091 She Must Die

Startled by Duke Xuan's words, Yun Xiyin staggered back, only to be stopped by the pain tugging at her scalp before she was yanked back in front of him.

Her throat was parched and raw. Clinging to the last shred of hope, she lifted her head and looked at him, her fragile expression faintly resembling Yun Xueyan.

Dazed, Xuan Zheng stared at the person before him. A sharp pang struck deep in his heart, and his grip loosened slightly. But only for an instant; he tightened his hand again. Was she trying to bewitch him? Her eyes would never be as clear as Yun Xueyan's.

Yet now, whenever those clear eyes looked at him, they held only fury and hatred.

The pain sealed within his heart burst apart and spread through his whole body. His rigid frame shuddered once.

A cold killing intent gathered in his eyes, and his voice turned ice-cold. "Yin'er, it'll be quick. It won't hurt for long. Yanyan... wasn't she all right too?"

Terror widened Yun Xiyin's eyes. Like a demon staring out from hell, her body trembled uncontrollably. Her last wager, too, had crumbled to nothing...

She lowered her head, a vicious gleam flashing in her eyes. "My lord, you may kill the child. You may even refuse to acknowledge your own child. You may even see another scene of bloodshed today, because you are the Prince of Xiao, and such things do not matter to you."

Xuan Zheng said nothing. In his mind, the scene from the morning surged and churned, every detail still vivid, as though it had happened only moments ago before his eyes: Yun Xueyan's resentful, hateful gaze, the child's sudden departure...

It came crashing over him like a flood, nearly drowning him in boundless agony.

Everything filled him with bitter regret, yet there was no way to undo it. Yun Xueyan... would she forgive him?

The hesitation in the person before her sent Yun Xiyin into wild laughter. She raised her head and looked at Xuan Zheng with open provocation, the corners of her mouth twisting. "You were the one who married me into the prince's residence, and you were the one who made me a promise. You broke your word first, so I became merciless! Do you still remember how you treated that wench back then?"

Each word stabbed like a needle into Xuan Zheng's heart.

His eyes narrowed viciously, cold as frost, and his voice was like ten-thousand-year ice. "Back then, it was my mistake to think you were still the same as you once were. Yun Xiyin, I have given you everything I could give you, but you are far too vicious! However... the child is innocent." Releasing her fistful of black hair, Xuan Zheng turned away woodenly. "Do not think I have spared you. I will settle this account with you after the child is born!"

With that, he slammed the door and left.

What he owed her, he would repay when he found the chance. By then, he would reclaim everything for Yun Xueyan.

Watching Xuan Zheng depart, Yun Xiyin collapsed to the floor. Beads of sweat slid down her forehead. She... was unwilling. She was unwilling! She would make Yun Xueyan die!

Yicui returned from outside and saw Xuan Zheng storming off in fury. She hurried into the room and helped Yun Xiyin up.

"Princess Consort, are you all right?" Yicui asked carefully, studying Yun Xiyin's ghastly pale face.

Receiving no answer, Yun Xiyin merely stared at the empty doorway, her gaze sharp as needles, and muttered to herself, "I am going to kill her. I will not let her live. Second Brother is mine, and the prince is mine too..."

Hearing this, Yicui's hand stiffened as she supported Yun Xiyin, and she froze in place.

"Princess Consort..."

"If you dare say no, I'll make your life worse than death!" With a savage threat, Yun Xiyin turned and walked back into the room, one hand clutching tightly at her belly.