Yongping turned her face around, quietly watched her for a moment, and said, "Because I don’t want to keep anything of his anymore.

"The Liang Family had approached him multiple times before, asking him to return Liang Ning’s belongings. He returned quite a lot, so I thought nothing of yours was left with him.

"Unexpectedly, when I did the final cleanup, there still was.

"This dagger was placed together with that set of Military Governance Strategy he wrote. When I saw it sandwiched between those books, I knew how much he valued it.

"At that time, I already hated him very much. I also knew, he wasn’t completely without feelings for you, it was just that his interests came above everything to him.

"But I still didn’t expect that, at that time, despite your multiple decisions to cut ties with him, he would still hide this dagger by his side.

"I was truly shocked. I had longed for him for years, that feeling he had for you was once my most desired dream.

"I imagined many times what it would be like for a man like him to be deeply in love with another woman, but I could never envision it.

"Until I saw this dagger. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"I’ve kept it by my side these past few months, never leaving my sight. At first, I was also angry and resentful on his behalf, but later on, the more I looked at it, the more disheartened I became.

"His deep affection for you, yet he could still kill you. It’s evident, being loved by him is rather a misfortune.

"You’re right, comparatively, you’re even worse off than I am.

"We didn’t see eye to eye growing up, but this time, it made me feel a sense of balance in my heart.

"I have come to terms with it, Fu Zhen, we were once both outstanding, both shone brightly in the capital city, if I were to live and die for a man like this, it would be unworthy.

"I don’t want to keep anything of his around me anymore, even if this dagger is yours. I don’t want to have any lingering thoughts of him, I might as well consider myself blind, having suffered a fit, now I have woken up."

Every word she uttered was extremely calm.

Compared to before, it was as if she had changed into a different person.

Fu Zhen didn’t rush to respond to her words.

Reviewing Yongping’s tragedy, she wasn’t entirely innocent either. Back then, she knew perfectly well that Xu Yin was already engaged to Liang Ning, and Xu Yin, having survived death, managed to achieve third place in imperial exams and started his official career, almost entirely relying on Liang Ning and the Liang Family, yet, Yongping still tried to seduce Xu Yin at that time.

If Xu Yin were a good man, Yongping’s actions would indeed have been ruinous to a marriage.

Better to tear down ten temples than ruin a single marriage.

This is lack of virtue.

"Do you hate me?"

Just when this thought crossed her mind, Yongping asked.

Her gaze was bleak, like the dilapidated grey yard.

Fu Zhen shook her head.

"You don’t hate me?"

Yongping was a bit surprised. Then, she chuckled bitterly: "I see, to you, I might be just like Xu, unworthy of your hatred."

"That’s not it." Fu Zhen brushed off a peach blossom petal that had blown onto her sleeve from somewhere. "I did hate you initially, but I don’t like to dwell on things too much. I already slapped you once in Baihe Temple, so we are already even.

"Apart from the Xu matter, although we didn’t see eye to eye growing up, there was never any major animosity between us. With Xu dead, I have no reason to hate you anymore."

Yongping stared blankly at her, gradually a surge welled up in her eyes.

She bit her lower lip, looking down: "Then this is the last chance. If you admit you still hate me, I can apologize to you today.

"Once out of this door, if you try to bring this up again in the future, I won’t agree to it."

Fu Zhen laughed: "What are you worried about? Worried that I might seek revenge on you?"

Whether her worry was struck precisely or not, Yongping’s face reddened, her lower lip bitten even deeper.

"Even if you want to avenge me, I’m not afraid. Now I am just a broken soul, take it if you want, if I utter even half a ’no word,’ then I am a coward!"

Fu Zhen tutted, "Didn’t expect it, you’re quite the heroine. If you had this nerve earlier, why be so hesitant then, going with me to the northwest to fight the enemy would’ve been better?"

"Me being hesitant is not good, but you playing with swords and spears all day is good?" Not mentioning this was fine, but the mention of this stirred Yongping up again.

Fu Zhen laughed: "At least better than you. If you think I can fight the enemy, what is there to fear from my revenge now?"

Yongping was speechless.