Qingying also sighed.
Jin Heng's talent was undeniable; he rose to a high position at a young age, yet he ultimately could not escape the allure of love.
"No wonder we didn't see Princess Yongning and Grand Tutor Jin during this year's autumn hunt."
Xie Jiaoying chuckled and said, "Guess what they're doing right now?"
Qingying shrugged and said, "I only learned about their affairs from you, so how would I know what they're doing right now?"
Meanwhile, in a small courtyard in the capital, the protagonists they were discussing were entangled in a complicated argument.
...
Before the autumn hunt, Princess Yongning claimed that she had caught a cold and was staying home to avoid visitors.
The news she had sent out a few days ago had not received any response, so she knew that it must have been suppressed by the emperor. Soon the envoy from Beiyue would arrive in Pandu City, and the emperor would issue an edict to bestow upon her the title of Princess Yongning. Then the marriage alliance would be a done deal.
The thought of never being able to see her beloved again, having to marry a man she had never met, and bearing his children made her feel sad and disgusted.
So he simply locked himself in Yongning Residence.
It wasn't until she received the note that Jin Heng had secretly slipped into the pastry that she looked at the maid in front of her with a complicated expression.
When did Jinheng's hand silently reach past the Empress Dowager and into her Yongning Residence?
She didn't have time to think it over; she glanced at the words on the note and her hands trembled with excitement.
Jin Heng actually arranged to meet her.
Since that falling out, they have never met in private again. Jin Heng always deliberately avoids her, and in public, they always act as if they don't recognize each other.
This feeling is absolutely awful.
She had hated Jin Heng, but later that hatred was gradually enveloped by a longing that climbed up like vines, and she felt like she was being driven crazy.
This was the first time he had asked to see her in so long. And it happened after she released the news—did that mean he cared about her too?
Wei Yinqiu decided to ask him in person.
She and her maid changed clothes, then she lowered her head and secretly slipped out of Yongning Residence with another maid who was out shopping.
Led by her maid, she wandered through a maze of turns until she arrived at a small courtyard surrounded by high walls. There was a house across the street, but its gate was closed and no one noticed them.
Wei Yinqiu entered the door, and the servant waiting inside led her inside.
The courtyard wasn't large, consisting of four rooms: three small rooms in the front and one large room in the back. Jin Heng waited for her in the large room at the back.
The servant escorted her to the door and left. She tentatively knocked on the door. After a short while, the door was opened from the inside, and Jin Heng stood inside, looking down at her with slightly lowered eyes, and said softly, "You've come."
"Hmm." She pursed her lips, appearing somewhat distant. "Did you call me here for something?"
"Come in and we'll talk."
Jin Heng turned and went back into the house, and Wei Yinqiu quickly followed him.
Upon entering the inner room, she saw a pot of wine on the table. Jin Heng sat down, poured himself a cup, looked up at her, and asked, "How is your alcohol tolerance, Princess?"
“Those who know me well know that I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.” Wei Yinqiu sat down opposite him.
Jin Heng then took another wine cup and poured it for her.
"What are your thoughts on the marriage alliance?" he suddenly asked.
Wei Yinqiu had guessed that he wanted to ask about this matter before he arrived, but she did not expect him to ask it so suddenly. Her attention was still on the wine glass and her thoughts were momentarily interrupted.
After a moment, he recovered and scoffed, "What else can I think? Is this something I can control?"
"If you don't want to, I will help you."
Wei Yinqiu paused for a moment, pursed her lips without answering, and simply picked up her wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Then, she looked up at him and asked, "Are you willing to oppose the Emperor's decision for my sake?"
"Yes," he answered decisively.
Wei Yinqiu burst out laughing, "Hahaha... Jin Heng, how shameless are you? Back then, I begged you to be with me so desperately, but you chickened out. Now that I'm ready to accept my fate, you say you're willing?"
“Back then…” Jin Heng closed his eyes, and when he spoke again, his voice was hoarse. “If you had married any nobleman in the capital, I would have blessed you. But I didn’t expect His Majesty to send you on a political marriage. Northern Yue is far away and cold. I was afraid that once you went there… you would never come back.”
“Isn’t this exactly what you wanted to see? Once I’m in Northern Vietnam, I won’t be able to interfere with you anymore. Your career will be smoother. You should be happy, Jinheng.” As she spoke, her voice gradually choked up.
“No…” He shook his head. “I’ve never been afraid of you interfering with me. I’m just… afraid that I can’t protect you.”
"But you've never even tried, so how do you know it won't work? I was clearly prepared to go all in, but you gave up first, Jinheng. I tried my best, but you gave up on me first!"
She screamed, tears streaming down her face like broken beads.
The next second, she was pulled into a warm embrace, surrounded by the familiar scent of cedar, which immediately stopped her crying.
A deep, resonant voice came from above: "I'm sorry, it was my fault..."
Damn it, just one sentence and she softened completely.
Wei Yinqiu tried her best to maintain a pitiful and broken image, but she couldn't cry anymore. She just leaned against his chest and closed her eyes.
"Fine, I forgive you."
Later, things gradually went off track and spiraled out of control because—she got drunk.
Hmm... Princess Yongning is actually a lightweight when it comes to alcohol.
By the time Jin Heng realized this, she had already untied the belt around his waist, and her slippery little hands slipped inside his clothes.
He broke free instantly, like a frightened bird, "You..."
He looked at Wei Yinqiu's flushed cheeks and her slightly narrowed, dreamy eyes, and frowned.
Wei Yinqiu opened her arms and leaned towards him, grinning foolishly: "Grand Tutor, hug me..."
He reached out and pressed his hand against her forehead, and she stopped moving, pacing in place, waving her little hands with a huff.
Looking at her adorable appearance, Jin Heng chuckled helplessly, "I just can't do anything with you."
Later, Wei Yinqiu was picked up and thrown onto the bed. The bedding was rolled up and wrapped up like a maggot. She struggled to wriggle, but couldn't break free no matter what she did. She was so aggrieved that tears streamed down her face.
Jin Heng could no longer bear it and ordered someone to bring him a hangover soup.
Later, she somehow drifted off to sleep. When she opened her eyes again, it was completely dark, and the handsome face she was facing was even darker than the sky.
She blinked, bewildered. "Grand Tutor, what are you doing here?"
She thought she was in the bedroom of Yongning Residence.
Jin Heng sneered and raised an eyebrow, saying, "A thousand cups without getting drunk? Hmm?"
Wei Yinqiu felt a chill run down her spine under his gaze. As the memories in her mind gradually became clearer, she realized what a stupid thing she had done. Embarrassed, she rolled off the bed and frantically searched for something on the floor.
Seeing her inexplicable behavior, Jin Heng assumed she was still drunk and asked, "What are you looking for?"
Wei Yinqiu didn't even look up, "Find a crack in the ground..."
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