CHAPTER 1084: 1161: LIES UPON LIES

Yi Ran smiled and gazed at the Seventh Princess, but his eyes were filled with indifference. "There’s a question that’s been bothering me for a long time. Seventh Royal Sister, tell me... is your heart truly black?" He gradually closed in on the Seventh Princess.

The Seventh Princess held her breath. She was somewhat tense, but this tension didn’t last long. She sighed heavily, then, as if she were a young girl again, like in his memories, she smiled at him gently and gracefully: "You hate me, hate me so much you want to kill me—I know, I understand, I get it."

Yi Ran chuckled softly, "Seventh Royal Sister is quite self-aware. After all, people like you, who’ve done so many heartless deeds, dying prematurely is nothing but karma."

The Seventh Princess adjusted her collar, displaying a calm demeanor. She was originally a woman as elegant as a chrysanthemum; just viewing her outwardly, she seemed gentle like water. Yet who would know, the worldliness in her bones was so revolting, and the bloodstains on her hands were already numerous beyond count.

"Everything back then had its reasons."

She chose her words carefully, then explained gently: "I admit, I’m not a good person, and I’ve done many bad things. But everything back in those days arose for a reason. The reason I later imprisoned you was merely for show—my true intention was to protect you."

Suddenly, Yi Ran grabbed her hair and yanked her towards himself. Her legs were numb, her body was pulled off the wheelchair, and she could only awkwardly brace herself on the armrests to prevent from further falling.

Her scalp ached, she bit her lip and muffled a groan.

Then, she met his gaze, her face full of sincerity.

"Ah Ran, your prejudice against me runs too deep. Being part of the Royal Family, which one of us is innocent, is clean? The numerous events back then were merely due to differing standpoints. I’m very sorry about Shi Yi, I also know she was always close to you, but since she decided to follow Lao Jiu, she should have anticipated that it’s win or lose, the victor is king—this game has been dangerous from the start! And being part of this situation—even if I didn’t kill her, she would have killed me! If not, why would I have acted against her? Back then she came to Jiangnan under the guise of visiting you, but secretly she had already started targeting me in her plans! And I was merely one step ahead, using her methods against her!!"

Yi Ran looked at her coldly: "Do you take me for a fool? Or do you think I would still let you manipulate me like before? Saying that imprisoning me was to protect me, but during those six months there, do you know the kind of days I lived? Your people, they tortured me, treated me as a beast, all because Xiao Shiyi’s subordinates poisoned you, they took it all out on me. Ji Liuli, do you remember the words you once said to me back then?"

"To you, I’m just a pawn. Once this pawn is no longer useful, it can be discarded at any time. But you can’t be blamed, I can only blame myself for being too foolish."

The Seventh Princess defended herself: "I was unconscious for half a year, I’ve executed all those who acted against you back then! Moreover, I’ve been looking for you all these years! Ah Ran, I know the things I’ve done hurt you, but considering we grew up together, can you give me a chance? I’ve turned over a new leaf, I am not who I used to be anymore!"

But Yi Ran was full of disdain.

He shoved her away, letting her powerless body fall to the ground.