that it was run by the Third Prince?"
Jiang Wan then brought up A-Yun: "A-Yun used to be there, what she told me must be true."
She observed Xiao Hengzhi's reaction.
Sure enough, he showed no intention of telling her anything.
She then asked, "I mentioned A-Yun before, does Your Highness remember her?"
Xiao Hengzhi hummed in response and then remained silent.
Wen Yin had no idea what the two were talking about.
But sensing the familiarity and tacit understanding between them, I felt a sudden sense of unease.
She was destined to be a princess, yet Xiao Hengzhi didn't even glance at her.
Instead, I ended up chatting with Jiang Wan for so long.
Although she was a few years older than Jiang Mian.
In terms of looks, she believed she was no less beautiful than Jiang Mian, and even more so.
If Jiang Mian could catch the eye of the Prince of Beiqin, why couldn't she?
Wen Yin gritted her teeth, picked up the wine pot, and squeezed herself to Xiao Hengzhi's side.
She leaned closer, her voice soft and sweet: "Why is Your Highness ignoring Yin'er? I just wanted to thank Your Highness properly."
Xiao Hengzhi then spoke up: "What are you thanking me for?"
"Yin'er is able to stand here unharmed today entirely thanks to Your Highness's mercy. If it weren't for your intercession on behalf of the Empress Dowager, I'm afraid I would be wandering somewhere by now... Therefore, please, Your Highness, drink this..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Hengzhi slammed down his wine cup with a clang.
"Don't let your words mislead anyone." He pushed her away, his eyes cold and mocking. "Your entry into the Prince's residence is an act of kindness from the Empress Dowager. What does it have to do with me?"
One sentence made her face turn bright red, and she was extremely embarrassed.
Xiao Jizhong frowned and said in a low voice, "Alright, as a prince, you should know proper etiquette. Don't speak with a barb."
Xiao Hengzhi cupped his hands and said, "Grandpa, I am feeling unwell, so I will take my leave now."
He turned to look at Jiang Wan: "Come here."
After he finished speaking, he walked towards the backyard. After a few steps, he realized that Jiang Wan had not followed, so he stood a few steps away from her and said, "Jiang Wan, come here."
Jiang Mian looked up at him, her eyes cold and resistant: "If Your Highness has something to say, please say it here."
"You want me to come and invite you?"
His tone grew somber.
Jiang Mian gritted her teeth and reluctantly stood up.
The snow on the backyard veranda was as cold as water, and the wind blew her clothes, chilling her to the bone.
After taking a few steps, she finally stopped: "I don't want to walk anymore. Your Highness, please say what you have to say here."
He turned around and looked at her from a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
Jiang Mian stood still, her hair being blown from back to front by the wind.
She didn't bring a cloak when she came out, and the deep winter wind seeped into her collar, making her shiver.
But she gritted her teeth and stood still, as if in a standoff.
In the end, Xiao Heng stepped forward, took two or three large strides, and grabbed her wrist: "I see you're getting more and more outrageous! You said you had no freedom, and I gave it to you. Now you're always wearing that mournful face, who are you trying to impress!"
"Give me freedom? Does that mean you'll even control my facial expressions?"
Jiang Mian glared at him, her eyes sharp as knives.
"I've considered myself to have been quite lenient with you, yet you won't even give me a kind look. Do you really think I have no temper?!"
Xiao Hengzhi growled, "Jiang Wan, what exactly are you—"
"Why... does Your Highness still want me to stay in the manor?" she interrupted him. "Everyone knows that Wen Yin will be the Princess Consort, while I have been living here as a guest. Has Your Highness considered my situation? Do you enjoy seeing me laughed at? Or do you find it amusing to torment me like this?"
She glared at him, actually wanting to ask a lot of questions, such as—
How did he and A-Yun meet?
Was giving her freedom a deliberate act to send her to find the antidote for the aphrodisiac, only to lead her to utter despair later?
Wen Yin has already entered the manor, but he still keeps her here. Is it because he needs her to dispel the Gu in his body, or is it for some other reason?
But she didn't ask anything.
I'm even starting to regret the question I just asked.
Those words were just like those of a concubine who had never been favored in the past, complaining to Ning Zhi.
Jiang Wan suddenly didn't want to know the answer anymore.
She broke free from his hand and tried to walk back.
But as soon as he took a step, he heard a reply from behind him.
"Because I can't bear to part with you!"
Xiao Hengzhi suddenly raised his voice, almost roaring.
The next sentence was swallowed back, becoming a hoarse voice—
"Jiang Mian... I can't bear to let you go."
She suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Xiao Hengzhi took two steps forward and pulled her in front of him.
The wind whistled through the long corridor, and his breath sprayed across his forehead.
"During the days you were gone, I waited outside the General's mansion every night, and several times... I wanted to go in..."
"I'm afraid you'll go to Ning Zhi, yet I also hope you'll come back on your own... I'm even thinking..."
He suddenly moved closer: "...Even if you come back and kill me."
Jiang Wan's body trembled, as if her heart had been struck by something.
She wanted to push him away, but she was trapped by Xiao Hengzhi's humble emotions.
"I never pleaded for Wen Yin," he murmured, "nor did I want to marry her..."
"On the day she entered the manor, I even considered killing her..."
Jiang Wan's eyes widened suddenly: "Are you crazy? Wen Yin is someone the Empress Dowager wants to protect. If you kill her, how will you explain it to the Empress Dowager? Furthermore, if the Empress Dowager dies from a heart attack because of this, how will the Emperor tolerate you? After His Highness ascends the throne, he will definitely use this as an excuse to hinder you, and then..."
Before she could finish speaking, she was pulled into a warm embrace.
"Jiang Mian..." he called softly.
It was as low as a candle tear swept up by the wind.
He whispered in her ear, but the wind blew past and Jiang Mian couldn't hear him clearly.