novelraw Chapter 1922 Internal Strife
Chapter 1922 Internal Strife
Chapter 1922 Internal Strife
While King Rong'an was furious at King Chujiang for kidnapping Li Rong, he was also afraid of giving himself away in front of her. His precious daughter had finally returned, and it wouldn't be good if she were frightened.
So Prince Rong'an had no choice but to force a smile and listen to Li Rong say that Prince Chujiang had taken her to many places and let her experience the prosperity of the capital. The more he listened, the more uncomfortable he felt. Finally, he used the excuse of being busy and tired to go and rest first.
The maid, who was impersonating Li Rong, was overjoyed to see her return and held her hand tightly, saying, "Princess, you're finally back! I was so worried about you."
Another, older, personal maidservant immediately glared at her fiercely, "The princess has finally returned, what kind of behavior is this?"
"I..." The little maid timidly let go of his hand, "I was just too happy."
"Go out and keep watch. I have something to say to the princess." The older maid's expression became more serious. Li Rong tugged at her sleeve. "Sister Dan, I'm back now, so please don't blame her."
"Whether it's the prince's intention or the princess's idea, a personal maid who cannot stay by her mistress's side at all times is guilty of a capital offense." The maid, whom Li Rong called Sister Dan, was named Liao Dan. She said in a cold voice, "Why aren't you going yet?"
The maidservant immediately ran out in a flash. Li Rong pursed her lips and called out almost ingratiatingly, "Sister Dan."
Liao Dan remained unmoved and broke free from Li Rong's grip on her sleeve. "The princess is about to get married. She should put away her coquettish and silly girl act to avoid making a fool of herself at her husband's family."
Li Rong couldn't help but sigh. Liao Dan was the daughter of her mother's dowry maid. Although she had grown up with her since childhood, Liao Dan was always a bit stricter than the other maids, perhaps because she was a few years older or because she had been taught and influenced by her mother since childhood. She was more like a little elder disciplining her.
"Is the princess angry with me?" Liao Dan softened her tone slightly, and Li Rong shook her head, saying, "Of course not. I know that Sister Dan has always cared for me, but about the marriage..."
She didn't continue, and Liao Dan frowned slightly, "Does the princess intend to back out?"
"How could that be?" Li Rong quickly said, "I'm not that immature, it's just..."
Liao Dan gasped, "The princess has someone in her heart?"
"I..." Li Rong hesitated for a moment before nodding gently, her expression shy.
“Princess, what is your status? How could you…” Liao Dan was quite disappointed in Li Rong, who explained, “Sister Dan, the young master in my heart is not a commoner. He can even be a prince consort.”
Liao Dan frowned even more deeply. "Princess, do you know who that young master is?"
Li Rong hesitated for a long time, then leaned close to Liao Dan's ear and whispered a name. Liao Dan's expression immediately changed after hearing it. "Princess, how did you get involved with him?"
"I didn't expect it either, but he's completely different from what you all said. He's a very gentle person." Li Rong blushed as she mentioned her sweetheart, and her eyes filled with deep affection.
"No, Princess," Liao Dan said decisively. "If the Prince finds out, he'll surely take his life."
"Why not?" Li Rong asked, puzzled. "My father has always been kind and generous. Even if he doesn't agree to my marriage with him, he won't take his life..." Liao Dan's expression froze. She usually thought that her princess was pampered and spoiled, and that it was only natural for her to be an innocent and naive girl. But when it came to this, she was speechless and felt both angry and amused.
Li Qiyou's eyes reddened. "Fang Zilan, would you rather wallow in self-pity than marry me?"
"Willingly degenerate?" Fang Zilan straightened her clothes, stood up, and looked directly at Li Qiyou, saying, "Is this how Your Highness sees me?"
“I…” Li Qiyou opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Fang Zilan curled her lips, leaned close to Li Qiyou's ear, and whispered, "Since those in high positions are destined to be powerless, what's wrong with me finding some fun? Does Your Highness think I'm the kind of person who's trapped in a secluded mansion, sitting in front of a mirror and gazing at the empty house?"
A warm breath brushed against Li Qiyou's ear, and he felt his throat go dry, his heart pounding wildly, as if the blood in his body was exploding. The next moment, he grabbed Fang Zilan's arm and used all his strength to suppress the urge to hug her immediately.
"You know that's not what I meant." His voice was somewhat flustered, but a hint of expectation lingered beneath the determined look in his eyes.
Fang Zilan wasn't oblivious, but she knew what kind of people the royal family were; even if they were deeply in love now, they could turn on each other without hesitation later. In this situation, she only wanted to protect herself, not gamble with Li Qiyou on the world again.
"What does Your Highness mean?" Fang Zilan did not push Li Qiyou away; her smile widened. "Compared to the capital, I prefer the open spaces of the surrounding countryside. Even so, will Your Highness grant my wish?"
Li Qiyou's pupils suddenly contracted, and before he could answer, she said as if she were going to provoke him, "If Your Highness is willing to grant my request, I am not incapable of becoming Princess Yucheng."
"Fang Zilan, do you know what you're saying?" Li Qiyou said each word with a hint of gritted teeth.
"Isn't it just the Tiger Tally and military power?" Fang Zilan's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of coldness appeared in her eyes. "Why is Your Highness so afraid?"
“I can’t grant you that request; only the current emperor can…” Li Qiyou stopped mid-sentence, staring at her in disbelief. “You… could it be…”
Fang Zilan raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in her expression. "Your Highness need not make wild guesses. The Tiger Tally was indeed once in my possession. His Majesty entrusted it to me, and I returned it to His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Li Qiyou breathed a sigh of relief and finally realized that Fang Zilan's words were all a test. She did not want to use the Tiger Tally, the symbol of military power in the world, as a betrothal gift, nor did she want him to seize power. He had given a negative answer from the beginning.
Only now did he truly see his own heart. The one he had always admired was Fang Zilan, the valiant female general on the battlefield who was no less heroic than any man, not the Duke of Yue, Fang Zilan, standing before him.
She cared about nothing—her reputation, even the imperial tally and military power. She had it all, yet she could throw it all away in a single night, while he relentlessly pursued her until his face became contorted with rage.
She captivated him, yet he couldn't fully entrust her to him, nor could he give her his complete trust. He, however, only wanted to use his noble status to try and seize her by force. In the end, he lost completely, likely losing even the last vestiges of affection between them.
"I understand." Li Qiyou slowly released his hand, as if all his strength had been drained away. "I will handle the aftermath. Fang Zilan, you are free."