Liu Xuan very much wanted to see what he looked like at this moment.
Unfortunately, she had to continue playing the blind woman now, missing that spectacular expression of the war between heaven and man within him, followed by the snapping of his rationality.
But it didn't matter—there would be no shortage of opportunities in a moment.
Crown Prince's Mansion, Study
Li Ying's expression grew increasingly grim, veins throbbing at his temples. Qing Lei had not yet returned, but it no longer mattered, because he already knew the answer.
Among all the women in the world, the only one who could make Li Heng lose control to such an extent, and be so bold, was his Xuan'er.
Li Ying clenched both hands into fists, his face clouded over like a gathering storm.
He and Li Heng were twins, with a shared sympathetic connection, so from childhood their hearts and minds had been in communication. Back then, they hadn't understood what this meant. Until one day, their mother, the Empress, made a decision—to let the identity of the Second Prince lie buried underground forever. Li Heng became his shadow in every sense.
From an imperial prince, he had become a noble heir, and then a shadow that could not see the light. All these years, Li Heng had never spoken of it, but Li Ying felt guilty.
Thus, many times, even when Li Heng acted unreasonably, he would indulge him. Before doing many things, he would consider Li Heng's feelings.
Xuan'er was the sole exception.
Toward Xuan'er, he couldn't control his emotions; it was where his heart longed to be.
He could understand Li Heng's probing at Liujia Village, but today? Could this also be probing?!
The sensations coming from below told him clearly what was happening. Even though he knew they had not breached the bottom line, it was still enough to make his rage burn.
But the Crown Prince's Mansion was filled with the Empress's people. If he charged to the Yongyu Marquis Estate without regard for consequences, within an hour, the Empress would know.
He himself would be fine; at most, he would be punished. But if the Empress learned that he had acted so impulsively for Xuan'er's sake, then Xuan'er's life would be forfeit, let alone any future.
Li Ying could only endure in silence. When Qing Lei returned, he immediately ordered in a cold voice, "Go summon Li Heng. Say that I have urgent business with him! Immediately!"
"Yes!"
After leaving the Bamboo Courtyard, Lady Yin returned to the main courtyard. The first thing she did upon returning was to have Matron Xu, who had long since left the estate, summoned back. Then she dismissed all the servants and sat alone in the room in silence.
Matron Xu's residence was not far from the Yongyu Marquis Estate. Upon hearing the summons, she hurried back. She had been away from the estate for many years and would never be called back unless it was a major matter. Thus, she had practically run the entire way.
Upon entering, before she had even caught her breath, she hastily said, "Ma... Madam summoned this old servant. Cou... could something have happened?"
Lady Yin turned her eyes to look at her, her voice heavy. "Close the door first."
Matron Xu hurriedly did as told. After closing the door, she drew closer and said in a low voice, "But what major matter has occurred?"
Lady Yin looked at her but did not speak for a long time.
Matron Xu immediately grew anxious. "Just what has happened? Madam, speak, don't frighten this old servant."
Lady Yin seemed to only now return to her senses, her voice hoarse. "Back then... that child... is she truly dead?"
Matron Xu was stunned upon hearing this, her gaze shifting evasively. "Why has Madam suddenly brought up this matter?"
Lady Yin did not answer. She only stared straight at her and said, "You only need to tell me—did she truly die?!"
Matron Xu did not dare look at her, muttering, "She should be dead."
Lady Yin's brows immediately furrowed upon hearing this. "What do you mean by 'should be'?"
Seeing that she could not evade this question, Matron Xu fell to her knees with a thud, kowtowing in a hoarse voice, "At that time, that person was already dead. The child was only three months old, not crying or fussing, even smiling so sweetly. Not to mention this old servant, even the assassin sent to handle the task was moved to pity and simply couldn't do it."
"You don't know, this old servant has never seen such a well-behaved, such a beautiful child, truly..."
"Enough!"
Lady Yin cut her off, speaking hoarsely, "What happened after?"
Matron Xu let out a low sigh. "This old servant and the assassin, though unwilling, knew our mission. So we left the child in the deep mountains. It was already dark by then, and within dozens of li of that deep mountain there were no households, with wolves and jackals roaming about. She definitely wouldn't survive long."
After listening, Lady Yin lowered her eyes and did not speak for a long time.
Matron Xu remained kowtowing on the ground, not daring to make a sound.
After a long while, she finally dared to lift her head slightly and probed, "Why has Madam suddenly brought up this matter? Could it be... there has been some change?"
Lady Yin looked at her, her expression complicated, and said in a low voice, "The Crown Prince suddenly came to visit the other day, saying that he had consummated a relationship with a woman. But that woman's status was too low, and he wanted us to arrange an identity for her so that he could bring her into the Crown Prince's Mansion in the future."
Matron Xu was immediately overjoyed upon hearing this. "This is a tremendous blessing! The Crown Prince has been pure of heart and free of desires for so many years, not even having a palace maid to attend to him closely. Now he is so devoted to this woman—clearly, he has developed true feelings. Once that woman enters the Crown Prince's Mansion, her future prospects will be limitless, and along with her, the Marquis Estate will also..."
"It's not as simple as you think."
Lady Yin cut her off and said, "This matter cannot be hidden from the Chancellor's Estate. The Crown Prince has yet to marry the Crown Princess, yet he is already so attentive to a woman—what face would the Chancellor's Estate have left? Even if the Marquis Estate has plans, it cannot appear too obvious. Otherwise, before glory arrives, the day of death will come first."
Matron Xu nodded. "Madam's consideration is still thorough; this old servant was shortsighted. It's just... what does this matter have to do with that child from back then?"
Lady Yin looked at her and spoke faintly, "That woman is eighty percent similar to that person. Moreover, she was found in the mountains by a hunter."
Hearing these words, Matron Xu's eyes suddenly widened. Both alarmed and afraid, she said, "Then... then..."
Lady Yin nodded. "Though I didn't ask in detail, based on that face alone, it can already be determined. After all, how many people in this world could possess that person's appearance?"
She lowered her eyes, her voice low, seeming nostalgic, seeming melancholic, yet also seeming to carry a measure of resentment and hatred.
Matron Xu was still in shock, only coming back to her senses after a long while.
She fell silent for a moment, then crawled forward on her knees two steps to arrive before Lady Yin. Looking up at Lady Yin, she said in a low voice, "That child was only three months old at the time, still in swaddling clothes. This servant confirmed that that person was thoroughly dead before leaving. Everyone who knew of this matter back then has already died out completely. Even if that child is this woman, she would absolutely never know the truth."
Lady Yin's expression stirred slightly upon hearing these words. She looked at Matron Xu without speaking.
Matron Xu hesitated for a moment upon seeing this and spoke in a low voice, "Madam, you should also have your own bloodline."
Lady Yin's pupils trembled upon hearing this, and then she frowned. "But she is blind, and I heard she is somewhat hard of hearing as well."
Matron Xu had not expected this. After her surprise, she said in a low voice, "But her appearance is right there, is it not? Otherwise, His Highness the Crown Prince would not be so attentive. Let this old servant say something treasonous: her being like this—is it not exactly right for Madam?"
Li Heng carried Liu Xuan back into the room and immediately felt some regret.
He sat on the bed, looking at Liu Xuan nestled in his embrace. Just as he was about to speak and say "never mind," she suddenly took the initiative to kiss his lips.