Chapter 178: The Condition

Nothing was ever straightforward where Han Shuying was concerned. There was always an underlying condition, or self-serving reason if she ever decided to help with something.

Qingyue studied her carefully. "Of course you’ll have a condition. I’d be a fool to expect you to help me without any personal benefits."

Han Shuying’s voice was quiet but firm as she pushed harder. "Think about it...I’ll help you open trade routes, find weapons and supplies and guide you to the one relic that will give you what you desire the most."

Qingyue tilted her head slowly to the side. "And what do you think I desire the most?"

"The throne," Han Shuying replied. "And above all, you want to help the people. I know you have a kind heart Qingyue, you don’t want power simply for revenge. It’s more about improving the poor condition of the people, and taking care of everyone around you."

"Don’t think you can buy me with all these empty praises."

"No...truly." Han Shuying sighed. "I say things as I see it."

Qingyue looked her up and down. "What do you want in return? What’s the condition? If you want trade rights to Ashen Fortress then you better forget it. You work with the devil herself, there’s always the chance you’ll betray us for her."

Han Shuying looked towards the castle, where the glow of firelight flickered behind the window. She didn’t bother to deny the accusation because it was true.

"I want the ring," she answered simply. "The one that binds you to Ru Yi. I want it."

Qingyue’s brows shot up in surprise. She raised her hand, "you want this ring?" Han Shuying was really the most unpredictable person she knew. "Why?"

"I need it," was the only explanation Han Shuying offered.

"That’s not enough reason." Qingyue’s voice hardened. "Don’t tell me..." she looked at the slight flush in Han Shuying’s cheeks. "Answer me honestly. Do you like Ru Yi?"

Han Shuying’s mouth lifted at the corner. "And what if I do? Is that not allowed?"

For a moment the world around Qingyue stopped existing as her brain immediately connected the dots. "That was the reason you agreed to help my sisters find me. You wanted to be in Ru Yi’s good graces."

"If that’s what you think, then I won’t argue."

"But...how? When?"

Han Shuying shrugged. "It happened the same way it did for you. I mean...Ru Yi is a sight to behold, even with all those filthy robes. She looks even more beautiful without the robes too."

Qingyue’s hands folded into fists at her sides. "You’ve seen her without her..." she immediately caught herself before she could utter the words. "Stop lying. We both know you’re not capable of loving someone."

"I can understand why you’ll think that." Han Shuying dramatically put a hand over her chest. "But you know...Ru Yi has changed me. I’ve never felt anything like this before."

"That was the same thing you said about Yexue." The bitterness in Qingyue’s voice was not mistaken. "And look how it ended."

Han Shuying froze for a tiny second before she recovered. "Don’t bring her into this. It’s all in the past, and I don’t want to revisit it."

Qingyue swallowed hard. "Is this another one of your games?"

"Is it?" Han Shuying couldn’t tell. "So what do you say? The ring for my help."

"If you’re asking me to hand Ru Yi over to you, then you can forget about the trade routes." Qingyue rubbed the ring on her finger. "I would never do that to her. Pretend all you want, but I know perfectly how dark the shadows in your heart are."

Han Shuying didn’t argue it. "Or, maybe you’ve fallen so deeply in love with her you’re willing to sacrifice all your hard work and the poor lives that depend on you."

Something hard pricked the center of Qingyue’s chest in a painful jab.

All her life she’d always known what she wanted. Get revenge on those who killed her mother, and have enough power to make sure her sisters never met the same fate.

She’d never questioned her path. Never had doubts about it. But now...

All she could see in her mind’s eye was Ru Yi hovering over her, drawing out every bit of control she had held onto her entire life. She could still hear the whisper of sweet nothings as Ru Yi ravished her, body and soul.

Han Shuying picked up on her hesitation, immediately feeling the dread curl up her spine. She’d been so sure Qingyue would cast Ru Yi aside.

Just how deep had Ru Yi’s claws buried deep into the princesses?

There were traces of tears in Qingyue’s eyes when she looked at Han Shuying again. "Can’t I be a little selfish for once? Is that not allowed?" Desperation coated her voice, but she didn’t let the tears fall. "Is it that bad for me to fall in love?"

For a moment, Han Shuying was stunned into silence. "That’s not—"

"Yes, I’m in love with Ru Yi." She took in a shaky breath. "Perhaps I have been possessed by her...Can’t you find someone else to play with? Can’t you let me have her?"

A dark and twisted unease coiled in Han Shuying’s chest, tightening with every word Qingyue spoke. Why was she feeling dangerously possessive?

"No," Han Shuying answered, with cold indifference. "I won’t let anyone else have her. Not in this world, not in the next."

A sinister weight settled over Qingyue’s heart, leaving her with an unsettling feeling that something precious was about to slip through her fingers. "I get it now...You don’t love Ru Yi, you just enjoy snatching the things people love away."

The smile that spread on Han Shuying’s face chilled Qingyue to the bone.

"You know me too well," Han Shuying replied. "Now what’s it going to be? Ru Yi or the power you’ve sought with every fiber of your being."

Qingyue swallowed thickly, her heart racing. "The ring has a condition of its own." She raised her hand for Han Shuying to see. "It remains attached to its bearer as long as the bond between the bearer and their partner remains genuine."

Han Shuying smiled truly for the first time. "You don’t have to worry about that. I know a way to get it off."