Di Rong Hua suddenly bit her lip.
Impossible.
She could bet her life to save Xiao Yi Xun because she knew he wouldn’t let her die just to marry her.
But now that he had promised not to harm Xiao Yi Xun, she couldn’t gamble her life again—she only had one life, and she had already gotten what she wanted. If she insisted on leaving, he would undoubtedly take back what he had just promised.
In other words… if she wanted to leave, he would take Xiao Yi Xun’s life.
“Rong Hua,” Xiao Yi Xun looked at her tense face and reassured her, “You don’t have to worry about me. He might not kill me. Whatever you decide to do, you are free. Our relationship is just one of mutual use. You don’t have to compromise with him for my sake.”
“Xiao Yi Xun!” Xiao Han Jin’s face turned livid, his voice cold and biting, “If you don’t shut up now, I’ll cut out your tongue.”
Did he think he couldn’t see through it? This damned homewrecker was deliberately acting understanding, and only Di Rong Hua would fall for such a trick.
Di Rong Hua closed her eyes, “In front of everyone, you must promise me that from now on, you will never use him to threaten me into doing anything again.”
The crowd was slightly startled.
Xiao Yi Xun’s face stiffened.
Xiao Han Jin understood her meaning almost instantly—from now on, he wouldn’t use Xiao Yi Xun to threaten her, but today, she had still compromised.
She had compromised for Xiao Yi Xun.
Xiao Han Jin half-closed his eyes, a flicker of something—satisfaction or self-mockery—passing through them, “Fine.”
He slowly walked up to her, looking down at her for a long time. His slender fingers gently but firmly took the hairpin from her hand, then he leaned down and kissed her forehead, “Rong Hua, I love you.”
Her body stiffened slightly.
Xiao Han Jin bent down and picked her up, turning to walk away.
Xiao Yi Xun watched their retreating figures, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
In truth, from the moment Di Rong Hua pulled out that hairpin, he had anticipated this outcome.
Xiao Han Jin seemed to be pressing her step by step, but in reality… the only thing he could use to pressure her was external. That man couldn’t bear to hurt her.
And he, Xiao Yi Xun, was destined to be nothing more than a casualty in their love story.
—
In less than a month, two weddings, both ending in failure, like some absurd farce.
Yet no one dared to treat today as a farce, because what was more significant than the failed wedding was the shift in imperial power.
However, no one had expected that a large part of the reason was because of a woman. Perhaps the Crown Prince would have acted sooner or later, but choosing today was clearly because he couldn’t bear to see his woman marry another man.
The Emperor was exiled to Jiangnan, the virtuous prince was sentenced to death, and everyone else was left unharmed—including the Second Prince.
—
Xiao Han Jin did not return to the Crown Prince’s residence but took Di Rong Hua directly to the palace.
When they got off the carriage, he tried to carry her again, but Di Rong Hua suddenly stepped back.
Xiao Han Jin’s hand hung in the air for a moment before he looked up at her. Di Rong Hua’s face was expressionless as she uttered three words, “I’m not crippled.”
Their eyes met for a long time before the man finally withdrew his hand, staring at her intently, “Fine, come down then. I’ll hold your hand.”
“No need.”
“Rong Hua, you’re not familiar with the palace paths.”
“…”
Di Rong Hua’s expression grew even more impassive, “So, am I brain-damaged or blind? Can I really get lost just by following you?”
