Chapter 40 The truth
After several days of waiting and despair, when Wen Jing heard Chen Hui’s words again, he was not as hysterical as before. He even laughed, “Lady Chen, you are right. You have indeed changed.”
Chen Hui’s heart moved. Could it be that Wen Jing had already given up on her during this time and meeting her today was just to say goodbye? If that was truly the case, she should go burn incense.
“It is good that you understand,” Chen Hui said, “From now on, you and I don’t have…”
Wen Jing suddenly interrupted Chen Hui, “Lady Chen, in the past, I thought that it was for your own good if I didn’t elope with you. I don’t have scholarly honor and am utterly lacking. You will only suffer hardship if you follow me. I really thought that if I got scholarly honor, your father would agree for us to be together and that I can let you live a good life.”
Chen Hui didn’t speak. She didn’t know the past of the original and Wen Jing. They may really had a beautiful time where they both were in love, but that all was bygones. After Lady Chen’s father cruelly gifted her to Li Youde, whether she had time-traveled or not, it was over between Lady Chen and Wen Jing. Even if Li Youde dislikes her very much, it was impossible for him to give the woman of in his courtyard to others.
“I was wrong, I was wrong…,” Wen Jing murmured, “If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t have become like this…” He suddenly laughed miserably, “Lady Chen, tell me, are you deliberately saying these things to me for my own good? That eunuch Li Youde has high authority. You are afraid that I will hurt myself if I get entangled with you again, aren’t you?” His eyes deepened, “But Lady Chen, you don’t have to be afraid. I understand that you don’t want to elope with me. Since ancient times, evil has not suppressed righteousness. I will surely find a way to save you! Just wait for me with a peaceful mind!”
Chen Hui said coldly, “Wen Jing, how many times do you want me to repeat myself for you to understand? I have now entered Lord Li’s courtyard, then, I am his. It is useless no matter what you do. I will not leave with you.”
Wen Jing’s face paled with Chen Hui’s words. He shook his head and refused to accept Chen Hui’s words, “I know that your words are not from your heart….”
Chen Hui sneered, “Wen Jing, who do you think you are that I have to be with you? As you said yourself, you have nothing. Do you want me to drink the northwest wind together with you?” She smiled slightly, “But it is different following Lord Li. Look at what I am wearing now and look at what I ate today.” She pointed at Longsheng Restaurant, “What’s even more compelling is that when I go in or out, there are many people to serve me. Because of Lord Li, everyone treats me respectfully. Can you give me these?”
- Drink the northwest wind: suffer cold and hunger.
Before Wen Jing could answer, Chen Hui answered for him, “Of course, you can’t. Oh, maybe like you said, when you get scholarly honor, you can give me those. However, will you definitely be able to pass the exam?”
Chen Hui knew that the admission rate of the ancient imperial examination was much lower than the modern college entrance exam. It was really a magnificent army of a thousand men and horses crossing a single-lodge bridge. She didn’t believe that anyone would pass the examination. What about it even if Wen Jing could pass? Being an official at court also depended on his resources. Li Youde is now a Chief Eunuch. Even if Wen Jing could pass the imperial examination, he may not even make it to an official of the seventh rank. He is too far behind compared to Li Youde. So, her statement was well-founded.
Wen Jing’s pale complexion flushed from anger after being ashamed. Originally, he was still holding a glimmer of hope, but now it seemed that everything has changed. Lady Chen was no longer the Lady Chen he knew…This is all Li Youde’s fault! If it wasn’t because of Li Youde, Lady Chen wouldn’t have become someone he didn’t recognize!
“Lady Chen, I…,” He reached out his hand.
When Chen Hui was talking to Wen Jing, she kept paying attention to the direction Xiao Liu run away. Seeing Xiao Liu coming back from far away, she took a step back in a hurry, avoided Wen Jing’s hand and quickly said, “Wen Jing, our fate has ended from today onwards and are strangers now. I wish the best for you!”
She avoided Xiao Liu’s sight while running back into the restaurant and stopped when she entered the building.
Xiao Tiao was waiting anxiously for Chen Hui and hurriedly greeted her when she came back.
Xiao Liu also returned after a while. Chen Hui asked first, “How was it? Did you manage to catch him?”
Xiao Liu said frustratedly, “He escaped!”
Chen Hui comforted, “It is fine if the as long as the person is fine. Was there much money in it?”
Xiao Liu nodded. His mood didn’t get any better because of Chen Hui’s comfort, “There is a banknote of a hundred tael. Lord said to bring it and buy whatever Lady Chen wants.”
Chen Hui originally took for granted that Li Youde spent money on her, but after hearing Xiao Liu now, she was suddenly a little moved. In fact, Li Youde was quite kind to her. He let her spend money at will and was not afraid that she would bankrupt him.
“It’s okay. Just treat it as if I had spent it,” Chen Hui smiled, “Since we are out of money, let’s go, let’s go back home.”
Xiao Liu nodded, “Yes, Lady Chen.”
After Chen Hui returned to Li residence, she continued to draw designs. It just happened that meeting Wen Jing today also has her some inspiration. She doesn’t know how effective her words could be. Presumably, it should’ve hurt Wen Jing deep enough. She hoped that he could let go and stop come looking for her. This would be the best for both of them.
After dinner, Chen Hui continued to nest in the house. She suddenly heard something in the next room in the silence. She thought that it might be that Li Youde has returned, so, she continued to do her own thing and didn’t have the intention to go greet him.
After a while, there was a knock on the door. Xiao Tiao opened the door. The person who came was Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu said, “Lord let Xiao Tiao go over.”
Chen Hui looked at Xiao Wu. Seeing him tremble with fear on his face, her heart shivered and she asked, “Why did lord let Xiao Tiao go over?”
Xiao Wu looked like he was about to cry, shook his head and said, “This little one doesn’t know…”
Chen hui asked, “Where is Xiao Liu?”
Xiao Wu pursed his lips, lowered his head and said, “Lord only let Xiao Tiao go over.”
Chen Hui straightened her collar, glanced at Xiao Tiao who was trembling with fright and said to Xiao Wu, “I will go with Xiao Tiao.”
Xiao Wu raised his head abruptly and said, “Lady, lord let Xiao Tiao go alone.” He paused before continuing, “Probably will let lady go over after.”
Chen Hui pulled Xiao Tiao and went out. She turned, closed the door and said with a firm tone, “I will go with Xiao Tiao.”
Xiao Wu was really about to cry.
Chen Hui patted Xiao Wu on the shoulder, “Don’t follow.”
Chen Hui let Xiao Tiao and hurried to the main room. She knocked on the door, opened it and walked in.
With one glance, Chen Hui saw Xiao Liu who was kneeling in front of Li Youde with his head on the ground. She couldn’t see his expression, but she could see him shivering.
Chen Hui was more certain now that this matter involved her.
Li Youde swept over and saw Chen Hui come in. He smiled coldly, “Lady Chen, who let you come in? Get out!”
Chen Hui didn’t move. She didn’t know what had happened, but there was a vague guess. Could it be that Wen Jing still didn’t give up and went to look for Li Youde? It was impossible for him to be so angry because of a small matter. She could only think of one matter that had happened recently and that was, Wen Jing’s matter.
Chen Hui laughed dryly once, “Lord, if you have anything to ask, just ask this Lady Chen directly. How can they know clearer than this Lady Chen?”
Li Youde sneered and said, “They don’t know as clear as you, but they won’t lie to me. They don’t have the guts!”
“Lord, this Lady Chen doesn’t understand what lord is referring to.” Chen Hui forced herself to remain calm. Even if Wen Jing went to look for Li Youde, she could still say that she is innocent. She is truly innocent, “Asking lord to ask directly. This Lady Chen would not hide anything I know and not stop before everything is spoken through.”
As soon as Chen Hui finished speaking, a teacup was slammed at her feet. It was Li Youde who threw it over in his anger. The tea inside the cup splashed out and made Chen Hui’s skirt wet.
She took a step back from fright and suppressed herself. She stared at Li Youde with wide eyes.
Li Youde didn’t look at her. Instead, he looked at Xiao Tiao and said, “Xiao Tiao, who did Lady Chen see today?”
Xiao Tiao quickly knelt and said, “No, no one, Lady Chen didn’t see anyone today…”
“Not telling the truth?” Li Youde laughed sincerely once, “Alright, suffer ten beatings first, you will probably talk then!”
“Lord!” Chen Hui took a step forward. This matter has nothing to do with Xiao Tiao and Xiao Liu. They were not there at the time.”
Li Youde’s gaze finally turned back to Chen Hui. It was cold and poisonous like a snake. Chen Hui swallowed. It had been a long time since she saw Li Youde like this.
Li Youde suddenly laughed, “Lady Chen, you are finally willing to tell the truth?”
Chen Hui pursed her lips and also laughed, “Lord, lord, this Lady Chen said that you can ask me. You didn’t even ask yet, how do you know that this Lady Chen will not speak the truth?”
“Your mouth truly knows how to twist words and force logic,” Li Youde glanced once faintly at Chen Hui and said, “You two, get out of here!”
Xiao Liu and Xiao Tiao blanked for a moment. Then, they hurriedly got up and retreated. Before going out, Xiao Liu looked once anxiously at Chen Hui. Xiao Liu closed the door.
“You don’t have to quibble. I saw it today,” Li Youde looked at Chen Hui with a sneer, “Things in this world are so coincidental. I was on the second floor of Longsheng Restaurant at noon!”
Chen Hui was stunned and felt that she was truly unlucky. She was obviously seeing Wen Jing for the last time to end their relationship, but it had been seen by Li Youde. How much did he hear? Recalling her conversation with Wen Jing, every word was in favor of Li Youde…Although, some words sounded less simple in motivation, but hasn’t Li Youde long known that she was staying here for the comfortable days?
Thinking of this, Chen Hui calmed a lot. Although it wasn’t good that she had met Wen Jing, her original intention was good. Let the trouble stop, so that Wen Jing would not be entangled anymore in the future. It was also solving a problem for Li Youde?
Chen Hui sighed and said, “Lord, this Lady Chen originally didn’t want to bother you with this. I didn’t expect that it still troubled lord. As lord saw, this Lady Chen has nothing to do with him a long time ago. Presumably, he would also not look for me anymore in the future.”
Seeing that Chen Hui actually admitted, Li Youde took a deep breath to suppress his raging anger. This was a woman who secretly met with another behind his back and who was full of lies. It had been in vain that he thought that it was a good thing to support her!
Li Youde looked coldly at Chen Hui and actually laughed, “Lady Chen, do you want me to let this matter pass like this?”
Chen Hui saw that there was only a grim smile on Li Youde’s pale face and suddenly realized the problem. She quickly asked, “Lord, did you not hear what I said to him?”
Li Youde laughed, “It is a good thing that I didn’t hear, otherwise I would’ve been angered to death by you on spot!”
Now, it was Chen Hui’s turn to get a pale face. He didn’t hear? He didn’t hear her conversation with Wen Jing! Isn’t he going to guess what she had said to Wen Jing? No, he was already guessing wildly now! So annoying!
Chen Hui quickly said, “Lord, since you didn’t hear, this Lady Chen will tell you. I told him that I am now lord’s and to let him not come looking for me again in the future. I and he have split ties and will go our separate way.”
Li Youde lowered his eyes. It seemed that he was listening and as if he was not listening. After Chen Hui finished speaking, he laughed, “Lady Chen, your mouth is really nimble. You can make black things into white.”
Chen Hui felt so wronged. What could she do if no one believed what she said when she was being honest?
Chen Hui looked at Li Youde and said, “Lord, you promised me a reward before. Is it still valid now?”
Li Youde was stunned for a moment and then humphed, “It was waiting for me here! Speak, what do you want?” He paused and said, “Let me guess, do you want me to let you go and fly away with your lover?” He laughed twice, fixed his eyes on Chen Hui and said viciously, “Don’t have such beautiful dreams, Lady Chen. I have already said, even if you die, you will die here. Don’t even think about going anywhere!”
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