Font Size:
Qingli stared fixedly at Nangong Yan, reminding herself not to show any signs of guilt as she maintained her gaze.
“Although you are the Emperor, you can’t just randomly accuse someone, can you? What do you mean I took your virtue? Do I look like a flower thief? Besides, you’re the Emperor, not to mention your martial arts are top-notch; you must have countless skilled protectors by your side. Who could possibly take advantage of you? You must have a persecution complex!”
The more Qingli spoke, the less guilty she felt, standing tall and looking at him with righteous indignation.
Nangong Yan couldn’t help but chuckle at her demeanor. “You certainly have a way with words, but no matter how you try to argue, it won’t change anything. I’ve already confirmed it was you. When you were unconscious earlier, I covered half your face with a veil, and the way you looked in that veil was exactly the same as four years ago. Don’t even think about denying it.”
Qingli frowned, realizing that she really had no way to refute him.
“You must be mistaken! You remember something from four years ago so clearly, but I never came to Nanyang City four years ago. How could I have taken advantage of you? This is complete nonsense.”
Qingli continued to defend herself.
Nangong Yan took a sip of tea before speaking again. “Four years ago, not only did you take my virtue, but you also poisoned me. I can temporarily overlook the virtue issue since you did heal my leg, but that poison—you need to give me the antidote.”
Qingli still refused to admit anything, pretending to be deaf and mute.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
As if! That poison was deliberately administered by her; how could she possibly give him the antidote? If she did, his only fate would be to go to the afterlife.
Compared to meeting his end, he probably wanted to live even more!
Seeing her stubborn denial, Nangong Yan felt a sense of helplessness. He hadn’t intended to make things difficult for her—he just wanted the antidote. Instead, she continued to deny everything.
Thinking it over, he said, “If you give me the antidote, I won’t pursue the other matters. You healed my leg, so we can consider it even. I won’t hold it against you; you don’t have to worry.”
Qingli reiterated, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. How could I poison you? You seem perfectly fine; you don’t look poisoned at all. You’re the Emperor—if you were really poisoned, there are plenty of people who could treat you. Why are you trying to pin this on me? I only know a bit about fortune-telling and ghost-catching; I’m completely clueless when it comes to poison and medicine.”
Nangong Yan saw that she was still pretending and threatened, “If you don’t admit it, then you can stay here indefinitely! I’ll let you go when you remember.”
Seeing he wanted to keep her trapped, Qingli remained unperturbed but feigned anger. “How can you do this? Are you planning to imprison me? You’re truly shameless for imprisoning a young girl! If this gets out, what will happen to your reputation? As the Emperor, your reputation is also very important!”
Nangong Yan found her panic somewhat amusing. “Whenever you give me the antidote, I’ll let you go.”
Qingli continued to play dumb. “I told you, I don’t know anything about poison! How can you not understand this?”
With that, she turned her head away, huffing and refusing to look at him anymore.
Nangong Yan calmly said, “Then you can stay here.”
With that, he stood up and left.
Qingli thought he was going back inside, but instead, he walked out of the courtyard.
Once outside, Nangong Yan told Heijin, “Send a dozen people to keep an eye on her. She’s not allowed to leave.”
Heijin complied.
By the time Nangong Yan returned to the palace, the sky was beginning to darken.
Nangong Yuyao was still waiting, feeling increasingly frustrated and restless. Finally, she saw Nangong Yan return.
“Brother, brother, you’re finally back!”
Seeing him, Nangong Yuyao hurried over.
Nangong Yan’s expression softened slightly upon seeing his sister. “What brings you here? I heard you’ve been running around with that Wen guy lately, chasing after him all day. Where’s the demeanor of a princess?”
Nangong Yuyao pouted. “Brother, it’s Wen Xu’an! How can you never remember his name?”
Nangong Yan glanced at her with disdain. “What kind of important person is he that I need to remember his name?”
Nangong Yuyao sighed, realizing her brother wasn’t fond of Wen Xu’an. She decided not to bring it up and instead asked, “Where did you go today? I’ve been waiting for you all day.”
Nangong Yan sat down at the desk to continue reviewing official documents. Nangong Yuyao followed him, looking at him expectantly for an answer.
Nangong Yan replied coolly, “That’s none of your business. Focus on your own affairs and use your brain more, don’t worry about mine.”
Nangong Yuyao was displeased. “Brother, why are you like this? You’re keeping secrets from me! I heard that you were seen carrying a woman in the street today. Do you have someone you like? Who is she? You have to tell me!”
Nangong Yan looked up at her. “Who told you that?”
Nangong Yuyao replied, “Xiao Die! She saw you on the street. Don’t deny it! What’s so hard to say? If you like someone, just make her the Empress. You’re not young anymore; it’s time to marry!”
Nangong Yan’s brows furrowed slightly as he spoke. “Xiao Die is already married. You shouldn’t bother her anymore.”
Nangong Yuyao quickly said, “I didn’t seek her out; she came to me! She asked if you had someone by your side, and I didn’t know! We went to the palace together, but you weren’t here. Xiao Die was waiting with me, and later she ran into Pei Yu, who took her home.”
Nangong Yan looked at his naive sister with a sense of helplessness, wondering how someone could be so oblivious. She seemed completely clueless, truly like a fool.
With a sigh, Nangong Yan softened his tone a bit. “Xiao Die has her own family and life now. You two aren’t suitable to play together anymore. Find some other companions. You should limit your interactions with her from now on.”
Nangong Yuyao pouted in dissatisfaction. “Why? Brother, could it be that you really resent Xiao Die for not marrying you and instead marrying Pei Yu?”
Her words were shocking!
Nangong Yan’s feelings of affection vanished instantly as he looked at her like she was foolish. “Nangong Yuyao, do you really think your brother is that kind of person? I’ve never liked Yin Lengdie; I’ve never liked her at all. How could you think I have feelings for her? Has your brain been eaten by a dog? Why do you keep coming up with such nonsense? Get out of here and stop bothering me.”
“Someone, please take the Princess out!”
Nangong Yan was quite upset.
Nangong Yuyao shouted, “No, brother! You still haven’t told me who that woman is! Brother? Brother?”
She was dragged out by several palace maids.
Nangong Yan shook his head in resignation at her noisy protests. Why was he so clever while his sister was so silly? It was truly baffling. He couldn’t help but wonder if their mother had eaten something strange when she was pregnant with Yuyao.