This is very unusual.

"Bowing to the parents twice."

The matchmaker's voice rang out again, but this time Gu Jingchun detected a subtle tremor in it.

Gu Jingchun was utterly astonished and hesitated in his movements.

At that moment, a hand was placed on her back, then gently pressed down on her, and slowly lowered her head.

A slightly cool touch traveled through Gu Jingchun's clothes to his skin, causing him to tremble and instinctively shudder.

No, no.

Gu Jingchun suddenly lifted the veil.

But instead of meeting Luo Ziqian's face, he met someone he would never have expected.

Shen Hechuan!

At this moment, Shen Hechuan, dressed in a red wedding gown, was looking at her with a beaming smile.

"Jingchun, what are you doing? Why aren't you covering your head with the veil yet? You're about to bow to each other as husband and wife."

Gu Jingchun took a step back.

She looked around and found the area deserted. Apart from Shen Hechuan's few subordinates and the matchmaker standing in front of them, trembling with fear, there was no one else.

"Shen Hechuan, you've gone mad!"

"How dare you steal a bride?!"

Gu Jingchun took another step back, but Shen Hechuan pressed on relentlessly.

A smug smile played on his lips as he stared intently at Gu Jingchun.

"Jingchun, I had no choice."

"I thought about it for a long time last night, and I just can't accept that you're marrying someone else."

"But you don't want to marry me."

As he spoke, he stepped forward and grabbed Gu Jingchun's hand.

"Since you are unwilling to marry me, then I will marry you and become your mistress, how about that?"

"That way, we can stay together forever and never be apart."

Gu Jingchun felt a chill run through his body as he felt Shen Hechuan's cool hand. He then forcefully pulled his hand away and shook his head violently.

No, that won't do.

Gu Jingchun's hairpin swayed as she shook her head, which stung Shen Hechuan's eyes.

I don't want you!

"The person I want to marry is not you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Gu Jingchun's shoulder.

He looked at Gu Jingchun with a cold smile on his lips.

"Gu Jingchun, you really have some skills. Even at this point, you can still make me furious."

"You really want to marry Luo Ziqian that badly?"

Shen Hechuan's face showed a hint of ruthlessness.

"I absolutely refuse to let you marry him!"

"I'm telling you, I can't accept you marrying anyone!"

Gu Jingchun suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with anger.

"Shen Hechuan, I think you've gone mad!"

"This is a marriage bestowed by the Emperor! Are you out of your mind? How dare you openly try to steal the bride?"

Shen Hechuan chuckled softly.

"Yes, I'm willing to risk my life for you. So, I'm begging you now, let me be your mistress, okay?"

Gu Jingchun looked at Shen Hechuan.

His eyes were filled with deep affection at this moment. The man who was usually high and mighty seemed to have lowered himself to the dust, looking at her with pleading eyes.

Even though Gu Jingchun's heart was as firm as a rock, she couldn't help but be immersed in his deep affection at this moment.

However, Gu Jingchun is not alone now. She has Xier, Tianjing Trading Company, and countless people and families standing behind her.

How could she put them all in danger because of her own selfish desires?

So she turned her head away again and spoke coldly.

No, I don't want to.

She took a few steps back again, her bright eyes calmly fixed on Shen Hechuan.

"Your Highness, Luo Ziqian and I are betrothed by His Majesty. I will never disobey the imperial decree and put myself in danger."

Of course, I don't want you to be implicated because of this.

You are the current crown prince, and you bear the responsibilities that come with you. How can you act so recklessly?

If Prince Rui discovers your actions, he will surely use this as leverage to file a serious complaint and threaten your position.

Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan's eyes, which had already dimmed, suddenly brightened with delight upon hearing Gu Jingchun's next words.

You're worried about me, aren't you?

His gaze was so direct that Gu Jingchun paused, turned his head away somewhat embarrassedly, and then slowly nodded.

Shen Hechuan was overjoyed, but then he heard Gu Jingchun continue, "Yes, I was worried about you."

"You are, after all, Seele's father and my former lover. No matter how I treat you now, we still had feelings for each other back then."

Even if someone is a cat who is afraid of dogs, after spending time together, they will develop some feelings for him and worry about his safety.

And what about you?

"Besides, I don't want anything to happen to Seele's father. After all, the higher your status, the greater Seele's future support will be."

In case we encounter any danger in the future, given your position, you will certainly be able to protect him.

Although Gu Jingchun was stating the facts, he was still worried that one day, that madman from Daqi would come looking for him.

After all, with Gu Jingchun's abilities, he simply couldn't compete with that madman.

However, Shen Hechuan is different.

He could be the crown prince with power in his hands, and perhaps he could fight that madman.

At that time, only he can guarantee Seele's safety.

Thinking this way, Gu Jingchun said it as well.

However, to Shen Hechuan, this had a different meaning.

His initial anger at being compared to cats and dogs by Gu Jingchun gradually turned into joy.

This also made him realize that he was not entirely useless in Gu Jingchun's eyes. At the very least, his status and position were what Gu Jingchun needed.

Therefore, this brought Shen Hechuan a little bit of comfort.

He felt a surge of smugness, and couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips, his tone revealing a hint of disdain.

"He can't do anything to me."

As he spoke, his defiant gaze fell upon Gu Jingchun.

Since the soft approach isn't working, let's just go for the hard one.

He took another step forward, completely cornering Gu Jingchun against the wall, leaving her with nowhere to retreat.

Meanwhile, the matchmaker and Tianji had already slipped away without them noticing.

In the spacious hall, there were only the two of them.

Gu Jingchun was trapped in this small space by Shen Hechuan.

Shen Hechuan, who was bowing his head and begging Gu Jingchun for pity just a moment ago, has now raised his head and returned to being the superior person he once was.

He grabbed Gu Jingchun's chin, forcing Gu Jingchun to look at him.

He smiled, but the smile was like a wolf in the dark, ready to bite Gu Jingchun at any moment.

"Jingchun, don't worry, no one can do anything to me."

"Only you can stir my lonely heart, making me restless and unable to sleep."

"I want you, Gu Jingchun."

"But you are unwilling."

"But I don't want to hurt you."

"Tell me, what should I do with you?"