Just as they reached the palace gate, they saw Yuzhen and the Crown Prince anxiously waiting. Qingqing felt a slight warmth in her heart. The two, upon seeing her approach, were momentarily at a loss for words. Yuzhen’s eyes were filled with tears, “I don’t know why His Majesty suddenly got angry, but it won’t be hard for us sisters to meet in the future.”
Chapter 80: Qingqing’s Feelings for Four
Qingqing smiled back, murmuring, “Yes, meeting won’t be hard, but to meet often…” Yuzhen’s tears grew more, “My father won’t stop me from visiting my good sister!” Qingqing nodded, pulling Yuzhen aside to ask quietly, “Why isn’t the Fourth Prince here?” Yuzhen sighed, her expression melancholic, and recounted how the Fourth Prince had saved her. Qingqing was both moved and surprised, feeling a strange emotion well up inside her. She suddenly looked into the distance, her eyes hot with unshed tears.
Everyone followed her gaze to see the Fourth Prince, supported by a young eunuch, walking with his usual dignified pace, neither too fast nor too slow, but with no less grace. As he approached, Qingqing pushed Xiaotang’s hand away, quickly stepped forward, and took his hand, her voice both concerned and sincere: “You came?” The Fourth Prince: “I came.” “I thought you wouldn’t.” Qingqing suddenly showed the shy demeanor of a young maiden and continued, “I want to thank you.” Seeing their intimate exchange, the others felt it inappropriate to approach. Yuzhen felt somewhat comforted, but the Crown Prince and Master Lin’s gazes were not so kind.
The Fourth Prince, after hearing her, softly said, “It wasn’t me who saved you; it was the Second Prince who pulled you out.” “I must thank the Crown Prince too,” Qingqing laughed. “Why were you so foolish? Risking your own life for me?” She lowered her head like a demure wife, implying, “Do you like me?” But after waiting for a while with no response, she boldly looked up to see the Fourth Prince’s face had turned cold, his voice icy: “‘Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you.’ I didn’t want the Second Prince to lose his servants’ lives; you don’t need to thank me.” Qingqing felt rebuffed, yet she still smiled: “But you truly care for me, Yuzhen told me everything.”
The Fourth Prince’s expression suddenly became odd, his gaze on Qingqing seemed pained, then quickly turned to contempt and indifference: “I only pity you.”
Chapter 81: How Does Four Feel About Qingqing
