Chapter 222
Is this really not a dream...?
He was so happy, so happy that he was afraid he would choke up and not be able to hold back his tears if he spoke.
Tao Tao took in his flustered appearance, still scrutinizing him with a critical eye, admiring how the usually composed Crown Prince could lose his composure for someone like her.
Suddenly, a bright shadow flashed before his eyes, accompanied by a piercing scream, rushing towards the stunned Qi Heng.
Startled, she quickly reached out and grabbed its large wing, coldly scolding, "What are you doing! Get out of here."
As he spoke, he simply tossed it behind him.
Asu charged straight at him, clearly hostile, and opened its sharp claws to scratch his face. If that claw had landed, it would have been a wonder if a chunk of flesh hadn't been torn off his face.
Fortunately, she was quick-witted and intercepted it halfway.
When Asu saw that she had been angry with it because of a stranger, it immediately burst into tears, its sharp cries cutting through the rain and creating a sense of desolation.
Tao Tao was dumbfounded. It had been so long since it had last acted like this. Why was it crying again after just saying something casually?
"Okay, okay, why are you crying? Oh, I'm sorry, my tone was too harsh."
She got up, held it in her arms and comforted it, thinking that she might have hurt its wings by pulling them, so she stroked its wings to soothe it.
It would have been better if we hadn't said anything; the more we tried to soothe it, the louder it barked. If it weren't for the rain covering its cries, it probably would have pierced the sky.
Qi Heng stared at the parrot in her arms, his expression indifferent. Just now, he had clearly felt the bird's murderous intent towards him. It was just a bird, how could it have such strong hostility towards him?
Thinking back to when she mentioned Duan Gan's name, he had already guessed that her relationship with Duan Gan might not be simple. Even the identities of the Prince's adopted daughter and the Princess Huaimin were all arranged by him.
He only regretted that he hadn't realized his feelings sooner, otherwise he could have helped her too. Duan Gan, a cold and ruthless person, would never suffer a loss if he did so much for her.
He considered their past as history and didn't care. He only cared about the present and her future, and he would protect her from now on.
"Xiao Tao, perhaps it doesn't like me very much. Just wait patiently for the imperial decree. Don't worry, I will soon marry you properly and bring you into the family."
Upon hearing this, Tao Tao placed Asu on the bird stand, walked up to him, and said, "No rush, we should wait until Duan Gan goes to Suizhou first."
Suizhou...
Upon hearing the place name, Qi Heng's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness.
My uncle's hidden troops and weapons are all in Suizhou. They have now grown to a considerable size and cannot be moved. Otherwise, they will surely be discovered by Duan Gan's people.
As for Su Xiuyuan, the salt commissioner who was about to be appointed, judging by the time, he is probably already dead.
If he and Xiao Tao were to hold their wedding while Duan Gan was investigating, Duan Gan would definitely be thrown into disarray and would be unable to stay in Suizhou any longer. In that case, he could take this opportunity to move to another place.
He smiled gently and nodded in agreement: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
The rain gradually subsided, but the sky remained dark, and the sound of the wind mixed with the crisp sound of rain falling rhythmically on the bluestone floor.
It was a pleasant sound that could relax the mind, yet it felt like a stone was pressing on one's heart, and the earthy smell lingering in the air made it so heavy that it was hard to breathe.
She stood under the eaves of the courtyard gate, looking at Qi Heng in front of her. He reached out to touch her head, but hesitated after a moment. Just as he was about to pull his hand back, she grasped his hand and placed it on his cheek.
He felt the warm, soft face in his palm, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
Tao Tao tilted her head slightly, leaned closer to his hand, her eyes crinkling as she softly said, "Yanli, be careful on the road. I'll be waiting for you."
Qi Heng's lips curved into a smile, a gentle smile appearing in her eyes. She said softly, "Okay, you should go back now, be careful not to catch a cold."
The two turned and plunged into the misty rain, walking further and further away.
She stood there, squinting her eyes, gazing at the two receding black figures. Leng Qiao appeared silently beside her.
Tao Tao glanced at Leng Qiao's shadow out of the corner of her eye, blinked her long eyelashes, her eyes instantly reddened, and a layer of crystal clear water appeared in her eyes. She turned to look at her.
“I really have no choice. I didn’t mean to be on the opposite side of him. You know, I can’t be with Duan Gan in this ambiguous relationship.”
"He could never marry me as his principal wife, and I love him too much. My feelings can't accommodate anyone else. Although I don't love Qi Heng, Qi Heng is willing to marry me as the Crown Princess."
"I have to have either power or love. Can you understand me, Leng Qiao?"
She looked at her with teary eyes, her innocent almond-shaped eyes becoming even clearer after being washed, her fair cheeks still bearing a hint of baby fat, her lips pouting, looking both aggrieved and adorable.
Leng Qiao stared at her blankly, then suddenly came to her senses, nodded, and gave a soft "hmm".
"Miss did the right thing." She was stunned after saying that, not knowing why she had said such a thing.
She suddenly clenched her fists, a strange sense of panic rising within her.
Miss can say or do whatever she wants, but she has no right to say this, otherwise she would be betraying Fourth Master.
However, she had already betrayed the Fourth Master when she first concealed the news from the young lady. But in other words, her true master now is the young lady, and loyalty to the young lady does not count as betrayal.
The girl in front of her was unaware of her inner turmoil, and upon hearing her words, she burst into laughter through her tears.
"Leng Qiao, I need you, I need all of you. No matter what happens, I will never abandon you."
Tao Tao held her hands, gazing intently at her.
She was never good with words, and this was the first time she had encountered such a situation. The young lady told her time and time again that she needed herself.
Compared to his insignificant role in the Ghost Guard, he found value in his existence here.
"Thank you so much for your kind words, Miss." She was tongue-tied and didn't know how to speak properly.
Leng Qiao, who was about to say something, was led inside by Rong'er and Granny Wu, who were standing on either side of the door, smiling at them.
Two days later.
Tao Tao claimed to be ill and unable to go to Suizhou with Duan Gan. Since everything had already been arranged and could not be canceled, he had no choice but to go alone.
Late at night, she lay in bed, coughing violently with her mouth covered, her cheeks flushed, tears welling in the corners of her eyes, her body trembling from coughing.
She was genuinely sick, and fearing that Duan Gan might notice something was wrong, she simply took a cold shower.
Autumn has passed, and taking a cold shower at this time will almost certainly cause a high fever.
I took medicine not long ago, and I still have a bitter taste in my mouth. I feel dizzy and lightheaded, and my body is so uncomfortable that I'm starting to feel drowsy.
Suddenly, the carved pear wood door was gently pushed open, and the person stood against the light, their shadow stretched long on the ground.
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