Chapter 329
In the video, Shen Tang and Shen Xu seemed to be arguing about something, but the surrounding crowd’s noise was too chaotic to hear clearly, though their names and Shen Qingli’s were vaguely discernible.
Yun Han vaguely anticipated that Shen Tang would say something.
Yet, before that faint glimmer of hope could arise in his heart, it was shattered by the words that followed completely!
In the center of the scene, a stunningly beautiful black-haired woman sneered disdainfully, her words powerful and forceful, as if the man she spoke of disgusted her terribly—
“Enough, shut up, I don’t care about those two despicable lovers at all p>
“Breaking the engagement publicly, slandering the Princess openly, if anyone wants such a ’good’ Young Master of the Yun Family, they’re welcome to him p>
“I’m not into garbage collection; if someone treats trash as treasure, I just find it dirty and disgusting p>
Yun Han’s breath turned cold, his eyes reddening, his breathing pained.
The man she spoke of with utmost aversion was indeed him!
Yun Han could no longer bear to listen, fumbling in a panicked attempt to turn off the video, but he was ultimately one step too late as the video continued to the next second.
Shen Tang turned her head towards the camera, a cold smile on her lips, enunciating each word clearly,
“Such a man of low character, unless I die, even if he begs me to marry him one day, I won’t give him a second glance p>
That sentence, as if spoken directly to him in person, completely shattered Yun Han’s last psychological defense.
It also allowed him to foresee the outcome of the night.
There had already been no chance long ago.
Yun Han slumped weakly to the ground, his heart full of bitterness, but he was powerless because he had caused all of this himself, tearing up the engagement back then and pushing her away.
His decision back then was wrong.
Unfortunately, this world offers no remedy for regret; what is missed is gone forever.
Occasionally, passersby came by and saw the proud Young Master of the Yun Family squatting at the alley entrance, casting various glances. But Yun Han no longer cared; he buried his head between his knees, dampening his clothing, as many scenes flashed through his mind.
He remembered how upset and saddened she was when he tore up the engagement and insulted Shen Tang in front of the entire Empire.
He also remembered the time he risked his life to defend Shen Qingli, and Shen Tang’s cold and disappointed gaze.
And the last time he attempted suicide, she was utterly disappointed in him. From that moment, he should have understood that he no longer had the right to stand by her side.
Not even the luxury of wishful thinking remained.
She was, for him, an unattainable hopeless hope for the rest of his life.
In the middle of the night, an attendant’s voice came from outside the door, “Your Highness, the Young Master of the Yun Family has been standing outside for a long time. He says he has come to see you alone. Do you want to go and have a look p>
Lu Xiao furrowed his brows, looked down at the woman in his arms, and said in a low voice, “Female Master, do you need me to accompany you p>
Shen Tang glanced at the dark night sky outside; it was already one or two in the morning, and Yun Han came to see her so late at night. Could it be something urgent?
She quickly climbed out of Lu Xiao’s embrace, threw on a coat, and was about to go downstairs, “No need, he said he’d come to see me alone, maybe there’s something important he needs to say. I’ll go see him alone and will be back soon p>
Lu Xiao did not follow. He got up and walked to the window, just in time to see the tall and upright figure under the streetlamp, looking much thinner than before, appearing extremely frail and lonely in the moonlight.
Soon, Shen Tang’s figure appeared downstairs.
She was only wearing a thin nightgown, wrapped in a coat. Her hair and clothes were blown wildly by the late-night cold wind, and her beautiful face carried a bit of sleepiness and confusion.
Yun Han saw her coming, and a glimmer of light flashed in his dark eyes but quickly dimmed.
Shen Tang approached him impatiently, her tone nowhere near friendly, “Why did you call me over so late at night? Could it be to discuss Shen Qingli’s affairs again? You should know she was broken out of prison and escaped last night. As you wished, she’s alive and well. So, what else do you want to say to me p>
Yun Han heard the suspicion in her words and explained in a low voice, “I didn’t do it p>
Shen Tang, “Oh? Then what do you want from me p>
“I want to apologize to you p>
Shen Tang raised her eyebrows in surprise. She never expected to see this proud Young Master of the Yun Family apologize to her in person. This was truly a rare occasion, a pity she didn’t capture it.
Yun Han had no idea what she was thinking. Reflecting on the past events, he spoke bitterly, “I’m sorry for what I’ve done in the past; it was my fault p>
“I was too foolish, unable to distinguish right from wrong, and did so many wrong things, maliciously slandering you p>
“I owe you an apology p>
Hearing Yun Han’s sincere apology, Shen Tang felt a slight stir in her heart, but it vanished quickly. The night wind was quite cold; did he come just to say these words? It wasn’t necessary at all.
Shen Tang, “Everything from before is long gone; I don’t care anymore. Did you come all this way at night just to tell me this p>
Yun Han looked at her indifferent gaze, without a hint of nostalgia or regret, and even a trace of impatience, making his heart even more bitter.
In the end, Yun Han still didn’t say that sentence.
It also meant leaving himself with a final shred of dignity.
Yun Han smiled, a slight return to his former uninhibitedness, “Of course not. I’ve thought it through these days; I should come out of the past pain, bounce back, take on the responsibilities of the Yun Family, and care for my father’s old age p>
Shen Tang, “Good to have clarity p>
Yun Han, “I won’t disturb you anymore in the future p>
Shen Tang raised her eyebrows in confusion, not quite grasping the meaning of his words, but she didn’t bother to ponder too deeply. She yawned tiredly, “Are you done talking? It’s late; I want to go back to sleep p>
Yun Han looked at her deeply, his Adam’s apple moving, but he said nothing else and nodded, “I’m done p>
Shen Tang waved her hand, about to turn and leave, when Yun Han suddenly stepped forward, his hand falling on her waist.
Shen Tang reacted quickly, pushing him away instantly, feeling a wave of goosebumps rising, making her want to vomit in disgust.
She glared at him, “What do you think you’re doing? Don’t force me to slap you p>
Yun Han staggered back a step without gaining balance, looked at her with a light laugh, “No need to be nervous, Your Highness, I have no other intentions, just wanted a simple hug, to formally reconcile our past grievances p>
“Unnecessary!” Shen Tang’s expression was cold as ice; if it weren’t for the Yun Family’s face, she would have almost lost her patience, sternly saying, “I’ve made it clear; I don’t hate you, and you don’t need to apologize to me. Just focus on your work for the Empire in the future! That would be gratitude to me p>
Shen Tang no longer wanted to be alone with Yun Han. After leaving those words behind, she turned and walked away.
Behind her came the man’s deep voice,
“Good night p>
“Take care in the days to come p>
Shen Tang’s pace did not pause, she quickly ascended the stairs, completely vanishing from his sight.
When Shen Tang returned to her room and looked out the window again, the figure under the streetlamp was gone.
Sometime later, scattered snowflakes began drifting from the sky, leaving no trace of the footsteps that had departed, as if this little episode had never happened.
Shen Tang quickly put the incident behind her and continued to sleep.
The next morning, when Shen Tang went to the Ministry of Rites to discuss ceremonial matters, she heard that Yun Han had left the Imperial City.
They said he left in the middle of the night, and no one knew where he had gone.