"Is he worth it?" Han Xichen knelt down, looking at the girl lying there as if in a deep sleep, and asked slowly.
The girl did not answer.
He reached out to stroke the girl's cheek, and suddenly he laughed. In the darkness, this smile carried a flash of brilliance. As the dim candlelight was slowly lit, he felt liquid flowing down the back of his hand, hot.
"Young Master, she will remain lost in dreams forever, unable to wake. The gems are about to activate," a maidservant said as she slowly walked over.
He gazed at the sleeping girl's face and said softly, "I'm sorry."
In both his past and present lives, he had deceived her.
But he had no other choice.
Standing up, he slowly walked towards the gem radiating brilliantly on the pillar.
"Young Master, as long as the two gems are fused, the owner can transcend life and death."
He nodded, took out the dim gem from his embrace, and combined the two into one.
Instantly, the place was as bright as day.
A gem shaped like a heart fell into his hand, emitting a red glow.
"Young Master, with this perfect heart, you can transcend mortal life and death."
He felt the gem in his hand burning hot, as if it would scorch him.
"Young Master, quickly place it within your body," the maidservant urged.
As he held the gem and was about to place it within himself, a silver light suddenly flashed.
It rolled up the gem in his hand.
He went to retrieve it, but it was too late. Turning around, he saw that the girl in the corner had woken up at some point.
"You..."
Blood trickled from the corner of the girl's mouth, and she raised her lips into a smile. "Han Xichen? Hua Yunjin? Or Xue Jingyuan, which one is the real you?"
He slowly lowered his eyes. "You are lying to me."
The girl smiled exceptionally brightly and raised the item in her hand. "If I didn't lie, how could I have obtained this?"
"Xue Zining..." he shouted her name in anger.
"Hua Yunjin, in the life where I was Princess Changning, you deceived my feelings. In this life, when I became Empress, you deceived my feelings again. Is there only deception in your heart?" the girl asked word by word, her expression calmer than ever.
He trembled all over. "You... you know everything?"
"You might not know, but this ultimate treasure can return one to the past."
He was stunned and laughed somewhat manically. "So that's how it is. Even if I obtained it, I wouldn't be able to see."
"You don't know?"
"I do, but I have never returned."
"Then how do you have memories of your past life?" Xue Zining asked with some surprise.
"Do you want to know my memories?"
Xue Zining wanted to shake her head, but it was too late. She was already pulled in by a force.
When she awoke, she found herself in a prison. Looking around, she saw Hua Yunjin sitting inside.
Hua Yunjin seemed to see her too, his face filled with surprise. He rushed over, "Ning'er, did you come to set me free?"
"Hua Yunjin, what trick are you playing now?" Xue Zining asked coldly.
Hua Yunjin was stunned and seemed to disbelieve it. "Ning'er, why are you talking to me like this?"
"How else should I talk to you? Hua Yunjin, that's enough, you..."
Before she could finish speaking, a voice suddenly came from outside. "Crown Prince of Hua Country, have you made up your mind?"
Xue Zining was startled. This voice... was so familiar.
Turning, she saw a tall figure walking towards her, her face as resplendent as a flower of hell.
"Princess Chang'an," Hua Yunjin gritted out.
"Elder Sister..." Xue Zining couldn't help but tremble as she spoke.
Princess Chang'an passed through her body and came to the outside of the prison. She looked at Hua Yunjin inside, her gaze full of contempt.
"Hua Yunjin, what do you think of the offer I gave you?"
Hua Yunjin trembled all over. He looked up at the girl behind Princess Chang'an and shook his head. "Princess Chang'an, I will not agree."
Princess Chang'an chuckled softly, and her gaze turned cold. "Hua Yunjin, you refuse the toast and choose the penalty. Do you know that Father has already betrothed Changning to Yan Zhao?"
Hua Yunjin trembled all over. "How... how is that possible? Changning would not agree."
"Yes, she cried and refused, but that is the imperial decree. Imperial decrees are hard to defy. Moreover, your father has abandoned you to your fate and is launching a massive attack on Huangze. Hua Yunjin, you are a complete joke."
Hua Yunjin took several steps back, shaking his head and shouting hysterically, "You're talking nonsense..."
"Why would I talk nonsense? As long as you agree to marry me, I can guarantee you your life," Princess Chang'an said, stepping forward and speaking word by word to Hua Yunjin.
Hua Yunjin laughed heartily. "Chang'an, aren't you afraid Changning will know?"
Princess Chang'an sneered. "What if she knows? She's just a pawn in Father's hand, a pawn that can control Yan Zhao. Otherwise, do you think the Yan family's power wouldn't rebel against Father?"
Hua Yunjin shook his head. "So we are all pawns, all your pawns."
"You don't have to be a pawn," Princess Chang'an said slowly.
"Changning, do you see? This is the elder sister you've always respected. What kind of person she is, have you seen clearly?"
Princess Chang'an was startled and asked, "Who are you talking to?"
"Changning, the Changning behind you," Hua Yunjin said word by word.
Princess Chang'an turned around. Seeing no sign of Changning, she sneered, "Changning is busy with her wedding right now, how could she know you are here? Hua Yunjin, give up on that idea!"
"You'd better consider what I've said, otherwise, I'm afraid you'll never be able to return to Hua Country."
Princess Chang'an left.
Hua Yunjin stared intently at the girl and asked word by word, "You are not Changning, you are just someone who resembles Changning."
Xue Zining was about to speak when the scene suddenly changed. A warm,腥 heat sprayed onto her face. She opened her eyes, and blood dyed her vision red. Gradually, a young man appeared in her eyes. The young man's cyan robe was stained with blood, and the long sword in his hand dripped with blood, bit by bit. Soon, rivers of blood flowed.
Princess Chang'an was so frightened that she stumbled back repeatedly, shaking her head. "No... don't kill me, Hua Yunjin, I am your wife..."
The young man held his sword, his expression chilling. "Wife? What wife are you? From beginning to end, you have only been using me."
Princess Chang'an shook her head. "I haven't used you. Can't you feel that sweet love?"
"Sweet love? Princess Chang'an, do you know that every day with you is utterly disgusting to me?"
"Haha..." Princess Chang'an laughed heartily. "You say I'm disgusting, yet you endured this disgust for your own greed."
"Yes, because I know I have to go back. My steps should not stop with you."
"For this, Changning was forced to jump off the city walls by you, and Father was forced by you to retreat hundreds of miles from the capital. What did Hua Yunjin gain?"