Chapter 51 The Arrogant Prince 18

His younger brother had always been indifferent to women; however many women were sent in, he would throw them all out. Unexpectedly, he had other women by his side.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty." Zhou Zichen said, "Your Majesty, I have another request, and I humbly ask that Your Majesty grant it."

Zhou Ziling raised an eyebrow and glanced at him. "Oh? Speak freely. As long as it's not difficult, I will definitely grant your request."

"Shi Qiu was of great help in the annihilation of Qi Kingdom, and my brother and Shi Qiu are in love. I humbly request Your Majesty to issue an edict to grant us marriage."

Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned. They never expected that the woman sitting next to King Yan'an was General Shi Qiu from Qi Kingdom, and that King Yan'an actually wanted to marry her as his queen.

What? An arranged marriage? "Cough cough..." Xu Qiuqiu was speechless upon hearing this.

She quickly picked up the glass of water on the table and took a sip, trying to swallow the food stuck in her throat. However, the water was spicy and irritating, causing her to choke and turn red in the face.

"Qiuqiu, eat slowly..." Zhou Zichen heard the cough and immediately turned his attention back, raising his hand to gently pat her back.

Looking at the blushing girl in front of him, he felt inexplicably happy. Was Qiuqiu also so happy and excited? Her face was flushed with embarrassment.

[Ding! The female lead's happiness level has increased by 10%, currently at 50%]

Xu Qiuqiu had no idea that his purpose in bringing her to the banquet was to ask for a marriage decree.

And this happiness level increases automatically without me having to coax it?

Ji Jingzhi stared at the two of them as if he had seen a ghost. Was this the same Zhou Zichen he had known since childhood, with such gentle and patient manner?

When did they start? How come he didn't know?

Zhou Ziling was the first to come to his senses. He looked at his younger brother, who was patiently comforting the girl. He was also deeply shocked, but he had become accustomed to keeping his expression hidden for many years.

Since Zichen likes it, let's grant his wish, lest he remain a lonely man forever.

"In that case, I will grant you both a marriage and choose an auspicious day for your wedding."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." After everything settled down, Zhou Zichen smiled with satisfaction.

He and Qiuqiu's wedding must be a grand affair, so that everyone knows that Qiuqiu is his now.

He looked away and turned to look at Xu Qiuqiu, finding her cheeks flushed and her eyes watery as she gazed at him, focused and endearing.

Whenever he saw her like this, his heart would soften involuntarily, and he would want to give her all the beautiful things in the world. He smiled and asked her, "Qiuqiu, are you happy?"

Looking at the gentle-smiling young man in front of her, Xu Qiuqiu's head was spinning more and more. She had just casually picked up the water on the table to drink, but who would have thought it was wine? And she had only taken a sip of wine, yet the effects of the alcohol were so strong. The wine in the palace was too strong.

Although she couldn't hear what he was saying clearly, she subconsciously smiled at him.

Not long after, she collapsed against him, and Zhou Zichen pulled her into his arms.

Xu Qiuqiu unconsciously snuggled closer to him, murmuring softly, "Achen..."

Hearing that she didn't forget him even when she was drunk, Zhou Zichen felt even happier, and he couldn't help but pat her head.

The seated crowd had never seen the Prince of Yan'an in such a gentle manner before, and they all found it strange. They wanted to go up and say a few words of congratulations, but they didn't dare, for fear of being ridiculed by the Prince of Yan'an.

The dancers in the hall slowly came up to dance, but Zhou Zichen had no interest in watching or staying any longer. He was thinking about how his body, which was strong from years of training and leading troops into battle, might hurt Qiuqiu.

He held the girl in his arms and looked apologetically at Zhou Ziling, who was not far from him, and said, "Your Majesty, Qiuqiu is not a good drinker. May I take her away from the banquet first?"

Seeing his expression, Zhou Ziling didn't want to make things difficult for him. She nodded and couldn't help but tease him, "I never thought there would be someone in this world who could make you dream about them so much."

After receiving Zhou Ziling's approval, Zhou Zichen ignored his teasing, picked up Xu Qiuqiu from his arms, and slowly left.

The girl in his arms had her eyes half-closed, her fingers clutching his shirt, and she was drowsy.

Zhou Zichen chuckled, surprised that Qiuqiu had such a low alcohol tolerance, getting drunk after just one sip. She looked so cute when she was drunk.

Xu Qiuqiu felt dizzy the whole way, and the person holding her had a hard chest. She only felt more comfortable when she was put on a soft bed.

She squinted at the boy in front of her. His eyes were gentle, and the moonlight was gentle too. Such a beautiful scene made her raise her hand to touch his face.

Seeing her somewhat bare hands through the blur, she asked with some confusion, "Ah Chen... where did the silver bracelet you gave me go..."

"Silver bracelet?" Zhou Zichen's heart skipped a beat at these words. Was she talking nonsense because she was drunk?

"Yes, you even said that...that was left to you by your mother...to give to the person you love..."

Her tone was even softer and sweeter than usual, but the words she spoke made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

He felt a frantic unease; his heart was pounding, and his fingers gripped the blankets tightly.

He was filled with countless fears; perhaps one step would lead to an abyss. But he still coaxed, "Qiuqiu, what's my name when I gave you the silver bracelet?"

"Ah Chen... how could you forget your own name..." Xu Qiuqiu asked him, puzzled.

"No, I just wanted to test Qiuqiu and ask her to tell me my name." Zhou Zichen's voice grew gentler, but his heart grew colder.

"Your name is... Qi Chen..."

Qi Chen? He felt his heart stop beating instantly.

From the moment they met, she called him A-Chen, and he assumed she had liked him for a long time.

No wonder, no wonder she always called out to A-Chen with such deep longing.

Sometimes, the way she looked at him was full of tender affection, as if she were looking through him to long for someone else…

So, it turns out none of this was for him...

Was he just a substitute after all?

He's been deluding himself for so many days, and she's still thinking about him...

Recalling those sweet moments from the past now brings him more pain; none of them truly belonged to him…

He felt so heartbroken he was suffocating; the anger and bitterness in his chest were making it hard to breathe.

Why did you do this to him?

Many resentments arose in his heart, and the pain spread to his mind. This nameless resentment seemed to have been accumulating for thousands of years.

The voice in his head was telling him.

Then let's keep her here...

She's yours now...

The pain lasted for a long time before the boy, who had been lying on the ground, slowly stood up. His face was gloomy, his eyes were red, and his gaze was lifeless.

He spoke coldly, "Shadow Two."

A bodyguard dressed in black appeared in the room. "Your subordinate is here."

Zhou Zichen smiled strangely, "Investigate for me. There's a man named Qi Chen in Qi State. Find him and kill him."