On the third day at noon, Zou Heng finished his shift at the palace and returned to his courtyard.

Feeling a little disappointed at not seeing Baili Yao, he called out to her from the courtyard.

Hearing a voice responding from inside the house made me feel much more at ease.

Baili Yao walked out of the room and stood in front of Zou Heng. "You're back?"

"Are you unhappy?"

Zou Heng looked at Baili Yao's unsmiling face and asked...

“My parents have come to the palace several times already…”

Baili Yao looked at Zou Heng and spoke calmly, trying to discern something from his expression.

So... are you going back?

Zou Heng felt a significant emptiness in his heart after asking that question.

Deep down, I really didn't want Baili Yao to leave.

"Yes..." / "Please don't go."

Baili Yao and Zou Heng spoke at the same time, and Baili Yao was stunned when she heard Zou Heng's words.

She stood there dumbfounded in front of Zou Heng, asking again with an incredulous look on her face.

What did you just say?

"Please, don't go."

Zou Heng waited a long time for Baili Yao's reply, and thinking that Baili Yao was still going to leave, he felt completely disappointed.

Just as Zou Heng was feeling down, he found Baili Yao hugging him, and then he heard her voice trembling slightly.

Okay, I'll stay.

Zou Heng also hugged Baili Yao, and pressed his advantage.

"Baili... Baili Yao"

"What's wrong?"

Baili Yao was confused when she heard Zou Heng, who was hugging her, call her name but then say nothing more. She patted Zou Heng's back with the hand that was around his neck.

After a while, Zou Heng still hadn't spoken. Just as Baili Yao gave up her curiosity about Zou Heng's words, he spoke again.

"Baili...Baili Yao, I...I love you."

"What?"

Baili Yao asked again

"Never mind if you didn't hear it."

Zou Heng, his ears red, released Baili Yao and started to walk into the house.

After walking a few steps and not hearing Baili Yao's footsteps following, he began to feel disappointed.

I also love you.

In a sudden instant, Baili Yao ran up and hugged Zou Heng from behind, pressing her face against his back.

Zou Heng blushed upon hearing Baili Yao's words, like an innocent young boy.

Snow began to fall from the sky, and pear blossoms appeared on the trees. Zou Heng turned around and hugged Baili Yao tightly.

The two confessed their feelings for each other here, and then walked hand in hand towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

——————

Hall of Mental Cultivation

Xiao Xi blinked as she looked at Zou Heng and Baili Yao, especially at their clasped hands.

"Father, let's hold hands too!"

So Xiao Xi'er reached out and took Qin Jue's hand, looking at Baili Yao and Zou Heng as if asserting her ownership.

"This is my father!!!"

Zou Heng and Baili Yao were stunned for a moment, then looked at each other and laughed, turning to look at Qin Ruoxi.

"Yes, Your Majesty belongs to the princess."

"Your subordinate will not compete with the princess for His Majesty's favor."

"This humble woman will not compete with the princess for His Majesty's favor."

Zou Heng quickly stated his position, and Baili Yao followed suit, stating hers as well.

"whee"

Little Xi'er is happy

Qin Jue touched the fur collar around Xiao Xi'er's neck, then glanced at Zou Heng and Baili Yao's clasped hands.

"Speak."

Qin Jue sat in the superior position, picked up Xiao Xi'er from the ground, and placed her on his lap.

Upon hearing Qin Jue's words, Zou Heng and Baili Yao both knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I request that you grant me and Baili Yao a marriage."

"Your Majesty, I also humbly request that you grant me and Zou Heng a marriage."

When Zou Heng mentioned the arranged marriage to Baili Yao, he turned to look at Baili Yao beside him.

When Baili Yao mentioned Zou Heng, she turned to look at Zou Heng beside her.

The two of them just stared at each other.

"Smack—"

Seeing the pink bubbles between the two, Qin Jue reached out and slapped the table. Zou Heng and Baili Yao immediately looked away and up at Qin Jue.

"allow"

Your humble servant/your subject kowtows in gratitude to Your Majesty.

The two of them kowtowed to Qin Jue to express their gratitude.

"Father, what is an arranged marriage?"

"It means two people being together forever."

Little Xi nodded blankly, "I want to stay with Daddy forever too."

"good"

Qin Jue affectionately patted Xiao Xi'er's head and said with a gentle smile.

After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zou Heng and Baili Yao held hands, smiled at each other, and walked together towards Zou Heng's courtyard.

Tell me, when did you fall in love with me?

"I don't know, maybe I'll understand on the day you get married."

"I've loved you for a very, very, very long time..."

"I……"

Their conversation gradually faded into the air above the palace path.

"Yu Ying"

This time, Yu Ying didn't jump down from the roof beam; instead, she walked out from the side.

He saw Qin Ruoxi and waved to her.

"Xi'er, do you miss Uncle Yuying?"

"I want to~"

Hearing this, Yu Ying was delighted. She looked at Qin Jue with a smug expression. Qin Jue glanced at Yu Ying, then looked at Xiao Xi'er.

"What's wrong, little Xi'er? Don't you miss your father?"

"It seems Father isn't important enough after all."

No, no.

Hearing Qin Jue's 'grievance,' Xiao Xi'er quickly turned to look at Qin Jue, waving her hands in denial.

As she spoke, she gave Yu Ying a fierce look, which left Yu Ying completely bewildered.

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