“Three years ago, this king saved you by the stream. You said you would always follow me.”
But at that time, this king was rushing back to Jing Yue and couldn’t bring you along. This king promised to come back and find you. Have you really forgotten all of this?”
Three years ago?
Qing Han also sneaked into the prince’s mansion three years ago, attempting to steal a jade pendant. Could they have come together?
“Remember now?”
Seeing my thoughtful expression, Lan Qiye couldn’t help but ask.
I am Fei Xiao Ran, not Yan Ximo. How could I have her memories? So I could only shake my head blankly: “Sorry, I really don’t remember something from so long ago.”
“Of course!”
Lan Qiye said sarcastically: “Now you’re only thinking about your prince, about becoming the prince’s consort. How could you possibly remember your promise to this king!”
“However, something this king has set his eyes on will not be easily let go…”
“What exactly do you want?” I immediately looked at him uneasily.
Lan Qiye curved his lips wickedly, laughing coldly: “Don’t worry. This king just wants you to know who truly cares about you and is worth cherishing. This king wants to show you, when faced with kingdom or beauty, which one he will choose.”
“Must you do this?”
I bit my lip, looking straight at him: “I’m just an ordinary woman, not worth causing tension between two countries. I believe your visit to Cheng Yin this time is definitely not just a simple diplomatic mission, right?”
…
Deliberately toying with me.
Lan Qiye seemed determined, his face cold: “This king has his own plans.”
“You just wait and watch the show. Don’t worry about anything else!”
“This involves me. How can I not care?”
Lan Qiye pulled at the corner of his mouth, his tone mocking: “Are you afraid now?”
“Afraid? Why would I be afraid?” I laughed as if hearing a joke.
Lan Qiye nodded satisfactorily: “That’s good. This king was worried you couldn’t handle the outcome. But don’t worry, even if he abandons you, this king will still keep my promise and take you back to Jing Yue!”
I couldn’t help but frown: “Is it really worth it for the lord of Jing Yue Country to act so impulsively over a woman? Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock among your subjects?”
Lan Qiye didn’t care at all: “This king doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with doing this. Moreover, they will only think that this king is doing it for the country’s dignity and won’t think of anything else!”
“I’m leaving!”
I couldn’t be bothered to say more.
“Wait!”
Lan Qiye suddenly blocked my way: “If, and I mean if, I had taken you with me three years ago, would you have loved me like you loved him?”
I pursed my lips and answered: “I believe the monarch should know this better than me.”
Three years ago, you didn’t take me with you, which means you didn’t truly care about me. Since that’s the case, why are you appearing now, three years later, so persistent and entangled?”
Lan Qiye slowly curved his lips, smiling wickedly: “Because this king discovered that you now are more interesting than the clumsy version from three years ago!” I knew this guy was just bored and deliberately teasing me – how despicable!
I retorted unrelentingly: “If you really think so, you’ll gradually discover how absurd your perception is!”
Lan Qiye said nonchalantly: “Provided this king has the time and opportunity to discover, right? Even if it’s wrong, this king will willingly admit it!”
I suddenly felt that even speaking one more word to this guy was a kind of torture…
Qi Chenxuan raised an eyebrow and deliberately looked around, saying: “Where is she? Why have I never seen her? Why don’t you bring her out sometime so I can see just how beautiful this beauty is? Perhaps, I might even consider giving up my kingdom for her!”
“You…”
I couldn’t help but blush, puffing out my cheeks and glaring at him unhappily: “Qing Han is always a beautiful lady, so why don’t you marry her?”
Qi Chenxuan’s face immediately turned cold, giving me a sidelong glance: “Who allowed you to mention her?”
I said discontentedly: “If I don’t mention her, will she suddenly cease to exist? What are you going to do about the marriage alliance in three days?”
Qi Chenxuan involuntarily furrowed his brow, speaking seriously: “No matter what, I will absolutely not give up on you!”
Although I knew his actions might be irrational, a woman’s vanity still made me unable to suppress a delighted laugh: “So you’re planning to declare war on Jing Yue Kingdom for me?”
Qi Chenxuan raised an eyebrow slightly, giving me a sideways glance: “What? It seems like you really want a war between the two countries?”
I immediately wiped the smile off my face, denying: “No way, don’t talk nonsense!”
“I was just casually mentioning it, why are you so nervous?” Qi Chenxuan’s lips curved slightly, his deep eyes clearly showing a hint of interest.
I rolled my eyes, retorting unhappily: “I’m not nervous, I just don’t want to be misunderstood!”
Qi Chenxuan stared at me sharply, his eyes full of disbelief: “Dare you swear that you didn’t feel even the slightest bit of joy from my concern?”
I couldn’t help but guiltily avoid his gaze, responding weakly: “Why, why would I swear?”
Hearing this, Qi Chenxuan immediately became more triumphant, responding arrogantly: “If you don’t dare, it means you’re hiding something. Actually, you care about me too, right?”
“Hmph!”
I scoffed disdainfully: “You can keep comforting yourself. Even if I do care about you, I don’t care as much as you care about me. Don’t forget, it was someone who was begging me to stay yesterday…”
Now it was Qi Chenxuan’s turn to blush, refusing to admit: “Shameless woman, tell me, when did I ever beg you?”
I raised an eyebrow triumphantly, deliberately provoking: “Dare you say you didn’t say you love me yesterday? That you weren’t desperately trying to make me stay?”
“I…”
Qi Chenxuan was instantly speechless, glaring at me unwillingly: “Shameless woman, don’t get too pleased with yourself!”
Seeing his expression, I became even more delighted, feigning innocence: “No, I’m just stating the facts. Am I wrong?”
If this guy dared to nod and continue denying he said he loved me and wanted me to stay, I would immediately pat my bottom and walk away…
Qi Chenxuan seemed to see through my thoughts, holding back his anger, not refuting for a long time.
I then patted his shoulder satisfactorily, smiling at him: “Actually, I really think your current actions are quite foolish. Even without any threat, anyone with discernment would know to choose her instead of me!”
Although touched by his devotion, causing conflict between two countries for me is truly unnecessary. I believe that heaven didn’t bring me here to be a source of disaster.
Qi Chenxuan’s expression softened slightly, laughing: “It seems you’re quite self-aware. Knowing you can’t compare to her. Unfortunately, I’ve already fallen for you. Even I find my feelings somewhat inexplicable, but this is an unchangeable fact!”
“Don’t you consider your parents? Don’t you think about the millions of people in Cheng Yin Kingdom? You must know that your choice could threaten their status and lives!”
Qi Chenxuan shook his head dismissively: “You’re wrong. Cheng Yin Kingdom isn’t as fragile as you imagine. Even if the two countries truly must go to war, Jing Yue Kingdom may not necessarily gain an advantage. They know this themselves, otherwise they wouldn’t send envoys or use a marriage alliance as a pretext!”
“So what are you going to do?” Despite this, I couldn’t help but worry and ask.
Qi Chenxuan answered with determination: “Whether to fight or negotiate, it’s up to them. In any case, I will never give up on you. If I compromise so easily, how would I prove my love to you?”
