Chapter 70
His past refusal to marry her must have subjected her to a lot of gossip.
How much better was he than the harm Shangguan Hao had done to her?
Emperor Chengyuan felt a dryness in his throat, and tasted what regret was.
They could have met much earlier, and he could have had her and protected her much sooner.
Wen Xin shook her head. "If His Majesty hadn't refused the marriage back then, my grandfather might not have let me live."
Although the late emperor wanted her to be his spy, this move could also gradually create a rift in the trust between the deposed crown prince and the Wen family.
Even if it was the deposed crown prince's scheme, those in power are just so suspicious.
Moreover, Wen Liliang knew better than anyone that she was not of one mind with the Wen family, and he would never keep her, this so-called "troublemaker."
Her only fate was to die suddenly.
Although Emperor Chengyuan only wanted to avoid being schemed against, his refusal to marry her gave her a chance to breathe amidst the wolves surrounding her.
She never blamed Emperor Chengyuan.
However, I was a little unwilling in my past life, wondering if she was really that bad.
Nobody took her seriously and toyed with her at will.
That's why she went along with it and got involved with Emperor Chengyuan, seeing that high and mighty emperor bow down to her.
But later, Emperor Chengyuan's unconditional protection was a rare warmth in her life.
She wasn't unmoved, nor did she not want to fulfill each other's wishes and have a good outcome with him.
However, she ultimately could not resist the so-called divine will and plot, becoming deeply entangled in the so-called tragic love story, causing the death of Emperor Chengyuan, and also causing her own death.
Emperor Chengyuan's breath hitched slightly, and he tightened his grip on the girl in his arms.
How could there be such a silly girl?
"Let's get a divorce from Shangguan Hao."
He brought it up again, and compared to his previous two assertive and irresistible manner, today he remained domineering, but his tone carried a barely perceptible sigh and pleading.
In this seemingly forceful relationship, whoever falls in love first loses.
Emperor Chengyuan thought that all he had to do was open his palm and she wouldn't be able to escape.
But now, he is becoming increasingly greedy, wanting her to be willing and unable to bear seeing her suffer and wither away.
Wen Xin unconsciously clutched the hem of her skirt, her brows furrowed with hesitation. She opened her lips, unsure of what to say.
Emperor Cheng Yuan's eyes darkened. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. "You can't bear to part with Shangguan Hao? You still have feelings for him?"
Wen Xin stared blankly into his deep gaze. The emotions hidden in his eyes made her body stiffen slightly. She wanted to avoid him but he held her back, so she could only face him directly.
Her eyes glistened with tears, her cheeks flushed, and she instinctively denied it, "It's not that I can't bear to part with it!"
"What is that?" Emperor Chengyuan narrowed his long, alluring eyes. "If you're trying to spout some nonsense about the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, I won't accept it."
Wen Xin wanted to say, "We don't seem to have much of a relationship yet."
Why does it seem like she's two-timing?
She had an affair behind her husband's back, and then her lover pressured her to marry him, demanding that she abandon her ex-husband and give him a proper status...
What a morally depraved script!
Although her current husband is indeed a scoundrel, and he was the one who cheated on her first, so she can't be blamed for being unjust, but...
It's just weird!
Wen Xin had a hard time explaining herself.
Emperor Chengyuan: "What kind of look is that?"
Wen Xin said slowly, "Sir, you don't really need to do this."
Who would willingly become a mistress, especially a high-ranking and powerful person like that!
Emperor Chengyuan snorted, "You want me to kill Shangguan Hao right now?"
Then, if she becomes a widow, wouldn't it be perfectly legitimate for her to find a second spring in her life?
Shangguan Hao: You old bastard!
Wen Xinye: "..."
She pursed her lips. "A country has its laws, and a family has its rules. Killing people arbitrarily is wrong."
Emperor Chengyuan was amused by her upright yet naive words.
He tapped her delicate nose. "Don't you know that laws and rules are ultimately decided by those in power?"
Countless people have died at his hands.
The forced abdication of the emperor by purging his close advisors back then alone resulted in rivers of blood.
Which king has clean hands?
She, being so pure and innocent, probably wouldn't understand.
But it doesn't matter, he can protect her purity and kindness, and by his side, she can do whatever she wants.
Wen Xin hesitated, then lowered her eyes listlessly.
"Don't you want me to kill Shangguan Hao?"
Emperor Chengyuan stroked her face and asked her in an ambiguous tone.
Wen Xin nodded, then shook her head.
Emperor Chengyuan: "Hmm?"
Wen Xin looked at him and said, "If the Crown Prince violated the laws of the Great Yuan Dynasty and harmed the innocent, he should be tried... I just don't want you to kill for personal reasons. You are a trusted minister of His Majesty and should not remain with such a stain."
Emperor Chengyuan gazed at her, and after a moment, he slowly pulled her into his arms, his chin gently brushing against the top of her head.
He said quietly, "I suddenly feel that it wouldn't be bad to just confirm the fact that I'm the third party now."
Wen Xin: "???"
What kind of indecent words are those?
Emperor Chengyuan lowered his head and slowly approached her.
Wen Xin's heart almost stopped beating. Her eyes were misty with tears, showing not only shyness but also a hint of helplessness and sadness.
The two were very close, their breaths mingling, but just as he was about to touch her, Emperor Chengyuan stopped.
He gently patted her back, as if comforting a frightened child, "Don't be afraid, I won't do anything."
He will wait until she is completely willing to open up to him.
Wen Xin blushed and buried her head in his chest, her heart filled with emotion.
Ultimately, the two were unable to reach an agreement on the matter of divorce.
The kind-hearted, soft-spoken girl was conflicted. The Xuanwu Marquis's mansion had just encountered trouble, and she was already in a hurry to get a divorce. Wasn't that going too far?
Emperor Chengyuan scoffed, "What kind of trash is the Marquis of Xuanwu's family? What kind of trash is Shangguan Hao? Everyone knows."
Why pretend to be innocent?
Wen Xin: "..."
She said bitterly, "A man with three wives and four concubines is considered philandering and promiscuous, while a woman is seen as restless and will be gossiped about. In the eyes of the world, no matter how bad the husband's family is, a woman cannot disobey her filial duties."
This world is so harsh on women; there's no such thing as fairness.
Emperor Chengyuan's eyes were icy. "Anyone who dares to say a bad word about you will be slaughtered by me. They need to be alive to say it."
Since he's called a tyrant, isn't it normal for him to do things that tyrants do?
No one can hurt her!
Wen Xin's tears fell without her realizing it.
This alarmed His Majesty the Emperor.
With a stiff face, he awkwardly wiped away the tears of the soft and delicate girl in his arms.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and compromised, "Fine, I won't kill him."
"If you cry again, I'll kiss you!"
Wen Xin pursed her lips, looking at him with teary eyes.
When Emperor Chengyuan met her bright, moist eyes, as clear as a fawn's in the forest, his expression softened, and he sighed softly, "It's my fault, I frightened you. Please stop crying."
What a spoiled brat!
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