Ayalee: Special birthday treat: 1 full chapter unlocked from each of my translations for everyone to enjoy because it’s my birthday today! Enjoy🎉

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Chapter 40: Revenge

The woman in front of her had a piercing gaze, and despite her injuries, she remained resolute and unyielding. Xia Tong lowered her head, feeling more conflicted than ever. Why must the villain and the heroine be at odds with each other to the death?

“In fact, Sister Shen, have you ever thought that if you can get out, why not find a place away from these disputes and live in peace? You are just a woman, and these disputes have nothing to do with you. Why do you want to put yourself in danger?” Xia Tong said seriously.

In response, Shen Xin merely smiled faintly. She understood that the mindset of women in this dynasty was deeply ingrained. However, living was about more than just seeking comfort, it was also about maintaining one’s dignity. If someone made her life unbearable, why should she let them off easily?

“Maybe you’re right, but that’s not who I am. I want a life that is open and honest, not one spent hiding like a rat. Just like Miss Xia—knowing the villain’s nature, why do you stay in such a perilous situation?” Shen Xin asked, seemingly puzzled.

Even if the villain was nice to Xia Tong on the surface, there was undoubtedly a deeper plot at play.

Not caring about the dirt on the ground, Xia Tong sat down and sighed, frowning. “How do you know I haven’t considered my own situation? I have a family, parents. If I leave, how will they survive?”

“Have you thought that even if you stay, will the villain truly let you go?” Shen Xin’s lips tightened as she spoke seriously. “The reason he is so ambitious is that his father was wrongfully killed. The family of the Fifth Prince was among those who caused it, but in the end, he wiped them all out with a single command. Over the years, he has taken revenge on countless people. Do you think the Xiahou family can remain unscathed?”

Upon hearing this, Xia Tong was momentarily stunned. She had never heard of this past before.

“The edict for the family confiscation was issued by the old Marquis Xia. Given the villain’s vengeful nature, do you really think he would spare the Xiahou family?” Shen Xin said, breathing heavily as it seemed to aggravate her wounds. Yet, her gaze remained fixed on Xia Tong. “Instead of waiting for death, it’s better to take the initiative. Staying by his side will only put you in greater danger.”

The atmosphere suddenly turned solemn. Xia Tong leaned against the wall, remaining silent for a long time, her expression complex. She was unaware of this backstory, and as the heroine had said, would the villain really let the Xiahou family go?

“I just want a stable life,” she said, lowering her head with a bitter smile.

Shen Xin didn’t respond, merely patted her shoulder. She didn’t know how to comfort her. she understood that Xia Tong bore much more than she did. Nevertheless, she would never abandon her.

“Who let her in!”

A cold voice suddenly rang out from outside, accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps. The man with the square face and a group of guards walked in, and upon seeing Xia Tong, his expression changed instantly.

“Well… the princess just came to see the prisoner. Your subordinates will definitely keep a close eye on the prison.” The guard who opened the door for Xia Tong said seriously.

Upon hearing this, the square-faced man kicked violently, his expression severe. “What kind of place is this that anyone can enter? If something happens, who will take responsibility?”

It was bad enough to scold them, he was hitting someone too!

Unable to hold back, Xia Tong stood up and walked over calmly to glare at him. “So what if I’m here? Don’t just say I’m here to check on the prisoner—what if I release the prisoner? Go tell the prince!”

“You—” Xi Jin tightened his grip on his sword, causing it to tremble slightly.

Xia Tong took a few steps back in fear, seeing that he seemed ready to strike. In a fit of anger, she said, “Do you want to lay a hand on me, the princess? Just wait, I’ll have the prince send you to the corner of the mountain!”

After making her threat, Xia Tong hurriedly left with Fang Yu, leaving the guards behind looking at each other in confusion.

Glancing at Shen Xin inside, Xi Jin’s eyes turned cold and he said sternly: “Strengthen the guards in the future and don’t let the princess in again!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the others hesitated to voice their concerns. “But the prince…”

“Do you want to let the prisoner escape?” Xi Jin glared at the people behind him unhappily. In an instant, no one dared to speak.

Once outside the dungeon, it was already dark. Xia Tong was particularly afraid of the snake pit and hurried back, but upon arrival, she was met with Hongxue’s poker face. Knowing that she had tricked her today, Xia Tong chose not to provoke her further.

However, that square-faced man was quite annoying. She would have to find a way to deal with him later.

For now, the most pressing issue was what the heroine had mentioned. The villain’s crimes were not something to be taken lightly. If she didn’t address this, what if he really decided to take action against the Xiahou family?

After dinner, Xia Tong pondered for a long time before finally looking at Fang Yu. “You heard what Sister Shen said today. What do you think I should do?”

As Fang Yu laid out the bedding for her, she slowly turned and replied seriously, “I think that no matter when, people should leave themselves a way out. It all depends on the master’s decision.”

Looking at the darkness outside, Xia Tong sighed and lowered her voice, “Then be careful tomorrow and don’t let anyone find out.”

Fang Yu was right, she shouldn’t hang all her hopes on one tree. If the villain intended to strike against the Xiahou family, she could at least hand over the evidence, ensuring they both took damage, rather than being led to slaughter.

The situation was extremely dangerous. Early the next morning, Fang Yu quietly left, claiming she was going to buy roasted chicken from Juyuezai. Xia Tong spent several anxious hours in the room, feeling like something was about to happen. And indeed, something did.

Hong Xue remained outside the door like a loyal guard, and when Qing’er entered with a plate of snacks, she was thoroughly checked. Xia Tong was used to Hongxue’s paranoid nature, but to her surprise, Qing’er quietly slipped her a letter.

After glancing outside, Xia Tong hurried into the inner chamber, asking Qing’er to keep watch. She then opened the letter to find it contained a note and a banknote worth two hundred thousand silver taels.

This was news from the second male lead, who hadn’t given up on saving the heroine. The letter stated that at the fifth hour of the day, she needed to keep the villain occupied and prevent him from going to the prison. He had even sent a deposit, indicating that he was planning a prison break!

“Master, the butler is here.” Qing’er suddenly called out.

Xia Tong was startled and quickly burned the letter with a firestarter before walking out, feigning sleepiness.

The butler stood respectfully in the small hall, and upon seeing her, immediately greeted her, “I greet the princess. The prince requests your presence for a meal.”

Xia Tong was taken aback, her expression shifting as she felt a wave of unease wash over her. The villain had never sought her out before, why did he suddenly want to dine with her now?

After a moment of anxiety, she cleared her throat and replied calmly, “I’ll change my clothes and come right away.”

With that, she hurried into the inner room. Fang Yu still hadn’t returned, and she had no idea if her mission had succeeded. The villain’s invitation to dinner could not be simple, it might even be a trap.

The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, but Xia Tong dared not refuse. After changing her clothes, she followed the steward, her heart heavy with foreboding.

There are still many guards guarding the yard. Maybe the bad guys are afraid of death. After all, they have done so many bad things and feel guilty.

The door was open, and there were no maidservants in the small hall. The table was laid with a feast of exquisite delicacies. The man wore a white long robe today, appearing less menacing yet still emanating an unsettling aura.

“Your servant greets the prince,” Xia Tong said honestly as she approached and bowed.

He was pouring himself a drink and did not even glance her way. A strange tension filled the air.

“Come here.”

Xia Tong quickly straightened up and sat down across from him. Suddenly, memories of their kiss flooded her mind, and her cheeks flushed. She couldn’t help but let her gaze drift.

“There’s a hot spring in the back courtyard, it’s effective against the cold,” Gu Qin said, sipping his wine in a measured tone.

Xia Tong’s heart raced at his words. She had long coveted that hot spring, but why was the villain being so kind to her all of a sudden?

Seeing her silence, Gu Qin narrowed his eyes, “Or do you prefer the snake den in the bamboo grove?”

“N-no… I just got a little too excited and didn’t know how to thank the prince,” Xia Tong stammered, her face pale.

So, he was still the same ruthless villain!

He poured her a cup of clear wine, his sharp brows softening a bit, but it only made it harder to decipher his true thoughts.

There were no maidservants in the room, and the atmosphere was eerily quiet. Xia Tong stole glances at him, but her mind kept drifting back to that day, and she could only drink her wine in silence while keeping her head down.

Her delicate lips parted to reveal a hint of gloss as she sipped. The man’s eyes darkened as he caught sight of her. He raised his hand, offering her a meatball. She blinked her large, watery eyes but slowly opened her mouth and accepted it.

Xia Tong felt bewildered. Just as she finished the meatball, another piece of fatty meat appeared before her. She wanted to cry but couldn’t defy him, so she swallowed it down, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes.

She had no idea why he was treating her this way. After being fed the fifth piece of meat, she risked her life and shook her head, a look of despair on her face. “I… I can’t eat anymore.”

A hint of oil still lingered on her lips, but she had barely eaten anything. Gu Qin frowned, displeased. “You need to eat more. Otherwise, how will you gain weight?”

With a heavy expression, he offered her a chicken leg, his voice low. “I’ve heard the Ministry of Justice recently introduced a new punishment for disobedient people…”

“I’ll eat!” Xia Tong said through her tears, biting into the chicken leg with great difficulty, imagining it was his flesh.

Seeing this, Gu Qin finally seemed satisfied, taking a sip of his clear wine and casting a meaningful glance at her. It was almost time to let her go.

While biting the chicken leg, Xia Tong glanced at Xifeng who was peeping outside. She felt unhappy. Why should she suffer alone?!

“You went to the dungeon yesterday?” Gu Qin suddenly asked, his expression inscrutable.

The man across from her kept his eyes downcast, a cold demeanor that made Xia Tong uneasy. She immediately understood that the square-faced man had reported her. Very well, they would all suffer together!

Pinching her thigh, she started to tearfully recount, “I did go to see Shen Xin, but the prince doesn’t know. That square-faced man almost killed me! He insulted me, saying a lowly woman like me didn’t deserve the prince and that I had ulterior motives for marrying into the regent’s residence. I’ve never been humiliated like this in my life!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Xifeng, who was eavesdropping outside, felt an inexplicable chill on his back. As expected, one could offend no one but the princess. That idiot didn’t listen, so he had to learn a lesson this time.

Gu Qin remained unfazed, but seeing her tearful expression, he reached out to cup her tear-stained face, his gaze deeply meaningful. “If you don’t like him, just say so. You don’t need to insult yourself like this.”

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward as Xia Tong blinked, staring blankly at him. Was her acting really that bad?

Leaning in slightly, the man held the back of her head with a deep gaze, his voice low, “When has this king ever let you suffer any injustice?”