Xiao Changtai's brows furrowed deeply. Having been married for years, he understood his wife well—her attitude and reactions indicated she had solid evidence before confronting him like this.
"I... just wanted to get back at Xiao Huayong," Xiao Changtai's face twisted with resentment and bitterness. "Our current predicament is entirely his doing—"
Smack!
Before he could finish, Ye Wantang struck him with all her might. Scalding tears streamed down as her hand remained suspended mid-air, trembling uncontrollably. Her entire body quivered with emotion.
Disappointment, anguish, and regret swirled in her eyes. Her lips trembled as she spoke: "Even now, you refuse to repent, shifting all blame onto others. Your downfall is entirely self-inflicted—born of overambition and underestimating your rival. He is the Crown Prince, the legitimate heir destined for the throne. As a lesser-born brother scheming to usurp him, did you expect no retaliation?
Defeated in your power struggle, outmatched in skill, yet you cling to resentment. You've even forgotten your ancestors, the Han blood running through your veins, the humiliation when Turkic cavalry trampled our lands—hunting Han men as prey and using Han women as objects of lust! And now you willingly ally with them!
You are unworthy of being a Han man, unworthy of being my husband!"
Her sharp condemnation pierced his heart like daggers. Xiao Changtai's eyes bloodshot as he retorted: "You finally regret it, don't you?"
"Yes, I regret! I regret everything!" Ye Wantang wept uncontrollably. "When I married you, my grandfather was still alive. He hinted you were ultimately a prince—how could I not grasp his meaning? Yet I married you without hesitation. Rare treasures are easily found, but a devoted lover is hard to come by.
I'll never forget that day when swarms of bees descended, and you shielded me beneath your body—covered in swollen stings yet still making me laugh. In that moment, I knew you were the one I wanted to marry."
Wiping tears from her cheeks, Ye Wantang gazed intensely at Xiao Changtai: "You deceived me repeatedly, using my affection to bind me again and again. I lost count of my disappointments, but I never regretted marrying you—until today. You've made me realize that love and devotion alone cannot justify endless forgiveness."
Over the years, as his closest companion, how could Ye Wantang not harbor suspicions despite Xiao Changtai's caution? They were husband and wife—he a prince, the Crown Prince frail and likely to die young. Though anxious about his ambitions, she accepted them as inevitable. She preferred peace but couldn't force her ideals upon him.
At least his devotion never wavered. Through childless years, he never considered taking concubines, bearing the blame when rumors labeled her barren. His genuine care anchored her—flaws, ambitions, or ruin couldn't sever her attachment to the pure love he showed.
The man she loved could be imperfect, ambitious, destitute—as long as his heart remained true, she would stay by his side.
Only now did she understand: this wasn't enough. She could never accept a traitor who allied with the Turks—those who once trampled Han dignity and treated Han lives with contempt!
"Wanwan...""Stay away from me!" Ye Wantang swiftly retreated, her guarded eyes tinged with a trace of revulsion.
Revulsion!
That flicker of revulsion sent a surge of rage erupting from Xiao Changtai's chest straight to the crown of his head. He strode forward abruptly, seizing Ye Wantang's wrist: "You may not understand me, you may resent me, but you cannot loathe me!"
Ye Wantang began struggling violently: "Release me! I forbid you to touch me!"
"Forbid me? If I wish to touch you, you have no right to refuse!" Xiao Changtai's eyes burned crimson, deeply wounded by her rejection. His fury transformed into brutal aggression amidst her struggles.
The sounds of crashing objects from the room drifted through the window, accompanied by the woman's angry yet suppressed whimpers. Outside, dark clouds gathered oppressively, while the patter of falling rain obscured all traces of what transpired.
When Xiao Changtai regained his senses, he was utterly at a loss facing Ye Wantang. Consumed by remorse and self-reproach, he knelt beside her bed, clasping her hand while whispering pleas for forgiveness. Never had he imagined he would one day force himself upon her.
With eyes sore as if drained of tears, Ye Wantang withdrew her hand and turned away, refusing to spare him another glance.
Xiao Changtai kept vigil over Ye Wantang, but she remained doll-like, the light in her eyes completely extinguished. Only after repeated urgings from his subordinates did he reluctantly depart, leaving numerous guards watching over her.
The moment Xiao Changtai left, Ye Wantang rose and exited the room. Ignoring the guards outside, she wandered aimlessly in the night breeze, standing on the overgrown lawn until dawn.
No one dared disturb her, nor could anyone fathom her thoughts...
Two days later, Shen Xihe received a message mentioning sighting of her signal flares beyond Tingzhou. Recalling the object she had given Ye Wantang the previous year, Shen Xihe heaved a heavy sigh.
She decided to set out for Tingzhou immediately.
During these two days, Xiao Changtai finally resolved to meet Xiao Juesong. Meanwhile, Geng Liangcheng had ceased undergoing any torture among the Turks. He was even quartered separately in a tent, where he was spotted by two colonels who had infiltrated the enemy camp to rescue him.
They witnessed him chatting cordially with the Turkic Khan, toasting and drinking merrily together.
The two officers chose to maintain their position. Though suspicious, they considered Geng Liangcheng's years of meritorious service in the northwest, thinking this might be his stratagem for escape.
That very night, Geng Liangcheng seemingly escaped with assistance. Shortly after his flight, the Turks discreetly dispatched troops to follow him. The two colonels were horrified.
If Geng Liangcheng successfully returned to Tingzhou city and the gates opened, these Turkic soldiers could seize the opportunity to attack. With the city's defenders unprepared, breaching the walls would be effortless!
Meanwhile, Xiao Huayong, disguised as Xiao Juesong, met Xiao Changtai at the prearranged location.
Xiao Changtai scrutinized the aged "Xiao Juesong" with undisguised appraisal. After a long silence, he finally said: "Crown Prince? Hah. Should I address you as Uncle or Imperial Brother?"
Xiao Huayong watched him without responding.
Yet Xiao Changtai had already confirmed his identity: "There was no incident of Jiachen Crown Prince assaulting the temporary palace—it was all Your Highness's scheme to evade His Majesty's probing. Though the Crown Prince entered Tingzhou's Protectorate Headquarters claiming severe exhaustion requiring bedrest, such tactics are too commonplace. Others may believe it, but I do not!"Upon learning that Xiao Huayong was lying in the Protectorate Headquarters, Xiao Changtai knew he must be using it as a cover for other activities. Coincidentally, Geng Liangcheng was about to introduce Xiao Juesong to him at that moment. Though he had no evidence, his intuition told him the truth.
"What does it matter if you saved Geng Liangcheng? He is about to become a traitor who leads the Turks to breach the city!" Xiao Changtai sneered.
Xiao Huayong no longer concealed his identity and replied in his own voice: "Thank you."
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