“What are you talking about?” He suppressed his anger and let go of Qing Cheng’s hand. Why did he feel heartache? Did he care so much about her helplessness? Could he be falling for this girl?
Mu Rong Qing Cheng quietly looked at him, a faint smile on her face. That bitter taste was hers alone to understand. She felt his concern, but it no longer belonged to her; it was for the lovely yet trapped girl before her.
She believed that if she were a man, she would fall in love with herself, as she had developed a fondness for the wonderful feelings surrounding her.
“Dong Fang Yu, is it necessary to go to such lengths for a woman like me who doesn’t know her place?” She was foolish, so much so that she didn’t even know her own name. She had actually believed his words and come to help him, yet he had set a trap for her, leaving her completely unaware.
“Shut up!” A look of disdain mixed with sadness crossed his face, but the sadness was overshadowed by anger. Almost everyone present was stunned by those two words, and the scene became awkwardly silent.
“Dong Fang Yu, remember everything you brought me today! I never want to see you again – you stupid, shameless fool!” She was genuinely angry, not because of his rage but due to his indifference. As she walked past him, she turned back and smiled: “Actually, I should thank you. Although you embarrassed me today, at least you let me be the protagonist, even if I was framed by you!” Sighing bitterly, she hurriedly left. She wanted to cry but couldn’t; she had no reason to. He was not hers and had no right to infringe on her feelings. She could only exit, as the true female lead was about to take the stage.
Perhaps because she was leaving too hastily, she didn’t notice the tripping stone outside the pavilion and fell awkwardly.
Today must be her devil’s day; even heaven was against her.
Dong Fang Yu’s eyes never left her, and he had the impulse to help her up.
“Miss, are you alright?” Prince Dong Fang Hong gently extended his hand, speaking softly.
“Thank you! Today is my unlucky day! I’m fine!” A bleak smile crossed her face. The moment she looked up, she almost froze. Oh no, was heaven really joking with her?
“Yu, why won’t you explain? Can you stop and listen to me for a moment?” Qingcheng looked desperate at his retreating back. Yiqing, Che-ge, Hong-ge, Yu, and herself had grown up together. She had once been infatuated with Hong-ge but only faced pain. It was Yu who had given her everything. It was her own fault for not cherishing what she had.
“Qinger, don’t say anymore. We will marry in five days, and I will welcome you into my home!” He stopped and spoke calmly. Marrying her was his dream, but he didn’t feel happy at all.
“Yu, I know you want to protect me. To drive away that princess by marriage, you let that girl pretend to be the one you love most.”
I know you didn’t come to find me because you were afraid the empress would expose that painful memory again! But have you considered that the strong girl in your eyes can also be vulnerable? Didn’t you see the tears in her eyes when you held my hand? While you were protecting me, you were hurting both of us! Can’t you see the pain in my heart?” Qingcheng almost screamed, feeling exhausted.
Dongfang Yu quickly walked to her and tightly embraced her, somewhat panicked. He didn’t realize his selfish decision had hurt her. He had wanted to protect her since childhood.
“Yu, don’t mistake pity for love. I just want you to feel sorry for me, but she is the one you truly should love. Go find her, okay?” Qingcheng whispered, gripping his clothes.
“No, Qinger, I once told you that I am your umbrella for life, protecting you forever! We will marry in five days, and by then, neither my mother nor my brother will harm you!” Despite his heartache, he wouldn’t change his decision.
Teardrops glistened, her breath delicate. The gentle breeze seemed capable of blowing her over. In quiet moments, she was like a beautiful flower reflected in water; in motion, like a willow swaying in the wind. Her heart had one more chamber than Bi Gan’s, her illness more refined than Xi Shi.
She was as delicate as Lin Daiyu and just as melancholic.
Marriage? Such a distant beauty. She once hoped to be a couple envied by heaven, but Hong-ge, despite his gentleness, was only using her as a chess piece against Yu. Now, Yu proposed marriage just as he fell in love with another. He had promised her but betrayed his conscience. Was this worth it?
Gently pushing away his warm embrace, she looked up at Dongfang Yu’s pitying gaze.
“Yu, stop deceiving yourself! You can fool me about everything, but your eyes reveal your true feelings! Though I don’t know who she is, I can sense her growing love! Go find her, tell her you love her. Just as I once told Hong-ge, even if the result later pierced my heart, my heart is content!” Her heart was not breaking because Yu was abandoning her but because she was pushing away this hard-won affection. Her heart ached, yet she did not regret.
A true floating cloud does not fear being blown apart by the wind; it only gently asks the wind: Where do you want to blow me?
I smiled bitterly again, realizing my cheeks had already frozen, and my smile had stiffened.
“What are you saying?” This girl is quite ill, yet she still has time for idle words.
“It’s nothing! Brother Chu, since you want to follow me, come walk with me! Otherwise, I feel uncomfortable all over!”
” As if someone had stolen something, Lan Lingier added in her heart.
“Never mind, seeing you like this, I know you’re back to normal, so I can leave with peace of mind!” Brother Chu turned to leave but stopped and smiled: “My little Lingier, do you know what day it is today?”
“What day?” At Brother Chu’s ambiguous smile, Lan Lingier felt cold sweat. He must have some scheme.
“The time for our bet has come! At noon, my little Lingier, you’ve lost!” Brother Chu pointed at the sun and laughed. He had important matters to attend to today, and she had finally lost.
Oh my god, caught up in sadness, I forgot about the bet with Brother Chu. What to do? I’ll have to use my ultimate trick!
Lan Lingier turned back blankly, with tears falling (just an illusion), and pleaded: “Brother Chu, can you spare me this little mistake for the sake of this little girl?” This performance was convincing, almost kneeling down. Hehe, he won’t agree, right?
“Well, of course… no way!” Seeing her drastic change, he almost fell. This woman is too crazy!
“Hmph! Stingy, Brother Chu, you cheapskate! You’re not even as good as a woman!” She normally vented her anger on him.
Ah, after letting out this anger, she felt much more comfortable!
“Say what you want, just remember, you owe me a condition!” Brother Chu accepted Lan Lingier’s personal attack indifferently. He wouldn’t argue with her, waiting for her to finish scolding before discussing fairness. This little woman seems to have no memory.
“Fine, speak, what condition!” Although not a jianghu person, she was willing to admit defeat, following its rules. But what condition would Brother Chu propose? Anticipation! Fear!
“Haven’t thought of it yet, next time! Maybe next time I see you, I’ll make my little Lingier my little wife!” Brother Chu laughed mischievously, his eyes revealing an inexplicable smile, feeling like he had her in his grasp.
“Brother Chu, if you really do that, I’ll just go ahead and slam into a wall!” She definitely didn’t want to marry this guy, who was never seen properly. Just thinking about it gave her goosebumps.
“Tsk tsk, don’t resist so fiercely. Maybe you’ll fall in love with me soon! But don’t fall in love with me; I’m someone who likes the new and dislikes the old!” Brother Chu touched Lan Lingier’s cheek, amused by her skin quality. What top-grade rouge and powder did she use?
“Ugh, disgusting! Your face is thicker than a wall!”
