Just then, Xie Yong returned with a convoy. Before entering, he saw his sister crying while Ji Yi looked furious. Confused, he asked, "What... What happened? Don't cry, Yuchan, what's wrong? Your Highness?"
Ji Yi snorted and sat back down. Chi Ying didn't know how to explain and could only say, "Your Highness has a loud voice and accidentally scared Miss Xie."
Xie Yong tried to comfort his sister, but she only cried harder, burying her face in his chest. Ji Yi, overwhelmed by her crying, finally couldn't take it anymore and stormed off. Chi Ying couldn't stop him and had to deal with the mess herself. "Master Xie, Miss Xie, Your Highness is in a bad mood today, so please excuse the poor reception."
Xie Yong assured her it was fine, but Xie Yuchan continued glaring at her hatefully. Chi Ying wasn't fond of the girl either. After arranging two adjacent guest rooms for the siblings, she went to calm the irate Ji Yi.
Surprisingly, Ji Yi had calmed down much faster than she expected. When she entered the room, he was polishing a new sword, admiring it lovingly.
"This is the Star Abyss Sword?"
"Yeah," Ji Yi cleaned the sword and sheathed it. "Minister Cheng invited me to his house next month for a wedding banquet."
Chi Ying was stunned, "A wedding banquet?"
Ji Yi hung the scabbard on the wall and turned with a smug smile, "Yes, Minister Cheng has arranged for his daughter to marry his new disciple, set for the first day of next month." The look on his face seemed to say, "You said Minister Cheng wanted to marry his daughter to me, but now she's marrying someone else."
Feeling embarrassed for miscalculating, Chi Ying said, "Congratulations to Minister Cheng then."
Ji Yi hummed a tune, looking quite pleased, seemingly forgetting his earlier annoyance. Chi Ying took the opportunity to ask, "Minister Cheng invited Your Highness to his home just to gift this sword?"
"Why not?" Ji Yi glanced at her.
"There's nothing wrong with that, but I thought Minister Cheng, being a learned scholar, might take the opportunity to lecture Your Highness. No matter, it's fine."
Ji Yi stared at her for a long time before asking, "Why does everyone keep urging me to get married? My father, the Empress, Consort Duan, and now even the Minister of Personnel are involved. What's the reason behind it?"
Chi Ying smiled and asked, "Do you really want to know?"
Ji Yi narrowed his eyes and nodded slightly.
"The Emperor wants you to marry because parents naturally urge their children to marry. The Empress hopes you'll marry to help the Crown Prince distinguish friends from foes. Consort Duan loves you like her own child and wishes you to marry out of concern for your happiness. As for Minister Cheng, I think he's a loyal minister, worried about royal matters. Since the Emperor wants to see you married, he feels obliged to help."
Chi Ying paused and slowly added, "As for my reason for urging you to marry, Your Highness would surely be angry if I told you. Perhaps it's better left unsaid."
"Tell me, I promise not to get angry."
"Really?"
"Stop stalling, tell me!"
Seeing his impatient expression, Chi Ying decided to speak plainly. She knelt before him and said clearly, "I wish for Your Highness to ascend the throne. Historically, princes marry to form alliances with powerful families. Since the Crown Prince has married the Grand Tutor's daughter, Your Highness shouldn't fall behind."
After saying this, Chi Ying lowered her head, waiting for the impending anger.
Before marrying into the Wu Wangfu, she intended to subtly assist Ji Yi using her knowledge of the future. However, after interacting with him, she realized that subtle hints wouldn't work. The only effective approach was to be straightforward and clearly explain her reasons and goals.
"Very well said."
Ji Yi slowly nodded, "Well said indeed."
Chi Ying hesitantly raised her head, unsure of his reaction.
Ji Yi extended his hand to her, "The Crown Prince married the Grand Tutor's daughter, so what? I'm also marrying the Grand Tutor's daughter."
Chi Ying wanted to explain the principle of loyalty but was interrupted.
He gripped her wrist and pulled her up, holding her close, then turned her face toward him, declaring firmly, "I have no interest in the throne, so I need no allies."
No interest in the throne?
Chi Ying was genuinely shocked. Throughout history, she had never heard of a prince uninterested in the throne. Even those with weak positions accepted their fate. Ji Yi, as the sole son of the late Empress and a successful military commander, why would he have no interest in the throne?
"Or do you want to be the Empress?" Ji Yi gazed at her, caressing her cheek. "If it weren't for my preemptive action at the carved flower tower, the current Crown Princess would be you."
His fingers tightened, causing Chi Ying to wince in pain. He didn't let go but instead pushed her onto the couch, straddling her and gripping her throat tightly.
Chi Ying's eyes widened in shock. She tried to speak but couldn't make a sound. Ji Yi's veins bulged, and his grip tightened, showing clear intent to choke her to death!
Panicking, she clawed at his hands, but her efforts were futile. Feeling suffocated, her vision blurred, and she struggled desperately. Her nails dug into his hands, but it was useless.
Suddenly, a soft meow came from the open door. Taosu jumped in, its innocent gaze fixed on them.
Ji Yi abruptly released her, and Chi Ying choked violently, coughing hard. She had nearly died, all because she mentioned wanting to see him become emperor.
Ji Yi got up and left without a word.
Chi Ying lay on the couch, gasping for breath, heart pounding. She held Taosu, still shaken. Thanks to Bailizan's quick thinking, sending the cat saved her life.
Chi Ying hugged Taosu, lingering in fear for a long time before dragging herself to the side courtyard to thank Bailizan.
Bailizan looked worriedly at the red marks on her neck and sighed, "I never imagined Your Highness would react so strongly, even resorting to violence against you. Sigh!"
"I think Your Highness reacted due to some internal conflict, not specifically targeting me," Chi Ying's voice was hoarse from coughing. "It may not be personal."
Bailizan shook his head, "Your Highness almost killed you, yet you're defending him?"
Chi Ying disagreed, "Not defending, but understanding his reasons. There must be something behind his lack of interest in the throne, which might relate to his sudden outburst. Without addressing the root cause, our efforts will be futile."
"What do you plan to do?"
"I'm not sure yet. For now, I'll avoid provoking him further."
Bailizan smirked, "How do you think Your Highness will react?"
"He..."
Chi Ying pondered for a moment and shook her head, "I can't predict him. He doesn't follow conventional logic."
Bailizan winked, "Your Highness acts according to his heart, not bound by societal norms. Focus on what he likes and needs, not what you think he should have."
Chi Ying looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"
Bailizan smiled mischievously and didn't elaborate.
That afternoon, Ji Yi went to train soldiers at the western camp. Considering Xie Yuchan didn't want to see her, Chi Ying canceled plans for dinner together and instructed the kitchen to deliver meals to their rooms.
When Ji Yi returned sweaty and exhausted, he saw Chi Ying preparing the sofa and asked, "What are you doing?"
Chi Ying glanced at him, "The bathwater is ready. Xiaoqiu, help Your Highness bathe."
Ji Yi placed his helmet on the table and asked irritably, "Are you going to sleep separately?"
"Would Your Highness share a bed with someone who tried to kill you?"
Ji Yi was speechless. Chi Ying didn't expect an answer, finished making the bed, and sat at the dressing table to comb her hair.
Xiaoqiu hesitated, "Your Highness..."
Ji Yi waved his hand, "Everyone leave."
The maids withdrew. Ji Yi stripped off his armor and sat on the sofa, "Since you married me, have I ever treated you poorly?"
Chi Ying put her earrings in a box, "Your Highness has been very kind, never treating me badly."
"Becoming the Wu Wangfei isn't enough for you? You want to be the Empress?"
Chi Ying paused, sighing, "I never said I wanted to be the Empress."
Empress, reigning over the six palaces—what was the point? It was merely a façade of luxury, where even one's own children couldn't be protected, and one lived under constant threat.
"What do you want then?"
Chi Ying turned to him, "What does Your Highness want?"