Chapter Twenty-Eight: Just What She Wanted

"Yin'er, here's a peony."

Yuan Siyin did not understand the Empress Dowager's intention, so she could only get up and hold the peonies in full bloom on the tray in her hands.

"I will only give you one day."

If you can give me a reason to convince me after the coming-of-age banquet tomorrow, you can give this peony flower to whomever you like.

If not, then the peony will be given to the Crown Prince.

"……yes."

Yu Yuanchao was surprised to be rejected and remained kneeling for a long time, unable to come to his senses.

"Your Highness, please return. The Empress Dowager is exhausted."

Jade stepped forward and gently reminded him, then helped him up and carried the palace lantern out.

Yuan Siyin stood quietly, holding the peony. When she came to her senses, her tears were already out of control and fell to the ground with a series of pattering sounds.

This firsthand experience felt so real.

A chill crept up from her toes, brushing against her neck and freezing the vibrant blood flowing through her body.

It was as if a dark monster was lurking behind her, ready to pounce. If she turned around, all she would see were bloody, sharp fangs.

She really thought she was going to die again.

After all, in the original book, the aunt did not ask Yuan Siyin's opinion, and casually arranged the marriage with a wave of her hand.

The Empress Dowager paused behind her, sighed, and said, "It's not that I don't love you, do you understand what I mean?"

"Siyin understands, Siyin thanks Aunt."

"Go back now, I need to rest too."

"Yes, Aunt."

Yuan Siyin walked out of the main hall holding peonies in her hands, still somewhat absent-minded. The night breeze brushed against her face, slightly easing her chaotic thoughts.

Everything seemed to gradually come alive; all the people were no longer just names, but real, flesh-and-blood individuals.

"Is the young lady going back to rest?"

Jade had just returned from escorting the Crown Prince when she saw the stunned look on her face, and immediately quickened her pace to come forward.

Yuan Siyin came back to her senses and gently shook her head: "I can't sleep right now, I want to take a walk by myself."

She nodded knowingly and went downstairs with the lantern.

——Changbai Hall

The man's shadow was elongated in the candlelight, his handsome fingers turning a page of a book, his face showing a mixture of indifference and coolness.

"You mean, she declined the marriage proposal to the Crown Prince?"

"That's what the eyeliner says."

Zhong Heng stood with his hands at his sides and nodded in reply.

He put down the book, his eyelashes trembling slightly, his dark eyes concealing some unknown thoughts.

"For the past month, she has frequently visited Changbai Palace, seemingly trying to get close to His Highness. Now she has no interest in the Crown Prince... Her thoughts are truly unfathomable."

Zhong Heng couldn't understand it, and neither could Yu Shiyan.

If she agrees to marry the Crown Prince, not only will the Crown Prince be favored, but it will also be easy for him to become the Empress in the future.

Besides, isn't that exactly what she wanted?

As he pondered, Yu Shiyan felt inexplicably irritated.

He hates anything unexpected, so over the years he'd rather show weakness and suffer injustice than take any action and grit his teeth and endure it.

Yuan Siyin is now undoubtedly the biggest variable.

"Bring me my cloak."

Zhong Heng didn't speak, but simply presented the cloak to him with both hands, and then his figure disappeared back into the shadows.

Yu Shiyan clutched the red bean hairpin in his hand, walking aimlessly.

At this hour, apart from the palace maids and eunuchs on night duty, no one should be awake anymore.

In the vast, deep palace, he was the only one wandering outside.

Just as I thought that, I looked up and a beautiful red figure came into view.

Let's just pretend he didn't say anything.