Chapter 75 - A Change Of Heart

"Idiot! We're still in public!" Yu Yingyi scolded as she slapped Song Liya's hand away before they made it onto her hips.

"Ah, I was too caught up in the moment I forgot that we were in public," said Song Liya.

"This is why you should've learned how to control yourself, one day we're going to do something indecent and it's going to be exposed to the public because of you."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't let anyone see your body, it only belongs to me."

Yu Yingyi let out a chuckle, in the corner of her vision, she spotted Song Feng Mian and Jia Yi watching them from a distance.

"Look!" Yu Yingyi called out to Liya and pointed to where Feng Mian was. "They're right there, let's go talk to them."

"Alright, alright. You head there first, I don't want to leave the crowd hanging, they're going to want some questions answered," said Song Liya..

Yu Yingyi grew worried. "Are you sure you won't scare them away?"

"I won't, do you really not have that much trust in me?"

"I trust you, it's just about what happened the last time someone asked a question regarding our love life."

"It was their fault, they shouldn't have asked something that has something to do with our private life."

"I guess you're right, anyway, I'm going to go talk to Feng Mian. I'll be back in a bit."

"Alright, don't take too long!"

Yu Yingyi quickly hurried off the stage and made her way to where Feng Mian and Jia Yi were. During the speech, she didn't see them once and here they were looking happy together.

"Feng Mian!" Yu Yingyi called out. "Where were you and what happened to our plan?"

Song Feng Mian grasped Yu Yingyi's shoulders which made her surprised. "There's been a change of plans, but it doesn't matter. We won the game."

Yu Yingyi was confused, "What game are you talking about?"

"A game of Xiangqi against Song Zihan and Jia Xin Yi. I did it Yingyi, I was able to get them to agree," said Song Feng Mian.

Yu Yingyi's eyes widened. "Did they agree to it? Are they going to allow people of the same gender to be together?"

"Ah, they didn't say anything about that. They said that if the citizens reacted positively, that's when they'll decide what to do." Song Feng Mian replied.

"So they didn't say anything yet...I'm really hoping they do since they'll change everything. My event is only a stepping stone and the main event is when Song Zihan speaks about it." Yu Yingyi.

"I don't think your event was only a stepping stone, what you said up there touched a lot of people, I'm sure of it." Song Feng Mian reassured.

"Oh? Are you saying that cause my speech touched you?"

"No comment."

"Haha~ I'm glad it touched you, though I'm worried what the empress is going to say. Just one word can end the entire event."

"Don't worry, I'm sure my mother is going to react positively. After all, Jia Xin Yi is by her side," said Song Feng Mian.

"My mother is?!" Jia Yi's voice suddenly appearing, Yu Yingyi almost forgot she was there since she didn't say anything.

"Yes, Jia Xin Yi wouldn't let this event go to waste when it's benefiting her. It's a win-win situation for her and us," said Song Feng Mian.

"That's because Jia Xin Yi loves the Song Zihan, they might start a romantic relationship after this event if they do support it," said Yu Yingyi.

"Jia Yi, it seems like you're going to be my younger step-sister if our mothers do end up together. Though I wonder how the two emperors would feel about it," said Song Zihan.

"I don't think they can do anything about it. In this era, the emperors aren't the highest rank in society, it's the empresses," said Yu Yingyi.

In the novel, the emperor was barely mentioned at all. The only time the novel said anything about the emperor was when they were introducing them. That's how Yu Yingyi knew they weren't the ones in power nor were they that important.

"I think they're going to start a romantic relationship, I'm sure of it," said Jia Yi.

Yu Yingyi felt curious. "Why do you think that?"

"It's to divorce with the emperor, there was no point in staying with them any longer. They were basically useless," said Jia Yi.

"That's true, I do remember the empress saying something about how much of a bastard their husband was," said Yu Yingyi.

"Then is it confirmed that they'll start a romantic relationship with each other?" Song Feng Mian asked.

"Nope, we can't confirm anything until it happens. There's no telling what's going on in their minds," said Yu Yingyi.

Though, deep inside, Yu Yingyi hopes that they'll get together to avoid the tragedy of an ending.

---

"So, what're you going to do Zihan?" asked Jia Xin Yi.

They were located in Song Zihan's private room, there was only a bed and a few pieces of furniture. Other than the expensive bed, everything else in the room was things even the poorest of the commoners could afford.

"Who knows? It seems that the citizens are supportive of them, that's good I guess." Song Zihan muttered.

"Zihan, after all these years, what're you so afraid of?" asked Jia Xin Yi.

Song Zihan let out a chuckle, "What's there to be afraid of?"

"You're afraid of what people are going to think of you when you reveal the fact that you're into the same gender. You were never in love with that husband of yours in the first place," said Jia Xin Yi.

"Scared of what people are going to think of me? You're hilarious. I'm the empress, such thoughts about me wouldn't bother me at all." said Song Zihan.

"That's a lie. You're forgetting that I'm the one you're talking to, not someone who doesn't know you." Jia Xin Yi countered. "Back when we were younger, you used to cry to me about how the kids were calling you weird because of something different you did."

"That's a story made up by you, I don't recall any of it." Song Zihan replied.

"Ah, if I recall, before I left, didn't you tell me that you were scared of being the empress because you were scared what the citizens were going to think of you?"

"Lies."

"Weak, weak-willed, someone who's going to bring the empire down. You were scared of being called that, thus, you put on a front and you hid your true self. Perhaps you married someone to forget me. You became strict with people, harsh even, with your daughters too."

Before Jia Xin Yi could continue any further, Song Zihan dashed from her spot and pushed Jia Xin Yi down on the bed, and covered her mouth.

"Shut up, do not speak any further or I'll slap you." Song Zihan threatened.

Jia Xin Yi easily pulled Zihan's hand away from her mouth and chuckled.

"Slap me? You and I both know you're not going to slap me. Didn't you say you'd never let anything damage my pretty face?"

"Shut up, it's all your fault...I'm like this because of you." Song Zihan murmured, it came out quieter than a whisper.

"What did you say?"

"I'm like this because of you! You left! It's all your fault!" Song Zihan shouted.

Despite the sharp and loud voice, Jia Xin Yi didn't flinch at all. Instead, she smiled.

"I know it's my fault, I know I shouldn't have left you, I still regret it to this day," said Jia Xin Yi.

"Then why..." muttered Song Zihan, her tears flowed down from cheeks as they landed on Xin Yi's cheeks. "Then why did you leave? You knew you shouldn't have, you knew the consequences, so why did you leave?"

Jia Xin Yi's heart ached as she stared at Zihan's sorrowful expression, she hated this sight. With her arm, she pulled Zihan's head to her chest. Surprisingly, there was no resistance.

"I was part of royalty, you too. I didn't have a choice-" Before Jia Xin Yi could continue, Song Zihan interrupted her. "No, you did have a choice. Instead of staying, you chose to leave me. With the Xiangqi game, you wanted me to never forget you since there was no one else that could beat me."

"Ah, you figured me out. I did have a choice, but staying with you wasn't one of them. My mother became sick and candidates for the empress were being selected in preparation. I was one of those selected candidates."

"Stop, I don't want to hear more of your past." Song Zihan interrupted.

"Is that your way of saying I don't want to feel guilty?"

"No, I just don't want to hear it."

"Alright, I won't say any more of it. But Zihan, will you ever forgive me?" Jia Xin Yi asked, her voice full of sincerity.

Song Zihan let out a quiet sigh, what was the point in worrying about the past? Moreover, Jia Xin Yi wasn't wrong, perhaps she was afraid of what the people thought of her. It wasn't Jia Xin Yi's fault, it was her own fault.

Maybe it was time to let go, she didn't want to admit it, but she was waiting for this moment for a long time now. It was time to let go, a lot of things were going to change.

"Jia Xin Yi, you've always been an idiot, did you know that?"

"Ha?! Where did that come from?!"

"Because I've forgiven you long ago. How could I hold a grudge against the person who I loved the most?"

"So you've finally come back to your true self, it's been a while."

"I'm back."

"So, should we attend the event now? I'm sure they're still waiting for our response," said Jia Xin Yi.

"Sure, there are things I have to say anyway."

Together, the two Lilies bloomed in together as they walked out of the door, it was time for the finale.