He was stunned, then suddenly laughed. “I still remember the wedding night; Madam looked just like this.”
The words were ambiguous, as if that wedding night was between us. In reality – it was just a misunderstanding.
I laughed awkwardly. “Your Highness is quite humorous.”
He no longer laughed, instead looking at my face seriously. On that beautiful face were written two words: Infatuated.
Of course, I’ve never believed words written on faces.
“Why did Madam marry An Jin?”
This question came quite suddenly. I was dazed and casually replied: “Childhood sweethearts, mutual affection, destined to be together, reunited lovers – pick any answer you like.”
He seemed lost in thought, then looked at the setting sun with a melancholic expression: “I’ve always wondered, if the one I married that day was truly you, how perfect it would have been.”
Shallow shore, setting sun, autumn wind, and an artistic tyrant-turned-melancholic Eastern Palace. I only had one thing to say. Close the door, release the Lantern Festival!
Chapter Thirteen: Lantern Festival Wound
The Eastern Palace was still rambling on, while anger blazed in my heart. So this is what he was waiting for? I couldn’t hear a word he was saying, only constructing the whole sequence of events in my mind. It seemed that An Jin had once stolen the Eastern Palace’s love interest, and the Eastern Palace, in a fit of anger, decided to treat him in kind. You stole my beloved? Then I’ll make you wear a green hat! And so came this deliberate approach and sunset confession scene. Connecting everything that happened before and after, I found it increasingly logical.
I was lost in thought. Just as I was inwardly jubilant, I suddenly heard a voice from the Eastern Palace: “Well?”
I forcibly pulled myself back to the present. Well? Was he asking about how I had considered his feelings? I said seriously, “No.”
Xia Zhiyuan’s expression was somewhat enigmatic. “Really not want?”
Want? Want what? I said solemnly, “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.”
