Chapter 140: I Don't Care Anymore (Two-in-One, Seeking Monthly Votes)

Below Luoyue Peak, Jian Xinxin, acting as the Jailer, stole from his own post and unlocked Mei Yongdi's shackles.

But for a moment, neither of them moved.

Mei Yongdi could not gauge Jian Xinxin's intentions for a moment and did not act rashly.

As for him, he looked earnestly into her eyes and said slowly, word by word:

"You are wrong, how could I kill you?"

"To me, just being able to see you alive and healthy is better than anything else."

"I am already infinitely satisfied."

Under Mei Yongdi's suspicious gaze, Jian Xinxin slowly stood up and cleared the path outward.

He said:

"But I have not given up; I just do not want to force you."

Gazing at his former wife, now a stranger separated by the divide between human and demon, his eyes were as gentle as ever.

"Even if you cannot truly remember me now, one day, you will remember."

"And I can wait for that day."

"Wait forever."

"Now, go to the place you want to go."

Frowning as she slowly stood up, Mei Yongdi squinted at Jian Xinxin, having lost her previous composure.

She spoke slowly but firmly:

"I am not her!"

The current Mei Yongdi was no longer that illegitimate daughter of the Emperor, that innocent girl who had traveled with them.

But Jian Xinxin did not retreat, saying calmly:

"You are; you flow with her blood, possess her memories, possess her soul... why are you not her?"

Her brows furrowed, Mei Yongdi's purple eyes turned demonic, and she pressed the sharp nails protruding from her fingertips against his throat.

"I am a demon, you are a human!"

"So what?"

Such a trivial matter had never been a problem to him.

Her fingertips trembled, but she could not truly stab down; Mei Yongdi slumped and withdrew her hand.

She squinted at Jian Xinxin, suddenly thinking of the greatest pain in her memories.

She began to laugh, speaking with a hint of triumph:

"Heh, come to think of it, I am your younger sister!"

Same father, different mothers, blood-linked.

To you, who values propriety and bloodline above all else, this is the ultimate trump card.

But this time, Mei Yongdi thought wrong.

The Jian Xinxin of a hundred years ago hesitated once.

But the current him would never do so again.

Jian Xinxin smiled.

He said:

"I don't care."

Mei Yongdi: "What?"

Jian Xinxin changed from his previous calmness, like a volcano that had stopped suppressing itself suddenly erupting.

Boom.

The intense aura actually made Mei Yongdi subconsciously avert her gaze.

Jian Xinxin recalled the words he had rehearsed in his heart countless times.

Since that day, for the countless days and nights over these hundred years, Jian Xinxin had been thinking about it repeatedly.

If back then, he had spoken those words, how good would it have been?

If he had told her his thoughts at that time, would the result have been different?

Until she perished, she never received a firm answer from him.

So, until she died, she must have been blaming him for not being brave enough.

"I will not make the same mistake again."

For the mistake he once made, Jian Xinxin had regretted it countless times.

And now, he finally had the chance to speak his thoughts.

He raised his hand to press on Mei Yongdi's shoulder, took a step forward, and forcefully vented the pent-up frustration of many years from the bottom of his heart.

Not toward the her that existed in the present, but toward that long-dead soul.

Regardless of the tears flowing from his eyes, he roared word by word:

"I don't care whose daughter you are, I don't care!!!"

So what if it's the Emperor?

So what if it's a father?

Third Sister was right, whoever dares to gossip, just cut off their head!

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!

Kill until no one dares to speak, kill until everyone is accustomed to it!

As the roar ended, Jian Xinxin returned to his usual self; he lowered the hand he had pressed on Mei Yongdi's shoulder.

In a daze, he thought of his junior brother again.

It was also here that he had once asked him a similar question.

And back then, that overly mature youth had answered him like this.

"I know."

Jian Xinxin thought of that youth's expression back then, and his calm, indifferent reply at that time.

Mimicking the tone Ren Yidao had used then, Jian Xinxin also smiled brightly.

He said:

"But I don't care anymore."

I, too... have long since stopped caring.

Over a hundred years ago.

Watching the man smiling with relief, Mei Yongdi suddenly felt the inexplicable hatred in her heart dissipate quite a bit.

His years, perhaps, had not been spent well.

Mei Yongdi opened her mouth but stopped, wanting to explain something, but for some reason, it did not come out.

In the end, she could only turn her head, avoid his gaze, and walk out in silence.

But as she passed by Jian Xinxin, Mei Yongdi stopped, turned back, and looked at him steadily.

After their eyes met for a long time, she spoke softly:

"Give me a name, A Jian."

"A name that represents a new life."

Calling him by his old nickname with intimacy, she begged him for a brand-new beginning.

A new life personally bestowed by him.

Stunned for a moment, Jian Xinxin did not refuse, but spoke directly:

"'Mei', just 'Mei' will do."

He said:

"Cold plum blossoms brave the snow; the plum blossom blooms alone in the harsh winter."

"And you, you have returned alone from death."

"Isn't it very similar?"

Moreover, it also carries the past you cannot let go of.

As she wished, he gave her freedom, yet he left behind a thread of connection.

Mei Yongdi was silent for a moment; she did not refuse, but smiled faintly.

"Good."

"From today on, I am Mei."

Raising her hand to take the scroll he had brought from Jian Xinxin's embrace, Mei leaped forward lightly and walked out of the cell.

Then, Mei waved her hand to tear open a rift in front of her.

Even though this was the prison of the Divine Path Sect, holding countless Great Demons, it had never truly been able to trap her.

If not for that terrifying woman suppressing this place, Mei could have come and gone as she pleased relying on her Heavenly Talent...

Before leaving, she looked back, glancing at the man who had not moved an inch, who truly had no intention of stopping her.

For no reason, she suddenly felt a bit sad.

Not for herself, but for this man.

Looking at the white hair at his temples, she suddenly said:

"You are older than you used to be."

Her eyes widened slightly, and Jian Xinxin nodded with a smile:

"Mm, indeed, I have aged a bit."

Looking again at the stiff corners of his mouth, Mei shook her head:

"And you don't like to smile anymore."

"Mm, since you left, I have not smiled."

"Then... what about now?"

"I will smile."

Feeling that if she stayed here any longer, her thoughts would undergo unexpected changes, Mei turned her head and stepped into the rift.

"I'm leaving."

"Mm."

Watching the rift slowly disappear, Jian Xinxin let out a soft breath and powerlessly loosened his clenched fists.

He said:

"I will find you."

"This time, I definitely will."

"Hey—"

Thump, thump, thump.

Thump, thump, thump.

"Come out and eat!"

Knock, knock, knock.

"You too, don't play dead!"

Play dead?

Burying their heads under their quilts, the two young girls wailed in their hearts in unison:

("Besides playing dead, what else can I do!!?") ×2

The two girls were harboring ulterior motives, both feeling they had seen the other's secret, but neither intended to speak first.

Then what could be done?

Let's just let it cool for now...

Before sorting out their own thoughts, it was better not to see each other.

If something were to be revealed through their expressions, wouldn't that be incredibly awkward!

Let's escape.

Escaping is shameful, but sometimes it is truly useful.

"... Fine!"

Ren Yidao knocked back and forth on his two Junior Sisters' doors, but was met with a cold shoulder at both.

"You two, you're really not going to eat, are you?"

"Fine!"

You two, don't regret it!

"Don't blame me for not taking you out later!"

Returning in total defeat, Ren Yidao curled his lip and stopped pestering them.

He walked indignantly to the main hall and complained to Yang Wusheng, who was standing respectfully to the side:

"It's really strange, they were fine this morning, why do these two little girls suddenly feel unwell?"

If a child is suddenly feeling unwell, what should you do?

It must be an act; a good beating will fix it!

However, saying that is one thing, but he still had a small inkling as to why they had suddenly taken ill.

"But, this can't be blamed on me, right!?"

Yu Yu trespassed into my private space first, she is guilty.

Li Lingling is equally guilty, and even committed the grave crime of forcibly kissing her Senior Brother, making her guilt even worse.

Subordinates are not allowed to peck their superior's mouth!

It's good enough that I'm not giving you two trouble, how dare you give me the cold shoulder?

Rebellious.

Rebellious!

"Eunuch Yang, do you know the reason?"

Being suddenly addressed, Eunuch Yang thought for a moment, bowed humbly, and replied:

"This... the two Highnesses have their own hidden reasons, this old servant naturally does not know; perhaps it is just a temporary indisposition."

Yang Wusheng was not someone who was ill-informed.

Not to mention, the astonishing performance of this young man in the Longgong Hall earlier had already spread throughout all of Wentian by now.

Second in the literary trial, but in the eyes of many, better than first.

Second in the martial trial, showing not a shred of defeat, and exiting with composure.

First in the virtue trial; only a person of great virtue and kindness could deserve such an honor.

He absolutely counted as the biggest dark horse in this struggle for the position of Prime Minister.

Even regardless of the final result, and whether or not he could truly become the Prime Minister of this Beigan, it was already unimportant.

Ren Yidao had absolutely achieved a massive leap in this Wentian City that many could never achieve in their entire lives.

From a youth of little renown, he had vaulted into a new noble that everyone knew and recognized.

And this had taken only half a day.

Ever since entering the palace and severing his wisdom root, Yang Wusheng had spent his whole life seeking fame.

Yet the reputation he had spent most of his life accumulating could not compare to this person's half-day of work.

How could this not make him feel ashamed of his own inferiority?

How could this not make him respectful?

Sensing the silent shift in Yang Wusheng's attitude, Ren Yidao smiled, but had no intention of correcting it.

How Yang Wusheng acted, and whether he could truly settle his mindset, still depended on him thinking it through himself.

Ren Yidao had no obligation, and even less leisure, to correct him.

"What to do next?"

Looking around, the room was full of nothing but eunuchs and servants.

Hmm...

Ren Yidao was not yet so lonely that he needed to use a eunuch to pass the time.

"Help me arrange a carriage, I want to go visit the Shi Mansion."

It's decided, Brother Shi, I'm coming to find you to play!

Going to the Shi Mansion was not a hot-headed impulse, but something long premeditated.

Since he had come to Wentian, and Shi Anqi had also been here once, it would be truly unreasonable not to pay a visit.

Moreover, Shi Xue was still recuperating at the Shi Mansion, so he could stop by and see her.

Of course, there is one more most important thing.

"I told him back then to let Li Qiushui come and beg me herself, but I turned around and became her helper."

"That fellow Shi Anqi is probably still muttering about it in his heart."

Yang Wusheng was not surprised; he gave two instructions to the servants and then said:

"Your Highness, the carriage and horses are ready at any time. Let me drive for you."

Yang Wusheng was blatantly currying favor, but Ren Yidao declined and smiled:

"No need to trouble yourself, Eunuch. You should stay here and look after the safety of the two Junior Sisters."

He patted Yang Wusheng on the shoulder and said with a faint smile:

"Don't overthink it; I am still the same me as before."

Ren Yidao could not say he liked Yang Wusheng, but he could not say he disliked him either.

He could only offer this much guidance; whether he could realize it or not depended on Yang Wusheng's own aptitude.

Stunned for a moment, Yang Wusheng quickly perked up, bowed deeply to Ren Yidao, and said respectfully:

"Then... I shall wait here to welcome you, Daoist."

"If there is still time when you return, I hope you will not begrudge me your guidance. That game of chess from last time hasn't been finished yet."

Very good.

As expected of someone who has spent time in the palace; he climbs as soon as a pole is offered.

"Haha, definitely next time."

Waving his hand, Ren Yidao walked out of the residence.

Definitely next time!

"I..."

Her memory was somewhat chaotic. Shi Xue, having just woken up, slowly sat up and looked down at her body, which was wrapped in several layers of bandages.

"This is my room. Is everyone safe and sound in the end?"

"Mm-hmm, everyone is fine."

"That's good... hm?"

Her face twitched. Shi Xue slowly turned her head and squinted at the young man who was sitting on the stool by her bed with his legs crossed, looking completely at ease.

"... Why are you here?"

"Me?"

Ren Yidao held a bowl of hot porridge and tilted his head, seemingly thinking seriously about how to answer her.

"I actually came to find your second uncle, but for some reason, your aunt-in-law muddled things up and sent me to you."

He blew on the hot steam on the spoon and held it out in front of Shi Xue.

"Here, eat something."

Shi Xue:???

Eat what eat?

"No!!! This is my boudoir!?"

How could you, a man, be allowed to share a room with me?

Ren Yidao dodged Shi Xue's attack while holding the porridge, muttering with a resentful expression:

"Hey, hey, hey, take it easy! Don't burst the bandages."

It's a small matter if the bandages break, but please don't splatter me with blood.

Click.

"Because I am here too."

A cold voice rang out from the other side. Li Qiushui glanced at the smiling Ren Yidao with an expression of disgust and handed a towel to Shi Xue.

"Wipe yourself down. Don't worry, I will kick him out."

Kick?

Hearing this word, Ren Yidao became indignant.

We are all friends, why are you allowed to stay here?

"Hey, hey, don't be so heartless."

"Do you really think Ren would steal... Fine, I'm leaving. Don't get excited, put the sword down."

If you don't want me to look, then I won't look. Why draw your sword?

You Li Family members are really... too easy to get excited!

Sigh!

This is not good, not good.

Impulsiveness is a Demon!

My sleep has improved a bit these past few days, increasing from an average of five hours and twenty minutes to six hours!

(Hands on hips)