Chapter 28: A Favor and a Threat
"Hua, come back," the emperor called. Princess Hua turned back, her heart racing. "Father, I didn't know him," she said, her voice trembling.
"Move closer," the emperor commanded. As she stepped forward, he continued, "You have passed through a lot." He looked at Princess Hua, whose eyes were swollen from crying. "I have a favor to ask of you. If you can do it, I will release your maid and clear your name. I know someone is trying to frame you."
Princess Hua raised her head, her eyes locking onto the emperor's, waiting for his request. "I would love to help you, Father," she replied earnestly.
"That's my Hua," the emperor said, a rare look of affection softening his features. It was the first time he had shown her such warmth, though he knew he loved her deeply.
"I want you to help me obtain a secret manual from the general's mansion," the emperor said.
"A secret manual?" Princess Hua asked, confusion flickering across her face.
"Yes. There is a secret manual I need from Wang," the emperor clarified.
"Should I ask him?" Princess Hua inquired, hoping for a simpler solution.
"No, I want you to bring it back secretly, without anyone knowing," the emperor instructed.
Princess Hua felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She hadn't been on good terms with her in-laws, and this task would be monumental. "Can you help me?" the emperor pressed.
Princess Hua hesitated, but the thought of Chen Xui suffering on her behalf spurred her resolve. She couldn't let her maid be punished. "Okay, Father," she finally replied, determination settling in her heart.
"You're really my princess," the emperor said, pride evident in his voice. He turned to the eunuch. "Tell the guards to release Hua's maid."
As Princess Hua left the palace hall, she stepped outside to find someone waiting for her—it was Princess Li.
"Did you think you could escape this time? You think you can seduce my husband?" Princess Li accused, her eyes narrowing.
"Seducing your husband? Is it this leftover?" Princess Hua retorted, covering her nose with her right hand and pointing at Li Chen with the other.
"Did you call him leftover?" Princess Li exclaimed, her voice rising.
Princess Hua shook her head, pretending to gag. "Oh, it's so bad here," she said dramatically.
"He is far better than your crippled husband," Princess Li shot back.
"Crippled and fertile, unlike your husband who isn't," Princess Hua mocked, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Then who is that scholar, if your husband is fertile?" Princess Li pressed.
"Who doesn't know it's your plan?" Princess Hua countered, her voice steady.
"My plan? Or are you just promiscuous?" Princess Li sneered.
"Hua, I can't believe you're like this. God save me I didn't marry you. I'm happy with my cute wife," Li Chen said, affectionately touching Princess Li's face.
"You two are so disgusting," Princess Hua said, turning to walk away.
Li Chen and Princess Li exchanged glances, and Li Chen looked at Princess Hua with a mix of love and regret. Deep down, he loved Princess Hua more than he cared to admit, but he had chosen the favored one.
"Did you do that?" Li Chen asked, his voice low.
"No, I didn't," Princess Li replied, her tone defensive.
"Who the hell did that?" Li Chen demanded, frustration evident in his voice.
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### Epilogue
The previous night, the scholar had visited Li Chen's mansion to meet him. He threw a paper at Li Chen, who caught it with a sense of foreboding. The note read: "Support me tomorrow to bring Princess Hua down. I know your secret about the death of your cousin. You killed her. It's either you drag her down with me tomorrow, or I spread the news."
Li Chen's heart raced as he read the note. He rushed to his wife, panic etched on his face. "Are you okay?" Princess Li asked, concern in her voice.
"I am. Set up a maid in the palace," he instructed, but the rest of his words were lost in the chaos of his thoughts.
That night, sleep eluded him. Memories flooded his mind—the rain, the cries of a little girl, the river. He recalled the day when he and little Hua had tried to save his cousin.
"No, I should save her," he thought desperately, remembering how they had pulled on a rope, their small hands grasping for her safety.
They heard footsteps and voices drawing closer to them.
"Let's go," little Princess Hua had urged.
"No, no!" Li Chen shouted, the memory overwhelming him.
"NO!" he cried out, jolting awake from the nightmare, his heart pounding in his chest.