348 Your father is alive
Hei Chengxi soon caught up with Lóng Wei, who had stopped after an hour. They were on the outskirts of the capital and were far from the palace.
âI will escort you back to the palace, Prince Lóng Wei,â Hei Chengxi said.
âIs it true?â Lóng Wei inquired. âDid she really love the Kingâs Elder Brother? How did you know about this?â He glared at him and demanded answers from him.
Hei Chengxi revealed the truth to Lóng Wei, and said, âI also know that you are not the Kingâs son.â
Lóng Wei tightened his grip on the horseâs reins. He frowned and scrunched his nose. Frustrated, he hopped off the horse and started to walk. Hei Chengxi also got down from the horse and walked after Lóng Wei. It was dark around.
Fortunately, the moonlight was present, so the route was visible.
âPrince Lóng Wei, donât go ahead anymore. It will be dangerous if we walk on this route,â Hei Chengxi advised Lóng Wei when he finally stopped. He took out the dagger from inside his waistband and told Hei Chengxi that he must die too.
They both halted, and Lóng Wei turned to look at him. âDo you know, General, what I hate the most?â He asked and looked at the daggerâs blade. When Hei Chengxi didnât answer, Lóng Wei said, âPeople who act as my well-wishers. Since you know my darkest truth, then I must kill you too.â
Lóng Wei took a step towards him, but Hei Chengxi didnât move an inch. He remained glued to his place. âThen kill me. If you think your secret can be revealed to the world, then you should kill me,â Hei Chengxi said. Lóng Wei squinted his eyes in suspicion when Hei Chengxi grasped his hand and brought it to his neck.
.....
âLóng Wei, kill me if you think it will solve your problem and you will live in peace,â Hei Chengxi pronounced. âBut before you take my life, I would like to tell you another hidden truth. Your father is alive, so find him if you want to live happily,â he proclaimed.
âIt seems you want to betray my father, the current King,â Lóng Wei stated.
Hei Chengxi realized that Lóng Wei was unaffected by the truth that his father was alive or he was acting to be unaffected.
Lóng Wei loosened his grip on the hilt of the dagger and said, âI donât want to fall into Li Huaâs eyes. So I spare you. This is the first and last time we talked. I donât care who she loved. I do not want to know why you told me all this. I am the Kingâs Son, and thatâs the truth. Next time you try to speak to me, I may not spare your life, General Hei.â
Lóng Wei let go of the dagger and took a step back. He walked past Hei Chengxi when he said, âLóng Wei, donât be ignorant anymore. The King will kill you if this truth comes out. Before that, you need to search for your-â he could not complete his words as Lóng Wei interrupted him in the middle.
âShut your mouth, Hei Chengxi!â Lóng Wei shouted at him. âDonât say anything else. Do you even have any idea what my mother did to me? I lived in nightmares because of her. And you want me to go back to the past to search for answers. Donât step into my life when you do not even know about it. You have a family to feed, so better take care of them instead of poking your nose in my matter.â
Lóng Weiâs anger burst. He had enough of that. Yu Jun had messed up his life even after her death. He could not tolerate this.
âIf she had not hidden her love for me, then I might have thought of doing something. But she did nothing for me. So, I will do the same. Let me live, Hei Chengxi,â Lóng Wei pronounced, and he hopped on his horse again. He left for the palace while Hei Chengxi went to his residence.
The gatekeepers at the palace were terrified to see the infuriating expressions on Lóng Weiâs face when he asked them to take the horse away.
As soon as Lóng Wei reached the manor, in Li Huaâs chamber, he hugged her tightly. Li Hua was astonished by his gesture as Ai Fen and Liu Jin Yu were present in the chamber too.
âYour Highness,â she whispered in a low voice. Lóng Wei pulled her closer and closed his eyes. Ai Fen looked at Liu Jin Yu, and they both silently left the chamber.
âI-I am u-unable to breathe,â Li Hua said when Lóng Wei pulled away. Li Hua took a deep breath and peered into his eyes in bewilderment. She could smell the faint smell of wine from him. Was he not sober? His eyes looked sad to her, as if they wanted to cry.
Li Hua held his hand and took him to the inner chamber. She made him sit on the mattress and then handed him a glass of water. Lóng Wei drank the water, and later, Li Hua took the glass from him.
She found Lóng Weiâs eyes were lost somewhere when he drew her close by holding her wrist. He rested his head on her belly and said, âLi Hua, I donât want to die.â
Li Hua was stunned to hear that statement. She immediately cupped Lóng Weiâs face and asked him if something happened. For a moment, her soul had left her body just to hear his words.
âHei Chengxi knows about my past. He knows everything and I fear that I will be dead because of this,â Lóng Wei stated.
Li Hua didnât expect General Hei Chengxi to know the truth about Lóng Wei.
She sat next to Lóng Wei and asked him to tell her everything. She held his hands in hers and caressed them. This was the first time she saw Lóng Wei in fear, and it upset her.