Chapter 173:
Xie Wanning had said these words so many times she was tired of it.
Lu Ziyan naturally understood, but he didn’t want to understand.
He curved his lips slightly and said, “I’ve thought about it long ago. It would be great to win back your heart in this lifetime, but my Wanwan is so hard-hearted and probably won’t love me again. That’s fine too—getting your person is good enough.”
So what if they were resentful lovers.
If hate lasted longer than love, it was enough that she could hate him for a lifetime.
In any case, they had to be together for a long, long time.
Xie Wanning had experienced his madness many times, but each time it shocked her more than the last, leaving her gaze somewhat dazed.
Lu Ziyan looked at her quietly and said, “That sickly person left you with such useless secret guards. Your defenses are lax, giving people an opportunity to exploit. Take the ring—don’t gamble with your own safety.”
With that, he took her hand to put the ring on her, but Xie Wanning quickly curled her fingers. “I don’t want it!”
She was wholly mindful of being a Pei Family woman and absolutely could not accept his token.
Besides, why were the guards lax? It was because her secret guards had all been dealt with by his people.
As for the secret guards being useless, that was utter nonsense.
How many people in the world could compare to his subordinates Ming Feng and Ming Jian!
Those two were generals who could stand alone, confidants trained by his own hand.
She insisted on refusing, and Lu Ziyan couldn’t force her. After a long standoff, he sneered repeatedly and took the ring back.
Even though he was quite angry, her safety was still more important. He took a deep breath to calm his mood and reminded her, “Stay far away from the Imperial Palace. Don’t get close to your aunt or your cousin…”
Xie Wanning was about to speak when he glared fiercely at her, silencing her.
“And the Second Prince—he’s restless too.” Seeing she seemed scared, he softened his voice. “Don’t have any dealings with them, not even the smallest entanglements. Got it?”
Afraid she would still be stubborn with him, he added, “If you don’t want me to tie you up and take you to the Northern Frontier, just nod.”
“…” Xie Wanning gritted her teeth and nodded.
Lu Ziyan couldn’t help sighing. “You say I love to threaten you, but look—if I didn’t do this, you wouldn’t even give me a reaction.”
He also wanted to be courteous and not force her, sincerely wanting to cherish her at the heart’s tip.
But she didn’t give him the chance.
If he wasn’t aggressive or threatening, and just approached a little closer, she would have run off without a trace long ago.
What could he do?
Watch her throw herself into another man’s arms and live days without her?
If he could do that, this lifetime wouldn’t have happened at all.
He would be the emperor who awoke to wield power over the world, drunk on a beauty’s lap, his word deciding the fate of millions.
But he had long been obsessed, his eyes and heart holding room for only one her.
“When I return from the Northern Frontier, the position of Crown Prince will be as steady as Mount Tai. These days on the imperial court, your cousin is frantic, but he can’t shake me at all. He might turn his schemes to you.”
Fearing Xie Wanning wouldn’t grasp the gravity and be as defenseless and trusting as in her past life, Lu Ziyan patiently explained the imperial court situation to her.
Finally, he said gently, “Since you won’t take the ring, I’ll leave Ming Feng to look after you. I took out your eight secret guards—I’ll replace them all for you…”
With that, his expression turned serious. “My people have good strength, but the imperial family doesn’t keep wastes. Your aunt and cousin have plenty of trump cards. If they’re cornered and set on harming you, I’m afraid the secret guards can’t protect you.”
If possible, Lu Ziyan wished he could keep her under his eyelids, best if wherever she went, he could see her and protect her personally.
He described the Capital City as a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den. Xie Wanning was listening with complicated feelings when he gripped her shoulder.
“Promise me,” he said. “No matter how much you hate me, don’t joke with your own safety. Don’t give them a chance to get close to you.”
Xie Wanning was somewhat speechless.
She wasn’t stupid. Living well, who would want to die?
She wasn’t good at hiding her emotions, and Lu Ziyan clearly saw her helplessness. His lip curved, and he said softly, “About the Second Prince, did that sickly person tell you?”
Xie Wanning froze, looking at him in shock and suspicion.
She didn’t wonder how he knew—as the victor who reached the peak in her past life, it was too normal for him to know the Second Prince toyed with good women.
It was just…
She frowned. “Why bring this up out of nowhere?”
Lu Ziyan raised his brow. “Since you know, remember not to go out with any women he’s tangled with. If one of them invites you, find a reason to refuse.”
As he spoke, he leaned closer and sighed. “My silly young lady, you don’t think only your aunt and the First Prince see me as a thorn in their side, do you?”
All the princes were grown— which one wouldn’t be interested in the throne?
Once they knew this young lady was his weakness, with her in hand, he would submit directly. Who wouldn’t be tempted?
Becoming his weakness didn’t honor Xie Wanning at all; instead, anger surged from her heart. “I’ve already avoided you by remarrying another—why must I still suffer because of you!”
Every word and phrase disdained him like a plague god.
“Wanwan, don’t be angry.” Lu Ziyan good-naturedly smiled appeasingly. “Since I awoke to past life memories, I’ve controlled myself and not come to find you openly.”
The bloody lessons of the past life were before his eyes. He feared her being dragged into the fight for the throne, feared those people striking at her again—fearing to the point of gritting his teeth, enduring heart-carving pain, and several times letting her return to another man’s side.
Now that she had been married so long, no one mentioned his night intrusions into her wedding chamber anymore.
Everyone thought he had let go.
Logically, few would know this young lady was his lifelong weakness.
But he still feared something would happen to her.
“As long as you’re safe, I’ll campaign in the Northern Frontier. If anyone dares hurt you…” His eyes showed clear fear, his jaw tightening uncontrollably. Word by word, he said, “Wanwan, have you seen lives laid to waste?”
Every word from his throat carried a bloody smell.
Xie Wanning listened, truly shaken to the core, her pupils quaking.
“Don’t be afraid.” He smiled to soothe her. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Xie Wanning stared blankly at the youth before her, almost unrecognizable from her memories, unable to speak.
Lu Ziyan was still earnestly explaining.
Covering every detail, telling her all the potential dangers.
By the end, his mouth was parched. He couldn’t help clasping her nape and lowering his head to kiss her.
“Good young lady, don’t…” He kissed her while gently coaxing, “Don’t… let me taste…”
He didn’t go to the bed but pinned her against the table for the kiss.
This kiss was somewhat urgent and reckless.
Xie Wanning was caught off guard by the kiss, startled. Her lips parted instinctively to say something, but even her breathing was plundered by him.
Six thousand words done today~~~Strive for seven thousand tomorrow~~~
