"You're not leaving? You like him?" Zhao Qiang's voice became shrill, pointing at Xin Ran with his teeth grinding together.
Xinran looked at Hua Cai innocently, wondering what Zhao Qiang's stance was on uttering such jealous words.
Although he really wanted to be the adulterer.
He stole a glance at Hua Cai, only to see that her gaze remained fixed on Zhao Qiang's face, smiling sweetly. He felt a pang of unease.
"Brother, your heart isn't here. Can you let go of everything in Zha Yadu and live Zhao Qiang's life in peace?" Hua Cai looked at Zhao Qiang, wanting to laugh, but the pain from her wound was excruciating.
"Let's go. Most of the matters in the capital are settled. If you ever think of me in your spare time, you can come and visit. I'll always be here waiting for you." Hua Cai slowly withdrew her gaze, trying to swallow the blood rising in her throat.
"Ding—Zhao Qiang's favorability has increased by 5 points, currently at 96."
"Baozi, with a favorability rating of 96, can you make Zhao Qiang let go of his obsession with Zhao Min?" Hua Cai's heart stirred.
The system didn't answer, but Xin Ran spoke up at this moment, giving Zhao Qiang the opportunity to choose for himself.
"Zhao Min is currently preparing to go to Icefire Island with Zhang Wuji. Not to mention the dangers of the trip, who knows, by the time they return, the two of them might even be pregnant."
Xin Ran's words were like a bombshell dropped on Zhao Qiang's mind.
Zhao Qiang clenched his fists tightly, struggling to look at Hua Cai.
"According to Wei Fuwang, this princess has a bit of a thing for our leader. She even offered to accompany him on his trip to Icefire Island. Such a beautiful woman is so kind to invite him. Tsk tsk, young prince, will you stay here with your maid or go and stop your sweetheart? It's up to you to choose."
Xin Ran sneered, her words laced with malice.
They said earlier that Wenxiang wouldn't live more than a few days, but now they're telling Zhao Qiang that Zhao Min and Zhang Wuji are about to elope.
If they return to Dadu, they might not even find Wenxiang's body when they come back; if they don't return, they will miss the best opportunity to stop Zhao Min.
You can't have your cake and eat it too; if you choose one, you'll lose the other forever.
Zhao Qiang's lips moved slightly; he wanted to see Hua Cai's expression, but the person had already turned her head away, and he could only see the top of her dark hair.
"Xiao Xiang," Zhao Qiang said with difficulty, his voice terribly dry, "Wait for me, I'll be back soon."
Xinran smiled, and Huacai smiled too.
"Okay." A light voice came from the bed. The person on the bed did not move, nor did they look up at him again.
Zhao Qiang took a deep breath, feeling as if a huge rock was pressing on his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.
"I...I'm leaving." Zhao Qiang stared at the person without blinking.
There was no sound, no answer.
Zhao Qiang turned around abruptly and rushed out of the house as if fleeing, not even having time to pick up the long sword on the ground.
He suddenly felt contempt for himself. He kept saying that Wenxiang had betrayed him, but at this moment, when she was covered in wounds because of him and her days were numbered, he betrayed her.
He quickly scaled the courtyard wall, grabbed the package on the ground as if fleeing for his life, and, as if possessed, wrapped up the few pieces of cold pastries on the table. He then pulled his pillow and left.
At this moment, the pillow was unusually obedient. Zhao Qiang mounted his horse and gave a soft shout. The pillow shot out like a whirlwind, leaving the place behind that held more than a month's worth of his memories far behind.
The wind howled, stinging my eyes and instantly bringing tears to my eyes.
This wind is really eye-catching.
Zhao Qiang said to himself.
"Boss, that kid's already gone." Fa Deng, who had volunteered to keep watch outside, returned to report, his tone filled with excitement.
Great, that big torch is finally gone.
"Satisfied?" Xin Ran's smile had faded as she sat quietly on the edge of the bed, watching Hua Cai.
Hua Cai chuckled softly, her gaze falling on Xin Ran's calm face: "Thank you for your cooperation. What do you want to know? I will tell you everything I can."
Xin Ran pursed her lips slightly, then a relieved smile appeared on her face: "When did you figure that out?"
Fa Deng stared blankly at the two of them, completely unable to understand what they were saying.
Zhao Qiang rode back to Dadu at breakneck speed. The closer he got to Dadu, the stronger his urge to turn back became. Sometimes he even wondered if it was worth it to hurt a woman who didn't care about him at all.
But this man, who had been so devoted to her for so many years, inexplicably fell for a country bumpkin who appeared out of nowhere.
He was unwilling to accept it. This was the woman he had chosen, so why did she run off with someone else? What did I, Zha Yadu, do to deserve her?
Zhao Qiang's eyes hardened, and he lashed out with his whip, staring straight in the direction of Dadu: "Is marrying into my Seventh Prince's Mansion a disservice to you? Whether you like it or not is not up to you."
After a long and arduous journey, they arrived in Dadu, but naturally did not see Zhao Min.
Zhao Min is about to go to Icefire Island with Zhang Wuji, but this is just a plot device Xin Ran has added to Zhao Qiang's mind. At this point, it would be more likely that the two of them will return from Icefire Island soon.
Enraged at not seeing Zhao Min, Zhao Qiang led his troops to surround the Ruyang Prince's residence, where the Ruyang Prince and his son Wang Baobao were imprisoned.
Duosi Ma, Da'an Village.
The system wobbled and floated onto Hua Cai's forehead.
"Tsk tsk, host, your target wants to marry you and is currently throwing a tantrum at the Seventh Prince." During the usual gossip time, the system chuckled as it delivered its work report.
"Oh, the Prince of Ruyang will agree?" Hua Cai lazily rolled over on the recliner in the courtyard.
Over the past two weeks, Zhao Qiang has been dragging her around, and she has developed a good habit of sunbathing.
"Of course I agree." The system's voice carried a hint of cunning: "Times have changed. The Seventh Prince only has this one precious son, and now that he has regained him, he cherishes him dearly. He gives him whatever he wants. Of course, he still wants to marry the female lead."
"Oh." Hua Cai responded indifferently, but was more concerned about something else: "Baozi, how long until the male and female leads return from Ice and Fire Island?"
"Twenty days."
Hua Cai rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.
I don't know if my body can hold out for another month.
"Host, we still have one ginseng, right? That should be enough to get through this, shouldn't it?" The system was also worried.
Hua Cai remained silent, then glanced at the main room: "Xin Ran, let's go."
A soft sound came from inside the house, and Xin Ran, dressed in black, walked out, carrying a pre-packed package on her back.
"There's a ginseng root at the bottom of the medicine box in the neighboring kitchen. I'll have to trouble you to get it for me." Hua Cai struggled to get up.
Xinran glanced at her worriedly, then flew over to retrieve it and handed it to Huacai.
Hua Cai gave some instructions. The day after Zhao Qiang left, Fa Deng went back to find Yang Xiao at Xin Ran's suggestion, leaving behind the horse he had brought with him.
With less than a month to go before Zhao Qiang dies in the original storyline, Wen Xiang's body won't last much longer. Setting off a day earlier will allow them to travel more slowly and avoid mortifying themselves.
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