Chapter 255 What can you do without a man?
Jiang Zhi frowned. "Why?"
All of this has nothing to do with Xiao Xuanyou. If it were based on his past possessiveness towards her, he would probably have wanted her to get rid of the child.
Why would they oppose it now?
Xiao Xuanyou's deep eyes blurred like ink, "Chanyi, have you forgotten how you died?"
Jiang Zhi was startled.
Xiao Xuanyou's gaze was fixed on her. "I would rather you give birth to another man's child than watch you bleed to death in front of me again."
Jiang Zhi remained silent for a long time, but her attitude was still firm: "No, this child came too suddenly, I don't want to keep it."
"Your Highness, you said you wouldn't force me to do anything I don't want to do. Are you going back on your word so soon?"
Xiao Xuanyou's slender fingers rested on the wheelchair handles, his head lowered, and his phoenix eyes seemed to have folded their wings, losing their former flamboyant brilliance.
"Chanyi, don't be so cruel to me."
"If anything happens to you again, I really will go crazy."
His usually straight back was unusually bent, and his knuckles were trembling slightly.
"When we return to Kyoto, I will find the best imperial physicians to help you with your pregnancy. You will give birth to the child safely and there will be absolutely no more problems."
"Trust me this time, Chanyi."
It's unclear whether he was saying these words to Jiang Zhi or to himself.
Looking at him like this, Jiang Zhi felt a lump in her throat.
She seemed to have all her strength drained away, and slumped down.
"...Let me think about it some more, my mind is a mess right now."
Xiao Xuanyou didn't want to push her too hard, so he nodded and said, "Okay, but you can't keep doing things your own way and do them secretly behind my back."
"If anything happens to you, I guarantee Lu Yuan won't live past the next day. I mean what I say."
His tone was calm, but his eyes held a suppressed obsession.
If Chanyi dies, then Lu Yuan is the culprit, and he will definitely avenge her.
＊
The next day, Provincial Governor Lin Lide could no longer sit still and brought his eldest daughter, Lin Qiyun, to the General's Mansion.
Xie Qi greeted the two with a smile.
"What brings Lord Lin to my General's Mansion today?"
He sat leisurely at the head of the table, casually instructing his servants to serve tea. His tight-fitting clothes accentuated his wasp waist and long legs, revealing a strong and muscular physique with a touch of youthful arrogance.
Once Lin Qiyun's gaze fell on Xie Qi, she couldn't look away.
Although he had insulted her so badly in the warm room yesterday and stood up for Ji Zhiya, seeing his handsome appearance had already dissipated most of her resentment.
If anyone's to blame, it's Ji Zhiya for shamelessly clinging to Xie Qi.
She will definitely make Xie Qi understand who truly deserves to stand by his side.
Lin Lide, having held back for so long, was too lazy to beat around the bush with him. He gave a dry laugh and said, "My son has been staying at the General's Mansion for a while, and the elders at home miss him very much. Today, I have come here specifically to take my son back."
He had already given Xie Qi a lot of face in his words.
After all, he had been confined in the general's mansion for so long and had already received enough lessons.
Xie Qi raised an eyebrow. "It was my fault for preventing Young Master Lin from fulfilling his filial duties to his elders. Since Lord Lin has come to welcome him personally, how could I refuse?"
He clapped his hands, and soon Lin Yan was brought up from the dungeon.
When Lin Lide saw his son's condition, his pupils contracted sharply, and he abruptly stood up from his chair.
Lin Yan was unconscious at the moment, looking as pathetic as a stray dog.
He was being supported by two people, one on each side, his cheeks were swollen high, his whole body was covered in blood, and his brocade shirt was stained with blood and could no longer be seen.
The most serious injury was to Lin Yan's right hand.
It was brutally severed without even being bandaged; the severed limb was dry and congealed, clearly having been severed for several days.
Lin Lide trembled with rage. "Xie Qi, how dare you abuse your power and severely injure my son! How dare you! I will definitely report you to the Emperor!"
He originally thought that Xie Qi was just trying to scare Lin Yan by locking him up in the general's mansion for a few days in order to force him to submit, but he did not expect him to be so ruthless!
His eyes were bloodshot with rage, and Lin Qiyun was stunned into silence.
How could my brother's injuries be so severe?!
Xie Qi, however, acted as if nothing had happened. "Lord Lin, please don't be angry. This is already showing mercy. Who told him to not only offend the Embroidered Uniform Guard but also dare to disrespect His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Lin Lide was stunned. "How is that possible?"
He knew his son's personality well.
Although he was a bit of a scoundrel, he didn't deserve to offend the Crown Prince so recklessly.
As for a mere Embroidered Uniform Guard, unless it's the one stationed at the Northern Garrison Command, the Provincial Administration Commission doesn't take the others seriously.
But just then a voice rang out at the door, “Young Master Lin hit my men in front of me, which must mean he has some dissatisfaction with my investigation in Yaocheng. If Lord Lin thinks this is inappropriate, he may report it to His Majesty.”
Lu Yuan strode in, his black robes fluttering. Although he was still dressed in neat casual clothes, his aura was so imposing that no one dared to look him in the eye.
Lin Qiyun was immediately astonished.
She had met Lu Yuan before, but at that time she thought he was just a guard by Xie Qi or Ji Zhiya's side. She never imagined that he was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who was feared in the capital!
"Lord Lu? You're actually in Yaocheng?" Lin Lide exclaimed in surprise.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards were indeed secretive in their operations. Lu Yuan had been there for who knows how long, but he hadn't received a single piece of intelligence.
"Lord Lin is surprised, is it because you're afraid I'll investigate the Lin family?" Lu Yuan asked with a half-smile.
Lin Lide concealed his inner panic, "What are you saying, Lord Lu? I have always been dutiful and have never been negligent in my duties. Why would I be afraid of Lord Lu's investigation?"
The Embroidered Uniform Guards are vicious dogs that won't let go once they've set their sights on someone. He's not entirely innocent either; if they really investigate...
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel resentful towards Lin Yan.
Not only is he useless, but he's also caused him so much trouble.
Xie Qi continued, "His Highness the Crown Prince is still ill and is not receiving guests. I have heard that Young Master Lin has been obstructing Lord Lu's investigation and has caused his old injuries to flare up again—"
Xie Qi blinked, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was blatantly lying. "If His Highness the Crown Prince were to be harmed, how many lives does Young Master Lin have to pay for it?"
Lin Lide was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.
He glanced at the unconscious Lin Yan, then at Xie Qi and Lu Yuan, his lips twitching, but he dared not say another word.
At this moment, Lin Qiyun spoke up, "Lord Xie, my daughter wishes to see Miss Ji. May I ask if you could inform her?"
Xie Qi glanced at her and said, "Zhi Zhi is pregnant and doesn't have time to see you."
"It's alright, I also have something I'd like to ask Miss Lin." Jiang Zhi happened to come in from the door at that moment.
Xie Qi hurriedly stepped forward to support her, frowning with concern, "Why aren't you resting in your room? What are you doing out here?"
Lu Yuan wanted to step forward, but he stopped himself as soon as he took a step.
With outsiders present, he couldn't make his presence too obvious.
Jiang Zhi nodded to Xie Qi, "It's nothing, I just need to talk to Miss Lin for a bit, it'll be over soon."
Lin Qiyun and Jiang Zhi arrived at the side hall next door.
"Ji Zhiya, you're quite pleased with yourself, aren't you?" Lin Qiyun's originally dignified face darkened.
"What do you mean?" Jiang Zhi raised an eyebrow.
"Relying on Xie Qi's power, you forced me to kneel before you, and severely injured my brother, causing the General's Mansion and the Provincial Administration Commission to turn against each other, making it impossible for me and Xie Qi to have any future together," Lin Qiyun's eyes were filled with tangible hatred, "You've achieved your goal, haven't you?"
Jiang Zhi couldn't help but laugh. "This is your own fault, brother and sister. I didn't ask Lin Yan to slap you, and I didn't ask you to ruin my reputation at the fireside banquet. How come it's my fault now?"
"Stop pretending to be high and mighty," Lin Qiyun said with a look of disdain. "You're nothing but a woman who climbed the social ladder by relying on men. What can you do without men by your side?"
Jiang Zhi stared at her intently, then suddenly leaned closer, her voice like a demon whispering in Lin Qiyun's ear, "Does Miss Lin believe that even without Xie Qi and no one else, I can still bring the Lin family to its doom?"
"What do you mean?" Lin Qiyun frowned.
"Let me ask you, before the Frost's Descent Ceremony," Jiang Zhi's voice was low, but clear enough for her to hear, "did Miss Lin go to the altar?"
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