The warmth in Cai Wei’s heart was as if it had been brushed by the spring breeze, which delighted her.
However, after more than forty years of life experience, she could no longer succumb in a man’s tenderness.
His unique identity destined it impossible for him to act on whim in matters of marriage. If he proposed to his imperial father at this time to take her as his official wife, she dared to guarantee that even if the high and mighty Emperor did not punish him, she would be the one to bear the brunt of his anger. Worst-case scenario, she and her family could end up losing their lives.
And there was His Imperial Mother. Cai Wei was fully aware of the Empress’s intentions towards her. The Empress had hesitated multiple times, wanting to kill her. Even though she had not decided to carry out the act in the end, it was only after Cai Wei withdrew from his life. If she recklessly stepped forward, hoping to become his wife, she believed the Empress would not hesitate to annihilate her and her family.
His younger sister also held murderous intent towards her. She and Cai Wei had become mortal enemies.
Given these circumstances, how could she possibly find happiness if she were to marry him?
Moreover, his imperial parents would never allow her to live to see the day she married him. To even think of marrying him would be akin to a moth flying into flame— courting death.
Despite having a soft spot for him and often yearning for their shared moments in the quiet of the night, she was past the age of sacrificing everything for love. Reason told her that agreeing to be with him was irrational and self-destructive.
Cai Wei steeled her heart and listened quietly to Nangong Yi finish his words, then she lifted her eyes and said calmly: "I’m sorry, Your Highness King Qin, you’re too late. I’ve already accepted Young Master Huo’s proposal!"
Upon hearing this, Nangong Yi was taken aback for a second, then burst into laughter and said dismissively: "What’s the big deal? It’s just an agreement, not an engagement. You can retract your acceptance!"
Cai Wei closed her mouth and remained silent, just quietly staring at him, her face expressionless.
As Nangong Yi saw her expression, the smile on his face gradually froze. He stared at her emotionless face, feeling somewhat panicked. His tone became hurried, "What? You don’t want to?"
Cai Wei pursed her lips, then nodded, "Yes, I don’t want to."
In the inner hall, the air chilled in an instant. Only the sound of clenched fists was heard. Nangong Yi drew closer to Cai Wei, squinting his eyes darkly at her for a bit, then suddenly burst into a chilling laughter, his tone frosty.
"Cai Wei, you haven’t fallen for Huo Yuan, have you?"
Cai Wei lowered her eyes and didn’t answer, but silence, in this context, was as good as an implicit admission.
Nangong Yi suddenly laughed, and when he had his fill, he abruptly clenched Cai Wei’s jaw, and said fiercely: "I yearn for you day and night, defying my mother. Yet, you are swooning for another man, and secretly engaged to him. Mu Caiwei, you are indeed something!"
Cai Wei’s jaw felt like it was about to shatter from his grip, causing her to involuntarily reveal an expression of pain.
What pained her even more was the sudden abdominal pain that followed, as if something was dropping down inside her.
She inhaled sharply, a thin layer of cold sweat forming on her forehead.
Noticing this, Nangong Yi slightly loosened his grip, but his expression was still ruthless.
"Mu Caiwei, I don’t care what you think of that dishonest merchant Huo Yuan. But don’t blame me for not warning you; pack up your thoughts, break it off with him, or the consequences will be unbearable for you!"
At that moment, Cai Wei couldn’t pay any heed to the man’s mood nor hear what he was saying. The intensifying abdominal pain had turned her face pale in an instant, and large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.