"Are you pleased with me?"

She suddenly leaned over, and the distance between them was only a few inches. Pei Yuan could even clearly hear his own strong heartbeat.

“Bang, bang, bang!”

Again and again, it struck at his sanity.

At this moment, his heartfelt love was expressed by her in such a way that he felt at a loss as to what to do.

"Your Highness!" His voice was hoarse. "I know I am overstepping my authority, but—"

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were dark:

"……yes!"

"I...have been pleased with Your Highness for a long time."

He finally admitted, his voice filled with years of suppressed emotions. After he said this, it was as if all the strength in his body was drained away. But then, there was a deeper pain.

He shouldn't have such delusions.

Chu Qingluan stared at him and suddenly chuckled, "Pei Yuan, I just divorced Qi Che, and you think you have a chance?"

Pei Yuan's whole body stiffened, and the light in his eyes suddenly dimmed.

"Your Highness, I am pleased with you, and it has nothing to do with anyone else."

"But people's hearts are fickle. You say you are happy today, but what about tomorrow?" She slowly released his chin, straightened her body, and her voice was almost cruel.

"I don't need romantic relationships, and reality doesn't allow it. Pei Yuan, do you understand what I mean?"

How could Pei Yuan not understand? It was precisely because he understood it so well that he felt so painful.

She didn't need a minister who was full of romantic feelings, nor did she need a general who was swayed by personal feelings.

Pei Yuan was silent for a long time, and finally stood up, his voice low and firm: "I have never expected anything.

If Your Highness allows—" He raised his eyes, his gaze burning, "I am willing to be the sharpest sword in your hand, and I will never regret it until I die."

He didn't expect her to respond or promise him anything. For him, as long as he could stay with her forever, even if he could only watch her from afar, that was enough!

Chu Qingluan looked at him quietly, with a hint of complicated emotions in her eyes.

"Pei Yuan." She sighed softly, her tone a little softer than before, but still with unquestionable firmness.

“You are wrong!”

"You are no one's sword, nor anyone's shield." She slowly approached him, her eyes as clear as autumn water:

"You are the general of the Great Chu, the commander of thousands of soldiers, and also my most trusted friend."

"I don't need you to sacrifice yourself. You should have your own ambitions and your own path to follow, instead of trapping yourself in this hopeless obsession."

boom!

Chu Qingluan's words, like a blunt knife, cut slowly and deeply across his heart.

His throat was dry, but he still whispered stubbornly: "I am willing."

Chu Qingluan shook her head, with a hint of helplessness in her eyes, "But I don't want to."

She raised her hand and gently pressed on his shoulder. The force was not strong, but it was impossible to ignore: "Pei Yuan, you deserve better."

Don’t be anyone’s shadow or anyone’s appendage, but live uprightly for yourself.

His breathing was slightly stagnant, and the emotions surging in his chest were threatening to break free from their shackles.

But in the end, he just lowered his eyelids and responded softly; "...I understand, your Excellency."

He slowly tightened his palm and pierced the wound again with his nails, but he still felt no pain.

She may not want his love, but that cannot stop him from continuing to protect her in his own way.

Even as a subject.

In the name of a close friend.

Even though she would never know——

Whether he is a general or a guard, as long as he can still stand within her sight, as long as the sword in his hand can still clear the way forward for her.

Then, this feeling will never change.

No one can stop it.

Including her!

——

After sending Pei Yuan away, Chu Qingluan lost the mood to appreciate the moon and went straight back to the yard.

Then, just as he turned a corridor, he saw Xie Yunqi standing beside the vermilion lacquered pillar, with a sinister smile on his pale face.

"Your Highness is in a really good mood." He paced slowly, the bandage on his chest revealed under his black cloak.

"It's late at night and the dew is heavy, but I can still enjoy the moon with General Pei for such a long time. I envy you so much."

Chu Qingluan did not stop and continued forward, "Prime Minister Xie's injury has not healed yet, he shouldn't come out to get some fresh air."

Xie Yunqi chuckled and took two steps closer, blocking her way. His cold eyes swept over her inch by inch. "My injury is not as serious as General Pei's heart. After all, the scene of him kneeling in front of Your Highness just now was like a wolfhound abandoned by its master. Is Your Highness really so cruel?"

Chu Qingluan stopped and looked at Xie Yunqi with a slightly cold gaze.

"Prime Minister Xie, the head of all officials and the legitimate son of the Xie family, is now learning to spy and gossip like a woman in the market."

"What? Are you feeling hungry?"

Xie Yunqi's face froze and his eyes dimmed, but he quickly returned to his usual calm demeanor.

"I just feel sorry for Your Highness." He suddenly moved closer, and the scent of medicine mixed with ambergris hit his face.

"Just dealt with Qi Che, and now you have another loyal dog that you can't get rid of. Your Highness, you are really sentimental."

He used his folding fan to lift a strand of her black hair, and twirled it around his fingertips twice, saying in a resentful tone, "Your Highness is so compassionate to General Pei, but why are you so distant to me?"

“Bang!”

Chu Qingluan raised her hand and knocked down his folding fan, her eyes cold and frosty.

"Xie Yunqi, you should know that there is no future between you and me.

Therefore, I advise you again to guard your heart. "

…

Until Chu Qingluan's back disappeared, Xie Yunqi still stood there without moving, with a meaningful smile slowly appearing at the corner of his lips.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!