I Refused The Male Lead And Got Claimed By His Triplet Sisters [GL]

Han Shuying hadn’t been exaggerating when she said those words. General Han Zheng would really go to the top of a cliff and fling himself over it simply because he couldn’t bear the thought of ever having to answer to a daughter he deemed worthless.

Empress Lihua’s expression softened in a way it only did for the younger woman. "I thought your relationship with him was getting better."

Han Shuying shrugged. "Everything is fine as long as we keep out of each other’s way. That’s the only way we can keep from tearing into each other’s throats."

Empress Lihua rubbed Han Shuying’s cheeks. "Don’t let him bother you," she said in a quiet voice. "You’ll always have me. Besides..." she trailed a wet finger down the center of Han Shuying’s chest. "Won’t you like to put him in his place for once?"

That was actually an enticing idea. Anything for Han Shuying to show her father she was just as worthy as the son he never had. But...having to marry Empress Lihua was a pain she wasn’t willing to bear.

Not for him.

Han Shuying pulled the Empress closer. "That’s the last thing on my mind when I have a beautiful woman in my arms." She kissed the spot above her right brow. "Let me show you how much I missed you while I was away."

She leaned in before Empress Lihua could get any words out and pressed their lips together. It was an impulsive distraction but it worked when Empress Lihua melted into her arms.

It will take some time before she could come up with a solid plan on how to reject her proposal without ruining what they had. Even Han Shuying knew how dangerous the Empress was when she felt wronged.

Closing her eyes, Han Shuying imagined that it was Ru Yi in her arms just like she had dreamt many times in the past.

Soft silky hair that flowed past her shoulders and down her back. There hadn’t been any solid plan when she wanted to bring her back to the capital.

But right there in the bath, every soft caress of wet skin made her imagine a very boring domestic life where all they did was take care of each other.

A moan slipped out between Empress Lihua’s lips when Han Shuying turned her completely before settling her on her lap.

The older woman had more body and was fuller than Ru Yi’s slender frame. Han Shuying ran her palm over the length of her body before covering her breasts with both hands.

Empress Lihua threw her head back, gasping when Han Shuying rolled her erect nipples between the pad of her thumb and index finger.

-

-

By the time Empress Lihua finally left Han Shuying’s residence , the sun had already begun its descent behind the palace walls.

Han Shuying wore formal robes expected of the daughter of General Han Zheng. She looked exactly as she always did. A dutiful daughter of the Han household.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

If only that was the case. Beneath her calm expression, her mind was racing. She wondered why he suddenly summoned her upon her return to the capital, which was unusual of him. General Han Zheng never paid attention to her activities.

Han Shuying stopped before the doors of her father’s study. The guards bowed. "General Han is inside."

She nodded and pushed the doors open.

The old man sat behind his huge wooden desk. He wasn’t reading or writing. He was simply sitting there with a cup of tea in his hand, his expression unreadable.

Han Shuying immediately knew something was wrong. "Father."

Han Zheng lifted his eyes. "You’re back." His voice was calm, yet dismissive.

Shuying smiled faintly. "Yes. I returned this afternoon."

"I heard."

A pause.

Shuying walked further into the study. "You summoned me."

Han Zheng gestured toward the chair opposite him. "Sit."

She obeyed without a word. Her father never said more words than he deemed necessary to her. For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Han Zheng asked casually, "How was your mission?"

Shuying’s fingers tightened slightly beneath her sleeves. There it was.The opening she had prepared for. "I was sent on a secret mission by the Empress," she said smoothly. "There were some matters outside the capital that required discreet investigation."

Han Zheng stared at her. "The Empress?"

"Yes."

"What kind of investigation?"

"Nothing particularly important."

"Nothing?"

Shuying smiled. "Empress Lihua didn’t want unnecessary attention drawn to it."

Han Zheng took a slow sip of tea. "How considerate of her."

Shuying’s smile remained even though it was tight. There was something in his voice that made her uneasy. "Father, why are you asking?"

"I am your father." He placed the cup down. "Am I not allowed to be curious about where my daughter disappears?"

Shuying laughed lightly. "Of course you are."

"Then tell me."

"I already did."

"No." Han Zheng’s eyes hardened. "You lied."

The room suddenly became very quiet and Shuying’s smile disappeared. "Father—"

"You weren’t sent by the Empress on a mission. I would’ve known about it if you truly were." Han Zheng leaned back in his chair. "You went to Ashen Fortress."

Her blood ran cold. For the first time since entering the room, Han Shuying couldn’t find an immediate response.

Han Zheng watched the realization cross her face. "I wondered how long you intended to keep pretending."

Shuying swallowed. "How did you—"

"I have scouts." His answer was simple. "Soldiers who report to me. Merchants who carry my messages. Officials who owe me favors."

He paused. "Did you really think you could disappear from the capital, travel all the way to Ashen Fortress, and return without me knowing?"

Shuying lowered her gaze. She had underestimated him.

No.

Perhaps she had underestimated just how much of the kingdom belonged to her father.

Han Zheng’s expression remained strangely composed. "Tell me."

Shuying said nothing.

"What did you see in Ashen Fortress?"

"I—"

"The three princesses."

Her eyes snapped upward.

Han Zheng continued. "Shen Qingyue. Shen Yexue. Shen Lieyin."

Shuying’s heart sank.

"And the army." Han Zheng’s fingers tapped once against the desk. "A new army." Her father smiled faintly when her expression changed. "So you did see them."

She said nothing.

"I’ve heard the reports," he continued. "Thousands of soldiers gathered beyond Ashen Fortress. Trained soldiers. Better equipped than the remnants of the old Eastern Army." His eyes narrowed. "And they answer to the three exiled princesses."

Shuying finally spoke. "You already know everything."

"Not everything." Han Zheng leaned forward. "That’s why you’re here."

Shuying frowned. "Why?"

"Because I want to know what my reports cannot tell me." His gaze became piercing. "I want to know why my daughter went there."

Shuying’s fingers curled into her palm. "I was investigating them."

"On whose orders?"

"The Empress."

"I already told you." His voice dropped. "The Empress did not send you."

Shuying looked away.

Han Zheng studied her for a long moment. Then he said, "You went because of Ru Yi."

Her breathing stopped.

He knew.

He knew about Ru Yi too.

"Father..."

"Do not insult me by lying again." There was no anger in his voice, that was always what frightened her most. "Why are you protecting them?"

Shuying remained silent.

Han Zheng stood. His robes shifted as he walked toward the window overlooking the capital. "The triplets were exiled for a reason," he said. "They possess military talent, royal blood, and enough hatred for the imperial court to become dangerous."

He turned back. "And now they have an army."

Shuying’s jaw tightened. "They aren’t trying to attack the kingdom."

"Not yet."

"You don’t know that."

"I know human nature." Han Zheng walked slowly back to his desk. "Give a wounded beast enough time to heal, and it doesn’t forget who wounded it."

Shuying stared at him. "You intend to do something." There was always a trick up his sleeve. After all, she took after him in that way.

"I intend to protect this kingdom."

She almost laughed. The words sounded noble...if only he meant them. Coming from him, they sounded like a threat. "Father..."

Han Zheng stopped. "You should have told me."

"I knew you wouldn’t understand."

"Perhaps..." He looked at her, " you were afraid I would."

Shuying said nothing.

General Han Zheng returned to his seat. "I will ask you one question."

She waited.

"Are the three princesses preparing to return to the capital?"

Shuying hesitated. "No," Shuying said quietly.

Han Zheng’s eyes narrowed. "You’re certain?"

"They aren’t ready."

"Good."

The single word made Shuying’s stomach twist.

Han Zheng picked up his tea again. "Then we have time."

"For what?"

He looked at her over the rim of the cup. "To decide what should be done about them."

Shuying felt a chill run down her spine. She stood up. "I’ve just returned. I should rest."

"Of course."

She turned toward the door.

"Shuying."

She stopped.

Han Zheng’s voice was softer now. "Whatever feelings you have for those people, remember one thing..."

She slowly turned around.

"Blood comes before strangers."

Shuying almost scoffed. How convenient of him to remember they shared the same blood. For a moment, neither spoke. Then she bowed.

"Yes, Father."

She left the study.

The doors closed behind her. Only then did her carefully composed expression crack. Her father’s words echoed in her mind.

We have time.

She didn’t know what frightened her more.

The fact that General Han Zheng knew about the triplets—or the fact that he sounded as though he had already begun planning how to destroy them.