Chapter 166: Selfish Love

Chapter 166: Selfish Love

Throughout history, Zhao Funing was the first to have the audacity to display his father's coffin in public. Chang Nian knew that he would be eternally condemned in the annals of history.

Yet, it was her responsibility to make him part of that history now.

Flames rose again at the palace gates as Chang Nian awaited Beitang Miao's reinforcements. Together, they pushed Zhao Funing back half a mile. Just as their battle fervor reached its peak, they spotted the raised flag signaling for truce.

"Your Highness," the messenger reported, "The coffin is blocking our path. Our troops cannot advance. The enemy general requests an audience with you."

In reality, the 'enemy general' referred to none other than Zhao Funing. Filled with rage, Chang Nian lifted her robe and led her elite soldiers forward.

Both armies stood in orderly formations facing each other, with the late emperor's coffin placed between them. Chang Nian dared not look at it for too long. Stepping forward, she clenched her fists and asked loudly, "Where is Zhao Funing?"

Her voice echoed against the towering palace walls, resonating between the two armies. In response, a narrow path opened up in the opposing ranks, leading to a magnificent canopy at the end.

Under the canopy, Xiang Ci gazed at Zhao Funing. Her beautiful eyes remained as tranquil as ever, but this time, she spoke.

"Shall I assist you in getting out?" she inquired.

Zhao Funing's illness was indeed severe. In just two days, he visibly withered, his cheeks sunken beneath his high cheekbones, dark circles under his eyes, and his lips a pale purple.

Shivering under a thick blanket, his teeth chattered as he said, "You... finally decided to speak."

The bright sun filtered through the carriage window, and Xiang Ci sat quietly beside him, offering a gentle smile.

Before embarking on this journey, Zhao Funing had been in better condition. He had planned to use the late emperor's coffin to open the palace gates and even imagined himself sitting on the dragon throne as soon as he entered. However, as the carriage rolled on, his strength waned.

Zhao Chang Nian's voice sounded distant and ethereal from outside. Zhao Funing didn't want to hear it. Gazing at Xiang Ci's smiling face, he attempted to mimic her expression but managed only an awkward grimace.

"No one can compare to you," he panted hoarsely. "You're the most beautiful woman in the world."

Also... the most ruthless.

Xiang Ci rose and nodded slightly to him in the confined space of the carriage before reaching for the curtain.

"Wait..." Zhao Funing frowned, reaching out to stop her. "If you're leaving... take... this with you."

His bony, withered hand trembled as he offered a jade pendant – a token that would ensure her safe departure from here.

Xiang Ci lowered her gaze and spoke with a cold tone, "It's my fault that you've become like this."

The jade pendant swayed before settling down. Zhao Funing closed her eyes as if she hadn't heard, simply saying, "Take it."

"I washed your undergarments with the stench of decaying meat herb," Xiang Ci's voice was clear and crisp, "combined with the bone-eating poison in the tea and medicinal broth I prepared for you – that's how you ended up like this."

"Ci-er..."

"You killed Ling Yun," hatred welled up in Xiang Ci's eyes, "You should give your life to repay him!"

Zhao Funing let out a muffled groan, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. His face resembled a withered old tree, devoid of any luster. Yet, he remained unwilling and persistently held onto the jade pendant, asking, "Did I not treat you... better than him?"

"You are neither him nor me," Xiang Ci's eyes reddened. "Why should you have the right to judge the quality of my life with him as my spouse?"

"I favor the breeze of spring, but if you find the wind from a palace maid's fan more pleasing, so be it. Yet, on what grounds do you dismiss my cherished zephyr, compelling me to endure that which is wrought by palace fans? To onlookers, it might seem I am ungrateful for your preferential treatment. But, Your Highness, this commoner never sought such elevation from the start; my sole plea was for you to spare me. Have you?"

"What you love is not this common woman, but rather your own reflection."

Tears rolled down her cheeks, but Xiang Ci wiped them away herself. Bowing towards him, she said, "In this life and the next, this commoner wishes never to encounter Your Highness again."

With a searing pain in his heart, Zhao Funing turned aside and spat out a mouthful of black blood. The blood splattered onto the jade pendant in his hand, staining it mostly dark. He lifted his gaze, his eyes now blank.

Zhao Funing had many concubines, and none of them ever disliked his gifts. A mere trinket could make their days. This was the first time someone had reacted with such aversion to his offering. And even called him selfish.

He wasn't selfish; he just... truly liked her.

Struggling to wipe the blood off the jade pendant with his sleeve, Zhao Funing's voice grew softer, "If we were never meant to meet... then let it be. Take this for now..."

Xiang Ci stepped back with reddened eyes, drew aside the carriage curtain, and left without looking back.

"Funing!" Zhao Funing urgently called out, but her words were interrupted by a fit of coughing. It seemed someone outside was holding her back. Amidst the clashing of swords and spears, she managed to yell, "Let her go! Let her… cough… go!"

The guards outside dared not obstruct her any longer. With reddened eyes, Xiang Ci took a few steps before being escorted away by someone sent by Ye Jiangbai, disappearing into the crowd.

The coughing inside the carriage grew weaker and weaker. The eunuchs waiting outside, unable to bear their worry, finally lifted the curtains and entered.

"Your Highness!" A panicked cry echoed as the eunuch hurriedly exited, utterly disoriented. He quickly instructed his companions, "Quickly! Fetch Duke Fu Guo at once!"

Inside the carriage, Zhao Funing's coughing ceased. She lay motionless on her side, one hand extended outside, still tightly clutching an jade pendant.

Ye Jiangbai observed Zhao Changnian from a distance, her fox-like eyes narrowed.

Zhao Changnian was petite, and standing amidst the vast army, she seemed out of place. If not for Beitang Miao's protection by her side, any stray arrow could have ended her life.

However, did Beitang Miao need to be so overly protective? They were standing almost touching, with one of his hands resting behind her back, a gesture that spoke of intimacy.

As he sneered, a commotion erupted from behind him. Ye Jiangbai snapped back to attention, knowing that Zhao Funing had met her demise. He nodded at Liang Ce and then calmly made his way through the crowd, stopping directly in front of Zhao Changnian.

Having waited for a long time, Zhao Changnian had yet to see Zhao Funing appear. Instead, Ye Jiangbai strolled over in his elegant robe, his face wreathed in a smile as they faced each other.

"The Crown Prince's intention is to request Your Highness to step aside," he said, his sleeves folded neatly, his demeanor calm and composed. "Otherwise, if a real battle ensues, it would be disrespectful to injure the late emperor's coffin."

If Zhao Changnian had a stone in her hand, she would have hurled it straight at this man's face! How dare he mention the late emperor's coffin? If not for these beasts, her father would not still be disturbed in his eternal rest.

"Crown Prince has no right to enter the palace," she gritted her teeth. "His title is illegitimate, his words carry no authority, and he has already committed acts of disobedience!"

"Why does Seventh Princess make such claims?" Ye Jiangbai asked softly. "The Crown Prince is filial and willing to atone for the late emperor's mistakes. How can that be considered disobedience? Moreover, during the reign of the late emperor, the Crown Prince's position was never revoked. Where does the notion of 'illegitimacy' come from?"

He gazed at her from afar, much like during an ancient palace banquet, his smile warm and benevolent. "Seventh Princess truly worries too much."