I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm despite the rising tension. “Maybe because some things are worth taking seriously,” I shot back, my voice firm.
Lan Qiye tilted his head, as if considering my words. “And what might those things be?”
“Like boundaries.” I shot back, hoping my point was clear. But his expression only darkened into something more contemplative.
“You know, boundaries can be flexible,” he said, his tone shifting slightly as he stepped closer. “Sometimes, they’re worth crossing.”
I felt a shiver run down my spine. “You’re pushing your luck,” I warned, stepping back slightly.
“Am I?” he challenged, undeterred. “What if I like this dangerous game?”
The unexpected thrill mingled with my irritation, and I couldn’t help but feel a conflicting sense of anticipation. “This isn’t a game to me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Maybe not to you, but it sure feels like one to me,” Lan Qiye countered, his eyes glinting with mischief. “And I always play to win.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, every instinct telling me I needed to tread carefully. “You may want to reconsider what winning means,” I said warningly, turning to leave once more.
“Leaving so soon?” he called after me, his tone playful yet peculiar.
I paused briefly, contemplating how to respond, before finally shaking my head and walking away, the unresolved tension hanging in the air behind me.
Lan Qiye immediately laughed dismissively: “Then I’d like to see how you’ll do that!”
I’ve never seen anyone more shameless or more annoying. I couldn’t help but grit my teeth and glare at him: “Lan Qiye, are you done yet?”
Lan Qiye couldn’t help but put on a hurt and incomprehensible expression: “I just want to be friends with you, Xiamo. Why do you have to keep me at arm’s length?”
I answered unhappily: “Because we’re not from the same world. The word ‘friend’ is something Xiamo can’t aspire to!” My instinct told me this guy is much more dangerous than he appears, so it’s better to stay away…
Lan Qiye slightly curled his lips: “No way! I think we’re quite compatible. Don’t you think so?”
Me, compatible with this guy? What a joke!
I couldn’t help but put on a stern face, deliberately responding coldly: “Believe me, that’s definitely your illusion. We’re completely incompatible, and we shouldn’t even exist in the same place in this lifetime!”
Lan Qiye raised an eyebrow unconcernedly: “Is that so? But why don’t I feel that way? I actually think we’d make good friends, and maybe I could even help you!”
I couldn’t help but frown in confusion: “Help me with what?”
Lan Qiye blinked, smiling mysteriously: “Help you promote the marriage between the Crown Prince and the Holy Lady! Don’t tell me you’re not here for this!”
“How do you know?” I couldn’t help but widen my eyes, then reacted and stared at him with disbelief and contempt: “You, you were eavesdropping on us?”
Lan Qiye remained unfazed: “I didn’t intentionally eavesdrop. I just happened to overhear!”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes: “Your ‘happening to overhear’ is quite convenient!”
Lan Qiye nodded seriously: “That’s why I say we’re compatible! Because heaven knows you need help, so it arranged for me to appear at the right time!
Although lacking ambition, I couldn’t help but ask: “So how exactly does Your Highness want to help me?”
Lan Qiye smiled calmly: “Your goal is to have Qinghan marry the Crown Prince, right? Actually, this isn’t difficult. As long as I discuss with your Chengyun Emperor and establish a diplomatic marriage to foster friendship, our Jingyue Country’s Holy Maiden would naturally and righteously marry into your Chengyun Crown Prince’s residence.”
“Right!” I couldn’t help but exclaim joyfully, urgently urging him: “Then go find the Emperor now and discuss having Qinghan marry that guy quickly!”
“But why would I do that?”
“
Unexpectedly, he casually raised an eyebrow and slowly said: “This would only cause our Jingyue Country to lose a carefully cultivated Holy Maiden. Wouldn’t that mean there’s no benefit?”
“Huh?”
I couldn’t help but pause, frowning: “Didn’t you just say diplomatic marriage could foster friendship? How can you say there’s absolutely no benefit?”
Lan Qiye couldn’t help shaking his head: “You’re too naive. What I just said was just a formal reason. Only when a weak country wants to attach itself to a strong country, or when two countries form an alliance to achieve certain interests, would they use such a marriage strategy. In fact, our Jingyue Country doesn’t need to rely on any of your Chengyun’s power, so there’s completely no necessity for a diplomatic marriage, right?
“I…”
I was suddenly at a loss for words. No matter what, what this guy said was true. Qi Chenxuan didn’t like me, and I was indeed not favored. But what was this guy’s purpose in insisting that I go to Jingyue?
Lan Qiye seemed to see through my thoughts and then lightly laughed: “Stop thinking about it. I’ve already said before that you have a special temperament. Although you’re not as beautiful as Qinghan, you’re more attractive!”
“Moreover, I simply want to invite you to Jingyue as a guest. I have no other intentions. Go back and think carefully about whether you want my help.”
Although at the time, I firmly answered, “No need, I will definitely not agree!”
But when I returned to the Prince’s Manor and saw Qi Chenxuan’s dejected appearance, I couldn’t help but start to hesitate…
Actually, just as Lan Qiye said, it was just a visit to the Jingyue Kingdom. I could leave the Prince’s Manor with a legitimate reason, see the outside world, and obtain the freedom I’ve been dreaming of. There really wasn’t much of a loss!
Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but impulsively rush into Qi Chenxuan’s study and say: “Hey, Qi Chenxuan, do you really like that Qinghan girl? If, if I say I have a way to make her marry you, would you be happy?”
Qi Chenxuan raised his head from behind the desk, staring at me seriously: “What nonsense are you talking about?”
I told him seriously: “I’m not talking nonsense. I’m here to tell you that I have a way to make Qinghan marry you. You just need to be prepared, and don’t forget our previous agreement!”
I was about to turn and leave when I heard his voice behind me: “Stop, explain clearly before you go!”
I stopped but didn’t turn back, directly answering: “There’s nothing to explain. Anyway, just know that I have a way to make her marry you. Just prepare for the wedding and wait to welcome your beautiful bride!”
Unexpectedly, he coldly refused: “I don’t want to!”
I blinked in disbelief, quickly turning to face him and rushing in front of him: “What did you say? Did I hear that correctly?” He clearly liked Qinghan to the point of obsession. Now that I said I could help him achieve his wish, he actually said he doesn’t want to? Is he out of his mind?
Qi Chenxuan continued with a stern face: “I’ll handle my own affairs. I don’t need you to meddle!”
I opened my mouth and after a while, finally spoke: “Qi surname, you’re too much! Not thanking me is one thing, but saying I’m meddling? If I didn’t want to leave here, this girl wouldn’t bother caring about you!”
“Leave?”
Qi Chenxuan couldn’t help but narrow his eyes, looking at me with a sharp gaze: “You’re doing all this just to leave here?”
“What else?” I rolled my eyes, answering impatiently.
He surely wouldn’t be narcissistic enough to think I’m doing this for him?
Qi Chenxuan walked out from behind the desk, step by step approaching me, his face dark: “Does the Prince’s Manor really disgust you so much? Or is it… that you just dislike me?”
For some reason, looking at his gaze, I inexplicably felt flustered and hurriedly explained: “You’re thinking too much. I don’t dislike you, and I don’t dislike it here. I just simply want to leave, simply want to return to my own world!”
