I Was Forced To Marry The Phoenix Empress

Chapter 310: Liar

’...How did he find out?’ Yi Chen was immensely surprised by the question, even though he forced himself not to let that appear on his face.

Wei Ru was equally surprised, but it didn’t affect her as greatly as it did Yi Chen.

"Huh? Are you still here? Can’t you see that I’m busy helping Chen’er? Since it all happened because of your arrival, the least you could do was apologise and go your way, but instead of that you’re here talking nonsense. Aren’t you a bit ashamed of yourself?"

Wei Ru glared at Han Fu as she finished those words.

"It’s alright Ru’er...it was my fault for being careless." Yi Chen added with a pitiable tone. He had no intention of letting others know that the two of them were acting.

Clearly understanding Yi Chen’s thoughts, Wei Ru improvised on the spot, "No, Chen’er. How could you ever be at fault? The only one at fault here is this shameless man. Nothing of this sort would have happened if he hadn’t barged into our conversation. Look, even now there’s not even a glimmer of guilt in his eyes for ruining your robes."

Being called shameless twice by her and being talked down on in front of so many people, even though Han Fu had feelings for Wei Ru, he couldn’t rein in his anger any longer and finally lashed out.

"Isn’t it you who’s the most shameless one here, Madam Wei? All these decades I’ve been chasing after you with the hope that someday...just someday you’ll change your mind and reciprocate my feelings. However, you never did.

During each one of those interactions, you always gave me the same excuse that our ages were too far apart and therefore you couldn’t see the two of us as potential partners.

So, what happened now?! This kid, he’s barely reached one-tenth of your age, and you’re willing to treat him as your partner and act in ways you’ve never done with any other man. Tell me, if that’s not the epitome of shamelessness, then what is?"

"Han Fu..." Wei Ru paused for a second while meeting his eyes, "Are you dumb? Didn’t you understand that all this time I’ve only said those words as a way of politely rejecting you? It was never about your age and always about you.

I’ve never found you attractive as a man.

But that’s not the case with Chen’er. Not only is he extremely comforting, but his presence is also something which I find extremely charming. Something which the likes of you can never match!"

Wei Ru’s bright expression while describing Yi Chen turned to a scowl as she mentioned Han Fu in the very next breath.

Grabbing Yi Chen’s hand the next second, the smile on her face returned as she said, "It’s because of this reason that I’ve already made up my mind to marry Yi Chen by the end of this year and spend my life with him. Isn’t that right? Darling?"

Wei Ru asked while glancing towards Yi Chen with a warm gaze.

Seeing this, Yi Chen chuckled softly and, gently caressing a strand of Wei Ru’s grey hair, smiled, "Of course it is, honey."

"Utter nonsense! There’s no way you’ll be marrying this man!" Han Fu exclaimed with reddened eyes at the interaction as his chest began to ache in pain.

"You’re misunderstanding something. Since when did I need to take your permission to do what I wanted?" Wei Ru asked with a confrontational tone and glared, making Han Fu rein in his anger.

Seeing this, she snorted in satisfaction and commented, "Now, please go away and let me spend some memorable moments with my man. You’ve already inconvenienced us enough."

After finishing those words, Wei Ru ignored Han Fu as if he didn’t exist.

Wiping the last traces of wine from Yi Chen’s robes, she glanced to her side to see Han Fu still standing there.

A sense of annoyance naturally welled up inside her as she said while tapping on Yi Chen’s shoulder, "I’m also finished with my wine, so let’s grab another set of drinks and find a new place for ourselves."

As she said that, she glanced towards Han Fu and commented with a sigh, "It’s much better than expecting a shameless person to show some decency and give us some space."

"Yes, let’s do that." Yi Chen nodded and, for the final blow, made sure to curl his arm around Wei Ru’s waist and, while subtly pulling her towards him, glanced towards Han Fu and said with an innocent smile, "I hope to see you on the day of our marriage, goodbye Senior."

With that said, he turned towards the table laden with fresh drinks and made his way towards it with Wei Ru right next to him.

Little did the two of them know that their earlier actions had successfully provoked Han Fu, who, after gulping down the entire glass of liquor in his hand, smashed the cup on the ground.

SHATTER!

The piercing sound of the glass shattering echoed in the entire hall, attracting everyone’s attention, including both Yi Chen and Wei Ru.

"Marriage? You two? Don’t make me laugh!" he exclaimed at the top of his voice, causing even the musicians and the dancers to come to a stop.

Not bothering about the scene he had created, Han Fu pointed accusingly at Wei Ru and roared, "You’re lying! Both of you are lying! The Wei Ru I know is not such a shallow woman to make a kid her lover."

"Didn’t I say befo-"

Wei Ru was about to counter but was cut off by Han Fu’s words.

"Enough! I’ve heard enough, so I’ll be the only one to speak now, Wei Ru." Han Fu showed his palm to her and continued, "You say you’re going to marry this kid by the end of this year? Say that ratshit of a story to someone else, Wei Ru.

Everyone here knows how afraid these foreigners are of the disease that, despite it not being contagious, they resorted to doing a blanket ban on all our people, forcing most of us to stay within our kingdom..."

As Han Fu said those words, many nearby guests with brown discolouration evident on their faces firmly nodded their heads with hints of anger apparent in their eyes while glancing towards Yi Chen.

"...and despite that you’re claiming that there’s a foreigner who’s willing to marry you? How laughable! I don’t know why you are acting like he’s your partner, which he clearly isn’t...

Those moments we spent together back then...I still remember that smile with which you used to look at me, but all that changed since the moment I shared my feelings with you...just why? Why are you doing this to me, Wei Ru, when I clearly remember that back then you felt the same way towards me as well?"

Hearing this, Yi Chen’s eyes immediately went towards Wei Ru, who was currently wearing a difficult expression on her face.

’Wait...don’t tell me she actually likes him?’

His eyes subtly widened in realisation, but his eyes caught hold of something even more drastic at that moment, making a wave of worry rise in his heart.

Focusing a few meters away from Wei Ru’s side, his eyes momentarily fell on the emperor and Cao Li. Just like all the others in the hall, they too were looking in their direction with different emotions apparent in their eyes.

’This...’

His breathing quickened as he realised just how precarious the entire situation had turned. Just one wrong move and the secret about their fake relationship would be revealed.

It wasn’t just him. Wei Ru too had realised just how severe the situation had turned because of the piercing gazes that were directed towards her from all around the hall.

Normally, staying quiet would be the best option as they had already caused enough disruption. However, if she let this matter go right now, then people would grow suspicious, and Yi Chen would end up getting thrown out of the banquet.

With her back against the wall, she decided to confront him in front of everyone.

"You ask why? The reason is as obvious as it can be! The only person in my heart is Yi Chen, and he’s the one I’m going to marry. You may claim whatever you want, but that doesn’t mean it’s the truth!"

"Liar! It’s clearly written in your eyes that you’re lying! I’ve known you for decades, Wei Ru. Do you still think I don’t know how your eyes flicker when you lie?" Han Fu rebuked the very next moment.

"You still refuse to believe the facts..." She sighed loudly and exclaimed, "Just go home! You’re drunk. Arguing with you is like arguing with a wall and nothing else."

A few men and women in the crowd nodded at her words, making Wei Ru feel that she had somewhat succeeded in changing the public perception.

However, that feeling was short-lived. frёewebηovel.cѳm

"I won’t! I won’t until you show proof that he’s really your lover! How could a foreigner even be willing to love one of our people, especially when they are still afflicted by the disease? Do you seriously take me for a fool? The two of you are clearly lying!"