Chapter 51

The night had fallen, and all was silent.

This elegant residence resembled an ancient painting set in the twilight—vivid yet tranquil.

At this hour, Yiling would normally be idly flipping through a storybook, waiting for the servants to prepare and call her for dinner.

However, at this moment, Mama Cao and Mallow had already embarked on their journey back home, leaving the quarters cold and empty, with only Yiling left alone.

Xie Hengzhi had entered the palace early in the morning, and there had been no news from him since.

No news meant no hope.

The outcome was already evident, and Yiling knew she could no longer cling to any vain expectations.

Hadn’t his attitude last night been clear enough?

Faced with the prospect of power, he would undoubtedly sacrifice her and marry her off to the Hu tribe for the throne.

To Yiling, this was a path leading to certain death, one she could not resist.

If that were the case, she would never let Xie Hengzhi have his way. If she had to die, they would die together!

The only regret was that after struggling to survive, she still couldn’t achieve her revenge while staying unharmed. In the end, all she could do was ensure mutual destruction.

Alas, if she had known it would come to this, she should have taken Xie Hengzhi’s life on the very first day she came back to life.

Fortunately, after spending this time together, Xie Hengzhi probably had no suspicions of her.

Once she knocked him out with the drug, she could decide whether to kill or spare him.  

Every time she thought about it, Yiling felt like she was on fire, her entire body burning, and even her breathing spiraling out of control.  

But when she truly considered having to kill someone, cold sweat poured down her back.  

To ensure everything was foolproof, she checked her preparations over and over again, afraid of making any mistakes.  

By the end of the day, even though Xie Hengzhi hadn’t shown up yet, Yiling had already tortured herself to the point of exhaustion.  

She lay weakly on the luohan couch, closing her eyes to take deep breaths, trying to calm her mind and body.  

Unexpectedly, the moment her eyes shut, she fell asleep.  

When she awoke with a start, the lamps under the eaves were already lit, and the sky had turned pitch black.  

At the same time, footsteps sounded outside.  

Xie Hengzhi had returned!  

Yiling almost jumped off the couch, frantically scanning her surroundings, realizing that while she had prepared everything thoroughly, she had overlooked the crucial step of spiking his drink.  
A rookie mistake for a first-time criminal!  

She had no choice but to hold her breath, listening carefully to the sounds outside while fumbling to retrieve the drug.  

Her entire body was trembling, and her fingers were uncontrollable. It took her ages to open the paper packet. As Xie Hengzhi’s footsteps grew closer, she simply dumped the entire packet of powder into a teacup, hurriedly wiped the table with her sleeve, and threw herself onto the luohan couch near the window.  

The moment Xie Hengzhi pushed the door open, Yiling had just managed to sit on the couch.  

Since Xie Hengzhi hadn’t returned to his quarters for two nights, Yiling was already physically weak and barely able to stand.  

Now, caught in the act of doing something unspeakable, she was so scared she felt like she had lost all sensation.  

As she sat, her heart pounded so loudly it seemed to echo in her ears. For a moment, she feared Xie Hengzhi could hear it too.  

Fortunately, there was a folding screen just inside the door.  

When Xie Hengzhi walked around it, Yiling tensed but turned her face away, hiding her expression.  

Xie Hengzhi’s footsteps were light to begin with, and the soft carpet in the room muffled any sound even further.  

He didn’t speak or continue walking but casually placed a basket on the table.  

Glancing at the steaming cup of tea on the table, he sat down.  

In the silent room, even breathing was noticeably loud.  

Not hearing anything unusual, Yiling cautiously turned her head to glance at Xie Hengzhi—only to see him holding the teacup.  

Why would he enter without a word and just drink the tea?  

Yiling’s heart nearly leapt out of her throat as she stared at him lifting the cup to his lips.  

But just as his lips touched the rim, Yiling suddenly called out, “Wait—!”  

Hearing her voice, Xie Hengzhi did turn to look at her.  

Yiling had no idea why she had stopped him.  

Last night, she had clearly resolved to go down with him and had even given a large sum of money to send off Mama Cao and Mallow to avoid implicating them.  

So why couldn’t she take that final step now?  

Under Xie Hengzhi’s gaze, Yiling panicked and quickly averted her eyes.  

Spotting the basket on the table, she clung to it like a lifeline and stammered, “W-what is that?”  

Xie Hengzhi followed her gaze to the basket.  

“Persimmons from Yaya. I brought them back on my way.”  

Persimmons? Yiling’s mind was consumed with the terror of committing murder, yet seeing Xie Hengzhi about to drink again, she blurted out another question: “Who is Yaya?”  

Xie Hengzhi looked at her blankly for a moment before replying word by word, “Your little sister-in-law.”  

“Oh… little sister-in-law,” Yiling mumbled, then looked back at Xie Hengzhi. Meeting his calm gaze, she was utterly baffled.  

What persimmons and little sisters-in-law? He seemed unbothered because the problem didn’t directly affect him!  

Right now, Yiling had no mental space for other matters; she just wanted to end this quickly.
 
So when Xie Hengzhi picked up the teacup again, Yiling spoke directly, “Just tell me, when do I leave?”  

Xie Hengzhi paused, his fingers twitching around the porcelain cup.  

“Leave for where?”  

Still pretending!  

Yiling clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. “Aren’t you sending me to Hu Ba?”  

“When did I ever say I’d send you to Hu Ba?”  

His voice carried a tone of unequivocal denial that made Yiling doubt her own ears.  

“Didn’t you already decide to marry me off to Hu Yanqi?”  

Xie Hengzhi stared straight at Yiling, his lips parting slightly, his voice deep and firm.  

“In your dreams.”  

Just two words struck Yiling like a muffled thunderclap, leaving her dazed and disoriented.  

“You mean… I’m not being sent to Hu Ba?”  

The matter already settled, Xie Hengzhi’s gaze lost all pretense of probing and became direct.

“You are my wife, married through formal ceremonies. How could I possibly let you marry another?”  

Seeing Yiling frozen in place, he sighed softly and made it clear.  

“I never intended to send you to Hu Ba.”  

Yiling continued to stare at him blankly, even forgetting to blink.  

Someone so terrified of death like her should feel relieved, even elated, by such a narrow escape.  
But at this moment, her heart trembled at the certainty in his words.  

“Wh-why?”

She stood up and walked step by step toward Xie Hengzhi, her eyes filled with disbelief. “Didn’t you say that the Emperor would make you a king as long as you sent me to Hu Ba?”

Xie Hengzhi had no intention of answering her question.

When he married her, his mind was full of calculations and benefits. Now he was risking everything—his wealth and life—to keep her.

This was something he couldn’t explain.

Silently, he sat down and picked up the cup of tea that had been sitting in front of him for a long time.

As he brought it to his lips, Yiling, still frozen by his side, suddenly blinks. Before her thoughts could catch up, her hand had already moved—

With a light flick, she clumsily but accurately knocked over Xie Hengzhi’s teacup.

Without any warning, not even a word, the tea spilled all over his lap, soaking his clothes completely.

Xie Hengzhi: “…?”

Facing his bewildered gaze, Yiling finally realized what she had done.

She looked at the spilled tea, then at Xie Hengzhi, her mind blank.

“T-the tea was cold.”

As her words fell, fear surged through her, and she grabbed the teapot and bolted.

“I’ll get you a fresh pot.”

Just as she turned to leave, Xie Hengzhi’s voice suddenly rang out.

“Tomorrow morning, the Emperor will issue a decree ordering Hu Yanqi to leave capital.”

Yiling’s steps faltered, and her eyes flickered slightly.

After a moment, she turned back, looking at Xie Hengzhi in confusion.

“What exactly happened?”

Xie Hengzhi acted as if he hadn’t heard her and continued, “Once he leaves the capital, he will never have the chance to set foot in Great Liang again.”

So serious?

Yiling asked in surprise, “Did he anger the Emperor?”

Xie Hengzhi remained unresponsive, his demeanor unchanged.

Under the dim light, he stepped closer to Yiling, the invisible pressure he exuded enveloping her completely.

“Are you going to see him off?”

Yiling: “?”

Even though Xie Hengzhi had revealed nothing, Yiling wasn’t foolish.

His meaning was practically written on his face. How could she dig her own grave?

“Why would I see him off? What status does he have to deserve the personal farewell of Mrs. Xie?”

As her words fell, Yiling clearly felt the oppressive pressure from Xie Hengzhi dissipate.

However, his expression remained indifferent. He simply crossed his arms and turned his head slightly, his gaze landing lightly on Yiling’s face.

After staring at her for a moment, a faint smile tugged at his lips. He spoke softly, “You’re right.”

After fleeing the room as if escaping, Yiling hadn’t taken many steps before her legs gave out beneath her.

Fortunately, a maid nearby reacted quickly and rushed to support her.

“Madam! Madam, are you all right?!”

Yiling didn’t respond. With the maid’s help, she sat on a swan-necked chair in the corridor, then waved her hand.

“I’m fine.” She handed the teapot to the maid and added, “The tea is cold. Go get a fresh pot of hot water.”

The maid took the teapot, glancing back repeatedly as she left.

Yiling, however, remained motionless. Only when the cold wind blew sharply against her, clearing her head, did she exhale a long breath.

In two lifetimes, all the shocks she had endured didn’t compare to the half-hour she had just spent with Xie Hengzhi.

Now that she was temporarily out of danger, Yiling’s thoughts gradually calmed, and her mind became clearer.

She could still vividly remember Xie Hengzhi’s cold expression last night, his clear inability to accept that his wife had once made vows of eternal love with another man.

Moreover, the Emperor had promised him immense wealth and status if only he sent his wife to Hu Ba.

Any man would know how to choose.

Yet, overnight, the situation had taken an abrupt turn.

Not only did she no longer have to go to Hu Ba, but the Emperor would even order Hu Yanqi to be expelled from Shangjing.

The only possible explanation… was that Hu Yanqi had done something to anger the Emperor!

That must be it.

Yiling’s eyes grew brighter, and she even straightened her posture.

No wonder Xie Hengzhi had been so unwilling to explain what had happened.

He must be furious that a sure victory had slipped through his fingers.

If that were true, Yiling felt she was truly blessed by the heavens and destined to survive!

The bustling servants passing by couldn’t help but glance curiously at Yiling, puzzled as to why she was sitting alone in the cold.

Unaware of these curious looks, Yiling felt an overwhelming urge to burn incense in gratitude.

At that moment, Li Chun hurried over with a lacquered box in his hands, his expression serious.

He didn’t even notice Yiling sitting in the corridor.

He knocked on the bedroom door and entered after receiving permission.

He emerged shortly after, empty-handed, clearly having delivered the item.

Yiling discreetly observed Li Chun from the side.

It wasn’t until he was about to step through the moon gate that Yiling came to her senses and quickly called out to him.

“Li Chun!”

Li Chun hadn’t noticed her presence and, seeing her mysterious demeanor, hurried over and asked softly, “Madam, do you have any instructions?”

Yiling asked, “What did you just deliver?”

Li Chun hesitated briefly but still answered truthfully, “I don’t know. It was sent by Prince Hu Yanqi’s people.”

That Hu Yanqi again?

If, as Xie Hengzhi said, Hu Yanqi was to be expelled from shangjing tomorrow, why would he send something to the Xie residence now?

Yiling’s heart began to race again. She cautiously asked, “Didn’t the master say he would be expelled tomorrow? Why would he send something here now? Has something changed?”

Li Chun immediately understood what Yiling was worried about.  

“Madam, you don’t need to worry. Whatever he plans to do is just a desperate struggle. By tomorrow morning, he will have to leave for the capital and won’t be able to stir up any trouble.”  

Hearing Li Chun’s firm assurance, Yiling grew even more curious about what had happened in the palace today.  

But she knew Li Chun was Xie Hengzhi’s trusted aide, and certain things couldn’t be asked directly. She probed cautiously, “Why are you so certain? After all, the longer things drag on, the more unpredictable they can become. What if…”  

“There’s no ‘what if.'”  

Li Chun tilted his head slightly and said, “The emperor’s goal is merely to bring the northern territories under his control, which is why he sought an alliance with Hu Ba. Now that the lord has stepped forward and taken full responsibility, why would the emperor still need Hu Ba’s assistance?”  

This didn’t sound like what Yiling had imagined.  

“What exactly has the Lord taken upon himself?”  

Li Chun was taken aback and looked at Yiling in surprise.  

Such a major event, and she didn’t know a thing?  

Li Chun glanced around the room and then at Yiling.  

For a moment, he hesitated, unsure whether to reveal the truth.  

As a subordinate, he wasn’t supposed to speak out of turn. But things had progressed to an extent far beyond his expectations.  

Even he believed that a real man shouldn’t sacrifice his wife for fame and glory. Yet, Xie Hengzhi’s actions had completely cut off his own retreat.  

Was there truly no way for both sides to compromise?  

After a long silence, Li Chun finally spoke. “The lord made a military pledge before the Emperor, promising to conquer Northern You within five years without any assistance from Hu Ba.”  

“So, Madam, you can rest assured.” Li Chun forced a smile. “The Lord would never let you fall into danger.”  

“…What?”  

In the instant Yiling’s gaze froze, all her speculations collapsed.  

What replaced them was the shock brought by a completely opposite truth.  

“A m-military pledge?”  

—  
Li Chun left in a hurry, leaving Yiling standing like a statue under the corridor.  

It wasn’t until the maids carried in the dishes one after another, setting up the evening meal, that they came out to find her.  

“Madam, the lord has called for you to join him for dinner.”  

Yiling came back to her senses, looking toward the half-open door, her gaze clouded as though with mist.  

Step by step, she walked toward it. Separated by just a wall, she could already feel Xie Hengzhi’s presence.  

It was precisely because of this that she hesitated to step inside.  

After standing outside for a long time, enduring curious glances from the servants, Yiling finally entered the room.  

The warm and bright light illuminated the interior. The dishes on the table were both fragrant and visually appealing.  

Xie Hengzhi sat at the table as usual, already eating.  

Yiling stared at his profile for a long while until he raised his head.  

“Aren’t you hungry?”  

Yiling didn’t respond, moving slowly to take a seat.  

The lacquered black box sat on the table.  

Yiling glanced at it and asked, “What did he send over?”  

“I haven’t looked yet,” Xie Hengzhi replied casually. “Do you want to open it?”  

In truth, Yiling was no longer curious about what Hu Yanqi had sent, but since Xie Hengzhi asked, she still opened the box.  

Inside, there were many items: a pierced-heart box, golden trinkets, a silk handkerchief, a sachet, and even a knee guard and pouch she had personally embroidered.  

Each item spoke of the deep affection they had once shared.  

Yiling no longer wanted to guess Hu Yanqi’s intentions.  

She gave the box a glance before calmly closing it.  

“What’s inside?” Xie Hengzhi asked.  

“Nothing important,” Yiling replied softly. “Just some trinkets.”  

Xie Hengzhi didn’t press further.  

It was Yiling, on the other hand, who found herself staring at Xie Hengzhi’s profile, lost in thought.  

His eating manners were refined, yet his appetite was hearty. He ate with visible enjoyment and didn’t rush her, just like every other evening.  

If she hadn’t personally heard Li Chun mention the military pledge, Yiling would find it hard to believe that this man was now burdened with such immense responsibility.  

After a long silence, Yiling suddenly spoke. “Li Chun said that today you made a…”  

The words were too heavy for her to utter easily.  

“A military pledge?”  

Xie Hengzhi’s posture didn’t change. He didn’t even glance at Yiling.  

Only his gaze darkened as he swallowed his food and said, “That’s right.”  

Such an earth-shattering matter, yet he spoke of it as if it were a trivial affair.  

Yiling stared at him, finding it hard to believe.  

“Why?”  

“There’s no need for so many ‘whys.'”  

He set down his chopsticks, picked up the soup bowl, and stirred its contents with the spoon.

“Don’t you believe me?”  

It wasn’t that Yiling didn’t believe he would do such a thing.  

She simply couldn’t believe that anyone would take such a huge risk for her.  

Just for her.  

“If you fail to conquer Northern You, wouldn’t you lose everything, even your life?”  

Xie Hengzhi finally looked at her, but instead of answering, he asked, “Don’t you not want to go to Hu Ba?”  

Yiling nodded blankly.  

“Do you want to stay by my side?” he asked again.
 
Yiling wasn’t sure how she had stumbled into this situation.  

When Xie Hengzhi posed the question, she could only answer—  

“…I do.”  

Then it was settled.  

When faced with the emperor’s pressure earlier that day, the only image in Xie Hengzhi’s mind was Yiling’s face—not the glory of titles and power.  

Though their marriage hadn’t been her choice, and though her heart still carried someone else’s shadow, she was, after all, his lawfully wedded wife.  

As a husband, he could never sacrifice her to gain fame through expanding territories.

Though he couldn’t change the past, he could grasp the future.

Since he was certain that Yiling did not want to go to Hu Ba, and she wanted to stay by his side—

He gazed at Yiling intently, speaking in a calm and composed tone: “Then I will bear this risk.”

The cold night was quiet, not a sound to be heard.

The moment his words fell, it felt as though a thousand butterflies were fluttering in Yiling’s heart.

It was clearly a room with tightly shut windows and doors, yet a breeze seemed to blow in from somewhere, stirring ripples that could not calm for a long time.