TFWYH – Chapter 719 Wholehearted Devotion

The moment Huangfu Yi saw her tears, his heart softened completely. How could he possibly bear to blame her?

“If that’s the case, then stay. I pardon you.”

“No.”

Yuanyuan wiped away her tears and slowly raised a hand to gently caress Huangfu Yi’s face. Her eyes were filled with deep affection.

“Your Highness, you’ve already let the Prince’s Consort down for so many years. From now on, you should devote yourself wholeheartedly to treating her well.”

“I’m a woman.”

“I understand better than anyone that no woman is willing to share the man she loves with someone else.”

“The Prince’s Consort has suffered enough.”

“Could you really bear to let her watch you and another woman live together in love and harmony?”

Huangfu Yi opened his mouth…

But he couldn’t utter a single word in rebuttal.

If the Emperor had never intervened…

If the bride substitution had never been exposed…

He would never have realized just how terrifying a woman’s jealousy could become.

Even the kindest woman, when faced with the man she loves giving his heart to someone else, would gradually lose hope…

Become twisted…

Until she was no longer herself.

Was he supposed to watch Jiang Shi…

Or Yuanyuan…

Become someone he would come to hate?

One husband. One wife. One lifetime.

That was the most beautiful interpretation of love.

Once there was a third person…

Another tragedy was only a matter of time.

Huangfu Yi could no longer find any words to persuade her to stay.

Even though he deeply loved Yuanyuan now…

He had already failed Jiang Shi once.

How could he betray her again?

After a long silence, Huangfu Yi finally found his voice.

“Then… after you leave, where will you go?”

Yuanyuan smiled gently.

“I’ll return to Qingyuan Elegant House and continue living as a courtesan who sells only her art. Day and night, I’ll pray for Your Highness, wishing that all your hopes come true and that you and the Prince’s Consort enjoy a harmonious marriage.”

“Yuanyuan…”

Huangfu Yi looked at her with deep reluctance, his eyes already beginning to glisten.

“It is better to forget each other in the vast world than to cling to one another.”

“Your Highness… take care of yourself.”

“Yuanyuan is leaving.”

She looked at him one last time.

Then she withdrew her gaze and strode away.

Huangfu Yi instinctively reached out, wanting to stop her.

But halfway there…

His hand fell weakly back to his side.

In his eyes, Yuanyuan walked away with quiet grace.

She never looked back.

Only after she had completely disappeared from sight did he return to his study, utterly dejected.

This room held countless memories of the time he had spent with Yuanyuan.

Even the air seemed to retain the faint fragrance that belonged to her.

But she…

Had already left.

To fulfill him.

Huangfu Yi shut himself inside his study for an entire day and night, refusing to see anyone.

Only when Jiang Shi, having heard the news, came personally did he finally agree to come out.

After that…

He dismissed every concubine and bedchamber maid from his residence.

For the rest of his life…

Only Jiang Shi remained by his side.

…

The affairs of Huangfu Yi’s household had finally come to an end.

But peace had yet to return to the Minister of Revenue’s residence.

Jiang Shi and Su Xi—two living, breathing people—had suddenly vanished.

How could Ling Yue and Ling Chen possibly let the matter rest?

On the very night Ling Yu and Tang Wan returned, the siblings came looking for them, demanding to know where Jiang Shi had gone.

“Uh…”

Tang Wan stammered awkwardly, secretly glancing at her husband.

What do we do?

Should we ask Mother to come back and make a guest appearance?

Ling Yu had already anticipated this situation.

He had Tang Wan leave first, remaining behind alone to face his younger brother and sister.

That night…

The three siblings talked until dawn.

Unable to fall asleep with her handsome husband in her arms as usual, Tang Wan eventually curled up and slept in Ling Yu’s study.

It wasn’t until the first light of dawn that she sensed a familiar orchid fragrance approaching.

The man gently draped an outer robe over her shoulders before carrying her back to their familiar bed.

Tang Wan never opened her eyes.

Only after she felt Ling Yu climb into bed did she instinctively roll over and wrap herself around him like an octopus.

Still half asleep, she mumbled,

“Finished talking?”

“Mmm.”

Ling Yu wrapped an arm around her and drew her into his embrace.

“Did we wake you?”

Tang Wan let out a sleepy hum.

“No… You still have court tomorrow.”

“Hurry up and sleep…”

“Be good.”

Ling Yu chuckled softly.

He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the corner of her lips.

Only then did he close his eyes peacefully.