When Princess Consort Zhen remained silent, Hua Manman grasped her hand, her voice filled with pleading.
"Please, let me go."
Princess Consort Zhen looked down at the hand holding hers and slowly uttered two words.
"Absolutely not."
Hua Manman looked at her in confusion. "Why?"
Princess Consort Zhen replied, "If I let you leave, I fear I'll never see you again."
"That's not true!" Hua Manman said urgently. "We'll see each other again. I promise!"
Princess Consort Zhen's gaze sharpened.
"There's no need to lie to me. I know perfectly well that if I let you go, only two things can happen—
"Either you'll go into seclusion in the wilderness with Li Ji and never be seen again.
"Or, Li Ji will lead an army back to Tianjing. When that happens, whether he succeeds or not, the day we sisters meet again, it will be at sword point."
Hua Manman was left speechless.
Princess Consort Zhen squeezed her hand in return and said in a low, serious voice.
"I want neither of those outcomes."
