“I’m begging you, please… Please marry Shi Xiaoxiao.”
Xuan Ying felt as though someone had plunged a knife straight into his heart, separating his bone from his flesh.
Love was supposed to be the best cure for sorrow in the world. But was it not also the sharpest weapon in the world sometimes?
She said that it was fine since she had already forgiven him. But she hadn’t actually forgiven him. She just didn’t want to hear him out anymore.
She didn’t want to hear his explanation.
She didn’t want any mention of that night three years ago at all.
She didn’t want to have any connection with him at all.
Xuan Ying knew that from this moment on, it really was over between them.
“Lingling…” His dry lips moved as he called out her name.
Xia Ling smiled through her tears and said, “What? Do you need me to beg you on my knees? Is that what you want from me?”
Thud. Xuan Ying looked on as she lowered her delicate body to the ground and knelt down in front of him.
She was kowtowing to him.
Bloodshot eyes were frozen before he fell to one knee in front of her. “Lingling, don’t be like that. This is worse than if you would just kill me. Isn’t it just a matter of marrying Shi Xiaoxiao? I’ll promise you then…
“Mu Mu is my biological daughter. I’ll definitely save her, so don’t worry.”
As he spoke to her in a low, hoarse voice, the only thought in his mind was that this was probably the last time he would be able to speak to her.
In contrast to his anguished expression, Xia Ling was expressionless as she wiped her tears away. “Silver Mask King, thank you. I’ll be waiting for Mu Mu’s safe arrival here.”
Xia Ling got up and returned to her room, shutting the door behind her. After she left, Xuan Ying shared at the shut door for a long time, his tall, unmoving figure akin to a statue.
“Master,” Ah Zhou spoke in a low voice.
After a long time, Xuan Ying finally replied. “Call General Shi. I’ll get married five days from now.”
…
The news of the Silver Mask King Xuan Ying and General Shi’s daughter, Shi Xiaoxiao, finally tying the knot spread around Country A at the speed of light. On this particular night, Xuan Ying stood in front of the window in a black coat, staring at the boundless view of the night sky.
At this moment, Lu Yeming walked down from the stairs. It had been a long time since Xuan Ying had seen Lu Yeming, who was in a black shirt and black trousers today. His beautiful face was calm and glowing slightly.
Lu Yeming walked over to Xuan Ying’s side. The two most influential men in Country A stood side by side, emanating a powerful aura.
As Lu Yeming stuck one hand in his pocket, his deep eyes were fixated on the night view through the bright windows. “You’re really going to marry Shi Xiaoxiao?”
Xuan Ying’s thin lips curved upwards. “Yes.”
After a few seconds, he continued, “It’s to repay her. I’ve owed her too much.”
With that, Xuan Ying glanced sideways at Lu Yeming and asked, “Have you owed anyone before in your life?”
Someone he owed…
Without any change in expression, he said, “Just one person.”
Shaking his head slightly, Xuan Ying chuckled softly. “The coronation is tomorrow, so congratulations… Your Highness.”
With that, Xuan Ying turned and left.
…
Lu Yeming stood in front of the full-length windows and looked at Xuan Ying’s limousine disappear into the distant night.
At this moment, a maid spoke up in a soft voice. “This flower was picked from the garden by Miss Jun when she was still here. Who would’ve thought that it would bloom so vibrantly after just one month?”
Lu Yeming turned, his deep eyes landing on the living room where a maid stood holding a vase of flowers. There were a few stalks of flowers in the vase blooming beautifully.
Not only was Jun Xiqing sly and intelligent, she was also the best in everything that a woman should be skilful in – piano, chess, art and also flower arrangement. Even though she had left, the West Palace was left with many traces of her.
At this moment, Fan Men coughed and said, “You may leave first.”
“Yes sir.” The maid hurried off.
Fan Men walked forward with the vase and said, “Master, I’ll get rid of the flower immediately.”
“No. You may stand down as well.”
“Yes sir.”
Fan Men left as well.
Walking over to the coffee table, Lu Yeming reached out with his hands to take out one of the flowers. He brought the flower under his nose to smell it.
The gentle fragrance of the flower permeated his nose.
What was she doing now?
…
Country Z.
In the Presidential suite.
Jun Xiqing sat on a chair, a stack of documents in her hands. She was in a long white dress, her long, raven-black hair cascading down her shoulders like silk. Her side profile was flawless in the gentle light, warm and beautiful.
At this moment, two knocks came from the door as a maid called from outside, “Third Miss Jun, Young Master Zhu is here and he wants to see you.”
Zhu Qing.
Brother Zhu.
Without raising her eyes, Jun Xiqing said, “Tell him I’m asleep.”
“Yes ma’am.” The maid left.
After a while, Elder Sister Xiyan’s voice floated in from the other side of the door. “Qingqing, I know you’re not asleep. Stop pretending that you are.”
Jun Xiqing didn’t know what to say. Her head was throbbing in pain.
At this moment, Jun Xiyan pushed the door open and walked in.
“Elder Sister.” Jun Xiqing put down the documents and walked over to take her sister’s hands.
Jun Xiyan was extremely angry and scolded her, saying, “How many times have you refused to see Zhu Qing already? Did you forget that you’re engaged to him? If not for the fact that Lei Ze stole the Presidential position, you would be Zhu Qing’s wife by now.”
Blegh! Jun Xiqing stuck her tongue out and pouted, saying, “Elder Sister, my love for Brother Zhu isn’t romantic. I will never marry him.”
“Qingqing, who do you love then? Lu Yeming? You’ve already been back for a month. Can you still not forget him?”
Hearing his name, Jun Xiqing’s eyelashes quivered and she slowly withdrew her hands.
With a sigh, Jun Xiyan shook her head. She loved her youngest sister the most and seeing her like that…
“Qingqing, I’m not doing this on purpose…”
Seeming not to hear her, Jun Xiqing walked over to the window and reached out to push it open. Even though it was foggy tonight, the moon shone bright in the sky.
“I don’t blame you, Elder Sister. I don’t want to lie to you either. The West Duke was the first person who moved my heart and I still can’t forget him now. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to.”
Jun Xiyan walked over to Jun Xiqing’s side and joined her. “But so what? There’s only one person in his heart and no matter what happens in the future, that love will only settle even more in his heart. You know that he will never forget her. So what if he loves you in the future? He will never be able to love you fully, and which woman wouldn’t want her man to love her fully? Qingqing, you’re beautiful and many influential men have their eyes on you, so why are you putting yourself down for him?”
Jun Xiqing shook her head and said, “Elder Sister, I know you love me, but don’t be too harsh on him. The space that Elder Sister Mo’er occupied in his life for 24 years is irreplaceable. We weren’t present during that time and Elder Sister Mo’er was the one who cultivated the West Duke’s cold demeanor into who he was. And isn’t that what I love most about him? All we’re doing is reaping someone else’s hard work. How can I let myself be too greedy.”
