Eternal Love: A Love Story Chapter 781 - Xiao Li Is Alive.

Ji Cheng looked at Zhao Ming, who was observing him with a questioning gaze. He could only sigh with resignation as she watched him, her wide eyes anticipating his confession.

How indeed could she grasp the full picture?

**

Several weeks prior—

Upon arriving at Ji Cheng's tent to confront him, Xiao Ruoguang clenched his fists. "You... you are deceiving me, aren't you? You simply want me to withdraw from this war, don't you?" he accused, his voice laced with suspicion.

With tears welling in his eyes, he lamented, "Ji Cheng, I never imagined you would fabricate stories about my deceased daughter to achieve your aims. How could you shamelessly lie to someone who has lost their child? Huh?" He couldn't fathom that Ji Cheng would stoop to such a falsehood, especially knowing the truth. How could he claim Xiao Li was alive when he knew she had been banished to the Cold Palace? Moreover, he had received news of her passing! Xiao Li had met a tragic end; how could he stand by and watch her murderers revel in their happiness?

The Cold Palace, situated within the enigmatic royal grounds, was a secret known only to the royal family, concealed from the outside world. Its location was privy to those of royal blood alone.

Xiao Li not only endured solitary confinement in this mysterious palace, devoid of any attendants or caretakers, but also faced a slow poisoning administered daily. Each dose chipped away at her life, leaving her to regret her very existence during her final days.

He had married his daughter to Ji Cheng with the fervent hope of witnessing her happiness. Yet, what recompense did he receive? News of her demise! And that, too, due to a minor misstep?

Even though Xiao Li had plotted against Zhao Ming, she had, in the end, survived and found happiness. But his own daughter was dead. How could he permit them to live in bliss while doing nothing to avenge her?

Yet, the man before him now asserted she was alive. The entire purpose of this conflict, fueled by a desire for retribution for his departed daughter, was now in question. But if she were, in fact, alive?

Ji Cheng calmly lifted his teacup, took a sip, and remarked, "You readily agreed with Ji Zhelan when he urged you to seek vengeance for Xiao Li. But why do you doubt my word now when I tell you your daughter is alive?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Or perhaps... Xiao Li was merely a pretext, and your true objective is the Ji Empire? If that is your desire, then proceed with the war. Your daughter's life will be forfeit in reality."

Xiao Ruoguang's eyes flickered at his words. Ji Cheng was undoubtedly cunning, but knowing him for so long, he wasn't the type to employ such underhanded tactics merely to win a war. He would sooner face death than be manipulated into a deal.

Observing Xiao Ruoguang's contemplation, Ji Cheng continued, "Consort Xiao Li was indeed relegated to the Cold Palace due to her treacherous and malevolent actions. She attempted to assassinate the Empress and the Empress Dowager, committing a grave royal offense."

"The crimes she perpetrated warranted public execution. However, considering the diplomatic ties between our nations, I confined her to the Cold Palace. In deference to our relationship, I rescinded the order for poison, signifying that she remains alive."

Xiao Ruoguang clutched his head, which throbbed under the immense pressure. All of this was bewildering. How could he possibly trust this man? He was his adversary, locked in a war. He had sworn to Ji Zhelan that he would assist in dismantling the Ji Empire, but then there was his daughter...

"However," Ji Cheng added, his voice hardening, "if you do not comply with my demands, we cannot guarantee that your daughter will witness another sunrise. King Xiao, your time is exceedingly limited. If you make your decision before departing this tent, your daughter will have a greater chance of survival."

When Xiao Li was dispatched to the Cold Palace as a punitive measure, his informants had alerted him to Ji Zhelan's clandestine communications with other monarchs, orchestrating an alliance against him. He had harbored suspicions of Ji Zhelan's machinations. To safeguard his position, he had withheld the poison, allowing her to languish in isolation as punishment and a means to reflect upon her transgressions.

The fabricated news of her demise was a deliberate ploy. He intended to deliver a significant blow to Ji Zhelan, compelling him to reveal his hand and fall directly into the trap. Yet, had Zhao Ming not ventured outside the palace, leading to their unfortunate demise in the other realm, the current predicament might have been averted.

This maneuver was his sole recourse to rectify the situation.

—

Xiao Ruoguang gazed at Ji Cheng, uncertainty clouding his features as he considered the man's words. Nevertheless, clinging to that sliver of hope—the one percent chance that Xiao Li might still be alive—he resolved his course of action.

"I... I will do as you command. But for that," he stipulated, "I require irrefutable proof that my daughter is alive and unharmed. Otherwise, my troops will not budge an inch from the border."

A smirk played on Ji Cheng's lips. "What form of evidence do you seek? Surely you do not expect me to produce her before you?"

" King of Xiao, Ruoguang, our agreement hinges on your compliance with my directives to see your daughter, whom you believe to be deceased. My pledge to you is that Xiao Li will be released from the Cold Palace and permitted to return with you, provided...you withdraw from the border."

" It is mutually beneficial, is it not? You can reclaim your daughter in exchange for disengaging from this conflict. So... what is your decision?" He inquired, awaiting a response. This was his ultimate gambit, deployed at this crucial juncture. He deliberately withheld presenting Xiao Li at this moment, fully aware that once possession of her was secured, he could easily renege on his promise and betray him.

The Xiao lineage is, after all, notorious for their treacherous machinations.

-

Zhao Ming gazed at Ji Cheng, momentarily stunned by his revelation. " Then... Xiao Li is alive? She did not perish?"

He offered a nod, gently stroking her hands.

" This explains his withdrawal from the war. It finally makes sense. But where is she now? Is she still confined to the Cold Palace?" she questioned, her curiosity piqued.

He let out a sigh, observing her evident eagerness, and replied, " She has returned to her Empire with King Xiao. However, given her status as an abandoned Consort, I doubt King Xiao would allow her to reside in the main palace. She might very well spend her entire life in a secluded and hidden palace."

" Are the ministers aware of this?" she pressed further.

" They are not. This was a pact struck solely between Emperor Xiao Ruoguang and myself. Their awareness is unnecessary; certain matters are best shrouded in secrecy."

She nodded, releasing a deep, relieved sigh upon learning that Xiao Li had survived. The news of her supposed death had struck her as profoundly odd. While she desired Xiao Li to atone for her transgressions and face retribution, this was not the form of punishment she had envisioned.

She refused to descend to Xiao Li's level and find pleasure in another's misfortune. Only those devoid of humanity could revel in the suffering of others, and she certainly was no such creature.

Noticing the deep furrow etched upon Zhao Ming's brow, Ji Cheng sighed, his fingers gently caressing her troubled forehead as he reassured her, " You need not concern yourself with this. All is well now."

" I am here. With you and our child," he added, his gaze briefly flicking towards her abdomen, which, concealed beneath several layers of clothing, showed little sign of her pregnancy.

They were soon to be parents – what a joyous prospect that was.

[ Read this novel only on W e b n o v e l . c o m ( remove spaces). If you are reading this elsewhere, other than w e b n o v e l then this novel has been stolen. Support the original author by reading it on w e b n o v e l, not the thieves, and get the latest updates. Follow the author on Instagram for more: kamlyn_love. Regards Kamlyn]