062 Despair Arrives Again and Again

“You certainly are stubborn! Fine, I’ll search myself!” Turning, he strode to the bedside and looked at Yun Xiyin, already asleep, his brows knitting faintly. “Let’s go!”

He seized Yun Xueyan by the wrist and, without a glance back to see if the others could keep up, marched out with long, unyielding steps.

She struggled to keep up, more dragged than walking on her own. Her steps faltered, and the grip on her wrist was so tight it felt as though it might snap, yet she stubbornly remained silent.

She refused to yield.

They arrived at the kitchens of Xuan Yue Pavilion. Duan Nanyu flung Yun Xueyan to the ground. “Find your so-called peach kernels for me!”

Supporting herself on the floor, she struggled upright, bitterness and sorrow welling in her heart, spreading inexorably, but she forced it down. She went to the cupboard and took out a jar.

The heavy jar weighed oppressively in her hands, as if burdened by his suspicion. She set it down, turning her back to Duan Nanyu, no tears left to cry.

“Open it!” He stepped forward, standing beside her, issuing the command.

Her hands rested on the lid for a moment, fingers tracing its edge, but in the end, she opened it. The scent of dried fruit wafted out. Before she could react, Duan Nanyu reached in and grabbed a handful.

“What is this?” He thrust it before her eyes, his voice cold as ice, fingers clenching stiffly. He desperately hoped it had nothing to do with her. But the evidence before him spoke for itself.

“These weren’t placed by me. This jar was meant to hold peach kernels. Why…” Yun Xueyan’s voice faltered. It was strange—the peach kernels had been replaced. Who in Xiao Prince’s manor would want to do such a thing?

But in Duan Nanyu’s eyes, her demeanor seemed guilty. Anger surged within him. “Do you have anything else to say?”

“No…” She truly had no way to explain. Even if she tried—what difference would it make? What good would it do?

He had already passed cruel judgment upon her. She no longer needed to argue, nor did she have the strength to.

“I never imagined you could be so vicious! Do you truly hate me so much? So much that you’d kill an unborn child—an undeveloped life!” Duan Nanyu pressed her relentlessly.

Yun Xueyan staggered back, legs weak and trembling. She had never wished harm upon that child—he, too, was innocent.

Suddenly, his icy hand closed around her throat. Yun Xueyan felt her breath cut off, his grip tightening as if to snap her neck. The beautiful face before her was filled with ruthlessness—and pain.

Her vision blurred again. Was she mistaken? He, the cold-hearted prince, would never hesitate; if he wavered, he would cease to be Duan Nanyu.

Suddenly, she felt as if she were being released, liberated. From this moment on, there would be no more pain, no more cold words, nothing—never again. But if she died, what would happen to her mother? Would Yun Qixiao make it back safely to care for her mother in her stead?

Panic seized her heart. What if Yun Qixiao never returned? Even if he did, it would be because of her that he’d clawed back from the edge of death.

How could she burden him further with caring for their mother?

“I…” She struggled desperately, words caught in her throat, driving her to the verge of collapse. “All I can say is that I didn’t…”

“But you don’t believe me. You refuse…to believe me…” She had no more words. She could not even defend her own innocence. What else could she do?

“Believe you? How am I supposed to believe you?” His grip tightened suddenly. “How am I supposed to believe you!” He roared, unable to bear her supposed cruelty.

Yun Xueyan gave a bitter smile and closed her eyes in resignation. The resolve she had just managed to gather was utterly shattered by his merciless accusation. All her hopes for him—were finally extinguished.