The Eastern Palace was still speaking, but my anger overshadowed his words. Was this what he had been waiting for? I couldn’t focus, only reconstructing the sequence of events in my mind. An Jin had once stolen the Eastern Palace’s love interest, leading the Eastern Palace to retaliate. You stole my beloved? Then I’ll make you wear a green hat! Thus, the deliberate approach and sunset confession unfolded. As I pieced everything together, it all made increasing sense.
I am a professional translator. I’m not a stunning beauty, but after tidying up, I can look decent, though not to the point of love at first sight. Aware of this, I saw through his conspiracy, which rendered the Eastern Palace’s sinister intentions ineffective.
Lost in thought and proud of my deductions, I was jolted back to reality by the Eastern Palace’s voice: “Well?”
Was he inquiring about my thoughts on his feelings? I responded seriously, “No.”
Xia Zhiyuan’s expression was enigmatic. “Really not want?”
Want? Want what? His “true heart”? I declared, “Absolutely not.”
He sighed. “In that case, I’ll have to give up.”
I didn’t expect my lady to be so noble, willing to paint for the palace for free, which truly moves me.”
I widened my eyes. So he had been talking about payment for the painting?
I was on the verge of tears. “Well… I can accept payment.”
“No. Such vulgar things must not sully the lady’s painting skills,” Xia Zhiyuan said solemnly.
I looked at him pitifully. “This servant is not afraid of vulgarity.”
He smiled slightly. “It’s sunset now. The Ministry of Personnel office should be closing soon.”
I gritted my teeth and forced a smile. “This servant must go now.”
“Very well.” He paused. “Shall I escort you?”
“No need.”
As the gray cranes around us rose, spreading their wings to the sky, Xia Zhiyuan pulled me close amid the gray fog.
“Be careful, my lady.”
Several gray crane wings brushed past me, not painful. Xia Zhiyuan leaned close to my ear and chuckled softly:
“He won’t be able to protect you for long. It’s better to come to my side.”
As the gray mist dispersed, he released me, a subtle smile playing on his face. “Please consider carefully.”
