Chapter Thirty-Seven

After Yan Shi Ning left, Yan Jing paced the calligraphy room.

A while later, Yan Shi Tings frown changed into a smile and she wanted to fly. She acted reluctant to receive the pair of jade bracelets from Yan Shi Ning, but she loved the jade bracelets.

Yan Jing strode into Yan Shi Tings chamber while she was admiring the jade bracelets.

Yan Shi Ting looked up at her father who appeared upset about something. Father, whats wrong?

Yan Jing sat beside Yan Shi Ting. A maid was about to pour tea for him but he stopped the maid.

Pour me a bowl of water, Yan Jing said.

Father, why do you want to drink water? Yan Shi Ting asked. This is rare tea, the empress gave it to me.

Yan Jing held Yan Shi Tings hand and smiled at her while the maid poured water.

Shi Ting, youre an adult now and about to be start your own family, Yan Jing said.

Suddenly Yan Shi Ting felt a sharp pain on her finger and retrieved her hand.

Father, what happened? Yan Shi Ting asked.

Yan Jing was satisfied a drop of blood fell into the bowl of water. Nothing. I think this bowl is dirty. Im going to exchange it for a clean bowl.

Yan Jing didnt wait for Yan Shi Tings reply, he carried the bowl of water outside.

In the courtyard Yan Jing pricked his finger and a drop of blood fell into the bowl of water. Indeed his blood and Yan Shi Tings blood didnt merge and he flung the bowl of water onto the ground.

Yan Shi Ting was startled by the strange sounds of a broken bowl.

Yan Jing didnt know how he left Yan Shi Tings courtyard. His legs felt heavy, his whole body felt cold and his hands were shaky. Princess Kang Hua deceived him for more than sixteen years!

Yan Jing remembered that year Yan Shi Ting was born.

Little sister Hua, is Shi Ting my blood daughter? Yan Jing asked. Say it clearly!

Big brother, what else do you want? Princess Kang Hua asked. Arent you wearing the headgear you wanted? If you dont believe me then Ill die for you to see. How can you suspect I would deceive you about this? Look at Shi Ting, doesnt she look like you? Look, her blood and your blood merged. What else do you want?

Yan Jings heart was teared to pieces. He was a prime minister of a kingdom but his second wife and her daughter deceived him for more than sixteen years! He wore a headgear of a fool for more than sixteen years! Indeed it was a laughable situation.

A while later Yan Jing kicked down Princess Kang Huas door.

Everyone leave! Yan Jing ordered the frightened maids and servants while he looked coldly at Princess Kang Hua.

Princess Kang Hua was married to Yan Jing for many years. She knew if he was angry and didnt want anyone to hear what he wanted to say to her then it was something shameful her face whitened, perhaps Yan Jing received those two letters.

Everyone hurry and go outside! Princess Kang Hua ordered the maids and servants that were stalling inside the chamber.

After the maids and servants left, the atmosphere in the chamber was tensed and silent.

Princess Kang Hua refused to open her mouth first. She didnt want to confess anything she wasnt forced to.

Yan Jing was repulsed by Princess Kang Huas beautiful face. Kang Hua, I havent mistreated you. Why did you deceive me to this extent?

I I what did I lie to you about? Princess Kang Hua denied.

Yan Jing heard Princess Kang Huas lie and his head ached. You still want to deceive me? Say it clearly, is Yan Shi Ting yours and your older cousins daughter? No, she isnt a Yan! That bastard child doesnt suit to be a Yan!

Princess Kang Hua felt like there were coffins in all four directions. Indeed paper couldnt defeat fire and her deceit was exposed.

You dont need to deceive me anymore! Yan Jing said. I know everything! Earlier I tested that bastard childs blood and my blood. You cant deceive me anymore. Kang Hua, I truly want to kill you. Because of you, I left my wife and daughter. But you treated me like a fool. Youre scum! Scum!

Yan Jing swore and cried for a long time. Indeed he was an unpleasant sight.

Princess Kang Hua dug her fingernails into her palms and she looked at the angry man in front of her. Suddenly everything ended. The days and years of anxiety finally ended.

Princess Kang Hua straightened her back and looked coldly at Yan Jing. What can you do?

Princess Kang Hua realised it no longer mattered that Yan Jing knew the truth.

You dare to kill me? Princess Kang Hua asked. Do you dare to tell everyone Shi Ting isnt your blood daughter? Do you dare to tell everyone she is the daughter of your second wife rolling in bed with another man? Yan Jing, I know you well. You value pride, reputation and status of a prime minister. You wouldnt cause yourself to lose dignity even if your true heart is ugly. In front of other people you would act dignified. Prime Minister Yan, isnt he someone other people respect? What respect? You wouldnt be prime minister if you didnt marry me! You say that Im scum. But between the two of us, who is more of a scum?

Yan Jings face paled, he couldnt refute Princess Kang Huas words.

Princess Kang Hua smiled coldly. Even if Shi Ting is a bastard child and isnt a Yan or even if youre disgusted, you can only tell everyone she is your daughter! Dont forget, the wedding is in three days. Yan Jing, that year because of your ambition you abandoned your wife and daughter. Today because you were deceived for more than sixteen years, can you abandon this marriage? Abandon the chance to be the future emperors grandfather?

Yan Jing didnt refute Princess Kang Huas words. He silently stared at her cold arrogant face and felt his heart rotted. It was true, he wouldnt kill her or expose Yan Shi Tings identity. He was going to swallow his grievances otherwise another person would use it as an opportunity to steal his position.

Yan Jing felt defeated. Youre right! I desire success and status. This is my retribution. Kang Hua, from today onward there is no marriage between us. I never want to see you again.

Princess Kang Hua watched the man she loved for decades leave without looking back at her. She sat and the memories appeared in her head.

Princess Kang Hua remembered that year she was a young lady. Her young self saw Yan Jing for the first time, he rode a horse. Afterward she met him at the former prime ministers manor and decided she wasnt going to marry anyone else but him. She confessed to him but he rejected her because he had a wife. So she put lust herbs into his wine and he slept with her. The following morning she was certain he would take responsibility but he rejected her again and apologised to her.

Princess Kang Hua thought her young self was laughable. She was a princess and lowered herself to love that kind of man but he rejected her love! From that day she vowed she would do anything to hold onto the man she loved. So she lied to Yan Jing, Im pregnant. Big brother, if you dont marry me then Ill tell everyone about what you did. Im a princess, Im not going to accept being a second wife. You have to divorce your wife.

Yan Jing rejected the young Princess Kang Hua again. He said he would rather die than divorce his wife and she was forced to accept being a second wife.

After Yan Jing married Princess Kang Hua, she thought her fake pregnancy would become a real pregnancy. But he rejected her again, Youre pregnant, theres no hurry.

The newly wedded Princess Kang Hua anxiously watched a few days past then she thought of a plan and acted out her plan. She remembered that night was a sensual night but it wasnt with the man she loved. So each time she remembered that night, her heart ached.

Princess Kang Huas memories faded and she absently walked around the gardens.

A leaf fell onto the ground. Princess Kang Hua picked it up, the leaf was brown like her heart. More than sixteen years of marriage disappeared in front of her. It ripped off her mask and ended her love. She smiled coldly and muttered to herself. I still have Shi Ting! I have a daughter that will be empress! Thats enough! I wasnt wrong! Everything happened because those people forced me!

***

End of Chapter Thirty-Seven