Her scream was loud enough for Mei Lian's ears to pick up. She turned her gaze toward the direction the sound came from, but it was completely empty. Mei Lian stared into the void for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly. Then, with a shrug, she dismissed it.
"Must be a dying cat," she muttered. With that, she returned to her work.
Li Xue, hiding in the bushes nearby, let out a quiet sigh of relief. She stayed still for a moment to ensure she hadn't been noticed, then carefully got up and slipped out of the manor. Her voice was barely a whisper as she muttered, "Jiejie, where are you?" Her tone carried exhaustion and desperation.
The sun hung high in the sky, casting its warm rays over the manor, which bustled with life. Birds chirped melodiously, and the sound of maids gossiping and laughing filled the air. It was a picture of normalcy.
Chen Yi stood outside, observing his surroundings. He took a deep breath, but his pale face betrayed his inner turmoil. It was as if he was about to face a ferocious dragon, and his heartbeat thudded in his chest, wild and uncontrollable. No amount of effort could calm him.
Walking through the grand halls, Chen Yi finally stopped at a large, imposing doorway. He hesitated, his hand hovering over the handle. Taking another deep breath, he muttered to himself, "Here goes nothing," before pushing the door open.
Inside, Madam Chen paced back and forth, snapping her fan open and closed in agitation. Chen Wei, his father, sat rigidly on a Taishi chair, exuding authority and impatience. The high-backed chair seemed to elevate his already intimidating presence.
As Chen Yi stepped inside and closed the door behind him, both parents turned their eyes to him. The room fell into a heavy, uncomfortable silence.
"Chen Yi! What is this I hear?" Madam Chen's voice cut through the tension. Her tone was sharp and demanding. "Tell me it's just a rumor!"
Chen Yi bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry, Mother," he said, his voice low and steady. He dared not meet their eyes, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Madam Chen's fan snapped shut with a sharp click. "Impudent boy! How could you reject the king's proposal?"
Chen Wei rose to his feet abruptly, his movements swift and commanding. The air around him seemed to ripple with barely contained rage. "Do you understand what you have done?! How dare you disgrace this family by rejecting the king's offer!"
Chen Yi flinched slightly but quickly composed himself. His face remained calm, though his hands clenched tightly at his sides, his knuckles turning white. He slowly raised his head, meeting his father's furious gaze.
"I don't like her," Chen Yi said evenly. His words, though simple, carried a quiet defiance that only further enraged his father.
Chen Wei's face turned red with fury. His voice boomed as he pointed an accusing finger at his son. "She is the daughter of the queen! How can you—how dare you—say such a thing?!"
Chen Yi held his ground, his cold silver eyes unwavering. "You know where my heart belongs," he replied, his voice steady but tinged with emotion.
Chen Wei's hands trembled with anger as he bellowed, "That girl is the daughter of a despicable concubine! Do you think the king or this family will ever allow such a disgraceful match?"
Chen Yi's lips curled into the faintest hint of a smirk as he tilted his head slightly. "So what?" he retorted, his tone dripping with indifference.
Chen Wei's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth almost coughing out blood. For a moment, he was too stunned to speak. "So what?!" he finally roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "You insolent brat!"
Madam Chen quickly stepped between them, her hands raised to calm her husband. "Chen Wei, please," she urged. Her voice, though firm, carried a note of desperation. She turned to Chen Yi, her expression stern. "Chen Yi, leave us. Now."
Chen Yi's gaze lingered on his parents for a long, tense moment. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and walked out, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room.
As the door closed behind him, Chen Wei let out an exasperated growl, collapsing back into the Taishi chair. Madam Chen sighed heavily, fanning herself as she tried to regain her composure.
"This child." Madam Chen sighed.
"It's because you spoiled him a lot!" Chen Wei mumbled.
"You shut up!" Madam Chen spoke, "Weren't you the one saying, one should marry their true love!?"
Chen Wei shrank back in fear, if there was anyone in the world able to control him. It was his wife, "How would I know he would take it 'literally'?"
Outside, Chen Yi paused in the hallway, his chest heaving as he struggled to control his emotions. He heard his parents ramble, like a old couple. Chen Yi knew his parents wanted the best for him, but the life they had set for him. He did not want it, neither had he asked for it.
Chen Yi turned his head to look at his surroundings, he gazed around and his eyes met Li Xue, trying to hide in a bush. Chen Yi raised his eye brows and looked to see Mei Lian, coming near the bush. Then suddenly, she turned away and Li Xue breathed a sigh of relief as a smirk grew on her face.
"Idiot." Chen Yi mumbled as he shook his head gently.