USWHC -Chapter 457 A Toad Wants to Eat Swan Meat (Part 7)

The night was deep, the dew heavy, the moon hidden and the wind high—perfect weather for climbing walls and sneaking onto rooftops.

Ji Yi had already changed into a set of black clothes. Keeping close to the wall, he concealed himself in the shadows and quietly made his way toward the west wing.

“It’s getting late. Eighth Sister should rest early as well,” came Princess Lanxin’s languid voice from inside the room.

Princess Lanqin replied gently, “Why don’t Fourth Sister just stay tonight and sleep here?”

No, don’t!

Hanging from the eaves, Ji Yi grew anxious when he heard that. He was still clinging there like a gecko! Couldn’t they hurry up a bit?

Princess Lanxin actually hesitated. After a while, however, she sighed faintly and said, “Forget it. If I don’t go back, your fourth brother-in-law will start overthinking again.”

“He clearly doesn’t love you, so why does he keep clinging to you?” Princess Lanqin said indignantly. “He’s stricter than the palace rules—if he doesn’t see you for a moment at night, he goes mad. But when he does see you, he still treats you poorly! Isn’t he still going mad anyway? And even drags you down with him!”

“We owe him…” Princess Lanxin said softly. “I’ll just treat it as helping Father repay a debt.”

Princess Lanqin immediately grew displeased. “Generals go to the battlefield prepared to be wrapped in horsehide in death—there are plenty like that. Why does he act like the whole world owes him? Being granted a princess as a wife is already more than enough, yet he still mistreats you daily. Isn’t he afraid of losing his head if word gets out?”

“He doesn’t mistreat me,” Princess Lanxin quickly said.

“You’re just too kind! Isn’t emotional torment also mistreatment? All those cold words day after day—how could anyone feel good about that?” Princess Lanqin continued angrily.

Princess Lanxin only sighed again. “He’s pitiful too. His heart is troubled.” She patted Lanqin’s arm gently and said, “I should go back soon, or he’ll be unhappy again.”

At last, the door creaked open.

Ji Yi secretly turned his head to look—finally, finally they came out! His arms were already numb from hanging there!

He watched as Princess Lanxin walked away. Just as Princess Lanqin was about to close the door, there was a sound—had a piece of the eaves fallen?

No, no.

It was Ji Yi.

He simply couldn’t hold on any longer and dropped straight down. Clutching his waist, he let out a suppressed groan of pain.

Fortunately, at that very moment, Princess Lanqin shut the door with a bang, covering up his cry.

She seemed not to notice him at all and walked straight inside. Ji Yi hurriedly scrambled to his feet, watching that familiar figure, feeling both helpless and on the verge of tears.

Princess Lanqin stood by the bed and let out a soft sigh, lost in thought.

Ji Yi quickly stepped forward and suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.

Just as she was about to struggle, he whispered softly by her ear, “Shh, it’s me.” He held her tightly, burying his head against her shoulder as his voice choked with emotion. “Do you know? I… I’ve really, really missed you!”

But Princess Lanqin replied coldly, her voice filled with a chilling edge, “Didn’t I die?”

Ji Yi froze. Was she angry?

She slowly turned around, a sly smile on her face, and looked at him. “Young Master Ji, explain to me—how exactly did I die?”

Seeing this, Ji Yi couldn’t help but laugh. Delighted, he lunged forward again, hugging his Zhu Jie as he said hoarsely, “It’s my fault—I like you to death, love you to death, miss you to death!”

“You glib rogue!” Princess Lanqin smiled brightly.

Ji Yi gently took her hand and placed it over his chest, saying tenderly, “Do you know? I died too.”

Princess Lanqin frowned slightly.

“I died of heartache,” he continued.

At those words, she could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down her face.

“Fool… idiot! Who told you to come looking for me?”

Yes—Princess Lanqin, the most beautiful woman in Great Liang, was none other than the mischievous and cunning Zhu Jie—the very person Ji Yi had been searching for all along.