Chapter 42
Shen Qingnian's raven-feather-like eyelashes trembled slightly. She said softly, "Your Highness is joking. I've been here the whole time. What's this talk of searching..."
Simply acknowledging it is not enough; a proper struggle is needed to make it more memorable.
She needs Song Xuan's love a lot, because that will be more beneficial to her plans...
Seeing that Shen Qingnian still wouldn't admit it, Song Xuan couldn't help but hand over the red jade earring in his hand, his gentle tone now tinged with urgency: "Qingnian, the facts are right in front of you, why won't you admit it?"
Does she really have to call in the guards and have them read out the evidence word by word before she'll admit it?
Song Xuan was somewhat confused. The other party clearly had feelings for him too, so why did she refuse to acknowledge what happened at the temple that day...?
No matter how rational a person is, they can make foolish mistakes in the face of true love, and Song Xuan was no exception.
After Song Xuan uttered those words, Shen Qingnian's tears fell. He looked at the man before him, his expression sorrowful, his tone filled with helplessness and desolation:
"With Miss Lin, your childhood sweetheart, by Your Highness's side, how could I dare to acknowledge her?"
Upon hearing this, Song Xuan felt a tightness in his chest. He couldn't help but explain, "When she first returned to the capital, I did get closer to her because of her grandfather's friendship, but I had no romantic feelings for her."
Shen Qingnian smiled and shook her head: "Yes, Miss Lin is His Highness's childhood sweetheart and has a grandfather to rely on. No matter what, I am no match for her. If it weren't for her domineering nature, His Highness probably wouldn't have distanced himself from her."
Song Xuan pursed his thin lips and said, "There is no 'if only.' Even if she has a gentle nature, I will not fall in love with her."
He never developed any other feelings for Lin Yue'er, and even though she was gentle, he would never make her his crown princess.
Shen Qingnian sighed softly, clearly not believing Song Xuan. She turned her face away again and said softly, "Please return, Your Highness. I will bring a generous gift to express my gratitude another day."
He seemed unwilling to discuss it further.
Having just confirmed the matter of the dilapidated temple, how could Song Xuan let Shen Qingnian go? He took off the purse at his waist and took out another red jade earring from it.
The two earrings now lay in his palm, making a complete pair.
Song Xuan's gentle voice rang out: "I've worn this earring ever since I found it that day. I think of you every single day, I long for you, the jasmine scent on you, the bruises on your wrist—I only have you, I only want you..."
His words were incredibly blunt, completely dissecting his inner thoughts and revealing them to Shen Qingnian without reservation.
Shen Qingnian trembled slightly. She couldn't help but look at the pair of red jade earrings in the man's palm, her expression showing emotion.
Seeing her expression soften, Song Xuan said, "The mist and dew are thick with fragrance, I remember meeting you under the moon on the Jade Terrace. Do you know that this is also what I long for?"
"Your painting of the Jade Terrace at Night, the embroidery you gave me, and your folding fan—I've kept them all in my study. Even if Lin Yue'er hadn't done these things, once I was certain it was you, I would still have expressed my feelings to you."
Shen Qingnian looked at Song Xuan, her eyes already brimming with tears, making her appear exceptionally pitiful. She cautiously asked, "Then Your Highness, won't you think I'm using underhanded tactics? After all, such dirty tricks aren't unheard of."
After saying that, she continued, "If I had known that such a thing would happen that day, I would rather... I would rather... After I came back, I cried for a long time and fell seriously ill. I didn't know what to do, and I didn't dare to tell my father. I didn't even dare to wear my earrings."
I really want to tell you and ask you to marry me, but you have Miss Lin by your side, my innocence is gone, and it's impossible for me to marry someone else.
I had no choice but to paint my feelings and give them to you, using this despicable means to test your attitude. But Miss Lin said she was destined to become the Crown Princess. I had no chance, and I no longer had any hope...
As she spoke, Shen Qingnian covered her face and began to cry. Her thin shoulders trembled slightly, and she looked helpless and pitiful.
Song Xuan's heart also ached—
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