Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 558 Autumn Hunting (1)_1

Chapter 558: Chapter 558 Autumn Hunting (1)_1

Looking at Chu Heng’s resolute face, Xiao Ruiyuan realized that no matter how he tried to persuade, he couldn’t stop his cousin’s determination for revenge. He understood even more that over the years, his cousin hadn’t been idle; he had personally cultivated a covert force long ago, and by now, its power had grown terrifying enough to alarm anyone. Even if he took a hard stance, he couldn’t prevent his cousin from retaliating against Lin Imperial Concubine, King Heng, and the Lin Family.

The only thing he could do was to cooperate with his cousin’s actions during the autumn hunt as much as possible. No matter whether the revenge against those people was successful or not, he had to ensure his cousin’s safety and see him return unharmed.

As if sensing Xiao Ruiyuan’s thoughts, Chu Heng wheeled himself over to his cousin, his expression carrying an air of authority, and commanded, "This time, I will personally take my enemies’ lives, Hanzhang, you are not to interfere!"

With barely a visible furrow in his brows, Xiao Ruiyuan looked at Chu Heng expressionlessly, unmoved.

Chu Heng, however, was determined not to let his cousin, who had grown up under his care and risked his life for him, get involved. His expression softened as he thought of something, "No matter the outcome, afterwards someone must be pushed out to bear all the consequences. As the Crown Prince of Great Chu, even if Father Emperor hates me, he won’t go too far; the harshest punishment would be to revoke my position and place me under house arrest. But you’re different—if you get involved, Father Emperor will certainly force you to shoulder all the blame!"

Pausing here, Chu Heng continued before Xiao Ruiyuan could say anything, "I know you don’t care, but can you bear to watch the century-old foundation of Lord Wei Yuan House be ruined by your hands? Even if you truly don’t care, can you endure seeing Miss Mo heartbroken and grieving for you, or completely forgetting you, marrying someone else, and having children?"

The previously expressionless Xiao Ruiyuan saw a flicker of hesitation in the last sentence. No man wishes to see the woman he loves upset because of him, nor to be completely forgotten by her, and even worse, to see her marry another man and bear his children.

Just the thought of these events possibly occurring in the future caused his heart to ache terribly. He was filled with jealousy towards that non-existent man—jealousy that made him want to destroy everything. Yet, he also couldn’t bear to watch his cousin take risks and potentially lose his life.

Observing Xiao Ruiyuan’s shifting expressions, Chu Heng’s eyes flickered with profound disappointment yet also relief. The disappointment was that this younger cousin he watched grow up finally had a beloved girl, and he was no longer the most important person to him; the relief was that there was such a girl who could make his cousin cautious and finally consider his own safety, and who brought humanity to him.

That mixed, complex emotion is hard to understand for those who haven’t lived through it; however, Chu Heng felt satisfied experiencing this emotion for the first time.

Though he was long married and even had concubines, with his ruined body he couldn’t even dream of having children, let alone engaging in the marital act. He was fated not to experience the joy of family. Yet, this cousin he thought of as his own brother could carry on his legacy, marry, have children, and enjoy family life in his stead.

Even though the girl wasn’t a worthy match for his cousin, she had saved his life and helped him. With his time running short, he didn’t have the leisure to choose a suitable wife for his cousin. He could only hope his cousin’s choice was not mistaken.

Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t know what Chu Heng was thinking, but from his cousin’s eyes brimming with warmth, he could see the sincere care and longing. Not knowing what his cousin was longing for, such a gaze rendered him completely unable to voice any objections.

Taking his silence as an agreement not to intervene in the matter of revenge, Chu Heng switched to talking about other things, his expression unexpectedly much more relaxed.