Chapter 18 The Confrontation
I reached my room and ran into Xie Ning.
"Imperial Princess?" Xie Ning looked startled.
"Why are you still awake?"
He reached out to fix my cloak. I stepped away.
His hand froze in the air.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked, frowning.
"I heard everything," I said.
"You have always been Rong Che's man, have you not?"
Xie Ning froze.
"Who told you that?"
"Imperial Princess, let me explain."
He grabbed my hand. I pulled away.
"So you lied to me the whole time?"
I looked at his face. His expression tightened, eyes wavering.
He pressed his lips together and said nothing.
He turned his head away.
"So Rong Che sent you to get close to me from the beginning."
"You told Yan Zhuo where I was in Lan Shan City, did you not?"
"You only wanted to be my consort so you could rise in status."
Tears spilled down my face.
"You used my trust."
"You never loved me."
"Everything was a lie."
Xie Ning had stayed by my side only to report back to Rong Che.
The love I believed in had been nothing but a dream.
I summoned a silver sword into my hand.
I thrust it toward his chest without hesitation.
The tip stopped an inch away.
He did not move.
He only looked down at me.
My hand shook.
I pulled the sword back.
"Xie Ning..."
"You knew I could not kill you."
I had come back to life only to find him.
I had dreamed of taking those arrows for him.
The sword clattered to the floor.
"Get out."
I lowered my head so he would not see my tears.
"I do not want anything back. Just leave."
"Leave now!"
Xie Ning walked away with heavy steps.
When I looked up, Rong Che stood on the stairs.
He came down, frowning.
"Did you two argue?"
I turned away.
"Yes."
Rong Che blocked my path.
"You are not taking him back to Yu Jing?"
"Why would I?" I said coldly.
"I am not marrying him."
Rong Che stared at me.
"You are serious?"
I did not answer.
Xuan Ming ran after Xie Ning, still tying his robe.
They mounted their horses and disappeared into the night.
I looked back at Rong Che.
"You were right, brother. Xie Ning is not someone I can trust with my life."
Rong Che smiled.
"Of course. How could I lie to you?"
"He is just a bandit. He is not worthy of you."
He placed his hand on my head.
"Will you come back to Yu Jing with me?"
I nodded.
"Yes. I miss Father."