Jiang Ling blinked, thinking she was hallucinating.
Who can tell her that she just slept, how could Zhou Jingan succeed in conquering himself and even threaten to marry her?
But looking at his serious and shy expression, Jiang Ling knew he was not joking.
With a lowered brow, Jiang Ling understood the deep meaning.
For her reputation, right?
She lowered her eyes and chuckled, she was a responsible man.
But......
I wanted to marry her out of responsibility, but she refused.
Jiang Ling raised her eyes to look at him, and he was still waiting for her response nervously.
Fox Fox appeared at this time and encouraged her: "Host, please agree quickly, this is a good opportunity!"
She didn't want such an opportunity.
What she wanted was for Zhou Jing'an to have no ties or concerns, and to solemnly propose to her just because he liked her and just because she was Jiang Ling.
But it's still okay to tease him.
Jiang Ling held her face with both hands, her eyes smiling brightly.
She looked at Zhou Jingan, opened her lips slightly, and whispered, "Okay."
Zhou Jing'an was stunned and looked at her for a long time, not knowing how to react.
Only the rising temperature of his skin reminded him that this was not a dream.
[Ding~ The protagonist's favorability increased by five points, and his loyalty increased by 5%. The current favorability is 67, and his loyalty is 12%.]
Jiang Ling raised her eyebrows slightly, tilted her head and smiled, "Master Zhou's face is so red, is he sick?"
After these words were spoken, Zhou Jing'an was at a loss, his eyes blinked wildly, his eyelashes trembled slightly, his face flushed red, as if he wanted to look at her but didn't dare to.
He stammered, "No, it's just... it's just that this cave is a little... a little stuffy."
"Oh, I see." Jiang Ling nodded.
Then he said, "I just took what you said just now as a joke from Lord Zhou. Don't mention it again in the future."
Zhou Jing'an shuddered, his previous excitement seemingly cooled in an instant. Panic and helplessness filled his eyes, and he eagerly stated, "I'm not joking with Miss Jiang. I'm sincerely asking for your hand in marriage."
Jiang Ling smiled slightly, but this time there was no smile in her eyes. She said bluntly, "Lord Zhou simply doesn't want to ruin Ling'er's reputation and good name, so he asked for my hand in marriage and wants to do his best to preserve my reputation."
She pursed her lips and said seriously, "But Ling'er doesn't want this. She doesn't want to use marriage as an excuse out of helplessness or pressure. If you don't sincerely want to marry me, Ling'er won't agree."
Although rumors are terrible, Jiang Ling has been criticized many times in her previous life and has long been indifferent to them. She is not afraid of people gossiping about her.
Her light voice echoed far away in the cave and slowly entered Zhou Jing'an's heart.
Sincerely...
He clenched his fists. He had always been sincere to her.
But there are jackals, tigers and leopards lurking around him. The path he and the emperor have chosen is destined to have no peace. They will fight and scheme endlessly, over and over again. Maybe one day, even his life will be abandoned. How can he promise her a stable future?
Perhaps it was because it was so quiet at the moment, the two of them were rarely honest with each other, and Zhou Jing'an opened his heart to her for the first time.
He said softly: "Sometimes, even if you are sincere, you are powerless."
Jiang Ling frowned slightly and asked him slowly, "What do you mean?"
Zhou Jing'an looked at her, lowering his brows. "The road ahead is bumpy. I don't want to drag you into trouble."
He only said these two sentences, but didn't want to say more.
But Jiang Ling understood.
It's because the time when his mother and sister were kidnapped by criminals left a psychological trauma on the child, right?
Just because he's afraid that she might suffer because of him, does that mean she has to lose her right to happiness?
Jiang Ling was inexplicably angry.
Is he too self-deprecating, or does he underestimate her?
Jiang Ling's voice was chilling. "Zhou Jing'an, do you think you, the son of the prime minister, the top scholar, and a capable minister to the emperor, don't even have the confidence to protect the people around you?"
"What?" Zhou Jing'an was stunned and looked up at her.
She continued, "Or, have you underestimated me?"
Zhou Jing'an lowered his eyes. "They're using every possible means. I'm already imprisoned, so how could they drag you in?"
He dared to swear that if he married Jiang Ling, he would do his best to protect her and let her live a safe, happy and worry-free life.
But even his father was negligent and allowed the bad guys to take advantage of the opportunity, so how could he be confident that he would not make any mistakes?
He never dared to do anything so uncertain.
That's why I want to stay away from her. At least this way, I can keep her away from trouble.
Jiang Ling frowned and asked her, "Then may I ask, when the Prime Minister's wife faced the turbulent situation, did she ever waver and think of leaving the Prime Minister?"
Zhou Jing'an paused and shook his head: "Mother has been by Father's side from beginning to end and has never thought of leaving."
"So..." Jiang Ling chuckled and sighed, "Zhou Jing'an, do you think I, Jiang Ling, am a coward?"
Zhou Jingan looked at her and immediately replied, "Of course not."
Even in his mind, Jiang Ling is much braver than the average person.
"You are more resolute and courageous than I thought."
Zhou Jing'an looked at Jiang Ling's eyebrows and his heart began to beat rapidly again.
Whether facing the various harms from "Shen Qingru" or the hardships and confusion along the way, Jiang Ling never gave up or escaped.
She is optimistic, strong-willed, brave and kind.
She's really...very nice.
[Ding~ The hero's favorability increased by two points, and his loyalty increased by 2%. The current favorability is 69, and the loyalty is 14%.]
Jiang Ling:?
She was still angry, but he was thinking about something. Was he falling in love with her?
After he slept like this, the air leaked out through the hole.
Jiang Ling smiled helplessly and stood up.
"Anyway, if you're just trying to save my reputation, there's no need to say that."
She looked at him and smiled brightly, "When you have figured it out and no longer see me as a fragile little girl, it will not be too late to talk to you later."
"But I won't wait for you forever. It's you who disliked me so much before." Jiang Ling snorted and raised her head proudly.
Zhou Jing'an's ears burned, and he stood up and took two steps after him, "Where are you going?"
Jiang Ling waved at him, "Isn't there a stream nearby? I'll go wash up and be back soon."
After saying that, he floated out of the cave.
It was obvious that Jiang Ling seemed angry with him just now, but why did he feel some joy coming out of him?
Zhou Jingan sat on the stone and felt his heart soften silently. The fire in his heart was clearly not burning strongly, but why did he feel warm all over?
He put his hand on his cheek, felt the burning temperature, and suddenly retracted his hand. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise, and there was a silly meaning in his smile.
He thought he might really be sick.
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