I paused, recalling what he had said about coming to his side. “No discussion. I won’t leave An Jin.”
His expression showed slight regret. “My lady, have you considered that perhaps your husband isn’t quite what you imagine? His kindness to you might have other motives.”
I scorned him. The tactic of sowing discord had long ceased to work on me.
Seeing I was unmoved, Xia Zhiyuan curved his lips in a smile. “My lady will understand someday. As for your sister—” he suddenly looked in my direction and said loudly, “Is my lady preventing me from associating with her sister out of jealousy? In fact, I sense my lady’s feelings. But since you’re married to An Shilang, why prevent your sister’s happiness?”
I was stunned speechless by his shameless, distorted words. My younger sister stood nearby, eyes wide with surprise.
The Eastern Palace had clearly mastered the art of sowing discord. He now succeeded with my sister. Satisfied, he mounted his carriage and left, leaving me facing my sister, who looked tense, breaking out in cold sweat.
“Second Sister, how could you—no wonder you never agreed to my associating with His Highness, so you—” she accused.
“I—” I was burning with anger and at a loss for words. “He’s slandering me!”
My sister looked angry. “How can you face your brother-in-law? How can you face me?”
I was desperate. “Xiao Ya! Think carefully. An Jin is far better than him. How could I possibly like him?”
My sister was stunned. “Second Sister…”
I was still furious: “I only love An Jin, An Jin!”
My sister stretched her neck, as if swallowing. She raised her right hand and pointed.
Following her gesture, I saw An Jin standing nearby, his deep ink-colored eyes curved in a smile, entangling my heart.
“Well said,” he said.
I completely understood its sentiment, which could be summarized in six words that perfectly captured my current mood.
How utterly embarrassing.
Chapter Seventeen: A Glance from My Husband
Though my sister was naive, she wasn’t stupid. Once she calmed down, An Jin and I jointly explained the situation, proving our deep marital love and revealing the origin of An Jin’s feud with the Eastern Palace. Gradually, she understood the nuances of the entire affair.
