The knot in my heart has been untied.
Lin Huaiyin, of course, hoped that Xiao Zhian would kill Princess Pingyang.
With Princess Pingyang dead, all the turmoil will subside, the Lin family will be able to rest easy, and Lin Huaiyin's nightmare will come to an end forever.
Hope arrived unexpectedly.
Just moments before, Lin Huaiyin had been desperate and fled to Xiao Zhi'an's side, acting as Princess Pingyang's accomplice to frame Xiao Zhi'an.
Unexpectedly, she took a desperate gamble and tried to believe Xiao Zhi'an, who believed her without hesitation and even deduced all of Princess Pingyang's subsequent conspiracies.
Having reached this point, Lin Huaiyin felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders. She was certain that Xiao Zhian would punish Princess Pingyang, and all she needed to do was find Yu Li as soon as possible, and everything would be resolved satisfactorily.
Just when things seemed to be turning around, Lin Huaiyin was about to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Overjoyed, she wanted to say goodbye to Xiao Zhian and go find Yu Li. They immediately went their separate ways.
However, when she saw Xiao Zhian, the joy on her lips instantly vanished.
Xiao Zhian was usually gentle and kind. As soon as he saw her, he put away the sharpness in his eyes and brows, swept away his languid and tired demeanor, and focused all his attention on teasing her or making her happy.
He was a vibrant and alluring man in her presence, not at all like a crown prince. He had never been so deliberate in his movements and calm in his speech. He didn't even look at her.
What's wrong with him? Lin Huaiyin was puzzled. She looked down at his hands, which were clasped together, and his fingertips seemed to be trembling slightly.
His eyelashes were like a thick forest, obscuring the beads hanging below. Lin Huaiyin couldn't see his eyes, and her mind suddenly became chaotic. Her heart pounded heavily, as if it were wrapped tightly in the gauze in his hand, being squeezed and suppressed, gradually slowing down and even aching faintly.
What is he thinking right now? Lin Huaiyin quietly asked herself.
After asking the question, she realized the key point, grabbed Xiao Zhian's hand, and blurted out: "Zhian, it's okay, this kind of thing is normal. Look at Shen Congyun, he plotted to harm me because I have the Lin family behind me. You have the world at your feet, and of course you are surrounded by enemies in that position. You have to work hard all your life. Otherwise, why would you be called the 'lonely ruler'?"
Lin Huaiyin said so much in one breath, but after she finished, she felt that her words did not express her meaning. It seemed that this was not what she wanted to express. Moreover, Xiao Zhian's situation was different from hers. It seemed that this way of speaking was not right. She anxiously reorganized her words, but for a while she could not find the key point. She thought about it again and again, but could not make sense of it.
Xiao Zhian slowly raised his head, watching her brows gradually furrow into a knot, and gently smoothed them out with his hand.
"So cold!" Lin Huaiyin subconsciously shrank her neck, feeling that his fingertips were like ice. After shrugging, she felt it was very impolite, so she nudged Xiao Zhian's hand with her forehead, begging him to continue rubbing.
She cautiously stole glances at Xiao Zhian. Their eyes met, and Xiao Zhian smiled slightly, his facial features forced to move, his muscle lines twisting and contorting as if they were about to split open.
Lin Huaiyin was terrified. He had never seen Xiao Zhian like this before and didn't know what to do.
She should do something, she must do something, her mind, her heart, her very being are all urging her to get moving and do something!
"Zhi'an." Lin Huaiyin said speechlessly, "Zhi'an, Zhi'an, listen to me. Although I have a good relationship with my brothers, only you know everything I've done. I've been hiding my relationship with you from them, Zhi'an, Zhi'an, look at me, I'm not a good person either, so, wait, no..."
Lin Huaiyin is clumsy with words and talks nonsense.
Xiao Zhian looked at her, his eyes growing redder and redder.
Undeterred, Lin Huaiyin took a deep breath and made a last-ditch effort—"No, no, no, that's not what I meant. What I meant was, although I may seem like a bad sister, I am actually—no, I may seem like a good sister, but actually, oh well, never mind, I can't explain it clearly!"
Lin Huaiyin's mind was a complete mess. She was sweating and her face was flushed red. She had never been so stupid in her life and couldn't utter a single nice word.
Unable to hold it in any longer, she climbed onto Xiao Zhian, pounced on him, and kissed him with her eyes closed.
Lin Huaiyin's kisses were always irresistible; Xiao Zhian couldn't stand them at all and would immediately bend over and kiss her until he was breathless.
However, this time was different. Xiao Zhian did not respond and even turned his face away to avoid the issue.
Reject me? Lin Huaiyin frowned slightly, then bit his ear with her two sharp teeth, mischievously nibbling at it. She immediately heard Xiao Zhian's low groan, and then the world spun around her as Xiao Zhian rolled over and pinned her down.
But he still didn't kiss her.
Xiao Zhian gripped her restless hand, his eyes bloodshot and his gaze unfathomable. His beloved Yinyin was desperately trying to coax him right now. He had never been so sure that she loved him. She really loved him so much, but how should he face her?
It was his boundless indulgence and protection that allowed him to personally nurture Pingyang, this venomous snake.
It was he who indirectly ruined her life and brought her endless pain.
His younger sister, whom he once regarded as the most precious treasure in his life, used him, schemed against him, plotted against him, and went to great lengths to take everything from him.
Yinyin single-handedly protected him and his kingdom. Now, having just lost her important Yu Li, she still wants to comfort him and does everything she can to soothe him.
Xiao Zhian had serious doubts—had she ever considered that all her misfortunes were caused by him, that he was the root of her misfortune?
If she had thought about it, would she still love him?
Xiao Zhian was unsure and dared not ask, fearing that if he did, he would immediately lose her.
He released Lin Huaiyin, put her shoes and socks on, and let her go.
Lin Huaiyin lay alone on Xiao Zhian's bed. She didn't understand why he had suddenly become indifferent. Even if he was angry or furious, he should have directed his anger at Princess Pingyang. Why was he taking it out on her?
She did nothing wrong. She was very good to him, and he should be grateful. If his mouth wasn't for kissing, then he should know how to talk. He shouldn't bully people like this, drive them crazy, and then act all wronged!
Lin Huaiyin sat up angrily, squinted like a wolf and grabbed Xiao Zhian's face, questioning, "Don't you want to kill Princess Pingyang? If you can't bring yourself to do it, you can tell me, and I will do it myself. You don't need to be so sarcastic and ignoring!"
"I will handle this matter," Xiao Zhian said calmly, offering no further explanation.
Hearing this, Lin Huaiyin became even angrier. She stood up, placed her hands on her left hip, and curtsied to Xiao Zhian: "Your Highness, I dare to ask, as the victim, do I have the right to inquire about how you intend to handle this?"
"I need to confirm a few things before I can make a decision," Xiao Zhian said honestly.
"Alright." Lin Huaiyin knelt down and bowed again, then took out the jade pendant given to her by Xiao Zhian from her wet clothes, presented it to Xiao Zhian with both hands, looked into his eyes and asked, "Then I dare to ask Your Highness again, will you continue to treat me coldly in the future? If so, I am not worthy of such a precious item, please take it back."
"Take them all back!" Lin Huaiyin added fiercely, "You take yours, I'll take mine, and whoever regrets it is a bastard!"
Holding the jade pendant in her palm, Lin Huaiyin pushed it forward.
Xiao Zhian remained motionless, stunned.
He doesn't want it; he will never take back what he gave her.
He refused to accept it, so Lin Huaiyin took action to return it. She was determined to see what was wrong with Xiao Zhian!
She grabbed his collar and dragged him fiercely in front of her. Xiao Zhian was only wearing his undergarments, and Lin Huaiyin tied them to his belt.
After tying one knot, Xiao Zhian remained silent. Lin Huaiyin got angry and tied another knot. Xiao Zhian still didn't say anything. Lin Huaiyin was so angry she was about to explode. She tied another knot and vowed that if he still didn't express his opinion after tying all the knots, she would take off her clothes and give them back to him from head to toe. She didn't believe she couldn't deal with this taciturn guy!
Lin Huaiyin was furious and let out a whimper like a small animal.
She only reached Xiao Zhian's chest, and with her head down as she busied herself, she appeared even more petite.
Xiao Zhian watched her tie knots. After she finished tying one, his heart trembled. He was afraid that she would turn away in anger, afraid that she would start with tears in her eyes. But she really did tie knot after knot, one after another.
She didn't want to leave him. A crack appeared in Xiao Zhian's already clenched heart.
She was waiting for him. Xiao Zhian could see Lin Huaiyin's efforts very clearly: she gave him chances again and again, urging him to keep her.
She sobbed softly, her sobs echoing Xiao Zhi'an's heartbeat. He belatedly realized that he had once again bullied her and made her suffer.
She suffered so much and endured so much pain before finally opening her heart to a man, only to be met with his cowardice and retreat, unable to face her directly, thus pushing her to this point.
How could he treat her like that?
That's wrong.
This is truly compounding a mistake.
"Yinyin." Xiao Zhian's eyes welled up with tears as he gently stroked Lin Huaiyin's head.
Lin Huaiyin felt a surge of joy—he couldn't hold on any longer after all. She knew he couldn't. She didn't blame him. Suddenly finding out that his own sister had plotted against him was unacceptable to anyone. She could understand his outburst and was willing to comfort him. But if he bullied others, he had to be taught a lesson so he would know that this was wrong.
Lin Huaiyin ignored him, turned her head away, and refused to let him touch her, continuing to tie knots in silence.
Xiao Zhian squatted down, kneeling on one knee and lowering his posture. He held Lin Huaiyin's hands, looked up at her rosy face with puffs up, and mustered up his courage to ask her, "Yinyin, don't you blame me? Pingyang has become like this. Everything you've experienced is my fault."
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin looked puzzled and asked, "Your idea is dangerous. Is it wrong for a brother to dote on his sister? You've been so good to me, have I ever turned into a demon or monster? You are the Crown Prince and regent, responsible for educating the people of the world, but you don't have to take all the blame upon yourself. You have the Imperial Academy and the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, to reward good and punish evil. Do I still need to teach you?"
Lin Huaiyin spoke these words without hesitation, naturally and spontaneously. However, the instant she finished speaking, she froze for a moment, her eyes flashing with countless sparks.
Her heart pounded, and Lin Huaiyin pressed her hand to her chest. Suddenly, she felt the world expand before her, her vision clear, and she experienced an unparalleled lightness and freedom. Overjoyed, she let out a whoosh and plopped down in front of Xiao Zhian, exclaiming with delight—
"Zhi'an, do you believe me? Suddenly I don't hate myself as much anymore. Shen Congyun is the one who's wrong. He lied to me, harmed me, and plotted against me. I was foolish and deceived, but what did I do wrong? I'm in such a miserable state because he harmed me. He deserves to die, not me. Zhi'an, the fault is not mine, and I did a very good job this time. I really did a very, very good job!"
As she spoke, Lin Huaiyin buried her face in Xiao Zhian's arms.
Her joy, like a lightning bolt, completely shattered the shadows in Xiao Zhian's heart.
She pinned Xiao Zhian down and kissed him.
He responded to her warmly and embraced her.
Lin Huaiyin secretly made some small movements, unbuttoning Xiao Zhian's inner garment. Xiao Zhian thought she was going to do something, but she snatched off the jade pendant, quickly got up, wiped her mouth, and said, "I'm going to interrogate the White Lotus Sect people. Princess Pingyang is in your hands!"
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