In the courtyard, "Blood Purple Rose" walked faster and faster, feeling as if someone was following her. Seeing a rockery in front of her, she quickly hid inside.

Fearing he would lose track of the person behind him, Li Mufeng hurried forward and felt a chilling killing intent coming toward him. Then, he smelled a familiar fragrance at the tip of his nose. He remained motionless, letting the silver needle press against his throat.

"Why is it you?"

"Blood Purple Rose" stared in disbelief at the man before her. His milky-white robes accentuated his tall and slender figure, making him appear exceptionally handsome and pleasing to the eye in the dim moonlight.

He smiled, his handsome, angular face filled with doting affection. "Blood Purple Rose" put away the silver needles and said in a clear, melodious voice,

Why are you following me?

"I wasn't following you, I just wanted to protect you. The assassins of today haven't been caught yet, and I was worried that you would get hurt."

Fortunately, it was already late, and no one saw Li Mufeng's blush that reached her ears.

"Li Mufeng, we're already divorced. Don't make this so emotional, okay?"

If I didn't know you, I would have thought you had feelings for me.

"Blood Purple Rose" couldn't stand these kinds of lovey-dovey things the most. She gently punched Li Mufeng's chest with her hand and teased him like a brother.

"I have indeed fallen for you, Han Ziwei. Let's start over, okay?"

I was wrong before, and I apologize. But from today onwards, I promise I will treat you well.

Li Mufeng suppressed his inner turmoil, grasped "Xue Ziwei's" hand, his face flushed red as he had never confessed to a woman before, fearing rejection.

"Li Mufeng, have you lost your mind? Didn't you used to hate me?"

"I was the one who lost your mother's jade pendant. Shouldn't you hate me?"

"Blood Purple Rose" couldn't understand Li Mufeng. Frustrated, she turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.

"Please, don't go, listen to me."

Li Mufeng held her too tightly; "Blood Purple Rose" struggled for a long time but couldn't break free, and could only let him hold her. Then she heard him say...

Actually, I've liked you since I was very young.

When I was four years old, I was bullied by the second brother, Li Muchen. You came over and lied that the emperor had come, and drove him away.

At that time, I vowed that I would marry you when I grew up, but later I was sent to the army.

Later, I heard you changed, becoming arrogant and domineering, ignorant and incompetent, and also involved with Chu Yunmo…”

Li Mufeng sighed as he finished speaking.

"Until my father bestowed you upon me as a bride to ward off bad luck, I felt both joy and sorrow for you, for my life was nearing its end. Therefore, I left my last words for my father."

If I die, everything in the Longxuan Prince's Mansion shall be left to you, and you shall not be buried with me.

But I never expected that you would try to strangle Chen'er on our wedding night. Do you know how disappointed I am?

You even told Chen'er that you didn't want to marry me at all, that you only liked Chu Yunmo, and that you only married me to be with Chu Yunmo and to take over my royal palace..."

Li Mufeng said a lot, and "Blood Purple Rose" blinked her glassy eyes again and again.

"So Li Mufeng and the original owner of this body knew each other long ago? There's no such record in the book?"

Perhaps seeing that "Blood Purple Rose" remained silent, Li Mufeng straightened her posture, becoming serious.

“I admit I bear some responsibility for how we got to where we are today, but you’re not entirely without fault either!”

Now I finally understand that your relationship with Chu Yunmo isn't as close as it seems, and you don't like him as much as you appear. I'm willing to give you a chance, we..."

Li Mufeng was indeed proud and arrogant, and what he said was hard to accept. Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by "Xue Ziwei".

"I'm not willing."

"Why? What is wrong with me? I wasn't even angry when you lost my jade pendant, what more do you want?"

Because "Blood Purple Rose" repeatedly refused, Li Mufeng lost face, and his tone became cold.

"I mustered up so much courage to confess my feelings, and she was so ungrateful that she even omitted the words 'this king' in order to get closer to me."

"I will help Your Highness find the jade pendant. As for feelings, I want a love that lasts a lifetime, but I'm afraid Your Highness cannot give me that."

"Blood Purple Rose" spoke in a clear, melodious voice, as she pried open Li Mufeng's large hand that was restraining her waist.

"I have already arranged for people to search for the jade pendant."

As for affection, why can't I give it to you? I swear, in this life I will only love you, Han Ziwei. After dealing with the Empress Dowager's faction, I will personally propose marriage.

Li Mufeng's eyes showed a hint of confusion, after being given a reproachful glare by "Blood Purple Rose".

"Your Highness, can't you understand human language? My husband must be pure, both in body and heart, belonging only to me. Your Highness..."

"Blood Purple Rose" shook her head, and Li Mufeng's thick eyebrows furrowed.

"Are you getting more and more confused? I'm almost twenty years old and I've never been with a woman. Does that mean I'm not pure?"

After thinking for a long time, Li Mufeng raised an eyebrow with his long, narrow phoenix eyes, then pulled him into his arms and teased him.

"You don't want to inspect the goods, do you? Then we..."

"Stop, stop, Your Highness, why can't you understand! What I mean is, you already have a son, so you're already out of the running. I can't and won't be with you. Do you understand now?"

"Blood Purple Rose" practically roared out loud, "This prince, is your brain short-circuited?!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice came from the bushes.

"Young Master, where are you going?"

"Wang Feng, you..."

Li Mufeng and "Blood Purple Rose" stared in shock at the two people emerging from the bushes. The young prince, Li Jingchen, choked with sobs and ran away into the distance.

Wang Feng scratched his head.

"It was the young prince who begged me to bring him here, saying he wanted to see how Your Highness would confess to Miss Han."

Perhaps they were both too engrossed in their work to notice someone approaching, truly losing their senses. If it had been an assassin, they would have been in serious trouble.

Just as the two were still feeling lingering fear, they heard a "thump" in the distance, followed by the servants' exclamations.

"Help! The young master has fallen into the water!"