Chapter 720: Owing Each Other Nothing

Princess Rouwan set down her cup and rubbed her temples, feeling the effects of the wine. She asked,

“What are you doing here?”

Li Ji walked over to the table and sat down. “I’m here to take Manman home.”

He glanced at the food and wine on the table, noticing that the dishes were barely touched, but a good deal of wine had been consumed.

He ordered someone to bring in a sobering soup.

“Drink this. It’ll save you a headache in the morning.”

Hua Manman had just done something mischievous and was feeling a bit guilty. At his words, she immediately picked up the bowl of sobering soup and obediently drank every last drop.

Then, Li Ji placed some food on her plate.

Hua Manman, naturally, didn’t refuse and ate everything he gave her.

As she ate, she asked, “Have you eaten yet?”

Li Ji grunted in affirmation. “Yes, I’ve eaten.”

Hua Manman asked again, “What did you have?”

Li Ji thought for a moment before finally giving a two-word reply.

“I forgot.”

Hua Manman was baffled. “It wasn’t that long ago. How could you have forgotten already?”

Li Ji countered, “Why remember something that isn’t important?”

Hua Manman retorted out of habit.

“Then what do you consider important?”

Li Ji looked into her eyes and replied in a low voice.

“Anything that has to do with you.”

Hua Manman couldn’t help but break into a goofy grin and let out a little chuckle.

Watching the interaction between the young couple, Princess Rouwan couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

‘In this life, it’s so rare to find someone you love who also happens to love you back.’

‘Even for those who do, there’s no guarantee they’ll walk hand in hand until the end.’

At this thought, her expression turned desolate.

She picked up the wine jug to pour herself another cup, but Li Ji reached out and placed his hand over it.

Li Ji said, “You’ve had more than enough. You can’t drink any more.”

Princess Rouwan pushed his hand away. “I’m in a terrible mood. I just want to get drunk. Maybe when I wake up, I’ll find this was all just a dream.”

At that, she let out a self-deprecating laugh, mocking her own wishful thinking.

She poured a full cup. Just as she brought it to her lips, she heard Li Ji speak.

“Duke Zhen just made a request of me.”

Princess Rouwan froze.

Hua Manman asked curiously, “What kind of request?”

Though Princess Rouwan said nothing, her eyes were fixed on Li Ji, clearly waiting for his answer.

Li Ji said, “He asked me to grant him death.”

Hua Manman’s eyes widened. She never imagined Li Liao would make such a request.

‘But he was a key figure who helped Li Ji’s uprising succeed! After Li Ji ascends the throne, Li Liao is certain to be handsomely rewarded. His future is limitless. Why would he make such a request at a time like this? It’s completely incomprehensible!’

Princess Rouwan’s lips trembled. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally spoke.

“Why?”

Li Ji replied, “He said the two things that kept him going were clearing Crown Prince Li Shu’s name and seeing you one last time. Now that both goals are accomplished, he feels there’s no reason for him to remain in this world.”

Hua Manman said, “How could it be meaningless? He’s such a brilliant military leader. He could continue to serve the nation!”

Li Ji said, “That’s what I told him, but he said he can no longer face me or Princess Rouwan.”

To achieve his goals, Li Liao betrayed the Commandery Princess’s sincere affection and deceived her about many things. He even used Manman and Li Xun as hostages to force Li Ji to follow his plan.

Regardless of the final outcome, he had resorted to too many dishonorable methods in the process.

His heart was heavy with guilt, and he felt he no longer had the right to live.

Princess Rouwan stared intently at Li Ji. “Did you grant his wish?”

Li Ji countered, “Do you think I should?”

Princess Rouwan frowned, clearly displeased with him for shifting the responsibility to her.

She slammed her cup on the table and snorted coldly.

“Of course not. He deceived me for so long and caused me so much suffering. He thinks he can just end it all with death? That’s letting him off far too easily!”

Li Ji asked, “Then according to you, how should he be dealt with?”

Princess Rouwan said venomously, “Banish him to some bitter, frozen land! Let him spend the rest of his life there. Let him have a taste of true suffering!”

Li Ji gave an inscrutable smile.

“As you wish.”

Hua Manman pushed the bowl of sobering soup toward Princess Rouwan.

“Stop drinking. Have this instead.”

Princess Rouwan was unmoved.

Hua Manman leaned in and whispered in her ear.

“Do you know the best way to get back at an ex?

“It’s to let him know you’re doing great.

“That even without him, you’re still living your life, gorgeous and carefree.

“Drinking too much will just make you look haggard. We should eat more things that are good for us and keep ourselves looking beautiful.

“Then, if you ever see him again, you can walk right past him with your head held high, without even sparing him a single glance.

“Wouldn’t that feel so much better than being a pathetic, drunken mess?”

An image of the scene Manman described appeared in Princess Rouwan’s mind. ‘That does sound pretty satisfying.’

‘She was a dignified Commandery Princess. Why should she be torturing herself over that dog of a man?’

‘She had her own pride and dignity!’

Seeing her expression soften, Hua Manman pressed the bowl into her hand and persuaded her to drink it.

After drinking the soup, Princess Rouwan felt the burning in her stomach subside, and her head wasn’t spinning as much.

After the meal, Li Ji and Manman took their leave.

Nanny Zhang helped Princess Rouwan to her feet.

Watching the retreating figures of Li Ji and Manman, Princess Rouwan recalled the events of the past years. The memories flashed through her mind, stirring up a storm of emotions.

She couldn’t stop herself from calling out.

“Ji.”

Li Ji and Manman stopped in their tracks and turned to look at her.

In the warm yellow candlelight, Princess Rouwan’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, making her look incredibly soft.

“This will probably be the last time I ever call you Ji.

“Once you ascend the throne, there will be nothing left between us.

“Over the years, I have wronged you greatly.

“I was not a good mother.

“I’m sorry.”

Li Ji’s expression changed slightly.

Princess Rouwan had always maintained a domineering posture with him. She had never once bowed her head to him.

This was the first time in his entire life he had ever heard her apologize.

Those two words, “I’m sorry,” were simple enough, but neither of them was good at expressing their emotions. For her to take the initiative to say them was incredibly rare.

Li Ji knew Princess Rouwan’s apology came from the heart.

And because of that, he was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

He subconsciously looked at the woman standing beside him.

Hua Manman squeezed his hand and gave him a sweet smile.

Li Ji felt the warmth from her hand, and his heart quickly steadied.

He said to Princess Rouwan.

“It’s true you weren’t a good mother, but I wasn’t a good son, either.

“All these years, I only knew that you despised me. I never looked deeper into the reasons why, nor did I know of the pain you had suffered.

“We have both wronged each other.

“Let’s consider the debts canceled. From now on, we owe each other nothing.”