I Have Failed

"Do you truly... wish to ask that?"

Verdant Green Maiden countered.

Li Yu nodded.

Seeing this, Verdant Green Maiden drew a deep breath and laughed softly. Looking at Li Yu, she said in a low voice, "Your Li Family received the Mandate of Heaven to rule Jiangnan? Aren't you ashamed to say that?"

"Have you forgotten Yang Xingmi?"

"Have you forgotten what your ancestors did to the Yang Family when they usurped the throne?"

"Within Eternal Peace Palace, blood was wept every day!"

"All ethics and moral order were swept away!"

"When Emperor Shizong Guo Rong marched south, your father feared that the Yang Family's later generations would use the opportunity to restore their rule. He sent men to sever their bloodline, sparing not even infants still in swaddling clothes. Have you forgotten all that?"

"Or did you never know?"

"And you still stand here talking to me about the Mandate of Heaven!"

Verdant Green Maiden looked at Li Yu and took a deep breath.

After she finished speaking, Li Yu staggered back several steps, lowering his head and not daring to speak.

"Of course..."

"I never wished to tell you these things."

"I still admire you."

"You are immensely gifted, and you did not commit these deeds."

"But..."

"You are too stubborn, too obstinate!"

Verdant Green Maiden looked at him and said gravely, "Jiangnan was never meant to belong to your Li Family!"

"..."

Li Yu opened his mouth.

He did not argue, because he knew Verdant Green Maiden was right.

And precisely because of that, he was ashamed.

Only after a long while did Li Yu stagger around and say to Verdant Green Maiden, "I... will grant the Goddess the freedom to come and go. No one in Jinling may hinder the Goddess!"

"I am tired..."

"Goddess, forgive