Chapter 18: A Wickedly Charming Confrontation

Ning Xueyan shivered inwardly. It looked like she was right. This was a man who both made good on his word and wouldn't tolerate any annoyance. She hadn’t factored such a person into her plans. Right now, she could only stay humble. "I apologize, my Prince. I did not intend to manipulate you. The circumstances have forced my hand." Ning Xueyan was expressionless. It was as if she was talking about something as ordinary as the weather. However, her smirk inadvertently revealed a hint of wryness. "Aren't you… afraid of me killing you?" "There are already those who would abuse, humiliate, and harm me. What do I have to fear?" Ning Xueyan stared fixedly at the man's handsome face with neither fear nor admiration. Her gaze harbored only a sliver of coldness. The purpose of her rebirth was revenge. The grudge she bore in her past life, the grudge Ning Xueyan bore, the grudge Madam Ming bore—every grudge was steeped in blood. Very soon, Madam Ming would be buried six feet under. If she didn't take advantage of this opportunity to raise suspicion about Madam Ming's cause of death, the truth would be concealed forever, and Madam Ling's true colors would never be revealed. Prince Yi looked away from her and said, "You're clever, but I won't accept being used as your knife without compensation!" "What do you want, Prince?" Ning Xueyan asked solemnly. She didn't find this unreasonable at all. Prince Yi not exposing her trickery was equivalent to sparing her life, and she was now in his debt. Prince Yi suddenly laughed out loud. "Very well, Ning Xueyan! Do you feel like I'm forcing you to repay my favor?" It was as if he could see through her thin body, straight into her heart. "No. I took a favor, so it is only right that I owe one," Ning Xueyan replied neutrally. Prince Yi rose to his feet, saying nonchalantly, "I’ll make it easy for you. If you ask for my help again in the future, I will reap the compensation for both favors at once. Of the two requests, you must agree to one of them." This did seem reasonable, but his words were as sharp as a sword coated with poison, pressed against her throat. There was no negotiation. He was merely informing Ning Xueyan how things would be. "I understand." A joyless smile crept across her face. No matter what happened next, he had at least given her a way out of her current situation. She allowed herself to relax a little. This man was too dangerous. If their paths ever crossed again, she would need to stay away from him. As long as they never meet again, she could never request his help, and he couldn’t call in that favor. Ning Xueyan had a sneaking suspicion she wouldn’t like it if he did.