Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 8 The Choice Between Love and Hate

In the early morning at the Prince's mansion, sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the stone path of the courtyard. Zhang Peng sat in his study, his face slightly haggard from a sleepless night. The table before him was piled high with interrogation records and intelligence, all obtained from the previous night's interrogations of the elder statesmen's henchmen.

Xia Lijuan stood outside the study, hesitating for a long time before finally mustering the courage to gently knock on the door. "Come in," Zhang Peng's voice was low and weary. Xia Lijuan pushed open the door and entered the study. Seeing Zhang Peng's appearance, her heart ached: "Your Highness, you haven't slept all night. Please rest for a while."

Zhang Peng looked up at her, his eyes filled with a complex and unreadable expression—weariness, confusion, and a hint of unspoken emotion. "Sit down," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite him. "I have some questions for you."

Xia Lijuan slowly sat down, her hands unconsciously twisting together, her heart filled with unease. Zhang Peng was silent for a moment before speaking, "Why did you suddenly lend a helping hand last night? And how did you know your family had been safely evacuated?"

Xia Lijuan bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes: "Your Highness, I've been reflecting on my actions lately, and I truly regret it. I secretly contacted a friend from my old days in the organization, and he told me that the organization has abandoned its plan to use my family to threaten me and has moved them to a safe place. At that moment, I knew I couldn't make any more mistakes, so I decided to help you."

Zhang Peng stared into her eyes, trying to find a trace of a lie in them, but all he saw was sincerity and guilt. He sighed deeply, "Lijuan, do you know how disappointed I am? I trusted you time and time again, but you betrayed me time and time again."

Xia Lijuan knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down her face: "Your Highness, I know my sins are unforgivable. You may kill me or torture me, I will have no complaints. But I really hope you can give me another chance to make amends for my mistakes."

Looking at her kneeling on the ground, Zhang Peng felt a mix of resentment and love, causing him immense pain. He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the scenery outside, remaining silent for a long time.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door, and a trusted aide rushed in: "Your Highness, something bad has happened! We have discovered that there is another mysterious force operating in the shadows, seemingly trying to rescue those imprisoned henchmen."

Zhang Peng's expression changed, and he turned around and said, "Immediately strengthen the defenses, we must not let them succeed!" He then looked at Xia Lijuan, "Get up first, this matter needs to be discussed in detail."

Xia Lijuan stood up, a determined glint in her eyes: "Your Highness, let me help you. I'm quite familiar with the organization's operating style and communication methods, so perhaps I can be of use."

Zhang Peng hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, but remember, this is your last chance."

In the days that followed, Zhang Peng and Xia Lijuan began to work closely together. Based on the clues obtained from the interrogation, they traveled extensively, trying to find the hiding place of that mysterious force. In the process, Zhang Peng gradually discovered that Xia Lijuan was indeed doing her best to help; the cunning and calculation in her eyes were gone, replaced by sincerity and determination.

One day, they obtained an important clue at a tavern in the city. A mysterious person had been having a secret conversation with the tavern owner there, seemingly plotting something. Zhang Peng and Xia Lijuan decided to wait and see what happened.

As night fell, the patrons in the tavern gradually dispersed. Zhang Peng and Xia Lijuan hid in the shadows, waiting quietly. Suddenly, the tavern door was pushed open, and a masked man walked in. He looked around warily, then went straight to the tavern owner.

Zhang Peng and Xia Lijuan exchanged a glance, then leaped out from the shadows, surrounding the man. The man tried to escape, but it was too late. Zhang Peng ripped off his mask, revealing a complete stranger they had never seen before.

After interrogation, the man finally confessed that he was a peripheral member of the mysterious force and had come to deliver a message: they planned a prison break in three days. Upon learning this, Zhang Peng immediately began to devise a countermeasure plan.

Three days later, the moment of the prison break arrived as scheduled. Zhang Peng led his guards, who had been lying in ambush around the prison, awaiting the arrival of the mysterious forces. Xia Lijuan, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and holding a sharp blade, stood beside Zhang Peng, her eyes filled with determination and courage.

With a series of rapid footsteps, the mysterious forces appeared. Armed with weapons, they charged towards the prison. Zhang Peng shouted, "Attack!" Instantly, a fierce battle erupted between the two sides.

During the battle, Zhang Peng and Xia Lijuan fought side by side, their teamwork impeccable. Xia Lijuan risked injury to protect Zhang Peng. Seeing the wounded Xia Lijuan, the ice in Zhang Peng's heart finally melted away. He stopped thinking about the past betrayals and hurts; at this moment, he only knew that he couldn't lose this woman.

After a fierce battle, the mysterious force was completely defeated. Zhang Peng looked at Xia Lijuan lying in his arms, his eyes filled with heartache: "Lijuan, why were you so foolish?" Xia Lijuan smiled weakly: "My lord, as long as you're alright..."

The crisis was finally over, and Zhang Peng returned to the Prince's Mansion with Xia Lijuan. Having gone through this life-or-death ordeal, their relationship underwent a subtle change. Zhang Peng knew that his and Xia Lijuan's future was still uncertain, but at this moment, he was willing to let go of the past and give each other a chance to start anew.