379 Were You Using Her or Was It Sincere
This question left Huangfu Lingyao hesitating for a long time before he furrowed his brow and asked, "Do you think... I'm deceiving her?"
If Liu Shimei were to find out, would she think the same way?
He began to worry.
Mu Jiangli looked at him coldly and said, "Sincerity is paramount in a marriage. If you've been dealing with her while wearing a false mask from the very beginning, where is the sincerity?"
The question struck like a heavy blow, pounding on Huangfu Lingyao's heart.
A faint pain made it difficult for him to breathe.
He lowered his eyelids and said, "Even though I don't know why you're asking, I'll answer your question: I... don't... know!"
It was the truth.
He himself did not know how long he had to continue this charade!
Wearing this mask, he had spent seven years adapting to it. Even if he wanted to take off the mask in front of someone, it was not an easy thing to do.
Moreover, the current situation was not stable enough for him to remove the mask!
As for Liu Shimei...
It wasn't that he didn't trust her or didn't want to, but fear played a significant role!
Mu Jiangli did not ask any further. Just as he had given an ambiguous answer to Huangfu Lingyao's question, he could not pursue it further either.
The subsequent confrontation, perhaps because Huangfu Lingyao was preoccupied with the earlier question, took a wrong turn, and Mu Jiangli gained the upper hand again.
He asked again, "I recall you never had any intention of marrying. Why did you set your sights on Shimei?"
Although he had doubted Huangfu Lingyao's motives, when he thought about it, Huangfu Lingyao had come to him to open a medical hall for Liu Shimei, even offering tempting conditions. Seeing how he protected Liu Shimei, it did not seem like he had any ulterior motives, right?
However...
They had known each other for many years, so Mu Jiangli was very clear: what was impossible for others might not be impossible for Huangfu Lingyao.
Huangfu Lingyao looked up at him, squinting his eyes as he asked, "What exactly is your relationship with my wife?"
"This question, you can ask it after you win," Mu Jiangli raised an eyebrow. "Now it's your turn to answer."
Huangfu Lingyao ground his molars for a moment and said, "Because the Crown Prince likes her!"
Still, it was the truth!
Mu Jiangli's face changed suddenly, and he stood up abruptly. His gaze sharpened like a hawk's as he interrogated, "Are you using Shimei for your advantage?"
Huangfu Lingyao sighed deeply and said, "You've seen me with her today. Whether I'm using her or sincere towards her, can't you tell?"
His vague response was because he did not want to reveal too much to Mu Jiangli.
Who was Mu Jiangli to Shimei? Even Shimei didn't know, and Mu Jiangli refused to say!
Why should he honestly answer such a private question?
Mu Jiangli stared at him for a long time, refusing to sit down and continue the game.
Huangfu Lingyao urged, "I've answered. The game isn't over yet. You set the rules, don't think about breaking them yourself!"
Only then did Mu Jiangli sit down and carefully study the chessboard.
There were too many doubts, and both sides wanted to fight to the end, to get to the bottom of things. But both had their own secrets, and the final chess match ended in a draw!
Neither could ask any further!
Huangfu Lingyao, unwillingly, said, "Old Mu, we've known each other for five years, right?"
"Yes," Mu Jiangli tidied up the chessboard, responding indifferently.
Huangfu Lingyao continued, "Why did you never show any signs of knowing Shimei before I approached you? It's been a long time, and you even spent three years. Did you know the Liu family as well?"
At these words, Mu Jiangli's face instantly became clouded with darkness, completely devoid of the usual warmth!
The force in his hands was so great that he crushed the chess piece into powder in an instant!