Chapter 602 - 605: I Can’t Take It Anymore

Chapter 602: Chapter 605: I Can’t Take It Anymore

Yue Niang planned to leave the city as soon as possible.

But Hua Manman rejected the idea.

Hua Manman explained, "There’s something I haven’t told you. I’m actually the Princely Heir of the Yu Royal Mansion. My name is Lu Man."

Yue Niang’s eyes slowly widened as she stared at her in disbelief.

"You... You’re the Young Master?! But didn’t you go to Shangjing?"

"I did go to Shangjing, but I’ve already returned."

At this, Hua Manman sighed, her eyes filled with sorrow and worry.

"I rushed back because I heard my grandfather was gravely ill. But I never expected that as soon as I returned, I’d learn my Second Uncle was aggressively recruiting soldiers and building up his forces. The entire Yu Royal Mansion is now under his control. He clearly wants to take all of Longdong County for himself, and my very existence is a huge threat to him."

Yue Niang said urgently, "Then you have all the more reason to leave this place!"

Hua Manman shook her head. "I can’t leave yet. I’m worried about my grandfather."

Yue Niang said, "I heard that Prince Yu has... has already..."

She was afraid of upsetting her, so she didn’t dare say the rest.

But her meaning was obvious.

Even she believed Prince Yu was already dead.

Hua Manman replied, "Even if my grandfather is already gone, I must at least offer a stick of incense for him. Otherwise, my conscience won’t be clear."

Yue Niang was moved by her filial piety.

"Since you’re staying, Young Master, then I’ll stay with you. I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth."

She had never said anything so bold in her life.

The moment the words were out, her face turned red, and she lowered her head shyly.

Hua Manman was very touched. "Thank you."

Yue Niang fiddled with the hem of her clothes and said bashfully,

"Between you and me, there’s no need for such pleasantries."

The two of them sat inside the carriage, whispering to each other, while Li Ji and Li Liao sat on the driver’s bench, urging the horse onward.

Although they spoke softly, as martial artists, both Li Ji and Li Liao had sharp hearing and could hear every word of the conversation inside the carriage perfectly clearly.

Li Liao was full of admiration.

’This daughter-in-law of his was truly incredible. She had paid no price, yet with her words alone, she had actually managed to trick Yue Niang into switching sides.’

’A talent like this would be an absolute master at turning enemy agents and winning over the people on a battlefield.’

Just as Li Liao was about to praise his son’s taste in wives, he saw that his son’s face was livid. He was gripping the horsewhip so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand were bulging.

Fearing he might snap the whip in two, Li Liao quickly snatched it away and tried to soothe him in a low voice.

"Calm down. They’re just putting on an act."

How could Li Ji possibly calm down?

’That was his wife, the woman he loved most in the world.’

’And now she was being all lovey-dovey with someone else.’

Jealousy gnawed at his sanity, pushing his emotions to the brink of collapse.

Li Liao continued to drive the carriage while trying to console him.

"Even if Manman is with someone else now, her heart is still with you. What do you have to be afraid of?"

Li Ji: "..."

His expression grew even darker.

’What did he mean, her heart was still with him?’

’Did that mean Manman’s body no longer belonged to him?’

’He had waited faithfully for five long years, and had finally gotten Manman back, only to be given just her heart while her body ran off with someone else!’

’The more he thought about it, the more wronged he felt. He couldn’t take it anymore!’

Li Ji started to rise.

But Li Liao clamped a hand on his shoulder, holding him down.

"Don’t be impulsive, young man. Once we’ve dealt with the Yu Royal Mansion, Manman’s heart and body will both be yours again."

Li Ji questioned him furiously, "Why did you make Manman do something like this? Why couldn’t you have found someone else to put on an act for Yue Niang?"

Li Liao retorted, "At the time, it was just me and Manman. If I didn’t send her, was I supposed to go myself?"

Li Ji snapped, "You should have gone!"

Li Liao smacked him in irritation.

"I’m your father! What kind of son tells his own dad to go out and solicit prostitutes?"

Li Ji shot back, "So you can just send your own daughter-in-law to do it with a clear conscience?!"

Li Liao coughed guiltily. "If I went, your mother would be furious enough to die from anger. You’re different. You’re much more broad-minded than your mother. A little thing like this is nothing to you."

Li Ji: "..."

’Listen to him! Are those the words of a real fucking father?!’

’What did he mean, he was ’much more broad-minded’?’

’No matter how broad-minded he was, he could never accept being cuckolded for no reason!’

The carriage stopped in front of an inn.

Hua Manman helped Yue Niang out of the carriage.

Since their party had grown by two, Li Liao was about to ask the innkeeper for two more rooms.

But Yue Niang refused.

She first glanced shyly at Hua Manman, then lowered her head, blushing, and whispered,

"I can just share a room with the Young Master."

CRACK!

Yue Niang looked up and asked blankly, "What was that sound?"

Hua Manman followed the sound with her eyes and saw that the stone tile under Li Ji’s foot had cracked.

The innkeeper exclaimed, "How did this floor tile break?"

Li Liao said, "It’s probably gotten brittle from being exposed to the wind and rain every day."

The innkeeper was skeptical. "Is that so?"

Li Liao was very composed. "Yes, that’s right."

Li Ji ignored everything else, his eyes fixed on Hua Manman in a death glare.

He radiated a fierce aura that promised he would smash every tile for miles around if she dared agree to share a room with Yue Niang.

Hua Manman rubbed her nose and gave an awkward smile. "I’m a man, and Yue Niang is a woman. Men and women should keep their distance, so it’s better if we stay in separate rooms."

Seeing her refusal, Yue Niang lowered her head in disappointment.

The murderous aura surrounding Li Ji dissipated considerably.

Just then, they heard the innkeeper say in an apologetic tone,

"My apologies, but we only have one guest room left for tonight. Why don’t you discuss it and have two people share?"

Yue Niang’s hopes were instantly rekindled.

Suppressing her shyness, she tugged on Hua Manman’s sleeve and pleaded urgently,

"I can help you wash up and change. If you find me a nuisance, I can sleep on the floor. Just give me a blanket, and that’ll be enough."

Before Hua Manman could speak, Li Ji cut in.

"Absolutely not!"

Yue Niang looked at him, her brows knitting slightly. "And why not?"

Li Liao stepped in to explain for his son.

"There might be danger tonight. If you two stay together, my son might not be able to protect you. It would be better for you to have your own room, to avoid getting you involved."

Yue Niang was still unwilling to give up. "I can protect myself. I won’t be a burden to you."

Hua Manman took her hand and said in a gentle voice,

"You’re not a burden to me. Don’t talk about yourself like that.

I only want to separate from you temporarily because I don’t want to put you in danger.

There’s no need to be so hasty. We have a long road ahead of us, after all. Let’s take things slow, alright?"

Yue Niang was instantly placated, and she even felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

She nodded shyly. "Alright. I’ll listen to whatever you say."

Li Ji, watching this unfold: "..."