USWHC -Chapter 493 If You Love, Then Love Deeply (Part 3)

At that very moment, Ji Yi suddenly reached out and grabbed Princess Lanxin’s arm, stopping her gentle movement. His voice turned cold as he said, “Let him lie on the ground and reflect properly.”

Hearing this, Princess Lanxin froze even more. She looked at the Prince Consort in shock, her whole body stiff, at a complete loss.

The next instant, Ji Yi gave a firm tug and directly pulled Princess Lanxin forward. Just as they stepped out the door, he suddenly turned back with a cold, mocking smile and said, “Let me give you a piece of advice—if you don’t love her, then let her go. It’s better than hurting her with cold words like this. But if you truly love her, then love deeply. Don’t wait until you’ve lost her to regret it!”

At this moment, the Prince Consort was sprawled on the ground in a sorry state. Hearing this, he stubbornly raised his head and shouted angrily, “Hmph! Whether I love her or not, she must be my woman. In this life, and forever, she will be mine!”

“That’s not necessarily true!” Ji Yi replied with a proud smile. “Not only did I take the exam, but I will definitely become the top scholar. Just wait and see!” He couldn’t help but grin smugly after saying that.

Was this a threat? The Prince Consort’s eyes widened in disbelief.

At the same time, Princess Lanxin’s eyes widened just as much. Could it be… he…

Ji Yi strode forward freely and confidently, pulling Princess Lanxin along as they walked away, disappearing from everyone’s sight.

At this moment, it wasn’t only the disgraced Prince Consort watching them leave—Xiang Lian, who had been standing obediently at the side, also witnessed it. She stared in shock as Ji Yi took the princess’s hand and rushed out, listening to his proud words as if struck by thunder.

Just then, the Prince Consort shouted loudly, “Why are you still standing there? Help me up!”

Xiang Lian hurried over obediently and carefully helped him onto a chair. But just as she was attentively arranging the brocade quilt over his legs—

Smack!

Without warning, a slap landed hard across her face.

Staggering, Xiang Lian was sent flying to the side. She lifted her head in shock, staring at him in disbelief.

The Prince Consort said coldly, “They’ve already gotten to this point—why didn’t you report it earlier?”

Xiang Lian felt a surge of grievance, tears instantly welling up as she choked out, “Replying to you, my lord—I already reported it earlier!”

But as soon as she finished speaking—

Smack!

Another slap, even louder than the first.

“You still dare to talk back? Too late! Understand? You should have reported it from the very beginning—not waited until your princess brought him that book chest!”

Hearing this, Xiang Lian felt even more wronged and began to cry. Wasn’t he just taking his anger out on her? But at this moment, she could only endure it, stammering, “Yes… yes, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have reported it to you so late, my lord…”

Though she said this aloud, deep down she thought bitterly: Yes, she was wrong—but not about reporting early or late. Her mistake was trusting this useless Prince Consort, failing to stop the princess’s growing feelings for Ji Yi, and instead helping bring the two closer. How had she been so foolish?

Yes—the one who had secretly informed the Prince Consort was Xiang Lian. It wasn’t that she had lost interest in Ji Yi, but that she had seen through Princess Lanxin’s feelings.

At this moment, perhaps everyone understood the princess’s heart—except Princess Lanxin herself. As she looked up at the man before her—tall, upright, loyal, and deeply affectionate—her heart raced, her gaze lingered, yet she neither dared nor wished to think about what those feelings truly meant.

She only wanted… to keep walking like this, following his footsteps, step by step, forever…

But no matter how long the road, it must eventually come to an end. No matter how grand the residence, one must stop somewhere. The fragrant flowers before her did not draw her gaze—instead, they filled her heart with an inexplicable sadness and sense of loss.

Ji Yi slowly let go of her hand.

He stood there with his back to her. Under the pale light, his figure seemed so warm, his shoulders so broad. Her heart began to pound once again.

Then he let out a soft breath, turned back with a gentle smile, and his demeanor softened completely.

“I must have frightened the princess. I offer my apologies.”