"But I've already decided to leave..." Despite the immense pressure from Xie Jingrun, she honestly revealed her thoughts, because she didn't want to stay in the capital. She had already decided to leave with Xiao Zhen.

Although the capital is bustling and prosperous, it is still a place of trouble and conflict. Moreover, if Xie Jingrun were to ascend the throne one day, it would be even more difficult for her to get rid of him.

She didn't want her life to be in someone else's hands, or to have to live at someone else's beck and call.

What she wanted was a free life.

However, the life she envisioned was clearly impossible to achieve here.

"Are you willing to give up your grandmother, your shop, your gold?" Xie Jingrun suppressed his anxiety, narrowed his eyes, and said slowly.

Rong Qingqing was reluctant, but there is no gain without sacrifice; life always requires making choices.

Looking at the man's gloomy face, she lowered her eyelashes, concealing the complex emotions within, and said softly, "I've left, but it doesn't mean I won't come back. If I have the chance in the future, I will come back..."

"And what about me?" Xie Jingrun suddenly asked softly, his deep, narrow eyes seeming to hold something back.

Rong Qingqing was taken aback and looked up at him, but quickly she lowered her head again.

She was actually aware of Xie Jingrun's feelings for her, but she had been avoiding them.

Now that he asked, she could no longer pretend to be confused, so she could only say calmly, "Your Highness will surely ascend to the throne in the future. Once you possess the world, you will have everything. At that time, you will have three palaces and six courtyards, three thousand beauties, and all kinds of women will be yours..."

Xie Jingrun glared at her angrily, clearly disliking hearing these words from her.

He should have been furious, but looking at the girl's delicate and beautiful face, his anger silently dissipated.

His long, slender fingers touched her small face, the soft, smooth texture beneath his fingertips sending a shiver through him. He blurted out, "But I... only want you."

As soon as he finished speaking, it seemed as if even the wind around him had stopped.

Rong Qingqing opened her eyes wide and stared at him blankly.

Was Xie Jingrun confessing his feelings to her?

Her heart was racing uncontrollably, and her beautiful, crystal-like eyes reflected the man's stunningly handsome face.

When Xie Jingrun realized what he had said, his handsome face flushed slightly, and he felt a little awkward and uncomfortable. But when he saw the girl's stunned expression, the discomfort in his heart disappeared, and he felt a sense of joy instead.

His long, slender fingers cupped her pretty face, and he suddenly lowered his head, slowly moving closer to her.

But just as he was about to touch her lips, a soft finger pressed against them, standing upright on his lips.

He paused, looking down at her.

Rong Qingqing paused for a moment, then quickly withdrew her hand and put it behind her back. However, the touch and warmth from her fingertips were impossible for her to ignore. The strange feeling seemed to travel from her fingertips all the way to her heart.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and she whispered, "But have you forgotten? I have body odor, all sorts of bad habits, how could you... Besides, I'm your father's widow..."

Upon hearing this, Xie Jingrun snapped out of his reverie, his brows furrowing. Recalling what he had said in her birth mother's courtyard that day, his handsome face darkened, and he scolded, "Why are you so vengeful?"

"I just have a better memory, it's not like I hold a grudge." Rong Qingqing said dismissively. She still clearly remembered the look of disgust on his face when he said she had body odor.