Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Cloudless Night Sect

Li Yingshan returned home.

She didn't remember how, but when she got back, she pulled Qiu Ling in for a huge hug. Tears streamed down her face all over again.

If you even think about betraying me, you can rest assured that I will take away that which you hold most dear.

Of course she had had to make a choice. And she chose Qiu Ling over Xu Haoran.

"My Lady, what happened?"

Miao Chuntao had helped her back and now lowered her head. "That nasty prince!"

Qiu Ling's eyebrows furrowed. "What happened?"

Li Yingshan's whole body quivered. "It doesn't matter. What's done is done."

Miao Chuntao shook her head, warning Qiu Ling against asking any further. Just then, there was a furious banging on the door.

"Li Yingshan!"

She visibly flinched, worrying Qiu Ling. Miao Chuntao jumped out the window while Qiu Ling helped Li Yingshan over to the bed. Xu Haoran barged in and saw the two women on the bed. He stormed over, fury blazing in his eyes.

"Li Yingshan, where have you been?!"

She glanced at Qiu Ling who murmured, "I'm sorry, my Lady."

She sighed, "It's fine."

Turning towards her husband, she lowered her head and replied softly, "I went out."

"Out? Alone? You didn't even take Qiu Ling with you! What if something had happened to you?"

Pain flashed across her eyes. And if something did? Would you actually care? I betrayed you, how could you ever forgive me for this transgression?

"I'm fine," Li Yingshan murmured.

"What did you do when you went out?"

"Nothing much."

"Then why did Zhang Fangong see the Crown Prince exiting a restaurant here in Longxin City? Who else would he know here besides you?"

She stilled. Her gaze flicked up at Xu Haoran.

"You had me followed?"

"No. I had him running errands. He just happened to see the Crown Prince exiting Ten Thousand Ways Restaurant."

At least he doesn't know I can walk.

"You're condition worsens every day. Why would you bother yourself with going out now?" he asked.

So even you're restricting me now? Are you trying to make me feel better about my decision?

Li Yingshan turned towards Qiu Ling. "Help me lay down. I want to rest for a bit."

"Yes, my Lady."

Xu Haoran, knowing full well it was a dismissal, ignored it. He stopped Qiu Ling.

"Let me. You can go."

Qiu Ling's gaze flitted over to Li Yingshan, who, after a moment's pause nodded. She exited Cherry Blossom Hall.

Xu Haoran sat on the edge of the bed. "You should take better care of your health."

"I'm fine."

"Are you? You're the one who keeps reminding me that you're dying."

I wish I was dying. Or already dead.

"I'm fine," she repeated.

Xu Haoran sighed in frustration. "Will you please just speak to me?"

"About what? The weather?"

"No. You."

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She turned her head away from him as much as she could. Guilt nipped at her. She curled up into a tiny ball, trying not to quiver. he rested a hand on her shoulder, and she jumped in fright.

"What's bothering you today? You're not normally this jumpy."

"I- it's just that time of the month," she lied.

Xu Haoran went red. "Uh..." He quickly stood. She slowly relaxed.

"Will you please go?" she asked. "I want to be alone for a while."

He sighed and ran a hand through his hand. "I wish you'd stop being so stubborn and realize I'm not a foe."

Xu Haoran turned and walked towards the doors. He opened them without a word and left. A few minutes later, Qiu Ling snuck inside.

"My Lady!"

She turned around in bed and sat up. "Qiu Ling, what is it?"

"What did the Crown Prince want?"

Li Yingshan looked down and murmured, "My loyalty."

Qiu Ling's eyes went wide. "Did he know you were questioning...?"

"I'm not sure. Qiu Ling, you cannot tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. Especially Hero Xu."

"Why?"

Pain and sadness filled Li Yingshan gaze. "Because... I betrayed Hero Xu."

She told Qiu Ling everything, including his threat. "I can't bear to lose you, Qiu Ling. You're my family, you're all I have left. I'd rather be punished by Hero Xu or even divorced than let the Crown Prince hurt you. You've stuck by me through thick and thin. I can never repay that."

"Oh, my Lady," Qiu Ling whimpered. "You've protected me and stood up for me for years. But this, this is too much!"

A sad smile stretched across Li Yingshan's lips as tears started to slip down her cheeks. "No, it's not. As much as I didn't want to give myself over to him, if it meant saving your life, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I just fear Hero Xu's reaction if he ever finds out."

"Your secret's safe with me."

Li Yingshan nodded. Just then, Miao Chuntao entered through the window and bowed respectfully.

"Goddess, His Highness, the Crown Prince, has left Longxin City."

"Good!" Qiu Ling huffed. "I hope he never comes back!"

"Goddess, there's something else."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "What is it?"

"Your sisters are dead."

Li Yingshan choked. "What?!"

"They were killed by disciples of Cloudless Night Sect."

Panic filled her eyes. "Is that a given? Can everyone tell it was Cloudless Night Sect? I won't be able to be framed for it, will I?"

Miao Chuntao shook her head. "No, they were killed by Nether Blades. You have nothing to worry about, Goddess."

She lowered her head as a contemplative look washed across her face. Why would they proclaim they did it? Aren't they worried about repercussions from our father?

"Be alert, Miao Chuntao. This seems fishy."

"Yes, Goddess. I'll keep my eyes and ears open."

"Good, you may go."

Bowing, Miao Chuntao departed. Once she was gone, Li Yingshan glanced towards Qiu Ling.

"Qiu Ling, Hero Xu will learn of this soon. Go stop him. I have a feeling he'll want to interrogate me, and I don't wish to speak with him right now."

"Yes, my Lady."

Qiu Ling stepped outside and closed the doors. She turned and started into the courtyard when she looked up and saw two figures approaching.

They were none other than Zhang Fangong and Xu Haoran.

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