“Miss, we’ve been circling the gate of the mansion three or four times already. If I count carefully, it’s been almost half an hour. What exactly are you trying to do? My hands are freezing. Why don’t we go back to the mansion and warm ourselves by the fire?” Lingqi breathed warm air into her palms, but still felt it wasn’t enough. She then rubbed her palms together quickly, trying to retain some warmth.
Tianyun wasn't much better off; her little nose was red from the cold, but she still refused to give up easily, saying, "I'm gambling."
She gambled on whether Xiao Ziwu would come looking for her after hearing about her impending marriage. If he did, it would mean he wasn't entirely indifferent to her. Then her remaining 30% chance of success would become 70%!
"What are we betting on?"
"I'm betting that the three-foot-thick ice might melt..."
What riddle is the young lady playing now? Lingqi asked in confusion, "But what does this have to do with us wandering around outside the mansion gates, freezing cold?"
"Fool, why didn't you wait outside the mansion? If he really came, would you expect him to climb over the wall and enter the mansion to find her?" Tianyun chuckled.
Suddenly she saw the man's figure approaching from afar, and the huge weight that had been pressing on her heart was lifted; he had finally come.
She completely withdrew her smile, her two willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed softly, and her delicate features, even less refined than Rose's, suddenly appeared incredibly fragile and helpless.
As if it were unintentional, she turned her back to the person who came and said softly to Lingqi, "What can I do if I don't want to? My grandmother has always regarded me as a thorn in her side. If I don't follow her wishes and enter the Second Prince's residence, I'm afraid she will casually hand me over to some commoner and ruin my life!"
She remained silent, her eyes brimming with tears, threatening to fall but not quite, making her look incredibly pitiful.
Lingqi stood there stunned, her view blocked by the girl, unaware that someone was rapidly approaching. She was simply astonished at how quickly her young lady had changed the subject, and how those tears could fall so easily – truly a miraculous feat!
She didn't know how to answer, so someone behind her answered for her: "If you are not sincere, no one can force you!"
He rarely felt so emotional, but upon hearing her soft, tearful voice, these arrogant words slipped out of his mouth without his noticing.
Seemingly startled by his sudden appearance, the girl trembled slightly before turning around and bowing to him.
"Your Highness, you may not know this, but marriages are arranged by parents and matchmakers, and such important matters are never my decision. Although Your Highness is of noble birth, you have no say in my family affairs. I know that Your Highness is protecting me because you remember that I saved Changlai's life. Tianyun thanks Your Highness for your concern." She looked pitiful, her tears falling like stars that shone brighter than the stars against the dark sky.
Xiao Ziwu's heart skipped a beat, and the pain of being gripped tightly by the beast's claws returned. He clenched his fist tightly, his voice hoarse: "It's not gratitude, nor anything else..."
She delicately wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, softly asking, "What was that?" She then covered her eyes with the handkerchief, secretly glancing at him, as if to say, "Just tell me already!"
Xiao Ziwu's thin lips moved a few times, and just as he was about to say something, a charming female voice interrupted him.
Shangguan Jingyi walked over with small, quick steps: "Cousin, so you're here. No wonder I couldn't find you anywhere."
Her high-pitched, shrill voice was quite different from her usual timid, soft tone. It was as piercing as a long cone, giving Lingqi goosebumps.
Upon seeing Xiao Ziwu beside them, Shangguan Jingyi stared at his handsome face for a long while before blushing and saying, "Greetings, young master."
She had just called the girl her cousin, meaning she was a close friend or relative of the girl. Xiao Ziwu didn't remain indifferent; he nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Since there were outsiders present, he couldn't say those things again and would have to find another opportunity.
This golden opportunity has slipped away, ruined by her. Tianyun's eyes reddened with anger, and she was truly on the verge of tears! She clearly sensed that the young man was about to confess his feelings, just one step away from doing so…
Suppressing her temper, she asked with reddened eyes, "What does my cousin want with me?"
"Grandmother has sent word for you to come to the main hall. It must be something related to the Second Prince, and she wants to discuss it with you, my sister." Shangguan Jingyi smiled shyly, her expression seemingly teasing.
She had overheard a bit earlier and learned that this exceptionally handsome young man was none other than the Third Prince of Liang. That's why she deliberately brought up the matter of Shangguan Tianyun and the Second Prince in front of him.
She was a peasant girl from the remote and impoverished county of Wei. She was certainly not up to the Second Prince's exceptional beauty, but she still had a chance with the infamous Third Prince.
What's more, he's so handsome; he's the most handsome man she's ever seen!
Tianyun narrowed her beautiful eyes, gazing at her blushing face. Suddenly, she realized that her timely interruption was probably not accidental. Now, she was deliberately bringing up Xiao Ziyan's matter to annoy the young man, making him back down and not continue the previous topic.
She ruined the play, making it impossible for Tianyun to continue. Tianyun had no choice but to bid farewell to the young man: "Since Grandmother has given the order, I will take my leave now. Sister, will you come with me?" How could she let the two of them, a man and a woman, stay together?
Even though she knew the boy was of noble character and wouldn't do anything outrageous, there was no guarantee that her greedy cousin wouldn't do something!
In just two days, her taciturn and reserved cousin seemed to have become a different person, which made her very curious. What had happened to make her change so drastically?
She slowly turned around, her dark hair fluttering in the north wind behind her, like a graceful butterfly about to fly to its destined home.
Is this bitterly cold winter going to steal even his last bit of warmth away?
Xiao Ziwu couldn't bear to watch her leave, so he suddenly stepped forward and grabbed her arm, his deep voice muffled as he said, "Don't go!"
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