Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Tears fell from my eyes, one by one.

Cheng Wei took up the thread of the conversation coldly. “On the day you disappeared from Ci’en Temple, I searched the surrounding area. The several dogs I brought were all led toward the cliff at once. Such an obvious trail was actually suspicious. Either you had really fallen, or someone was intentionally leading me there.”

“Reasoning backward from that, under what circumstances would someone want to lead me away like that? How far could a pregnant woman run, even if she grew wings? I concluded then and there that you hadn’t left Ci’en Temple.”

“I watched from the shadows for a few days, and sure enough, I saw Meng Huaiqing sneaking in and out frequently. Later, he even took you to Yankang Ward.”

So that was it.

I had always thought it was because Hongyu woke up and revealed that Meng Huaiqing had been in the meditation room that day, which led to Yuan Heng’s pursuit.

I thought Meng Huaiqing had saved me because he secretly admired me, and that he would harbor a shred of pity or kindness toward me.

When we were in the carriage, I had eaten the rations he gave me and fallen fast asleep.

I thought I had drifted off because I was too terrified and physically exhausted.

But I had forgotten-in my past life, when I was drugged with a sleeping potion, I had been just as unconscious.

I looked up, staring directly at Yuan Heng. “When he bought rations from a vendor before leaving the city, was he sending you a signal?”

Yuan Heng clapped his hands and gave a thumbs-up. “If Huaiqing had actually dared to run away with you, he would be a traitor, and he would be locked up here too. As it turns out…”

He turned sideways, glancing toward the screen, and raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Huaiqing made the right choice. I told you long ago, Huaiqing is far too soft-hearted, but at least his head is screwed on straight.”

Hearing this, I didn’t want to cry; instead, I wanted to laugh.

“Meng Huaiqing!”

I stared at the screen and screamed hysterically, “Meng Huaiqing! Meng Huaiqing!”

The tips of the shoes visible beneath the screen retreated and vanished.

How stupid I was.

I had been humiliated and murdered by a man once, yet in the end, I had pinned my hopes on another man, believing he would save me.

Yuan Heng knelt beside me, stroking my head. “Actually, does it really matter who told you This Marquis wanted to kill you-Hongyu, Second Brother, or Huaiqing?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Yuan Heng wagged a finger, his smile growing more sinister. “But watching them peck at each other to prove their innocence… it’s quite entertaining, isn’t it?”

I glared at him, wishing I could bite him to death.

Yuan Heng’s fingertip traced my face. “Are you very angry? How about I have Huaiqing come over and apologize to you?”

My heart had turned to ice. I looked at the dying Cuinong.

“I’ve fallen into your hands, and I accept it. Do with me as you wish. But Cuinong is innocent. Spare her life-consider it an act of mercy to earn some karma for the woman you love.”

Yuan Heng turned to ask Hongyu, “Should we let her go?”

Hongyu shook her head like a rattle. “No, don’t.”

Yuan Heng sighed with feigned regret. “Then I’m sorry, Qing Qiu. She won’t allow it.”

He leaned close to my ear and said with incredible tenderness, “Thank you for taking such good care of this face for me these past few days. It’s very beautiful. I’m taking it now.”