Chapter 28: Truly Heart-Chilling to Hear
The Lu family could stop Princess Xuanyang, but they didn’t dare defy the Empress Dowager’s decree. Finally, they reluctantly opened the gates and let them in.
Xiao Li had never been to the Lu family estate, though its original owner had been several times—none of them good memories.
As they walked toward Lu Yanzhi’s residence, Chen Pingting seemed more familiar with the layout than she, his own wife, did.
Xiao Li glanced around. The Lu estate was guarded by many people, both inside and out. They were clearly afraid that Lu Yanzhi would be attacked again.
’These guards are completely unnecessary,’ she thought. ’After all, I’m not stupid enough to come to the Lu estate to kill him.’
Just as the two were about to reach Lu Yanzhi’s residence, Mrs. Lu and her eldest daughter-in-law arrived with their people.
Mrs. Lu looked haggard, her face pale and weak. The fear and anxiety of the past few days had clearly taken a toll on her.
When Mrs. Lu saw Xiao Li, her disgust and hatred were impossible to hide, nor did she try to. She completely ignored her and spoke only to Chen Pingting.
"Thank you for the Empress Dowager’s concern, and thank you, County Princess, for visiting. However, Yanzhi is very weak right now and is not fit to receive guests. Your kind intentions are more than enough."
Chen Pingting’s eyes kept darting toward the door, and the way she nervously twisted her handkerchief revealed her anxiety. But in front of the mother of the man she loved, she didn’t want to seem rude, so she restrained herself.
"Lady Lu, I don’t wish to disturb Mr. Lu either, but my aunt has given me an order. I must see him with my own eyes to report back to her. Please, Lady Lu, be accommodating."
Chen Pingting was insistent, making it clear she wouldn’t leave until she saw him. Mrs. Lu had no choice but to lead her inside, allowing her to take a look from behind a screen.
The two women went in ahead. Xiao Li, who had been silent the whole time, moved to follow, but an arm suddenly blocked her path.
It was Young Madam Lu, Gao Lan.
Gao Lan’s expression was unfriendly. "I’m sure the Princess has no concern for my brother-in-law, so there’s no need for you to go in."
Xiao Li raised her hand and struck down swiftly.
Gao Lan yelped in pain and instantly pulled her arm back. "Why did you hit me?"
Xiao Li glared at her. "I’m being polite by not slapping your face. Lu Yanzhi is a member of the Lu family, but he is also my Prince Consort. Don’t overstep your bounds, Young Madam Lu."
Xiao Li shoved her aside and strode inside.
Chen Pingting, who had gone in first, was standing by the screen, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. It seemed she was crying.
Xiao Li: "..."
’No wonder this woman could be friends with the female lead, Liu Xueyin. They’re cut from the same damn cloth!’
’They both have rocks for brains. They’d choose a man over a brain any day.’
Xiao Li walked over. Mrs. Lu raised a hand to stop her, but Hong Yue immediately stepped forward to block her. Xiao Li walked straight past the screen and into the room.
Seeing that Lu Yanzhi was indeed still alive... how to put it? She felt a little displeased.
’If he lives, it’ll be a lot more trouble to find a way to kill him next time.’
Lu Yanzhi’s wound was on his back, so he was lying facedown on the bed. Medicine had been applied, but instead of being wrapped in bandages, his back was covered with a thin layer of gauze.
The medicinal fluid was seeping through the gauze. ’It doesn’t look that scary. I have no idea what Chen Pingting is crying about.’
Lu Yanzhi was unconscious, his face as pale as paper. Even his lips were completely colorless. He did look a little pitiful.
Mrs. Lu came over, suppressing her anger as she said in a low voice, "The Princess has seen him. Please leave now and let him rest."
Xiao Li didn’t insist. All she needed was one look to confirm whether he was dead or alive.
Mrs. Lu was displeased that Xiao Li had barged in, and even Chen Pingting shot her a hateful glare.
Xiao Li really couldn’t be bothered with this love-addled fool who had no moral compass.
Once they were outside, Mrs. Lu couldn’t wait to see them out. Chen Pingting still wanted to ask some questions, but Xiao Li left briskly. The Lu family didn’t welcome her, and she had no desire to stay.
She had just rounded a corner when two young men came walking toward her, side by side.
Xiao Li recognized the man in gray robes as the Lu family’s eldest young master, Lu Chengzhi. The man beside him was dressed in white, with a simple bamboo pin in his hair. He was handsome, and with a gourd and a short flute hanging from his waist, he had a carefree and unrestrained air about him.
The two were chatting as they walked, only stopping when they saw Xiao Li.
"Greetings, Princess."
Even though he was displeased, Lu Chengzhi still bowed in greeting.
Xiao Li’s gaze fell on the man beside him, waiting to confirm her suspicion. "And this is?"
Lu Chengzhi introduced him, "This is Doctor Cen An, a disciple of the Divine Doctor."
Cen An smiled warmly and cupped his hands. "I am Cen An, a humble commoner. Greetings, Princess."
A fake smile appeared on Xiao Li’s face. "Please, rise, Doctor Cen. My Prince Consort’s recovery is all thanks to you. I should be the one thanking you."
’And why shouldn’t I thank him?’
’If it weren’t for him, Lu Yanzhi would have been dead long ago!!’
’I’m just so ’grateful’ to him.’
Cen An sensed a hint of killing intent. Looking at Xiao Li’s expression, he thought, ’This... that can’t be right, can it?’
"You are too kind, Princess. I merely did what little I could. It is the Prince Consort who is profoundly blessed."
Xiao Li said, "He certainly is blessed."
’Otherwise, he never would have survived.’
"So, how long will it take for the Prince Consort’s wounds to heal?"
Cen An replied, "The Prince Consort’s condition has stabilized. I have used the best medicine. The wound will certainly heal within ten days. The Princess need not worry."
’How chilling to hear.’
"Then I’ll be troubling you, Doctor Cen."
Xiao Li left without even waiting for Chen Pingting. The main reason was the turmoil in her heart; if Chen Pingting started acting up again, she might really lose control and beat her up.
「---」
Xiao Li returned to her residence. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Fury surged within her until her entire being was filled with rage.
She clearly felt that something was wrong with her. Back when she was trapped in Princess Xuanyang’s body, forced to watch everything happen without being able to do anything, she had nearly driven herself mad.
First, she was furious that she couldn’t even throw a slap. Second, she was trapped in this godforsaken place with no way to escape.
Now, she was finally in control. If she just killed those people, she might be able to leave this damn world.
But she had been so close. Just a little bit closer, and Lu Yanzhi would have been dead.
A tidal wave of emotions crashed over her: rage, indignation, pain, desperation, suffocation...
In an instant, she felt herself nearing the brink of collapse. She was going to lose her mind.
’These weren’t her emotions, but she couldn’t control them. It was like the flare-up of a powerful addiction.’
"Liquor!"
"Get me the strongest liquor you have!"
Hong Yue was frightened. She wanted to show her concern, but a single look from Xiao Li froze her in place. She quickly ran to get the liquor.
A jar of liquor was brought over quickly. Hong Yue was about to pour her a cup, but Xiao Li tore off the lid and started pouring it directly into her mouth.
The strong liquor burned its way down her throat, intensely fiery.
Xiao Li savagely gulped down two large mouthfuls. It couldn’t suppress the madness, but the clash of physical and emotional pain gave her a moment of respite.
She glanced at a three-story building nearby, ordered everyone to stay back, and carried the liquor jar up herself.
When she finally reached the third floor, she found a random spot to sit down, only then realizing her body felt limp and weak.
’This body clearly can’t hold its liquor.’
’But that’s fine. It would be a good thing if I could just pass out drunk.’
She took several more vicious gulps of liquor and let her body collapse onto a long couch.
Her body was drained of strength, making it a struggle to even lift the liquor jar, yet her mind remained stubbornly clear.
The despair of a trapped animal, unable to struggle, enveloped her. It was suffocating, like having her head wrapped in a plastic bag.
She was in agony, and drinking couldn’t save her.