Chapter 55: Breaking Off the Engagement

Luo Yunqiao could not spare a moment to deliver the evidence to Xiao Muyuan; instead, she kept close on Li Shi’s heels.

Although Luojia Village was not particularly far from the capital, the Li family lacked the traveling expenses to send Li Shi to the capital. Previously, members of the Li family had even come to the Marquis of Jing'an’s estate to freeload, only to be given a severe scolding by Luo Zefeng, after which all news of their household had ceased.

Yet now, Li Shi had suddenly appeared in the capital, and moreover, emerged directly from the Prince of Yan’s estate.

It was truly suspicious.

Luo Yunqiao trailed him into a teahouse and watched as he entered a private room. Pausing in her tracks, she promptly booked the adjacent room, only to suddenly hear a voice from next door: "Since you’ve followed me all the way here, don't tell me you have no intention of coming to see me?"

These words were addressed to her.

Frowning, Luo Yunqiao pushed the door open and entered.

"You discovered me long ago? Then why did you let me follow you all this time?"

"With tracking skills as clumsy as yours, it's hard not to be noticed, Qiaoqiao. You’ve been in the capital for three years, why haven't you improved at all? You can't hold your ground, and all your thoughts are written right across your face." Li Shi chuckled softly. He nudged a cup of tea toward her across the table and continued, "The Prince of Yan already knows that you obtained that evidence, so you don't need to go to him with it anymore. Return to the Marquis's estate and prepare your wedding gown in peace."

The steam rising from the tea drifted between them, making Luo Yunqiao feel as though his face had grown somewhat blurred.

After a long silence, she asked, "You must have been in the capital for several days now. Why didn't you come to the Marquis's estate to see me? Were you afraid of being driven out again, or do you think I am an ungrateful ingrate truly unworthy of sincere affection?"

"Qiaoqiao..." Li Shi's eyes filled with heartache.

He sighed and said, "I had long since heard that your life at the Marquis of Jing'an’s estate was difficult, and I kept searching for a way to break the deadlock for you. Fortunately, I managed to find Hehua's mother, and that was how I had her sent before the Old Dowager Luo. Seeing that you are doing well now, I suppose the people who bullied you have already received their punishment, and your elder brother can finally rest easy."

Hearing these words, Luo Yunqiao felt a stinging sensation in her nose.

"Since Eldest Brother came to the capital long ago, you should have come to look for me sooner. You and I could leave the Marquis's estate and find a secluded place—I already have money, enough to pay for your scholarly pursuits, just like Eldest Brother raised me back then..."

She moved to sit beside Li Shi, reached out to clutch his sleeve, her eyes reddening: "Eldest Brother, don't leave me behind again, please?"

Li Shi opened his mouth, yet not a single word came out.

He gently pulled his sleeve free from her grasp and said, "You are about to become the Princess of Yan; how can you still throw such childish tantrums? Qiaoqiao, after all, I am not your biological brother, and my own younger sister died just yesterday because of you. How can you expect me to keep you by my side?"

Luo Yunqiao’s body stiffened.

Unvalued by her adoptive parents since childhood, she had relied solely on her adoptive brother to raise her. When she finally returned to the Marquis’s estate, she had thought she would at least have parents to cherish her, only to suffer cruel abandonment. And now, the elder brother who had watched her grow up was abandoning her as well.

"Very well."

She had no recollection of how she left the teahouse, nor how she made her way back to the Marquis of Jing'an’s estate.

All she knew was that she fell into a high fever.

When she finally regained consciousness, it was already the third day of the month.

A familiar figure sat by her bed: "Weren't you refusing to see me? Why come back now?"

Hearing her hoarse voice, Xiao Muyuan turned his head. Seeing that stubborn glint still lingering in her eyes, he chuckled, "This prince merely came to check on you. If you fell this terribly ill, wouldn't that mean the wedding couldn't take place?"

"Since Your Highness already knows that my father was the one who assassinated the late emperor, why do you still wish to marry me? Could it be that you intend to take me back to your manor to torment me, just to exact your revenge?"

Luo Yunqiao let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Having lived through life and death within this past short month, and now suffering through a severe illness, she had long since thought things through.

"I no longer wish to marry you!"

"I have already fulfilled everything I promised Your Highness earlier. I beg Your Highness to let me leave. The world is vast and wide; I cannot remain confined here forever."

She still had a much broader world waiting for her.

Xiao Muyuan continued to smile, saying, "In that case, all my grand plans would be utterly ruined in your hands."

Confusion clouded Luo Yunqiao's eyes, and then she heard him say, "Seeing how pitiful you are, this prince will explain it clearly to you—your elder brother does not harbor hatred toward you because of Luo Yunzhen. He is currently serving under the Third Prince, and if he didn't put on an act of hating you to the bone, he would inevitably arouse the Third Prince's suspicion."

"What!?" Her mind was in a complete maze.

"This prince holds great military power and with a single command can thoroughly encircle the troops under his command. He intends to strike on the day of our wedding, depose the Crown Prince, force his way into the inner palace, and compel the Emperor to abdicate in his favor."

Luo Yunqiao sneered. "The Emperor cared nothing for familial ties and ruthlessly exterminated the late emperor; today, it is his turn to taste this bitter fruit. If that is the case, it can be considered avenging Your Highness for your father's murder. What else are you worrying about?"

"The Emperor is indeed hateful, but Xiao Jinglin is far too ruthless. Though he presently puts on a gentle facade, once he ascends the throne, he will inevitably slaughter all dissenters. By then, the imperial court will undoubtedly be thrown into massive turmoil, costing us countless loyal officials and brave generals. When foreign enemies invade in the future..."

"I am merely a woman, why is Your Highness telling me all this?" Luo Yunqiao interrupted him. "Did Your Highness use me to infiltrate the Marquis of Jing'an’s estate, and now you intend to use me to ascend the throne as emperor?"

"I am a human being, after all, not a chess piece in your hands!"

She shouted in fury.

"Do not be unbiddable!" Xiao Muyuan chided in a low voice, yet upon seeing the redness in her eyes, his tone softened.

He reached out to smooth a stray lock of hair from Luo Yunqiao's forehead and said, "This prince has no desire for the imperial throne; I merely wish to prevent the common people from suffering the devastation of war. Since you wish to see the vast world, you need a court with national strength to serve as your backing, otherwise, with the flames of war igniting everywhere and people struggling to survive, simply staying alive will likely be a problem for you."

"You are not someone who only cares for herself, Qiaoqiao. I believe you care far more about the people of the realm."

Luo Yunqiao remained silent.

"My voice was a bit too loud just now. I'm afraid I frightened you."

Luo Yunqiao’s tense nerves were suddenly soothed.

Having suppressed her grievances for so long, she had just lashed out recklessly. She had originally expected Xiao Muyuan to act like the Luo family and accuse her of acting unreasonably, yet here he was, laying aside his pride to apologize to her.

"The Emperor is devoid of benevolence and ought to step down, but the Third Prince is equally unworthy of the position. This prince wishes to support the Crown Prince in ascending the throne legitimately. The Crown Prince is a virtuous and benevolent man and will undoubtedly implement benevolent governance in the future. By then, the people will live and work in peace and contentment, and it would be a good time for you to leave the capital."

Xiao Muyuan stood up. Though a trace of desolate loneliness was clearly visible in his eyes, he turned his back so Luo Yunqiao would not see the expression on his face.

"If you still refuse to marry this prince, I will enter the palace tomorrow to call off the marriage and even secure an imperial decree for you to leave the capital."

With those words, he took a stride forward, preparing to leave.