Pampered By All In Different Planes

Chapter 160: Chapter 160: The Lucky Farmer is at Ease, While the Husband with No Heirs is Busy Pursuing His Wife 20

This was the second time Fu Huaichu truly saw Su Zhiruan. He stood in place, staring steadily at her.

Three years, neither long nor short, had done little to change Su Zhiruan’s appearance, but her temperament had become calmer and more enchanting.

She stood at the doorway, with her long hair pinned up, and a golden hairpin swaying as she moved, dressed in smoke-blue silk adorned with patterns of Liuyun woven in silver threads. Her skin was as white as snow, her features like a painting, her face beautiful. Her entire being emanated a composed charm. Fu Huaichu was mesmerized; she was still the same.

The Su Zhiruan he remembered blended seamlessly with the one standing before him now.

He descended from the high platform.

Su Zhiruan took a half step back, already understanding what the so-called invitation from the Lord Prefect to attend the trade convention meant. It was likely an excuse conjured by the Crown Prince standing before her, and the objective was none other than her.

She slowly performed a courtesy, the panic that had been in her expression now well hidden, transforming into calmness, “This commoner pays respect to the Crown Prince—”

“You—” Fu Huaichu’s steps halted; he felt somewhat apprehensive about approaching. In this brief moment, he had become somewhat afraid.

For three years, she had vanished without a trace.

He did not know what she had been through, whether she had anyone by her side. Upon meeting again, she performed her courtesies with utmost respect, addressing him as the Crown Prince.

“Seeing that it’s me, aren’t you surprised?” Fu Huaichu suppressed the sourness in his heart and continued walking towards her, “Ruanruan, don’t you have anything to say to me?”

Su Zhiruan lowered her gaze obediently, maintaining the gesture of courtesy, “What does Your Highness wish for this commoner to say?”

A trace of panic emerged in her heart, and the moment she saw Fu Huaichu, she knew that the truth could no longer be concealed.

Perhaps Fu Huaichu had inadvertently found out, or maybe the children, Su Zhezhi and Su Zheyue, had encountered him. But at that moment, she had only one thought—she must not let him find out about the existence of Zhezhi and Zheyue, or at least not let him know that they were his children!

For the past three years, both children had been the treasures she cared for with all her heart. If Fu Huaichu were to learn the truth, he would surely take the children away from her. Such a separation would mean that once the children entered the palace, no matter how capable she was, it would be difficult to see Zhezhi and Zheyue again.

Fu Huaichu did not answer her. He walked toward her very slowly, his movement relaxed, but his purpose was clear—it was her.

The hall was exceptionally quiet, and Su Zhiruan realized that besides them, there was no one else.

Night had fallen, and everything outside the hall sharply contrasted with the silence inside. Su Zhiruan kept her gaze low and obedient. At that moment, she could even hear the sound of the wind outside, the chirping of cicadas in the trees.

The candlelight crackled as time passed, the sound of the wax burning down to the wick, the only noise left in the candle’s final moments.

Then, the lamps closest to Su Zhiruan quietly extinguished without a sound.

The entire hall was dim and lightless, only the silhouette of the person in front of her was visible.

Fu Huaichu approached her, stopping less than half a meter away, “Ruanruan, if you refuse to speak, then I have no choice but to break the silence.”

At this moment, his voice was unusually calm, the kind of calm that was like the harbinger of a storm. Su Zhiruan instinctively took a half step back, wanting to push the door and leave this place.

But the moment her back touched the door, she suddenly discovered that the hall’s door had been locked at some unknown time.

“You did this on purpose,” Su Zhiruan looked at him and took a deep breath, “Locking me in here, what are you trying to do?”

“You can’t escape,” Fu Huaichu’s features became unusually clear in the darkness, especially when he was gazing intently at her. His tone was calm with an extreme madness to it. Then, Su Zhiruan felt his cold fingertips tracing her hair behind her ear, looping around, again and again, “Why not stay here with me, to revel in joy and enjoy the pleasures of life?”

“Have you gone mad?” She took a step back, only to see the man step forward, pinning her against the door without room for doubt, pressing her there. She tried to push Fu Huaichu away but soon realized that he would not let her break free.

At this moment, Su Zhiruan had not expected that their meeting after a mere three years would result in such a scene.

The Fu Huaichu of the past was highly vigilant, as aloof as an Immortal, and a man of few words. Later, after her persistent coaxing, he gradually let go of his suspicions, sometimes revealing his gentle side.

However, no matter what, that person had nothing to do with the calm madman he was now!

Seeing that Fu Huaichu made no further move, she struggled more and stared at him wide-eyed, “If outsiders learn of the Crown Prince’s actions, of forcing himself on a common girl, aren’t you afraid of ruining your reputation? Have you lost your mind?”

“Ha, forcing myself on a common girl?” Fu Huaichu hooked a finger and casually pulled off her outer garment, which fell like an exquisite leaf, eventually landing on the stone slab floor. As Su Zhiruan tried to keep her clothes, she found it futile and was instead pressed by him, listening to his calmly mad voice, “Yes! I have gone mad! What do I, the Crown Prince, lack?!”

“Ruanruan, you professed your love for me repeatedly, claiming I was the only one for you. So why did you run? Why did you leave? Why didn’t you want to go back with me? Why would you rather fake the death of the entire village than tell me?!” Fu Huaichu felt he was going insane, pressing closely against Su Zhiruan. His big hand gripped her wrist as he bent down to her ear, questioning her word after word, “Su Zheyue, Su Zhezhi, these are clearly our children. Why didn’t you tell me?! Ruanruan, I’m in despair!”

Su Zhiruan tried to move her wrist but found it pulled even tighter. Through the moonlight, she could see the man’s eyes reddened, and deep within them was profound sadness, an unrest that couldn’t be dissolved, perhaps even self-mockery and madness.

Even though she didn’t know how Fu Huaichu had spent these past three years, from the looks of it now, he was showing signs of a dark turn, even moving in a crazed direction.

“You’re not dead, and neither are the hundred plus people of Su Family village! Why did you run?! Are you afraid of my revenge? Afraid that I would destroy these shameful memories? Afraid that I would kill to silence you?!” Fu Huaichu’s eyes completed turned bloodshot, as he spilled all the thoughts he had harbored for three years without reservation, pinning Su Zhiruan against the door frame, his hand tightly clutching her jaw, “You’re not dead, but my heart is! Very well, Su Zhiruan, you’re so cruel, you have such a cruel heart! What am I in your eyes?! A mayfly to call and dismiss at will?! Or a dog or chicken you whimsically want to tease? How can you so decisively pull away, without any concern?!”

“You… went looking for me?” Su Zhiruan was forced to lift her head, looking into his bloodshot eyes. She flinched, but he mistook it as an attempt to struggle and pinned her even tighter.

“Ruanruan, you never learn,” Fu Huaichu at this point could no longer hear what she was saying. In his eyes, there was madness, despair, and also hope for their reunion and intense desire.