This gaze, it was not the first time Song Yalin had seen it. Because this frigid, proud man had only gazed directly at her very few times, she remembered it clearly.
The last time he looked at her this way was precisely when the Emperor issued a decree granting marriage. His icy eyes were filled with a dense murderous intent. His aura oozed lethality.
Suddenly, a wave of fear spread from the bottom of Song Yalin’s heart. She couldn’t help but shrink her neck, hardly daring to meet his gaze, hastily averting her eyes.
Yet even though she did this, she could still faintly feel the murderous aura surrounding Marquis Mu, he really intended to kill her!
Song Yalin’s face turned pale, her whole body couldn’t stop trembling, but her mind was still a mess, completely unclear about what to do.
The crowd also watched, confused. They thought that His Highness would rush back, definitely showering Concubine Song with affection. She was, after all, carrying his flesh and blood. They expected him to be distressed by witnessing her humiliation. But it seemed he was indeed angry, only... the object of his wrath...
It left them slightly confused.
Especially since Song Yalin’s emotional reaction was completely different from what they had expected. With the return of His Highness, shouldn’t she be feeling confident and fearless?
Yet why does she look even more frightened now?
In this moment of standoff, the doors of the Royal Mansion suddenly opened. Ji Xinhe came running out, her joyful eyes teary, "You’re back?"
Only after Song Yalin had knelt outside the mansion’s door for two days did the princess come out. Her sole intention was to greet His Highness.
Marquis Mu’s gaze softened a lot: "I’m back."
Xin He wanted to throw herself into his arms in joy, but she suppressed her impulse and glanced at the crowd behind him.
Marquis Mu intended to accept his wife’s bird-like rush into his arms, yet she remained unmoved until he noticed her gaze. Only then did he furrow his brows, coldly asking: "What are you all gawking at?"
The crowd was scared enough to scatter in all directions.
Those without sense, or those shocked into silence, were also dispersed by the guards.
At last, there was silence.
Ji Xinhe turned towards Song Yalin: "How should we deal with her? After all, she still has a child in her belly."
"Everyone involved should die together," answered Marquis Mu in a faint voice.
Ji Xinhe blinked her eyes but didn’t speak further, she just smirked, "Okay."
Marquis Mu led her into the mansion, his tone somewhat reproachful: "Have you forgotten something?"
Ji Xinhe frowned in thought: "What else is there?"
"Don’t you care about me since I got back just now?" Marquis Mu said.
Only he could say such words in such an earnest manner.
Ji Xinhe shook her head helplessly but obediently threw herself into his arms: "Are you happy now?"
Marquis Mu gently squeezed her hand: "Not enough, you will have to make up for it tonight."
Xin He pushed him away, glaring at him: "Is now the time to be saying such things? The court has not let up. Song Yalin is not an easy opponent, do you really think she can be killed so easily? Sort everything out before you fool around with me."
Marquis Mu chuckled, lifting his hand to touch her face: "I’m sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Ji Xinhe uneasily turned her head away.
However, Marquis Mu grabbed her small face, making her meet his eyes.
"I made you suffer all these days."
Xin He lowered her head slightly: "It wasn’t that bad."
Marquis Mu whispered: "You don’t need to speak, I already know."
Following this, he paused before speaking: "Everything is coming to an end, Xin He. I keep telling myself that I have to live up to your trust. I remember every promise I made to you. I said I would live well, protect you, give you a stable home, and now...everything is about to come true."
A hint of surprise flashed in Xin He’s eyes: "You..."
Marquis Mu calmly looked at her: "Nearly ten cities from Lian City to Yu State are now mine and placed within Yu State borders. From today on, Yu State is separating from Da Qian, I will establish myself as a king, no longer bound and threatened by anyone. We will never have to live in constant fear again: Xin He, are you happy?"
Xin He looked joyful as if she was about to jump up: "You...Is that really true?!"
He actually succeeded! All these days, she had been waiting. She really didn’t hold out much hope, she just wished that he could return safely. Yet unexpectedly, he truly did it!
If so, wasn’t half of Da Qian now under Marquis Mu’s control?
Marquis Mu drew her into his arms: "From now on we don’t need to worry about the court or the emperor’s suspicion. You have me, we have Yu State, these are sufficient. As for Song Yalin, whether she lives or dies doesn’t matter anymore. Do you think the emperor still has time to care about her?"
Just before he rushed back, over ten cities from Lian City to Yu State had become part of Marquis Mu’s territory. This news had also reached the emperor’s ears, and the emperor was now rushing back to court to handle the situation. He probably forgot all about Song Yalin.
Yet, Song Yalin naively thought that the mountain backing her was secure.
In the blink of an eye, she had become a discarded chess piece.
The most unfortunate thing she had done in her life, her worst choice, was making a deal with the emperor. This selfish emperor had never treated a chess piece as a human. Yet she not only made the wrong choice once but twice. One mistake led to another, resulting in her current miserable situation.
"Daddy!"
Ah Guai must have received news of Marquis Mu’s return and came running, short of breath. A string of maids and women followed behind her, shouting for the little princess to be careful.
Ignoring them, Ah Guai ran swiftly, throwing herself directly into Marquis Mu’s arms, with Marquis Mu skillfully catching her.
"Daddy, you’re finally back. Ah Guai missed you so much!" Ah Guai wouldn’t let go of Marquis Mu.
Seeing her like this, Xin He could not help but smile. She had initially planned to inquire more about Marquis Mu’s activities while he was out, but decided it could wait.
"Daddy missed Ah Guai too. Has Ah Guai listened to Mommy?" Marquis Mu asked softly.
Ah Guai nodded her head earnestly, sweetly stating: "Ah Guai has always been obedient, especially to Mommy. Mommy misses Daddy even more than Ah Guai does, she even cries in her sleep. Ah Guai feels sorry for Mommy, can Daddy promise not to leave Mommy again?"
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