Lian Yan's expression remained unchanged, her face a mask of indifference as she turned to face Jian Wei. A scoff escaped her lips, her tone tinged with disdain. "If the opportunity presented itself, I would not hesitate. In my eyes, he is the most pitiful excuse for a royal, the lowest of the low. Even though others may have committed graver transgressions, he embodies the worst of them all." With that, she reached for the decanter once more, pouring herself another generous measure of the amber liquid. She brought the cup to her lips, taking a slow, deliberate sip, seemingly indifferent to who might hear her disparage a royal.
Jian Wei's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes never leaving the woman before him. "What if," he began, his tone laced with intrigue, "there was a way to strip him of his royal title and make him wish he were dead?" His gaze bore into hers, a silent challenge hanging in the air between them.
Lian Yan's attention was piqued, her hand pausing mid-air as she set her cup down on the table. A slow smile spread across her face, her eyes gleaming with a newfound interest. "Are you plotting something against him?" she inquired softly. "I have a feeling that his use of that name earlier, and his overall demeanor, is bound to involve you in some way." Her smirk mirrored his, a silent understanding passing between them.
"Something like that," Jian Wei replied, his words measured, leaving her to wonder about the depths of his plan.
Lian Yan's curiosity deepened, and she poured herself another drink, the rich amber liquid catching the soft glow of the moonlight. "Might I ask what drives you to make him face a fate worse than death?" she asked, her decision to join him hinging on the revelation of his story.
Jian Wei hesitated, as if wrestling with his thoughts, deliberating whether to bare his soul. The silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken words and shared pain. Finally, he reached for the decanter, pouring himself a cup of the potent wine. He took a slow sip, the liquid courage seemingly loosening his tongue.
"That royal," he began, his tone tinged with a bitterness that ran deep, "is the one responsible for the unspeakable torment inflicted upon my father. Every bone in his body was shattered at the prince's command." He paused, taking another sip of wine, his gaze distant and haunted. "The tale of the bandit group's downfall is not a fabrication," he continued, "but there is much more to the story that remains untold. The raid on our home, the brutal assault that left my family scattered to the winds—it was all orchestrated by that prince. He brought his men upon us in a swift and merciless attack, leaving nothing but destruction in his wake."
Jian Wei's voice wavered, the pain of his memories evident in every word. "Even now, I am still searching for my uncles, my older brother, and my little sister. I live each day with the hope of finding them, of reuniting what remains of my family." He took another drink, the wine doing little to mask the anguish in his eyes.
Lian Yan gazed at him, her heart aching at the sight of the hurt and sadness that lurked within his gaze. Something about his pain stirred a deep desire within her to help him and be part of his quest.
Trust was a fragile thing, and Lian Yan was uncertain if she fully placed hers in Jian Wei. Yet, given Prince Hei A's reputation, there was no doubt that he was capable of such atrocities, leaving a trail of enemies who wished for his demise. "Do you desire to see him squirm before his ultimate fate?" she asked, her eyes narrowing. "Or do you prefer to be unlike those who passively wait for death to claim them?" Lian Yan knew deep within her heart that she yearned to witness the prince's suffering.
Many had borne witness to his deplorable behavior and actions, and it was long overdue for him to face the consequences of his deeds. The scales of justice had been tipped for far too long, and it was time for them to be balanced once more.
"Why delay when he is still young enough to feel the full weight of his transgressions?" Jian Wei remarked, a smirk playing on his lips as he gazed at her. "So, will you stand by my side in this endeavor?" He extended his hand towards her, placing his cup of tea on the table, a silent offering of partnership.
Lian Yan reached into her sleeve, retrieving a contracted paper. She unfurled it, her eyes scanning the contents as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "It seems this document will require some amendments," she murmured. But just as she was about to hand it to him, she hesitated, pulling it back. "This will not involve the lives of innocent people, will it?" she asked, her voice firm. It was clear that she wanted to ensure their actions would not ensnare those who did not deserve to be part of their vendetta.
"It shouldn't claim any innocent lives," Jian Wei asserted, his gaze steady. "Thus far, most have managed to steer clear of it and evade punishment. Those who choose to join us share a common bond—a deep-seated hatred and anger towards him." He paused, studying Lian Yan intently. "But the question remains: are you brave enough to traverse the circles and aid us in gathering allies and communicating our cause? You've spent your entire life within the rich class, after all, a noblewoman that most would call you."
Lian Yan's eyes flashed with a mix of emotions, her voice tinged with a hint of offense. "Just because I've lived my whole life among the wealthy, do you assume I truly experienced riches?" she challenged, her words hanging in the air between them. The conversation between the two was becoming increasingly intriguing, each question peeling back layers, revealing more about one another.
Jian Wei regarded her thoughtfully, his expression softening. "From what you've shared, it's evident that you didn't live the life of a typical noblewoman," he admitted. "I see someone who yearns to forge her own path, to live life on her own terms. Wealth holds no sway over you; it's clear that your aspirations lie elsewhere."
"You are very observant." Lian Yan took another sip of her drink, the liquid burning its way down her throat, warming her from the inside out. "Not only that," she began, her voice steady despite the growing effects of the alcohol, "but you should be well-versed in the whispers and rumors that circulate throughout Lingyuan Province." She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "It comes as no surprise that news spreads like wildfire across the entire region. Even though my father has attempted to avoid or suppress it, the rumors persist."
With a sigh, Lian Yan unfurled the paper, her eyes scanning the contents before she handed it to Jian Wei. "Here," she said softly, "see if you can make the necessary amendments. The drink is beginning to cloud my judgment. I will help you and your group to make that prince wish that he were dead."
Jian Wei raised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering to the untouched plates of food before them. "You haven't even taken a single bite," he reminded her, his voice laced with concern. He reached out, taking the proffered paper—their contract—his eyes tracing the lines of their previous agreement. He knew he would have to make the changes soon, once their late-night dinner concluded.
"I don't feel hungry," Lian Yan declared, her eyes sparkling with a hint of defiance. "Are you still going to insist I eat before I finish all of this wine by myself?" The idea of spending the night indulging in drink seemed far more appealing to her than a meal.
Jian Wei, however, was not about to let her have her way so easily. With a determined look, he picked up his chopsticks, deftly selecting choice pieces of beef and pork, and placed them into her bowl. "Have something to eat," he urged, his tone leaving no room for argument. "When I first saw you, you were as thin as a stick. How do you expect to help us take down that royal if you have no strength?"
To his surprise, Lian Yan did not put up her usual resistance. Instead, she acquiesced, reaching for her bowl and filling it with rice, beef, and pork. As they ate together that night, a sense of understanding seemed to blossom between them, each bite and sip bringing them closer to a mutual accord. The clinking of their chopsticks and the soft murmur of their conversation filled the air, weaving a tapestry of camaraderie and shared purpose.