The one-armed woman's expression remained indifferent as she exposed the truth:
"You're not granting a marriage; you're ensuring his death."
Her words caused the palace maid Su Xin to stiffen slightly, as they were utterly unrestrained.
Empress An's expression darkened, her voice turning icy:
"Why shouldn't he die?"
"He saved your life."
"That was his duty," Empress An responded impassively. "Loyal service to the state is expected."
"To him, nothing is truly 'expected,' except perhaps the word 'affection.'"
"Affection between him and me?"
Saying this, Empress An cast a glance at Yin Weiyin, who shivered involuntarily.
"Could it be you think he's like that princess of King Jing—a paramour of mine? How ridiculous. If he were, wouldn't I know about it?"
After speaking, Empress An appeared to shift the topic, staring at Yin Weiyin as her smile grew:
"Princess of King Jing, why are you so flustered?
If I truly made him my paramour, what of it?"
