Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The voice was so gentle that Luo Wanqing felt a momentary daze as she looked at the person in front of her.

It hadn't been a long time since they last saw each other.

Since her imprisonment, she had etched a line on the wall every day. This morning, she had just counted them—there were already sixty-one lines.

Sixty-one days equaled roughly two months. Yet, as she gazed at him now, observing the curves of his brows and eyes, she surprisingly realized that it felt like an eternity since she had last seen him.

His image had faded in her memory, until this very moment when she saw him, piece by piece fitting into the almost vanished outline, abruptly reviving her recollections.

It was then that she recalled it was Jiang Shaoyan.

"Please have a seat."

Jiang Shaoyan withdrew his gaze and directed it towards the tea in front of him.

Upon hearing the reminder, Luo Wanqing pulled back her thoughts. Gripping the dagger, she sat down opposite Jiang Shaoyan, striving to appear composed.

Her thoughts were in disarray, a jumbled mix of memories from her past life and emotions in this one, plunging her into an extreme state of confusion.

She lowered her head without responding. Jiang Shaoyan gazed at the unfolded tea leaves, his voice soft as he said, "Just now, Zhang Bo mentioned that Miss is very different today. Seeing you now, it's indeed true. Miss has been through a lot here."

Speaking thus, Jiang Shaoyan lifted his gaze, his expression calm as he asked, "May I know what Miss wishes to say to me?"

He wasn't like this before.

Hearing him, Luo Wanqing lifted her eyes to look at him.

He looked at her silently, his amber eyes seemingly veiled with something indiscernible. But she was certain, he was tranquil, showing no intention of probing her, perhaps not even caring about the answer to this question.

Is this how lovers behave?

Back then, when he saw her, even if she was just slightly bruised or hurt, he would be worried and anxious. How could he be so composed now, casually uttering "you've suffered"?

She observed every change in him meticulously. After a while, Jiang Shaoyan gently reminded her, "Miss?"

"Why aren't you worried?"

Luo Wanqing blurted out, causing Jiang Shaoyan to pause in his actions.

Fixing him with a stare, Luo Wanqing spoke rapidly, firing off questions one after another. "Why didn't you see me when you were here? You said I've suffered, so why aren't you sad, worried, or thinking of doing something for me?"

"Are you here to confront me, Miss?"

Seemingly understanding her intentions, Jiang Shaoyan lifted his gaze to meet hers. His eyes showed no trace of emotion as he explained calmly, "Shaoyan is incompetent and doesn't dare to face Miss. The case involving the Luo family..."

"Don't lie to me!"

Luo Wanqing's sharp cry echoed.

She trembled uncontrollably as those ten years—those years of her family's ruin, displacement, and endless waiting for news of his death—swiftly flooded her mind. She stared intently at the man before her, her teeth chattering. "You weren't unable to save my Luo family. You just didn't want to, right, Third Prince?"

Hearing the title 'Third Prince', Jiang Shaoyan paused again. He seemed to be suppressing some emotion as he lifted his eyes to look at Luo Wanqing, his tone turning slightly cold. "Who told you that?"

He didn't deny it.

With the last sliver of hope shattered, Luo Wanqing found herself unable to speak.

Suddenly, she realized that it no longer mattered whether Jiang Shaoyan was deceiving her or what kind of person he truly was - good or bad, virtuous or wicked. The most crucial thing now was to save her family.

If that dream was true, she couldn't allow her family to suffer the same fate as being exiled to Lingnan and perishing on the journey!

And the one person who could potentially alter this outcome was none other than Jiang Shaoyan himself.

His motive for framing the Luo family was likely due to the Emperor's arranged marriage. He sought to associate with the Zhengs, fearing that she was deeply attached to him, and thus, might exploit the imperial edict to stir trouble. Or perhaps he didn't want to be labeled as ungrateful, damaging his "reputation."

So, resolving this matter might provide a chance for the Luo family's case to be reconsidered.

He had the power to bring the Luo family down, and thus, he could also save them. Their lives were but a thought in his mind, as he was just a merchant.

Therefore, she couldn't afford to confront him. No matter how much hatred, resentment, or desire to kill him she felt at this moment, she couldn't afford to turn against him.

With this realization, even though she was overwhelmed with the urge to draw her sword, she managed to steady her mind.

Suppressing her emotions, she forced herself to lift the teacup before her and take a delicate sip. Using this opportunity, her mind raced, reviewing every detail she could recall from the dream.

After sorting out her thoughts and finding the right words, she placed the teacup down and pretended to be calm. "Who informed me is irrelevant; the fact remains that I am aware of your involvement with Zheng Biyue and the Emperor's intention to marry us. Hence, your haste in targeting the Luo family. It's unnecessary," she raised her gaze, "There is a better solution to this situation."

"A better solution?" Jiang Shaoyan repeated, seemingly grasping something, and asked with understanding, "Miss, what do you have in mind?"

"I'll call off the engagement."

Luo Wanqing analyzed the information from her dream and spoke calmly, "With the Inspectorate here, you and Zheng Pingsheng's plot against my father won't go unnoticed. Eventually, your actions will be exposed. All you seek is a clean connection to the Zheng family. Rest assured, I am aware that I'm not worthy of you. As long as you release my family, I'll immediately find someone to marry and won't cause any further trouble."

"Find someone to marry?"

Jiang Shaoyan listened without comment, sipping his tea before saying coolly, "You reject an imperial prince, yet you plan to hastily marry someone else? The emperor wouldn't believe it."

"Then I'll say that my heart belongs to another," Luo Wanqing promptly responded, "Our marriage was arranged by our parents. I never had feelings for you. I've already loved someone for a long time. Now that I know your identity, I don't wish to separate a perfect match. Isn't that a valid reason?"

"Someone you love?"

Jiang Shaoyan paused, lifting his eyes to reveal a chilly intent in his amber gaze, "Miss has someone you love?"

Upon seeing that look, Luo Wanqing felt a jolt in her heart.

In that instant, a phrase from her dream suddenly resurfaced in her mind—The border road is long, I hope Miss remains chaste.

Suddenly, she realized something, her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared blankly at Jiang Shaoyan, unable to continue her sentence.

But Jiang Shaoyan seemed more eager to continue, inquisitively asking, "Was it the one who passed you messages? The scholar who pretended to be ill every day for an excuse to visit? Or perhaps the peddler who sold pastries daily at the clinic's entrance?"

He listed people she had long forgotten, studying her reactions as if planning to deduce the answer from her emotions.

Observing him, Luo Wanqing recalled his usual mannerisms.

He rarely allowed others to approach her.

Shortly after arriving at the Luo residence, he became her personal bodyguard due to her saving him and his exceptional skills.

For a long time, every item she touched and person she met were personally handled and screened by him. Even when he was not around, he made sure the maidservants reported every detail to him.

Initially, she had complained. Jiang Shaoyan sternly explained, "I'm thinking of Miss's safety."

Back then, she was extremely displeased until her friends pointed out that his actions were not about her safety, but rather a sign of jealousy and affection.

Upon hearing this, she kept her expression unchanged but felt much better inside.

Later, when the peddler who sold osmanthus cakes daily at the entrance offered her some, Jiang Shaoyan promptly declined on her behalf. She didn't scold him but instead said while fanning herself, "Brother Shaoyan, I've heard that when someone likes another person, they don't want anyone else to come close to them. They wouldn't even let others touch the food or drink they consume. Is that true?"

As she spoke, the young man beside her maintained a composed expression, though his ears instantly turned red.

Observing this, Luo Wanqing felt a sense of satisfaction. She turned around and suggested, "Perhaps we should go back and accept that osmanthus cake. It's a gesture of kindness, after all."

"Miss," upon hearing this, Jiang Shaoyan promptly took her arm. Luo Wanqing turned to look at him and saw the young man trying to appear composed as he said, "It's true."

Behind her folding fan, half of Luo Wanqing's face was concealed as she tilted her head and chuckled. "What do you mean by 'true'?"

Jiang Shaoyan averted his gaze, saying with his profile, "Some people, when they like someone, can't even bear to share a piece of osmanthus cake."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Who wouldn't appreciate such sweet words?

And so, she had gone along with him back then.

In the past, she always believed it was because Jiang Shaoyan loved her, but now she gradually realized otherwise.

Is this love?

If you love her, can you watch her walk down this path without any concern?

In his heart, perhaps she was nothing more than his personal possession, to be closely guarded and made to live according to his will.

"Wan Qing, have you never considered wanting me to live?"

Recalling those details, Luo Wanqing murmured these words. Jiang Shaoyan pondered for a moment before softly responding, "Miss, don't ask anymore. Let's leave it at that."

"No," Luo Wanqing hastily softened her tone, pleading as she looked at him. "Brother Shaoyan, there's still room for negotiation. Tell me, what are you really thinking? There must be a better solution. It's impossible for you to cover your tracks completely. Why take such a great risk? If someone targets you in the future, what if they use the Luo family as a weapon against you?"

"Miss." Hearing this, Jiang Shaoyan lifted his gaze. After a moment of contemplation, he stood up and walked in front of her, looking down at her.

The woman before him lifted her head hastily, revealing her exquisite and ethereal features.

She was so beautiful that even with tears in her eyes, the mere act of looking up at him nearly swayed his resolve.

His expression turned sterner as he gazed into her eyes, solemnly declaring, "There is no turning back for me and Miss."

"How could that be?" Luo Wanqing forced a smile, gripping the armrest to suppress the urge to kill this man, unwilling to miss any chance of negotiation. "At this moment, with the verdict yet to be decided, you and I..."

"Your father is dead," Jiang Shaoyan interrupted. Luo Wanqing froze, and Jiang Shaoyan's gaze quivered slightly before he quickly regained his composure. It was as if he aimed to shatter something entirely as he calmly recounted, "Last night, with the pottery shard I gave him, he stabbed himself right here—"

As he spoke, he reached up to touch the side of her neck, then slowly traced his fingernail across to the other side. "Then he sliced bit by bit, and so much blood gushed out. When the pain became unbearable, he just... "

"Stop it!"

Luo Wanqing screamed, clenching the dagger tightly as she looked up at him, panting.

She knew her father had died in prison.

In her dream, on the first day of their exile, she had heard about his passing.

But what she didn't know was that he had taken his own life the previous night, nor did she know that the pottery shard he used was given by Jiang Shaoyan.

She had always assumed he had succumbed to torture or the harsh conditions of the prison.

She had never once considered that it was because of Jiang Shaoyan.

Her father was killed by him.

It was Jiang Shaoyan's modus operandi to eliminate any trace of opposition entirely.

There was no chance for reconciliation, and he had no desire for such an option.

"Why?!"

Realizing that forcing a smile would be futile, she immediately abandoned the pretense. Grabbing Jiang Shaoyan's collar, she pulled him close and frantically demanded, "Why? Why go to such lengths? Didn't my father treat you well? Do I owe you something? What does my Luo family owe you to make you do this?!"

Jiang Shaoyan remained silent. They were so close that their breaths mingled. He gazed at her intently, as if etching her image into his memory.

He seemed to have much to say, but held it all back.

After a long while, he simply smiled.

"I recall Miss once saying that Shaoyan holds a special place in Miss's heart."

His tone was gentle, causing Luo Wanqing's eyes to widen in disbelief.

Jiang Shaoyan lifted his hand, gently capturing hers that was tugging at his shirt. His grip was gentle but irresistible, slowly pulling her hand away from his attire. Gazing into her eyes, he spoke as much to her as to himself, "I don't ask for much. Whether it's love or hate, I just want to be the most important person in Miss's heart. Lingnan Road is long," He held her hand that had just been freed from his shirt, a hint of emotion finally surfacing in his tone, "Miss must remember me."

"Regardless of love or hatred," he looked deeply into her eyes, earnestly reminding her, "remember me well and wait for me."

With that, Jiang Shaoyan released her. He straightened up, seemingly struggling to contain himself, turning to leave.

Luo Wanqing remained seated, his words echoing in her mind.

Wait for him.

For ten long years in Lingnan, day and night, she had waited - for news of his death or his return. In her dreams, Luo Wanqing spent her entire life waiting for him.

Now, he wanted her to wait again?

In her dreams!

In her wildest DREAMS!!

Rage and resentment overwhelmed her reason. As she heard Jiang Shaoyan turn around and call for someone, in that instant, she fiercely drew her dagger and lunged towards him!

Jiang Shaoyan instinctively turned his head, but sensing his movement, Luo Wanqing promptly opened her arms wide, feigning a hug, and embraced him from behind.

His action paused for a moment, and in that brief hesitation, the blade pierced swiftly into his abdomen.

Luo Wanqing, on reflex, tried to pull out the knife and strike again. Jiang Shaoyan reacted promptly, pressing down on her hand urgently.

Blood seeped between their intertwined fingers. With his back to her, Jiang Shaoyan's breath hitched momentarily. Then, there was a hint of relief in his voice, tinged with a strained laugh as he croaked, "It seems Miss has never hugged me so proactively before."

"Let go!"

Luo Wanqing strained with all her might, attempting to wrench the blade free once more, but Jiang Shaoyan remained steadfast, his eyes lowered to their entwined, bloodied hands. Together, they grasped the dagger, its hilt buried deep in his abdomen.

"This dagger was a gift from my master. It was with this that I took a life for the very first time." Jiang Shaoyan's tone remained steady, his voice barely wavering as he held her hand and gently drew the dagger out, panting as he exhorted, "Hold it tight. Remember the sensation of taking a life. In the future, if anyone dares to harm you, use it to end their existence."

With that, the dagger was fully withdrawn. Jiang Shaoyan firmly grasped her wrist and swiftly threw her to the ground. He stepped back, covering his wound, and leaned against a small table.

She crashed onto the ground, hearing him softly call her name, "Ching Chiu."

The words barely faded when a youth burst through the door like a cheetah, tackling her back to the ground as she was struggling to get up.

"Let me go!" Luo Wanqing struggled with the young man, but his grip was like a thousand pounds, unyielding.

Pressed by him with her head against the ground, Luo Wanqing could only vent her frustration through curses. "Jiang Shaoyan, you'll meet a terrible end! May you be cut into a thousand pieces! I'll kill you one day! I swear it!"

Upon hearing her words, Jiang Shaoyan paid no heed. He stood not far away, attending to his wound with a simple dressing, while his attendants helped him rise to his feet gracefully. As he draped a fox fur cloak over himself, he instructed, "Keep that dagger for her. No one is to touch it. See to her well and make sure she doesn't meet her end."

"Miss," he said, having donned his cloak. He turned to face her, standing firmly before her.

The prison's lamplight became his backdrop, casting him as the lord of this inferno, an unscalable peak towering before her eyes.

She gazed up at the seemingly unconquerable demon, observing the glow of the lamplight in his eyes and hearing his farewell: "We'll meet again in another life."

With that, he turned away.

The door opened, and he coughed out a thank you amidst the cacophony of voices that swirled around him, all of them centered on him.

They cursed her for her ingratitude while extolling his generosity and kindness.

Vowing to exile her far away, to make her suffer, ensuring they would never cross paths again in this lifetime.

She couldn't let him leave like this.

She would kill him!

Jiang Shaoyan!

Jiang Shaoyan!!

Flat on the ground, she watched his retreating figure and, in a sudden burst of strength, broke free from the guard's grip. With the dagger in hand, she lunged towards Jiang Shaoyan.

"Hold her down!" Alerted by her action, a commanding voice rang out from the vicinity. She felt someone rush forward, tackling her to the ground forcefully.

It mattered not to her; she continued to crawl forward desperately.

"Hurry! Step on her hands!"

Many people rushed over, rendering her immobile.

"Jiang Shaoyan..."

She stood firm like a towering mountain, and upon seeing him not stopping, she yelled, "Didn't you ask who that person was?"

Hearing this, the young man in front paused.

"It's Xie Heng!"

Luo Wanqing laughed, feeling like she had gone mad. She giggled wildly as she continued, "The one who gave me the news, the one I like, is Xie Heng. I liked him back then in Dongdu, and I still do now. You're just someone I settled for! Just wait, stay well in Dongdu and wait for me. When I come back, I'll use your head to celebrate my joy!"

Upon her words, everyone fell silent. They all could clearly sense the sudden sternness in the usually gentle youth's demeanor.

"Don't talk nonsense, just stay safely in Lingnan."

As he spoke, he turned his head amidst Luo Wanqing's laughter.

The dim light outlined the cold contours of his face, which starkly contrasted with his usual warm and gentle disposition.

"If you dare to come," his expression turned icy, bearing an air of authority, "I will surely kill you."

Author's Note:

"Mini-drama"

Xie Heng: "I'm in the middle of an investigation, and suddenly, trouble falls from the sky. Wait—my wife's trouble? I'll take it."