TPGA - 158

Yunyi’s mind raced as she retreated a few more steps under pressure. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, “Third Young Master, do you know why Caiping suddenly distanced herself from you? No matter how much you pleaded, she refused to agree to become your concubine.”

Li Xuanba’s movements faltered. His voice turned icy. “Was it you?!”

“Yes, it was me who persuaded Caiping to leave you. Don’t think I don’t know—you aristocratic men never truly care for women like her. You play with them until you grow bored, then discard them without a second thought!”

Li Xuanba hurriedly shouted, “Nonsense! I truly love Caiping!”

“True love?” Yunyi chuckled softly. “I’ve seen plenty of your so-called ‘true love.’ When you’re interested, your words are sweeter than honey. But when you lose interest, no matter how a woman begs on her knees, you won’t spare her a glance. Those with a shred of conscience might give her a meal, but most simply cast her out to fend for herself. Third Young Master, am I wrong?”

“If I take Caiping as my wife, I will treat her well for the rest of her life. I won’t abandon her as you described!” Li Xuanba’s techniques began to grow disordered under the influence of her words.

“Is that so? But it’s too late. Caiping personally promised me she would never be with you. Her family has already enlisted a matchmaker to arrange a marriage for her. Last time she returned, she mentioned a family that seemed promising—not wealthy, but modestly comfortable. Most importantly, the man is honest. If nothing unexpected happens, she’ll likely finalize the engagement today.”

Li Xuanba barked, “You lie! Caiping would never agree to an engagement!”

“Didn’t Caiping tell me this herself? How could it be a lie? It seems Third Young Master has lost his chance.” Taking advantage of Li Xuanba’s distracted state, Yunyi closed in. By the time he realized, it was too late. A chill ran down his neck as the dagger pressed against his throat. Her breath, both delicate and menacing, tickled his ear. “Move another inch, and you won’t live to see tomorrow’s sun.”

“You’re despicable!” Li Xuanba cursed himself for being careless and falling into her trap.

“As long as it works.” With that, Yunyi retrieved a thin rope from her sleeve and securely bound Li Xuanba’s hands behind his back. She then pushed him into an abandoned house and tied his legs as well.

After standing up, Yunyi saw Li Xuanba silently bowing his head. She sneered. “Don’t waste your energy. These ropes are made from ox tendons, horsehair, and hemp—impossible to break!”

“You knew I’d follow you, so you prepared the ropes beforehand?” Li Xuanba knew she spoke the truth. No matter how hard he struggled, the ropes didn’t budge, only digging painfully into his wrists.

Yunyi ignored his question and instead asked, “Your actions yesterday weren’t on a whim, were they? You wanted to force me to reveal my martial arts in front of Second Young Master, didn’t you?”

“That’s right. But I didn’t expect you to be so cunning—even at the brink of death, you refused to show any sign.” With a hateful tone, he demanded, “Who sent you? Why do you want to kill my father?” He was unaware of Emperor Yang’s suspicions about Li Yuan or that Li Yuan and his brothers were secretly plotting rebellion.

“No one sent me. As for why I want to kill Li Yuan…” Yunyi smirked coldly. “It’s simple—he deserves to die!”

Li Xuanba clenched his teeth. “My father governs diligently and cares for the people of this county. How can you say he deserves to die?”

Yunyi was momentarily speechless. Indeed, aside from that dream and his surname, what crime had Li Yuan committed? Perhaps in the eyes of the common folk, it was her own father—the Emperor—who bore the guilt!

A shiver ran through Yunyi. As the Emperor’s daughter, how could she think such thoughts? Moreover, her father’s continuous campaigns were meant to eliminate border threats. Only with peace across the land could the people truly prosper.

With these thoughts, Yunyi approached Li Xuanba, staring at him intently. “Tell me—where is Feng Li?”

Without hesitation, Li Xuanba replied, “Never! Kill me if you dare!”

A trace of cruelty flickered in Yunyi’s brows. The cold gleam of her dagger pressed against his neck, and a drop of crimson blood slid down the blade, dripping onto the ground. “Do you think I won’t?”

Li Xuanba sneered. “You dared to assassinate my father. What else wouldn’t you dare? Go ahead and kill me if you want. But you’ll never get Feng Li’s location from me!”

“You!” A murderous glint flashed in Yunyi’s eyes. Just as she was about to press harder, she suddenly thought of something. A sly smile curved her lips as she withdrew the dagger. “You may not care about your own life, but do you not care about Caiping’s?”

Li Xuanba’s expression changed, and he hastily asked, “What are you planning to do?”

Yunyi smiled leisurely. “Killing Li Yuan is troublesome, but killing Jiang Caiping—for me—is as easy as turning my hand!”

For the first time since his capture, Li Xuanba revealed a look of panic. “Don’t harm Caiping—she knows nothing.”

“Then tell me where Feng Li is.” If she didn’t kill Feng Li, once he recovered, he would expose her identity. All her efforts would be for naught.

Her words placed Li Xuanba in a dilemma. If he allowed her to remain hidden in the mansion under the guise of Wu Meixue, his father and Second Brother would surely be harmed. But… he couldn’t bear to see Caiping in danger either. What should he do?

Yunyi didn’t rush him, quietly waiting nearby. Of course, she didn’t actually intend to harm Caiping. This was merely a tactic to force Li Xuanba to reveal Feng Li’s whereabouts. Before she could kill Li Yuan, her identity must remain concealed. Feng Li posed the greatest threat—he had to die!

After a long silence, Li Xuanba raised his eyes and said, word by word, “If you harm Caiping, even in death, I will become a vengeful spirit, haunting you every day and making your life a living hell!”

Yunyi’s expression darkened. “So you refuse to reveal Feng Li’s location?”

Li Xuanba’s tone grew solemn. “If Caiping truly dies because of me, I will gladly pay with my life. But to let you harm Father and Second Brother—never!”

Yunyi hadn’t expected Li Xuanba to be so stubborn. Frustrated, she was momentarily at a loss for words. At this moment, the imprisoned Li Xuanba suddenly laughed, his laughter unsettling her. She snapped, “What are you laughing at?”

Li Xuanba slowly stopped laughing, his voice icy. “I’m laughing at my Second Brother. Despite his unwavering protection of you, he doesn’t realize you’re the very harbinger of doom destined to destroy him!”

“When Magistrates Wang Wei and Gao Junya pressured him to hand you over, Second Brother risked the entire Li family’s future rather than comply. He even argued with Elder Brother repeatedly for your sake. And the cases involving Feng Chunxiu’s murder and your father—every single time, Second Brother stood by you. Yet you repay his kindness with betrayal. Wu Meixue, has your conscience been eaten by dogs, or…”