"What exactly do you want?" Qingying forced herself to be as gentle as possible, suppressing her temper.

"I...I was just worried you'd get cold..." Wei Huaixu was a little flustered and hurriedly explained, "I really didn't mean anything by it, I won't bother you."

Qingying was very puzzled by his attitude at this moment. "Your Highness, please forgive my ignorance, but I really do not understand your intention. Please tell me what you need."

He quickly waved his hand, "I don't ask for anything, I just want to stay here and watch over you."

"Stay here with me?" Qingying chuckled and said, "Your Highness is becoming more and more unpredictable. The whole capital knows that you abandoned me to repay Liu Shushu for saving your life. It's not that I didn't beg you back then. Even though she was just a commoner before she returned to the General's Mansion, I still made concessions. But you vowed that you would give her a lifetime of love and devotion. So, both morally and logically, you shouldn't be here right now."

“I… I’m not…” Wei Huaixu’s expression turned somewhat pained. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them again.

He suddenly grasped Qingying's hand, stood up by supporting himself on the edge of the bed, and then bent down.

Qingying was startled by his actions. She shrank back and struggled to break free, but his hands gripped her like iron shackles, tightening their hold on her.

"Wei Huaixu, what are you doing?!" Qingying cried out in terror as his face was about to get close to hers.

Seeing her resistance towards him, a shadow crossed Wei Huaixu's eyes, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Are you keeping yourself pure for him?"

"Are you crazy? Let me go!" Qingying didn't answer his question, she just kept struggling desperately.

Wei Huaixu did not let go of her; instead, he intensified his actions, raising her hands above her head, restraining her with one hand, and using the other to hold her chin and lift it slightly upwards, before leaning closer.

"You are mine."

Qingying, outmatched, closed her eyes in despair...

The expected thing did not happen; Wei Huaixu's kiss only landed on her eyes, gentle and restrained.

Then, as if suddenly deflated, he leaned against her neck and said hoarsely, "I remember everything..."

"What?" She suddenly opened her eyes, stunned and somewhat unable to react, and even forgot to push him away.

“I said, I have remembered everything, about the things that happened last year, about many things that happened between us, I have remembered everything.”

Qingying was stunned for a moment, and something seemed to explode in her ears, making a buzzing sound.

Wei Huaixu's voice choked slightly: "Jiaojiao, I'm sorry, I know I was wrong. I was wrong before, I did so many things that hurt you... Jiaojiao, can you forgive me..."

His voice, though close at hand, seemed to come from a very, very far place, gradually squeezing into Qingying's mind. She belatedly realized what was happening, and then, taking advantage of his apology and moment of lowered guard, she pushed hard and finally broke free from his grasp.

Wei Huaixu was pushed off the bed by her, rolled on the ground, and quickly regained his balance and stood up. But at this moment, Qingying, who had already gotten up, kicked his knee. He felt a pain in his leg and, without any warning, knelt down in front of her.

Qingying sat on the edge of the bed, barefoot, leaning back slightly, her eyes slightly raised, looking down at him with a mocking smile, and said, "Your Highness, how dare you perform such a grand ceremony for me? I cannot accept it."

Wei Huaixu's face paled, but he did not stand up immediately. He simply tilted his head slightly and looked at her intently, as if trying to discern something from her expression.

After a moment, he spoke in a trembling voice, "Don't you have anything else to say to me?"

However, Qingying remained calm and slowly said, "No, what Your Highness is thinking now, or what you have forgotten, is no longer my concern."

He stared blankly for a long time, as if he hadn't understood what Qingying meant. His deep, misty eyes were fixed on her as he said softly, "It's okay, Jiaojiao. I know you're just angry with me, and this is what I deserve."

Qingying felt a headache coming on. She took a deep breath, her expression turning cold. "I'm not angry anymore."

"How could this be..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qingying coldly interrupted, "Your Highness has not yet explained why you are here tonight?"

“I came here specifically to find you. I injured myself a few days ago and bumped my head, which made me remember everything that happened. I wanted to find you, but I couldn’t find you at the General’s Mansion. Liu Chengfeng said you came to Chongfu Temple, so I went up the mountain overnight.”

So that's how it is. No wonder I haven't seen Wei Huaixu these days. I heard that the court is in turmoil, and she thought he was too busy seizing power to visit the General's Mansion. After all, he came quite frequently recently.

"What about Liu Shushu?"

"What?" He seemed unable to react for a moment.

“I said, what will happen to Liu Shushu if you come to me?” Qingying repeated.

Wei Huaixu moved forward slightly, took her hand again, and said tenderly, "Jiaojiao, please believe me, my heart for you is as clear as the sun and moon. I came here today with a plan in mind. I will never let you down, but please wait for me. Wait for me to deal with those things, and I will definitely fulfill the promise I made to you in the past, okay?"

Hearing this, Qingying could only laugh.

"No need." She withdrew her hand, thankfully he didn't hold it tightly this time. "Your Highness, I have already agreed to the marriage proposal from Prince Yu's son, and I will not go back on my word."

He stood up abruptly, his eyes instantly filled with anger and a hint of madness. He grabbed Qingying's chin, "No! I will never allow you to marry him! You can only belong to me for the rest of your life!"

Qingying was startled by his sudden change. Her eyes widened in shock, and her chin was pinched painfully, but she dared not struggle anymore.

She had never seen Wei Huaixu like this before; he was a complete stranger, like a paranoid madman! She even felt that he might send her to her death at any moment.

Fortunately, he still retained his rationality.

Upon seeing the red finger marks left on Qingying's delicate chin, he quickly withdrew his hand, like a child who had done something wrong, and hurriedly apologized: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Jiaojiao, I was too hasty and hurt you."

Qingying stared at him without saying a word, her eyes scrutinizing him.

This is so strange. Wei Huaixu has become so strange.

He used to be such a gentle person.

Even though he was standing right in front of her, she couldn't seem to make out his features at all...

Wei Huaixu almost dared not look her in the eye, took a step back, and whispered, "It's too late now, you should rest first, I will come again after dawn."

After saying that, he turned around and quickly left Qingying's room as if he were fleeing.

Watching his hasty departure, Qingying fell into deep thought once again.