The Male Lead I Wronged Has Blackened
CHAPTER 36: Stay by My Side, Okay
The attitude of the Xuanming Sect disciples toward Si Yao shifted from awe to hatred in just a few heartbeats.
They were all waiting to see her miserable downfall, waiting to see how Jiang Shuo would punish her.
Meanwhile, the disciples from the other four sects felt a pang of sympathy for Si Yao. They didn’t know the rumors about her and couldn’t understand why the Xuanming Sect despised her so deeply.
Watching the scene, Si Yao couldn’t help but think about the sheer power of the evil female supporting character aura. Even after all these years, so many people still hated her.
She quietly waited for Jiang Shuo’s judgment. For some reason, the fear she had felt at the thought of Jiang Shuo settling scores with her had faded. Now she felt calm, as if he wouldn’t do anything to her.
Mu Yuanbai’s gaze stayed sharp and wary. He was prepared: if Jiang Shuo gave an order against Si Yao, he would risk everything to take her away.
Everyone held their breath, waiting to see what would happen. Jiang Shuo, however, simply squeezed Si Yao’s hand firmly and gave a calm smile. “She is Si Yao, yes, but she is also my fiancée now.”
Those few words set the crowd off. This was the Si Yao who had harmed him repeatedly, yet Jiang Shuo was willing to let her be his fiancée.
Many were baffled. All of Si Yao’s misdeeds had targeted Jiang Shuo, and they even had mortal enmity. How could he just let it go?
Some remembered an old rumor circulating in the sect—that Jiang Shuo and Si Yao had a past relationship. Everyone had dismissed it as nonsense back then, but now, it seemed there might be truth to it.
“Sect Leader, think carefully. Such a wicked person cannot be allowed near you.”
“Please issue an order to execute Si Yao.”
Some spoke out of concern for the bigger picture, afraid Si Yao might harm Jiang Shuo, and suggested dealing with her.
“Sect Leader, Si Yao is a child of destiny. She can bring a century of prosperity to the sect. Please show mercy.” Among all the Xuanming Sect disciples, only Shen Rong looked at Si Yao with concern and tried to defend her.
Hearing their calls for her execution, Jiang Shuo’s handsome brow furrowed slightly. He pulled Si Yao closer, holding her firmly behind him.
Tall and unwavering, he shielded her completely.
Si Yao’s small frame was safely protected. She looked up at Jiang Shuo’s steady, resolute back and felt a surge of emotion. She remembered how she herself had once stood before him, protecting him. Now, he was taller and stronger, and he was protecting her instead.
Just as Si Yao had thought, Jiang Shuo would protect her. No one would ever be able to harm her.
Jiang Shuo had never been this angry before. The voices demanding punishment for Si Yao grated on him like nails on stone. The person he had once held closest to his heart, no matter how sinful, was not something he would let them judge.
“Anyone who wants to hurt Si Yao can come and try.”
His voice was colder than ice that had never melted for ten thousand years, sending shivers down everyone’s spines. The few who had dared to speak up felt sweat break out on their foreheads under the weight of his aura.
Everyone else watched in silence as Jiang Shuo went to such lengths to protect Si Yao. They had no words. The victim defending the so-called culprit was a sight that didn’t make sense to them at all.
Mu Yuanbai felt a small relief wash over him, though a twinge of bitterness lingered deep in his chest.
At the critical moment, it was Elder Situ who acted as the peacemaker. He spoke to calm the disciples, urging everyone to settle down and allow a lenient judgment for Si Yao.
Though some were still displeased, with Jiang Shuo shielding her so decisively and Elder Situ speaking up, they had no choice.
Most importantly, the person directly involved, Jiang Shuo, had remained perfectly calm upon learning that Si Yao was still alive. He showed no hatred, only protection. Any further complaints now would be unreasonable.
Under the shock of everyone present, the succession ceremony came to an end. No one could have imagined that an event meant to display the full might of the sect would conclude in such a way.
With the situation settled, Jiang Shuo took Si Yao’s hand and led her away. She let him, following obediently behind him.
Passing Mu Yuanbai, Si Yao noticed the concern in his eyes and the unspoken words lingering there. But Jiang Shuo walked briskly, and she couldn’t stop to exchange pleasantries. All she could do was give Mu Yuanbai a reassuring look.
Their robes fluttered behind them, leaving only two ethereal figures in their wake. Everyone left behind was too stunned to react.
The sect was empty after the ceremony, and Jiang Shuo continued walking with Si Yao. She looked at his black hair cascading down his back and bit her lip softly. “Thank you, Jiang Shuo.”
Jiang Shuo had always acted according to his heart. Compared to him, Si Yao had always been confused, never truly understanding her own feelings, often to the point of self-deception.
She was willing to believe he hated her, but not that he loved her. Even if he had confessed his feelings ten years ago, she would not have believed it.
Now, after all she had done to harm him, he still chose to protect her. Just as he had once trusted her when she had been forced to betray him during a mission and spoke harsh words to him, he had still believed in her.
Si Yao’s heart thudded wildly. She could no longer lie to herself. This man before her had given her his heart ever since he was a young boy, and even now, he still loved her deeply.
Hearing Si Yao’s soft, gentle voice, Jiang Shuo said nothing. He just squeezed her hand tightly, as if he would never let go again.
He had struggled, he had been in pain, but he knew that all the hurt he had felt was nothing compared to the joy of discovering she was still alive.
Besides, this time she had returned without harming him. She had done everything she could to help suppress the poison in his body. She had spoken on his behalf at the Xiaoyao Tower's Exhibition and had even kissed him willingly.
At some point, his heart had once again uncontrollably fallen for her.
Si Yao did not know where Jiang Shuo was taking her, and she did not ask. She simply followed him, dazed and quiet.
After a long while, Jiang Shuo finally stopped.
Si Yao looked around and saw a sea of pink petals.
Only then did she realize that Jiang Shuo had brought her to a peach grove. The branches were heavy with flowers, bursting with vibrant pink, a sight so delightful it took her breath away.
Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at the blossoms. A gentle breeze blew, scattering petals to the ground. The beautiful girl’s face carried a faint, serene smile. She lifted her pale, delicate hand and caught a falling petal, murmuring softly, “So beautiful.”
Then she let go of Jiang Shuo’s hand and walked toward the nearest peach tree.
Another gentle breeze swept through, sending a shower of peach petals swirling around Si Yao. The girl laughed freely, twirling among the drifting blossoms like a little spirit of the flowers, impossible to look away from.
So beautiful.
Jiang Shuo stood there, completely entranced.
In his eyes, only the girl playing beneath the peach tree existed.
Si Yao cupped her hands, catching a few petals, then looked at him with a playful, slightly suspicious smile. “It’s already autumn. How come there are peach blossoms?”
Seeing her happy, a smile tugged at the corner of Jiang Shuo’s mouth. “As long as you like them, the peach trees can bloom anytime.”
Si Yao froze at his words. Memories of something she had said long ago came rushing back—
“When will the peach tree in front of the house bloom? I really want to see the peach blossoms.”
“Senior Sister, you really like peach blossoms?”
“They’re delicate and beautiful, of course I like them. But what I like most are the peaches on the tree. When my tree bears fruit, I’ll share two with you.”
The memory caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily dazed.
But the two of them never got to see that peach tree bloom or bear fruit before they turned against each other.
She hadn’t expected him to remember.
Si Yao blinked, then snapped back to the present. Her eyes shimmered red as she looked at Jiang Shuo.
“They’re so beautiful. I really like them.”
Her voice trembled, carrying a slight sniffle, soft and tender, and it made Jiang Shuo’s heart melt instantly.
“Senior Sister…”
He called her instinctively, but then realized she wasn’t the same as before. She was no longer that senior sister who risked everything, even her life, just to protect him.
His words faltered. His long, fair fingers clenched and unclenched repeatedly, struggling to hold back the surge of emotion in his chest. After a moment of steadying himself, he spoke again, voice firm yet gentle—
“Si Yao, stay by my side, okay?”
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