His words were like a verdict, causing Song Yaozhu to collapse. Ignoring her disheveled appearance, she immediately stood up.
"Xie Liwei, you knew I was going to make a terrible mistake, why didn't you stop me!"
"Why should I stop you?" Xie Liwei asked coldly. "Who are you to me? Why should I care? Just because I'm not doing this doesn't mean I don't want to."
Song Yaozhu understood the meaning behind his words. If it weren't for protecting her beliefs, Xie Liwei would have overthrown Yuwen Wuji's rule long ago.
She was incredibly grateful to have a younger brother like him; if it weren't for him, she would have done something she would regret for the rest of her life.
Song Yaozhu stood on tiptoe and hugged him. "Thank you."
The embrace was brief and hasty. "Your Highness must know which direction the Dowager Consort's people went. Lend me a horse, and I will take responsibility for my actions."
Xie Liwei snorted, as if to see how she would handle the situation.
"Qin Yu, prepare a horse for the princess."
Qin Yu outside the door exclaimed "Yes!" and the door opened. Song Yaozhu removed all her hairpins and ornaments, and tied her hair up with a ribbon as she walked.
She tied her hair up and ran out quickly, disappearing from sight in no time.
Granny Qin opened her mouth, looking at her master, unsure of what to say.
The horses were already prepared, and Song Yaozhu, having received the directions, spurred her horse and rode off.
Xie Liwei sat quietly in the side room for a long time, his mind racing. Then he picked up a pen and wrote down his thoughts bit by bit.
Ah Li...
Aside from his older sister, even Xie Lu wouldn't call him that.
Is she really Aunt Qiu's niece?
Xie Liwei had a terrible headache. His fluctuating emotions had made him vulnerable, yet he had to force himself to stay strong. Qin Yu knocked on the door and said, "Your Highness, as you instructed, the news that the Princess Consort left after arguing with you has been spread."
Xie Liwei lowered his head and looked at the words on the paper, then threw all the papers into the charcoal brazier.
"Return to the residence."
By the time Xie Liwei returned to the Prince's mansion, it was already dark. Back on his own turf, Qin Yu finally asked the questions that had been weighing on his mind.
"Your Highness, didn't you already have someone intercept the Dowager Consort's letter? Why are you still sending the Princess Consort to chase after it... It's already dark, and once the city gates are closed at night, the Princess Consort won't be able to return. What are you asking the Princess Consort to do?"
Exhausted after a long day, Xie Liwei returned to his study and slumped into a round-backed chair.
"To teach her a lesson."
Only by learning from this lesson can she truly understand and accept it. Otherwise, she'll cross the line again. We can't let her continue to act so recklessly.
"Did Fang Rao's men follow them?"
Qin Yu thought, "How can I not follow? They've already fought with you, and you're still protecting them. If something really happens to them, wouldn't it be the subordinates who suffer?"
"Don't worry, the princess is such a smart person. She will definitely understand that you have intercepted the letter after running dozens of kilometers and not seeing anyone."
Song Yaozhu was surprised.
She could sense the madness beneath Xie Liwei's calm exterior; he desperately wanted Yuwen Wuji dead, no matter who killed him. He didn't act to overthrow the country, not because he couldn't, but because he was restraining himself.
Now that someone has done what he has always wanted to do, he stands by and watches indifferently. Even if war breaks out, he will not feel guilty; he will only feel that he has finally waited for this day.
The cold wind lashed against Song Yaozhu's face. Even with a veil on, her face still hurt, like being slapped repeatedly, gradually bringing her back to her senses.
She was too extreme and radical. She was focused on killing Yuwen Wuji, neglecting the innocent people around her. If the Prince of Yan were to truly rebel, she would never forgive herself.
Xie Liwei pulled her back at a crucial moment, allowing her to rediscover her original aspirations. She should seriously reflect on her actions and introspect!
The cold wind blew into her clothes, and her fingers turned red from the cold. Her gaze remained fixed ahead, and she had only one thought in her mind: she had to stop that messenger!
Absolutely, absolutely must not make a grave mistake!
After dark, when the city gates were closed, Granny Qin sighed and lamented in her room.
"Your Highness, the city gates are all closed, and the Princess Consort hasn't returned yet. Could something have happened to her?"
Xie Liwei held the book in his hands and said calmly, "That's good. I can marry a new queen again."
"......"
Granny Qin had people guarding the city gate, and the carriage and charcoal brazier were all prepared perfectly. As soon as Song Yaozhu appeared, she would be allowed to return home comfortably.
Unfortunately, the person who was watching the city gate did not appear even after guarding it all night.
"Your Highness, an imperial edict has arrived from the palace, summoning you to the palace today."
Xie Liwei had anticipated that Yuwen Wuji would summon him today. Yesterday, he had beaten Fang Tong's son in front of so many people at the Dazhao Temple, and that guy would definitely go to him to complain.
Has Song San returned yet?
Qin Yu scratched the back of his head. "Not yet."
Xie Liwei frowned slightly. Logically speaking, Song Yaozhu couldn't possibly be that stupid.
Xie Liwei didn't need to attend the morning court session, nor was he in a hurry to leave. Just after breakfast, Song Yaozhu, wearing a cloak and looking pale, was helped in by Caijin.
She rode her horse for half the night, traveling more than a hundred miles outside the capital, before being caught up by her guards who informed her that the messenger had already been dealt with by Xie Liwei. Only then did she return home.
She hadn't slept all night, and looked haggard. Her whole body was cold, and even holding a hot water bottle in her arms, she couldn't feel the coldness in her hands and feet.
Granny Qin was taken aback and hurriedly ordered someone to prepare hot water for her to bathe.
"Your Highness, let's talk."
Xie Liwei put down his chopsticks, raised his hand, and everyone in the room left.
"I was wrong." Song Yaozhu admitted her mistake readily. She had been in a high position for too long, to the point that she was almost oblivious to the common people. "Thank you, Your Highness, for bringing me to my senses. From now on, I will consult with Your Highness on all my actions."
Xie Liwei coldly said, "You eat my food, use my things, and live in my house. You don't even report to me before doing anything. Do you want me to be the sucker?"
Song Yaozhu's cheeks tightened, and the breath she had just caught in her throat suddenly escaped.
He's right!
"Your Highness, are our goals aligned?"
"Otherwise, do you think I've been doing all these years just for nothing?"
Song Yaozhu's heart fluttered, and she immediately smiled.
He had taught himself well. She never doubted Xie Liwei's feelings for her; her death must have caused him great pain. Over the years, he had not been blinded by hatred.
Upon learning that the Empress Dowager's letter had been sent, he temporarily put aside his hatred for the sake of all the people and did not indulge the beast within him.
Song Yaozhu couldn't hold back her tears, which welled up in her eyes. She opened her arms wide and choked out, "Your Highness, may I have a hug?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com