Chapter 394 - Free Him From These One-sided Feelings
Jian Guozhi came to the prison-house to properly investigate Zhilao Mi before taking her to the Imperial Court. Seeing Jian Guozhi entering the prison house, Zhilao Mi stood up from the floor.
"Jian Ge," she called him with affection. Jian Guozhi halted a meter away from her. "I did not do anything. Please leave me. Huo Jin lied to you. Please trust me." She joined her both hands and pleaded to him. "Huo Jin was telling me to run away with him. But I refused to do so." Tears poured down her cheeks and she kept crying, pleading with her husband.
"Stop lying. I will kill you right away if you keep lying to me," Jian Guozhi gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
"Jian Ge admires me and he needs me. What happened to you overnight? Is it because of the Crown Princess? Did she manipulate you against me?" Zhilao Mi lowered her eyes while sobbing.
"I do not admire you and I do not need you. That was all a part of an act." Zhilao Mi lifted her eyes, which had turned wide after hearing the truth. "And stop blaming the Crown Princess for your mistakes," proclaimed Jian Guozhi.
He called a soldier who had a few things in the cloth bag. "The evidence that is collected from your chamber. The letters of father & daughter; letters to Su Feng; invisible ink and the biggest evidence is that this kind of paper is used in Northern Province. So, stop lying because I have everything against you," Jian Guozhi pronounced.
"Why did you marry me?" Jian Guozhi questioned her.
"Jian Ge," she whispered his name.
"Stop calling my name. I am not your husband," Jian Guozhi stated.
Zhilao Mi's tears did not stop. She should have listened to Huo Jin, but why did he not save her? He told her that he loved her. However, when the time came, he betrayed her. Zhilao Mi contemplated.
"Will you answer or should I use another method to get an answer from you?" Jian Guozhi shouted at her. His expressions were grim.
Zhilao Mi lifted her eyes and scowled at Jian Guozhi. "Kill me. I will not utter a single word," Zhilao Mi affirmed.
Jian Guozhi chuckled and went to her. He slapped her hard. She lost her balance and fell on the floor. Her hands got injured from the shackles that she had worn. "An enemy is an enemy; a traitor is a traitor. Their gender does not matter when it comes to a battle or an investigation. Feel lucky that you are not tortured to death by now," Jian Guozhi proclaimed.
Zhilao Mi loudly laughed and turned to look into his eyes. "Then treat me as the other prisoners. I will not say anything about my father," Zhilao Mi asserted.
"Such a loyal daughter you are," Jian Guozhi smiled and clapped for her. "Alas! Even if you will not tell me, then it is not my loss. Huo Jin told everything about Tan Gengxin. How he murdered the real Zhilao Mi and you two switched places. A woman once gets married, does not go to her birth home, so it was best for you to be my wife; later kill me and acquire the throne."
Zhilao Mi could not believe that Huo Jin told him everything. 'Huo Jin indeed betrayed us. I thought he was joking when he said that he is disloyal to my father. But he is disloyal to me as well.' She contemplated.
"When you know everything, then you should not ask me," Zhilao Mi stated.
"You need to stay in this state for a few more days. Let your father come here," Jian Guozhi proclaimed and glanced at the soldier. "Do not give her water and food until I permit," he turned to go when she stopped him.
"My death is near. I want to talk to Huo Jin for the last time. The dying wish of a person is always fulfilled. Just fulfill this wish of mine," Zhilao Mi requested him.
Jian Guozhi walked out of the prison, leaving her bewildered.
Nianzu was waiting for the First Prince outside the cell. As soon as he came out, Nianzu bowed in front of him. "Let her meet Huo Jin, Brother Jian. He is willing to aid us, but the grudge against us inside him may live longer," Nianzu advised Jian Guozhi. "Zhilao Mi would definitely question him about the betrayal he gave her. He should know that the person for whom he is ready to sacrifice his life is not worthy of his love," Nianzu asserted.
"Brother Nianzu, I do not care whether they love each other or not. I just hate this word 'love'," Jian Guozhi frowned and stepped away when Nianzu grabbed his arm. "Brother, it's for the Han Empire. Let Huo Jin meet Zhilao Mi. Trust my judgment," Nianzu stated.
"Do whatever you want to do. I am going to meet our father," Jian Guozhi asserted and walked away.
Nianzu ordered the soldiers to bring Huo Jin there. He walked inside the cell where Zhilao Mi was kept. The Fourth Prince found her on the floor. Her hand was bleeding. Nianzu could see the finger marks on her face. "Am I getting hanged?" Zhilao Mi questioned.
"No. Huo Jin will speak to you," Nianzu answered.
He took out the handkerchief from his pocket and bent on his knees. "May I?" He asked her before grasping the long sleeve of her dress.
"Why is the Fourth Brother treating me? I am going to die anyway," she affirmed.
Nianzu wiped the blood from her palm and replied, "In front of Huo Jin, you shall look good." Nianzu looked into the eyes of Zhilao Mi. "He loves you, so he shall see Sister Mi beautiful in his last moments." Zhilao Mi knitted her brows as the tears formed in her eyes. "He was ready to bear the torture for you. Such a pure love he has for you! Free him from these one-sided feelings," Nianzu menacingly said.
"Why shall I care about him?" She jerked Nianzu's hands off her and moved backward.. "Still, I am thankful that Brother Nianzu fulfilled my last wish," Zhilao Mi said in a low voice.