THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 14

          After thinking a bit, Xiǎo Hé finally replied. “From the moment I gained cognizance of the world to now, he has always been the most important person to me. If I leave, I won’t be able to see him again. Even though I’m nothing to him, I still want to see him.” Her eyes started tearing up from memories of the past. “I worked so hard to become a person, to speak, to learn the rules, so I could please him . . . only him . . . not so I’d be killed by him. Sob!”

Shěn Lí sighed and looked down at her. “My words may sound cruel but you have to listen to them. That Prince Ruì, he raised you with one goal in mind. And that was to use you for his wife’s resurrection. That is your only value to him. No matter what you do or how much you try, that won’t change. Do you understand?” Shěn Lí cupped Xiǎo Hé’s face in her hand and wiped the tears away with her thumb. “So be good to yourself and let’s leave here. Forget about him. There are so many other wonderful things out in the world for you to explore.”

Xíng Yún looked at Shěn Lí while Xiǎo Hé stared at them with a conflicted expression. She lowered her head in between her knees and spoke with her head down like that. “I want to see what kind of woman this Yè Shī is, that he would be willing to spend so much effort for. I want to know the difference between us.”

Shěn Lí looked up to Xíng Yún for help. He obliged with, “I guess sometimes reality has to smack you really hard before you can accept it.”

Shěn Lí’s heart was filled with things she wanted to say. She knew that even if Xiǎo Hé was a better woman than Yè Shī, Prince Ruì still wouldn’t choose her. It was as simple as that. But seeing Xiǎo Hé be so persistent, she swallowed the words in her heart. Instead she said, “Alright. We’ll go together, but you’ll hide in the passageway until I can get rid of Prince Ruì. Once I do, you can stare at Yè Shī as much as you like." It couldn’t do any harm since the woman was dead. "Xíng Yún, you keep an eye on her until then.” Shěn Lí figured this was the best course of action.

With that said, Shěn Lí teleported them back to the passageway. Shěn Lí made eye contact with Xíng Yún and nodded her head once they were inside. He picked up on her cue and used his body to block Xiǎo Hé, being sure to keep her behind him.

Shěn Lí walked into the room and announced, “I’ve killed Xiǎo Hé.”

Prince Ruì didn’t turn his head at her voice, instead he remained stiff and silent.

“The resentful spirits have also turned back to normal. Come. I’ll escort you out.”

Prince Ruì smiled coldly and only said, “Why go out?” He leaned over and kissed his wife’s forehead. “Yè Shī isn’t going to wake up, so what does it matter if I live or not?”

Xiǎo Hé fisted her hands when she heard him say this; the light in her eyes dimmed as she stood in the passageway.

“I, Zhū Chéngjǐn, was greedy and asked for too much, wanting both the throne and military power. I thought Yè Shī was just a woman, but who knew that she already worked her way into my heart. These last three years, all I’ve dreamt about is her waking up. But everyday I wake up disappointed. I had all my hopes pinned on Xiǎo Hé. With her gone I have nothing left.” Prince Ruì smiled. “You go, I’ll remain here and keep Yè Shī company.”

His words stunned Shěn Lí. His face looked empty and his eyes dead. To think someone could really die from a broken heart. But if he died, who would shelter Xíng Yún?

Before Shěn Lí could think any further, Xiǎo Hé rushed passed her and slapped Prince Ruì in the face. “I hate you!”

Prince Ruì stared blankly at her. Shěn Lí watched as Xiǎo Hé’s figure turned into a ball of white light and floated into Yè Shī’s body while the remnants of her tears fell on Prince Ruì’s hand. From the bed Ye Shi coughed lightly, getting everyone’s attention. Prince Ruì immediately lost his dazed look and flicked the tear droplets off his hand.