Tuoba Zhen simply stared at her fixedly: “…Still angry?”

“Angry?” Li Weiyang was surprised. “What the Third Prince means by angry—Weiyang doesn’t know.”

Tuoba Zhen smiled bitterly: “I only said a few harsh words last time. Rare that you’re still angry today.”

Li Weiyang was almost stunned. She completely didn’t remember what words Tuoba Zhen had said last time. As for being angry, that was even more absurd. She had never taken this person’s words and actions to heart—how could she be angry? This Third Prince was really too self-important.

“I’ve never been angry at you.” Because you’re not worthy—Li Weiyang added this sentence in her heart.

“Since you’re not angry, that’s good. I was still worried you harbored resentment in your heart, which is why you didn’t even glance at me at yesterday’s evening banquet.” Tuoba Zhen smiled.

His greatest support had died, yet he still had the mood to run to the Li household. Li Weiyang had to admire this man’s fortitude. But she only smiled faintly: “Your Highness, I’ll go summon my eldest sister. Please wait.”

Li Weiyang had just stood up when Tuoba Zhen blocked her path. Zhao Yue watched him warily, but unfortunately without Li Weiyang’s command, she couldn’t move.

Tuoba Zhen said: “Don’t go—hear me out!”

Li Weiyang stood coldly in place. Tuoba Zhen looked at her, not knowing what to say for a moment. He couldn’t help saying: “…I didn’t come to find your eldest sister. I wanted to find you—”

Li Weiyang raised her eyes. Her gaze rapidly changed—surprise, doubt, mockery, and some expressions even Tuoba Zhen couldn’t distinguish mingled in her clear eyes, shifting unpredictably. Finally they all disappeared, leaving only bone-deep coldness, like a frozen water surface—crystal clear and unstained by dust, yet without a trace of warmth. Under such a gaze, Tuoba Zhen unknowingly felt his eyes also seemed covered by mist, with only threads of faint light occasionally flickering.

“My attitude toward you in the past indeed wasn’t very good, but that wasn’t deliberate. Because from childhood I’ve seen people racking their brains to please me for their own selfish interests, so I’ve never dared trust anyone. Everyone around me has ulterior motives in associating with me. Every friend is useful to me. Even when I first judged you, I also used whether you were useful or useless to me as the criterion.” Tuoba Zhen said with difficulty. “I know that previous take-it-for-granted attitude made you disdainful. If I truly wanted to marry you, naturally I should report it to Father Emperor. But when I figured this out, Mother Consort’s matter happened. I truly don’t know how to explain it to you clearly. But you must know, I’m sincere toward you. This has never happened before—” Tuoba Zhen couldn’t continue. His expression actually appeared deeply genuine.

Li Weiyang listened carefully. It seemed every sentence came from his heart—making her almost believe he was completely sincere. If she didn’t understand him well enough, she would definitely believe him. Because no one could refuse such sincere eyes, such deep feelings, such moving yet perfectly appropriate declarations.

“I won’t marry your eldest sister. No matter what price I must pay, even if it means becoming enemies with Premier Li, even if reviled by everyone, the person I want to marry is only you. I’ll petition Father Emperor to have him marry you to me, to make you my principal consort. Please forgive me. In the past I was too proud. I only knew how to please people, win people over, but didn’t know how to love someone. Even my attitude toward you before was so strange, so changeable, because I myself couldn’t figure out my own heart. I couldn’t understand whether I liked you or was guarding against you, whether I detested you or loved you. Now I’ve finally figured it out. From now on I’ll treat you well, learn how to love someone. Will you give me this chance?”

Li Weiyang looked at Tuoba Zhen with an examining gaze. But she didn’t speak, didn’t even say a single word. Yet her eyes seemed to give him enormous encouragement. He continued: “Let the past be past. Let’s get to know each other anew. I’m not the Third Prince, you’re not the County Princess. We’re just two young people who happened to meet again. You just need to remember I’m Tuoba Zhen, I know you’re Weiyang—that’s enough. Setting aside those so-called identities, you can also know the real me. Is that alright?”

Li Weiyang looked at him. After a long while, she suddenly smiled. She said slowly: “Your Highness, your foster mother just died, yet you run here to say these things to me. Do you think it’s appropriate?”

Finally she still mentioned Noble Consort Wu—Tuoba Zhen paused, saying softly: “Weiyang, I must be honest with you about one thing. Yesterday’s matter wasn’t accidental. The Jiang family bribed Yin Tianzhao to scheme and slander you as Great Li’s ominous star, then have Father Emperor kill you. This was a trap they set to avenge Jiang Rou. I can’t hide it from you—my foster mother also participated in this matter. I must ask your forgiveness, because Mother Consort hoped I could inherit the throne, hoped to gain the Jiang family’s support, so she didn’t hesitate to use innocent you as a favor… I could have told you nothing, but I really can’t face my own conscience. Seeing Mother Consort die miserably yesterday, I asked myself—if I saw you die before my eyes, could I accept it? Later I discovered that just thinking this made my heart ache unbearably. I simply couldn’t watch you die before my eyes. So I hope such things never happen again. As long as you’re willing, I’ll find a way to resolve the hatred between you and the Jiang family…”

Any other woman, hearing such sincere words filled with countless tender feelings, would be moved. Li Weiyang sighed, saying slowly: “Your Highness, why do you say these things to me? You should know our respective positions aren’t the same.”

Tuoba Zhen’s face paled. His lips trembled, unable to speak, as if deeply hurt by her distrust. He said with difficulty: “I’ve already told you why I’m doing this.”

Li Weiyang said leisurely: “Of course I know. What could make a man reckless besides love? There’s nothing else. But that’s for ordinary men. If the Third Prince is to be reckless, it’s only for power and position.”

Tuoba Zhen said hoarsely: “I don’t ask you to stand with me now, but I beg you not to use harsh words to wound my heart. I beg you not to stand with Seventh Brother against me. I don’t care if you help him against me, but I don’t want to see the woman I love with another man.”

Li Weiyang raised a smile. Her brows and eyes held hidden coldness. Finally she said slowly: “Your Highness, you’re the only person in this world who can say such things without any guilt. Do you have anything else to say? Today, say it all at once.”

Tuoba Zhen looked at Li Weiyang in shock. He thought she would be moved, but she appeared very indifferent. He thought she would at least feel his sincerity, but she showed not a trace of emotion. Why? Don’t women all believe this nonsense? He thought—this method had never failed before… He secretly clenched his fist. His expression grew even more earnest: “Weiyang, you ask why I’m saying these things now. I just don’t want us both to regret. If you had truly been executed last night, I might not have been able to accept it at all. As for Noble Consort Wu, my own birth mother died at her hands. How could I grieve for her!”

“Since I can remember, the scene I saw most was my birth mother crying. She was of humble origin. Father Emperor took her on a whim, and she bore me. Later she was even enfeoffed as a consort. My mother wasn’t particularly beautiful, but her singing voice was extremely lovely. Whenever I heard her sing, I would forget how unfortunate we were. But in the palace she had nothing except Father Emperor’s favor. Because others were both jealous and mocking toward her, constantly trying to kick her when she was down, always scheming to bully her. She was gentle by nature, submitting to everything, thinking others would spare her. Only Noble Consort Wu was always good to her. Because my mother couldn’t protect me, at that time even lowly little eunuchs could secretly bully me behind people’s backs. Later… that incident finally happened. Father Emperor said my mother colluded with outside ministers intending to usurp the throne. I didn’t believe it. I cried desperately, begged desperately, but even though I kowtowed until my head broke, no one would speak a word for my mother.”

“Noble Consort Wu took me to her palace, saying from then on she would be my mother consort. But I wouldn’t listen. In the middle of the night I secretly ran back. As a result, I personally witnessed those eunuchs strangle my mother. I was only four years old then, trembling with fear, hiding to the side, not even daring to save her. After everyone left, I grabbed her hand and shook desperately, kept calling. But she wouldn’t wake no matter what. I felt so afraid—calling while trembling, unable even to cry.”

Tuoba Zhen sank into memories. His voice trembled faintly. Li Weiyang watched him. These words—he had never said them to her before. Even after eight years of marriage, intimately close, he had never revealed half a word to her.

“I’m a prince, possessing the noblest birth in the world today. Why would I encounter such things? Why can Crown Prince Tuoba Yu and the others have fine clothes and food, a hundred responses to one call, while I must have even my only mother taken away? Why is this world so unfair? Why does it treat me this way?”

Tuoba Zhen’s fist slowly clenched tight. His voice suddenly deepened: “I’m not reconciled! So I returned to Noble Consort Wu’s side myself, apologizing to her, saying from then on I would be a good son to her. Later I discovered the person who schemed to frame my mother was Noble Consort Wu! All these years I’ve endured humiliation and heavy burdens, listening to everything she says. She says east, I absolutely won’t go west. She promised on my behalf to Premier Li—I agreed to marry your eldest sister as a secondary consort. I didn’t do this because I feared her, but because she was useful to me. She could help me stand at that highest position!”

“Every day I was conflicted. Though she schemed to kill my mother, she also truly treated me well, planning everything for me. So I couldn’t blame her, couldn’t hate her. I just couldn’t sleep peacefully day and night. Weiyang, can you understand me? When Mother Consort wanted to harm you yesterday, how nervous I was—I almost wanted to rebel against her for you. Do you know, all these years this was the first time I had thoughts of rebelling against her. Fortunately you were alright in the end. Otherwise how sad I would have been—”

Li Weiyang looked at his completely serious appearance and suddenly laughed heartily, laughing until tears almost flowed.

Tuoba Zhen looked at her incredulously. “Why are you suddenly laughing?”

Li Weiyang wiped away the nonexistent tears, gazing at him. Her eyes held endless mockery: “Your Highness, save these words for my eldest sister. She’s your fiancée after all. Although I also very much want to reconcile with you, our identities differ. From now on, please stay far away from me. Whether you love me or hate me has not the slightest relation to me. As for your past, I’m also not interested.”

Tuoba Zhen stared at her. His gaze vaguely revealed a trace of resentment, but he forcibly suppressed this annoyance, lowering his voice: “You don’t believe anything I just said at all?!”

Li Weiyang slowly smiled, looking at the white doves flying past in the distance. Her voice carried a trace of coldness: “I believe—I believe it all. Your Highness, in what you said, at least your words about yesterday’s banquet are true. Your words about your mother consort are also true. Your words about not knowing how to deal with me are even more true.” Only unfortunately, your purpose in saying these things is just to make me submit. When previous methods didn’t work, you immediately changed to an appearance of sincere feelings. If she hadn’t understood Tuoba Zhen too well, she would indeed have taken it seriously. Even his own mother’s death, even his lowly birth, even though bringing up this past was like cutting him with knives—as long as it could succeed, all could be used for calculation.

This was Tuoba Zhen. Such a person—ruthless to others, but wasn’t he equally so to himself? Li Weiyang sighed: “Only, whether I believe or not actually isn’t important. Because regardless of whether you truly love me or seek something else, I don’t care. Because I don’t love you and never will love you. No matter what you say or do, even if you cut out your heart to show me, I still can’t love you. So we can’t be together. Your Highness, don’t waste your effort. Better spend some thought courting girls who can help you!”

Having said this, Li Weiyang had already left the pavilion. The two maids hurriedly followed.

Tuoba Zhen watched her departing back. His left hand suddenly clutched his chest, frowning as he gasped rapidly. Clearly this was just acting for her to see. Last night’s events were originally his scheme. Noble Consort Wu was merely an accomplice. He truly did want Li Weiyang’s life—not just to please the Jiang family, but even more because she dared refuse him! Precisely because of last night’s failure, he realized Li Weiyang’s value. A woman who could disrupt his entire plan—for those subjects and subordinates unwilling to submit to him, he similarly racked his brains, sparing no cost. Since this was so, such an intelligent woman, a woman who might be extremely helpful to his great enterprise—he absolutely couldn’t easily give up!

He believed women were all soft-hearted. Li Weiyang’s refusal was merely pride. Proud women were still women, equally having the softest places in their hearts. As long as he used the right method, he could move her. His background, like hers, was equally lowly. He knew this was an excellent breakthrough. Compared to the lofty Seventh Prince Tuoba Yu, he and she were the most similar type of people—willing to do anything to achieve goals. They were so similar, so well-matched. As long as he put in a little effort, she could be possessed by him. Then her intelligence and dedication could likewise be used by him.

But why—he had said so much, even set aside his self-respect and pride, yet she remained unmoved. Saying what about not loving—what was love?! Tuoba Zhen didn’t understand! Didn’t understand at all! The love women wanted—wasn’t he trying to display it before her eyes? Why would she still refuse! Why, watching her turn and leave without mercy, why could his heart still ache so sharply for her?!

His heart could ache too—why was this? How could this be possible—for a woman? Too laughable!

Tuoba Zhen quickly walked down the steps. His voice turned very cold: “Li Weiyang, don’t get close to Tuoba Yu anymore.”

Li Weiyang stopped. Her voice was icy: “Your Highness, the matters between him and me—no need to trouble yourself.”

Tuoba Zhen almost immediately ran before Li Weiyang, grabbing her wrist in one motion. His narrow eyes for the first time so unrestrained burst forth with vicious fierceness: “No matter what relationship you had before, from now on you’d better break it off cleanly!”

Zhao Yue’s soft sword instantly rested against Tuoba Zhen’s neck. But he didn’t even glance at it, because he knew Li Weiyang couldn’t possibly kill him here.

Li Weiyang indeed wouldn’t. Her pitch-black eyes like an unfathomable deep pool fearlessly met his gaze: Tuoba Zhen’s only passion would ever be power and position! When he truly could become a nation’s sovereign looking down upon all under heaven—then no one in this world could suppress him anymore. At that time, everything he wanted to obtain must become his, including Li Weiyang. But she detested this—detested being controlled by others, detested being coveted. It wasn’t that whatever Tuoba Zhen fancied must become his. She was a person. Her life was decided by herself, never again to be influenced by anyone!

“Zhao Yue!” Li Weiyang said coldly.

Zhao Yue’s long sword lightly thrust forward. The sharp pain on his neck made Tuoba Zhen suddenly wake. Li Weiyang broke free from his grip—then stepped back, her voice rising slowly: “Your Highness, please forgive me for not being able to keep you company.”

Tuoba Zhen’s eyes flashed with murderous intent, but he ultimately calmed his expression: “Li Weiyang, there has never been anything I couldn’t obtain. You will also be mine!”

However, Li Weiyang didn’t answer him. She didn’t even look back at him once. Clearly, his efforts today were worthless in her eyes.

She wanted him to give up? In his life, Tuoba Zhen had experienced failures, dormancy, setbacks—but absolutely never giving up! Li Weiyang, you clearly understand me yet are too self-important. Now circumstances are indeed unfavorable to me, but regarding the throne, obsession has long seeped into my bones. I can never let it go in this lifetime—Tuoba Yu is just a loser. Ultimately you can only belong to me—I don’t care how many years I wait, until I truly can control all under heaven—

Then you’ll have nowhere to escape.

**Two Days Later**

“I heard the County Princess caught a chill. Fourth Miss was so anxious she didn’t know what to do. Now seeing the County Princess safe and sound, she can rest easy.”

Caught a chill? When did this happen? Li Weiyang glanced at the person before her and couldn’t help smiling: “Fourth Concubine, your information is truly well-informed.”

Fourth Concubine had already borne two daughters yet still maintained a delicate, willow-like figure. Her seemingly pale complexion carried a faint melancholy, especially arousing pity. No wonder—even though there had been the beautiful Sixth Concubine and extraordinary Ninth Concubine, Father hadn’t completely forgotten her. Seeing Fourth Concubine’s face skilled in both singing and acting, Li Weiyang couldn’t help finding it amusing. Fourth Concubine had been currying favor with the new madam these days—why suddenly come here?

Li Weiyang thought Fourth Concubine, able to raise two daughters right under the Grand Madam’s nose, could be considered a character in the household. She raised her hand slightly, smiling lightly: “Concubine, please don’t say such things. I’ve always known your and Fourth Sister’s intentions.”

Fourth Concubine quickly smiled apologetically: “Fourth Miss was summoned by the new madam, who said she’s preparing fresh patterns to make a headband for the Old Madam. She couldn’t come visit.”

Li Weiyang smiled and waved her hand, saying “no harm,” then had Bai Zhi serve tea to Fourth Concubine.

Seeing Li Weiyang’s smiling face, Fourth Concubine was immediately overjoyed. She was of lowly birth. To survive in the Li household until now, naturally she had her formidable points. Her most formidable trait was assessing situations and reading expressions—who was more powerful, who held the advantage. After understanding, she would make judgments. When the Grand Madam was powerful, she could be evasive, kneeling at her feet to serve her well. Later, for her daughter’s future, she could immediately turn against the Grand Madam, instead helping Li Weiyang. When Li Weiyang struck at the Grand Madam, she always inserted herself just right…

But after the new madam entered the door, she began keeping distance from Li Weiyang, because she needed time to observe—to see whether the new madam was formidable or Li Weiyang ruthless. These past two days, hearing that General Mighty Jiang Nan lost his position and the Jiang family lost command of two hundred thousand troops, she felt Li Weiyang indeed had considerable abilities. She couldn’t help wanting to come curry favor. Because this Li household’s concubine-born daughter was no longer like before—she had completely soared high, unstoppable. Reportedly she was also very close to the Seventh Prince, attracting Tuoba Yu’s favor…

Fourth Concubine felt Li Xiaoran’s feelings toward her had grown less and less over these years. Especially after the new madam entered, his affections had grown even more indifferent. But she was very open-minded about such things. Men’s thousand-fold doting, myriad tender feelings—all were actually false. Without a son herself, she had no future support—she must find more backers, absolutely couldn’t put all her eggs in the new madam’s basket! Moreover, Fourth Miss was about to be betrothed. She must find a way, couldn’t let the new madam do as she pleased. Only if her daughter married well would her latter half of life have hope!

A trace of resolute light slid through Fourth Concubine’s eyes. The smile on her face grew even more brilliant.

“County Princess, may we dismiss the maids?” she said softly.

Li Weiyang glanced at Bai Zhi. Bai Zhi immediately understood and ordered the other maids in the room to withdraw.

Fourth Concubine breathed a sigh of relief, only then saying: “Today I came to tell the County Princess something very important.”

Li Weiyang looked at her, her expression calm, showing neither excessive curiosity nor interest.

Fourth Concubine grew a bit anxious: “It’s about your lifelong marriage!”

Bai Zhi was shocked and quickly looked at Li Weiyang. The young miss’s lifelong marriage? What did this mean?!

Li Weiyang smiled: “What Fourth Concubine means is—” Her voice was like a flowing spring, melodious and moving, revealing not a trace of the speaker’s joy or anger. Even someone like Fourth Concubine, accustomed to reading faces, couldn’t help feeling some fear. In great mansions, those whose joy and anger couldn’t be read were often the most terrifying.

Fourth Concubine moved two steps closer: “The County Princess is an intelligent person. I’ll speak plainly. Last night the master stayed in my room. He inadvertently mentioned something—he said the Jiang family approached him about your marriage.”

Li Weiyang’s eyes flowed with light, slightly condensing. In an instant her brows smoothed, and she slowly opened her mouth: “Oh? Is that so?”

Fourth Concubine looked at Li Weiyang sitting above, smiling pleasantly, and took a deep breath: “Doesn’t the County Princess want to know how the master answered?”

Li Weiyang’s eyes were bright. She looked at Fourth Concubine, saying slowly: “If Father had already agreed, would Concubine still be standing here?”

Fourth Concubine was shocked with alarm, only then realizing her behavior had already explained everything. Indeed, if Li Xiaoran had agreed, then Li Weiyang would be someone he had abandoned. Why would Fourth Concubine need to make this trip? How could she provide useful information to a useless person?! Li Weiyang looked at Fourth Concubine’s extremely pale, shocked face, turning her body to joke with Bai Zhi beside her: “Look at Fourth Concubine’s expression—I must have guessed correctly.”

Bai Zhi smiled faintly, lowering her head: “What the young miss says is extremely correct.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Fourth Concubine, you really are something. If you have something to say, just say it directly. Why use such useless information to bargain?”

Finding herself completely exposed before the other, Fourth Concubine felt thoroughly chilled, as if drenched in water. She only felt her mouth opening and closing weighed a thousand pounds. Cold sweat involuntarily flowed from her temples. Sweat also climbed up her back with a trace of fear. Her heart instantly lifted.

The atmosphere gradually grew stagnant. “County Princess, I—”

“Concubine, have some water. Whatever you want to say, just say it slowly. Why be so anxious?”

Li Weiyang’s smile was very warm, showing not half a trace of joy or anger, making Fourth Concubine’s words that she originally wanted to speak all stuck in her throat at once. Yes, originally she wanted to use this news to negotiate conditions with Li Weiyang. But before she could speak, the other had already guessed the result, making her useful news become useless. Li Weiyang’s thoughts were truly meticulous and accurate—she had to admire. Fourth Concubine inexplicably felt guilty, only because, just stepping into this room, before she could reveal her hand, Li Weiyang had already laid out her cards. What could she use to negotiate with the other?

Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “Fourth Sister will soon reach marriageable age too.”

Fourth Concubine was sweating profusely. The clothing on her back had already shown slight sweat stains from unease. She raised her head, smiling apologetically: “This…”

“I heard Mother’s intention is to have Fourth Sister marry the Fifth Prince as a secondary consort.” Li Weiyang said lightly.

Fourth Concubine’s smile showed momentary suppression, then she said: “Nothing can be hidden from the County Princess. Yes, the madam does have this intention.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Yes, the Fifth Prince has an elegant appearance. His mother consort is Noble Consort Mei. It does seem like a good match. The former madam said the same thing back then, didn’t she?” Now the new madam was bringing up old matters again, preparing to send Li Changxiao as a sacrificial pawn.

Just a concubine-born daughter—Li Xiaoran wouldn’t show pity. As long as there were sufficient benefits, would he still struggle for her?

“Miss?” Bai Zhi looked at Li Weiyang in horror. She feared Li Weiyang would truly fall to Miss Zhou’s fate.

Li Weiyang, seeing her panicked expression, suddenly laughed. Her tone was calm: “Don’t overthink. If he truly wanted to cheaply sell me off like this, he wouldn’t have Fourth Concubine come test me. It seems Father wants to see exactly how many cards I hold, whether I’m worth him directly confronting the Jiang family for me.” Li Weiyang’s movements and bearing vaguely revealed thoughtful intent. The smile on her face, however, became full of mockery and coldness.

Before Li Weiyang reached Hexiang Courtyard, she was summoned to Li Xiaoran’s study.

In Li Xiaoran’s study, everything was made of huanghuali wood—carved flowers, gold descriptions, luxurious and noble, breathtaking. Li Xiaoran naturally wouldn’t wait for his daughter first. Only after Li Weiyang entered the study for half an hour did he change clothes at Jiang Yuelan’s room before returning to the study. Li Weiyang was already waiting. Li Xiaoran looked at her, momentarily speechless.

Originally he thought if not anxious and fearful, she should at least be cautiously careful. Instead, she sat there drinking tea, not revealing half a thought on her face.

Li Xiaoran’s face was full of concerns. After pondering for a long time, he finally said: “The Jiang family has proposed marriage to me—to have Jiang Nan marry you as his principal wife, forming another marriage alliance between our two families.”