She did not deny. “Yes. I said that before.”
“You said that when you first knew you were pregnant, you did not want to keep our child!” Everyone said that if you love someone, you loved everything about them. However, because of him, his child was despised by his mother.
“That’s right. I said that before.” It was not that she was speaking irresponsible. She was being honest.
“You!” His expression was filled with pain. “I thought that I had found the woman that most deserves my love and protection. In the end, she only thought of me as a murderer. Ever since you said that, you have shattered my heart completely and I thought of killing you. No one has ever hurt or humiliated me like that before. I really want to kill you.”
“Then do it.” If death was what awaits her, she was willing to accept it.
“Don’t think that I won’t do it.” He tried his best to be emotionless.
“Lu Qi, I am useless. I once wanted to be a filial daughter to my parents but I did a horrible job. When my mother was still alive, I did not know how to cherish her and often made her angry. I wanted to do things that would allow my mother to be at peace in the afterlife but I didn't do it well. Instead, I fell deeper and deeper to the point that I cannot be saved. I wanted to be a clean and innocent person but I killed Lu Hanxing. I became a murderer. I wanted to split my gratitude and grudges properly and repay them but I am hesitant and always sway, just like grass on a wall. Eventually, I decided not to do anything. If I just close my eyes, I could devote myself to being your woman and the mother of your child...but I ruined it.” She truly did not know what to do anymore.
“Not only do you hate me, I hate myself too. I am so useless and have nothing to show. If I remain alive, I will only hurt people. I would be better off dead. Hence, if you want to kill me, please do it.” Look at her. Even now, she could not hold back her tears. She wiped her tears roughly.
“I said and did many wrong things. I don’t know how to make up for it. I really want to go back to the past and return to when I have not done anything wrong.” She would be Du Ning’s obedient wife. They would write and paint together, leading a peaceful life.
Lu Qi suddenly came into the room and embraced Fu Yin tightly. “Don’t cry. Do you know that I can’t bear to see you cry? Don’t be afraid. Everyone makes mistakes. Forget about the past. We can start again.”
Fu Yin looked up. “Will you forgive me?”
Lu Qi nodded strongly. “Of course. Will you?” He looked into her eyes. They were filled with sorrow yet they were pure. Maybe he did not know her before, but he knew that she was kind. He had never misjudged her on this.
Fu Yin nodded firmly. “Yes. I will learn from my mistakes and change. Let’s let our child’s childhood name be Shan’er [1]. Shall we?”
Lu Qi smiled. “Very well.”
* * *
1. Shan 善 means to be kind/virtuous
Chapter 71.1: Fall of Jade
On this night, Sheng Chujun entered the Sun Residence using his familiar route. He jumped into Sun Lingwei’s room through the window. “I have good news…” The both of them spoke simultaneously.
Sun Lingwei replied, “You can speak first.”
Sheng Chujun smiled widely. “I have resolved Second Brother’s marriage and my mother has promised to let me marry you.” He had actually tricked them. He took the chance when his mother and brother were over the moon.
Sun Lingwei laughed shyly, “My family’s problem is also about to be resolved soon. Elder Sister promised to help me.”
“The Crown Princess really promised to help?” Sheng Chujun had heard too many of the Crown Princess’ ‘past achievements’ and did not expect her to be any nicer to Lingwei.
“Elder Sister is the Empress’ daughter-in-law and she even gave birth to the Imperial Grandson. If she talks to the Empress, she can definitely make the Empress’ change her mind and not force me to marry Lu Qi. I told you that my Elder Sister dotes on me. As long as I ask her, she will definitely help me. Ever since young, she would always leave me something delicious to eat or nice things to play with. She is still the same although she has entered the Eastern Palace. Look at the jujube cakes on the table. She asked Guiyuan to deliver it to me.”
“I never thought that the Crown Princess would have a soft side.” Sheng Chujun trusted Lingwei. “Seeing how Eastern Palace treats Elder Brother, I thought that the Crown Princess was evil.”
“You are not allowed to talk bad about my sister.” Lingwei trusted her elder sister.
“Fine, I will not say anything. As a couple, we are the same. Your sister is my sister.” Ever since he met Lingwei, he had no more backbone.
“Who is a couple with you? We have not gotten married.” Lingwei stated as she blushed.
“It doesn’t matter if we haven’t gotten married. After all, we are already secretly fooling around. Simply put, we are an adulterous couple.” Sheng Chujun did not filter his words and his skin was so thick that he did not know how to.
Sun Lingwei covered her face. “The way you speak is horrible. I am so embarrassed.”
Sheng Chujun reached out for her hands. “Embarrassed? Let me see your small face. Is it red?”
As the two of them laughed, Madam Sun’s voice could be heard from outside. Sheng Chujun quickly jumped out of the window.
Sun Lingwei grabbed onto Madam Sun’s hand, causing her back to face the window. “Mother, why have you come?”
Madam Sun replied, “I saw that your room was still lit and came over to have a look. It is already quite late, why aren’t you sleeping?”
“Mmhm...I was going to sleep but I suddenly...felt hungry. Therefore…” Sun Lingwei looked at Sheng Chujun hop onto the roof as she picked up a jujube cake.
Madam Sun shook her head. “Child, you are already going to be married yet you are still such a glutton.”
“But I am hungry. Mother, these jujube cakes are very nice. Do you want to try one?” Sun Lingwei finished one in a few bites.
“I am like your sister. We both don’t like jujube cakes. Okay, sleep after you are done eating.” Madam Sun patted her daughter lovingly and walked out.
Sun Lingwei closed the door as she picked up another jujube cake. She smiled. “Jujube jujube, sour and sweet, blessed with a child. If me and Sheng Chujun were to get married, how many children should we have? If I have a child for every jujube cake I eat…” She picked up another piece with a joyful expression on her face. She was a picture of bliss.
Sun Lingwei was dead! After eating the jujube cake, she started bleeding from her eyes, nose, ears and mouth!
When Fu Rou heard this news, her eyes jutted out. She felt as if the sky above the Royal Palace had changed. She rushed to Lizheng Palace only to hear the Crown Prince and Crown Princess begging Empress Zhangsun to seek justice for them.
“I am here to ask you to grant me death! A person’s body is given to them by their parents. Since you gave it to me, you should take it back. It is better than being poisoned by my own brother!” The Crown Prince immediately pinned the crime on Prince Han.
“Imperial Mother! Lingwei...she died on our behalf! That plate of jujube cake was not meant for her. It was sent by Prince Han for the Eastern Palace!” The Crown Princess’ face was pale as she had already put on mourning clothes for her younger sister.
“Crown Princess, don’t talk nonsense. Prince Han will never do something like this.” Empress Zhangsun strained to say. “The Investigation Bureau has already started investigating…”
The Crown Prince was hurt. “It is so clear yet you are still trying to help Prince Han! If I were to be poisoned to death, will you still be so indifferent? In your heart, do you have any sympathy for me? Okay, okay…” He suddenly kowtowed three times.