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Feng Zhi Liu sat quietly in the room, watching Che Xi brew tea for him across the table, his expression somewhat complicated. "Everyone in the Wangfu is saying that Prince Anle has already submitted a petition to the Emperor, requesting that he be allowed to take his shadow guard as a secondary consort?" He narrowed his eyes slightly, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
"Yes, I heard it was Brother Si Yang's idea. He thinks that if the case were to be reopened, it would be difficult to persuade Minister of Winds, Qi He, with ordinary excuses," Che Xi replied while gracefully pouring tea for Feng Zhi Liu, her movements skilled and elegant.
"Hmph, that kid is surprisingly free from his father's rigidity. In my opinion, he has some ulterior motives; he doesn't want the prince to continue entangling with Xinrui, so he set up this trap for him!" As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Che Xi, revealing a hint of scrutiny.
Che Xi paused slightly while pouring, as if caught off guard by his words. A touch of discomfort crossed her face before she smiled gently. "That's fine; it can help my adoptive father uncover the truth from back then sooner and restore his innocence!" She lifted her head, displaying a warm smile in an attempt to mask her emotions.
"Innocence?" Feng Zhi Liu chuckled bitterly, "What innocence do I have left? Although I was indeed wronged in Duan Yang's death, I injured many guards to escape the palace in search of the truth. I even disguised myself to infiltrate various ministers' residences to find that woman I encountered by the rockery. In the end, my disappointment led me to commit grave sins; how could there be any innocence left?" His eyes dimmed, reflecting a profound weariness and sorrow.
Che Xi poured the clear green tea into a small cup. "Is my adoptive father hinting at something?" She took a gentle sip of tea and looked at Feng Zhi Liu over the rim of the cup.
"Before you entered this room, while Prince Anle and the others went to Xi Liang Garden, you visited the prince's courtyard. What were you planning?" He stood up and walked toward the window. The ordinary black robe he wore seemed to carry an unusual sense of desolation. His gaunt face still bore traces of youthful brilliance but was now shrouded in worry.
"Indeed, nothing escapes my adoptive father's notice!" Che Xi set down her cup without seeming to mind being watched. "As you said, Brother Si Yang wants to use this opportunity to eliminate Prince Anle's interest in Lady Yuan. As for me, I'm quite curious—if something were to happen to that shadow guard who is supposed to marry the prince at this time, would it allow Lady Yuan to become his secondary consort just before the wedding..." A mysterious smile crept onto her lips as her eyes sparkled with cunning.
Suddenly, Feng Zhi Liu kicked over the tea table in front of Che Xi with force, sending teacups and teapots crashing to the floor with a sharp sound. "Why don't you understand by now? There is no possibility between Ren Siyang and you!" he shouted angrily, his face filled with rage and urgency.
"No possibility?" Che Xi smirked coldly. "Has my adoptive father forgotten our bet in Jin Yang? Su Meng was consumed by love; Yang Qin was driven by hatred; Shen Lianrong was fueled by resentment. Human nature is inherently selfish and greedy. I don't believe Prince Anle could genuinely be so magnanimous as to help Yuan Xinrui without wanting something in return. I'm also curious—if marrying Prince Anle is the only way for her to save her father, what choice will Yuan Xinrui make like Yuan Jue?"
At this point, she suddenly smiled brightly at Feng Zhi Liu. "Don't you think this game has only just begun?" Her smile carried a hint of provocation as if declaring war on Feng Zhi Liu.
"When we were in Jin Yang, I could turn a blind eye to your antics, but now that it concerns the true cause of Duan Yang's death, I will not allow Ren Yuanren to disrupt this matter!" He said fiercely as he suddenly reached out with lightning speed from his sleeve and tightly grasped Che Xi's neck, veins bulging on his hand.
"You and I may not be blood relatives, but we have been companions for many years. If you don't change this strange and violent temper of yours, don't blame me for turning against you." His gaze revealed determination and anger, as if he wanted to see right through Che Xi.
Hearing this, Che Xi unexpectedly burst into laughter. Meeting his deep gaze, she said softly, "Adoptive father, you see? I told you I wasn't wrong. You took me in because you were too lonely. All these years of fatherly kindness and filial piety have been nothing but a facade. When it comes to real interests, no one cares about anyone else. I would bet my life on it—there's no one in this world who truly cherishes another..."
Her laughter echoed in the room, sounding particularly harsh.
"Slap!" A resounding slap struck Che Xi's face, and Feng Zhi Liu's expression turned pale with anger. "What do you know? If I could, I would gladly trade my life for Duan Yang's..." His voice trembled, tears glistening in his eyes.
"Is that so?" Che Xi gently wiped the blood trickling from the corner of her mouth with her fingertip. "Then why didn't you die with her back then? I think the so-called truth and revenge are just excuses. She's dead; what does the truth mean to her? You know as well as Yuan Neng that what she wanted most was not your companionship in life or death. If you were willing to end your life in front of me right now, I would gladly die with you! But not out of filial piety or gratitude—it's because I know you wouldn't bear to die!" Her eyes were filled with mockery and resentment as she stared directly at Feng Zhi Liu.
At her words, Feng Zhi Liu's fury subsided into a strange calmness. His hands tightened around her neck, watching as her face slowly turned a deep purple in his grip until her beautiful features twisted in pain. Only then did he release her abruptly: "I won't kill you because your suffering is worse than mine. As long as you're alive, I still feel like a person! Fine then, let's gamble once more and see whether human nature is good or evil!"
Feng Zhi Liu's voice was low and hoarse, as if he had exhausted all his strength.
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