Recalling the grievances she suffered yesterday, her anger surged again, disturbing the calm she had finally managed to maintain.
With her half-closed eyelashes concealing the resentment in her eyes, Su Yushan turned her face away and said coldly, "My birthday has passed, Fourth Master, there is no need to send a gift."
He had indeed handled the matter poorly, and Hongli, feeling guilty, explained gently, "After entering the palace yesterday, Father Emperor assigned me some political affairs, which I was busy dealing with and had no time to come back and accompany you. This gift was prepared long ago, but I was unable to deliver it to you in time."
Su Yushan sneered inwardly and said sarcastically, "Yes, Fourth Master is busy during the day and busy after returning to the manor."
Her words were loaded with meaning, and Hongli understood perfectly. To prevent her from misunderstanding, he disregarded propriety and decided to tell her the truth.
“I was planning to come here after returning home last night, but as soon as I entered, someone from Lan Yue Pavilion came to report that Xiu Wen is pregnant, can’t eat, and is feeling very unwell. This is a serious matter, and I can’t not go. She’s not feeling well, and I can’t just leave her behind, so I have to stay and keep her company.”
"Couldn't you have sent someone to inform him?" If he had given an explanation last night, she wouldn't be so disappointed in him!
“I also thought about having someone pass on the message, but Xiuwen is only two months pregnant. It can’t be made public before three months. This is something that shouldn’t be said. I saw that you were in a bad mood and was worried that you would misunderstand me and think that I didn’t care about you, so I broke the rules and told you the truth.”
In Hongli's view, revealing the truth that shouldn't have been said was the greatest expression of his sincerity. However, Su Yushan didn't see it that way. He had made her wait a full day and night, and this was a hurdle she couldn't overcome.
"So what? Fourth Master, you mean I should be extremely grateful that you stood me up yesterday without giving any reason, leaving me to suffer for twelve hours, and then come to explain to me in person today?"
She usually spoke gently, but today her words were barbed, displeasing Hongli. He took a deep breath, reminding himself to control his emotions and try to speak to her calmly.
"Breaking our promise was indeed my fault, and I apologize. I'll make time to go out with you tomorrow, so please don't be angry with me, okay?"
"Don't make any more promises to me. You've eroded my trust in you." Actually, it wasn't a big deal; everyone has unexpected situations and the possibility of breaking a promise. But Hongli's subsequent attitude deeply disappointed her.
"From the very beginning, I knew you didn't belong to me alone. I didn't want to be jealous of anyone, and I never dared to ask for your love. But I thought we should at least be friends, right? Now it seems we're not even friends!"
He didn't consider her a friend at all; "I consider you my woman!"
These words did not move her; instead, they made her feel that he was hypocritical. "Why didn't you accompany your woman on her birthday? You broke your promise on her birthday, why didn't you give an explanation immediately? Do you think I have no temper and that I won't get angry no matter how you treat me, so you don't care and don't even give me an explanation?"
"I'm here to explain to you, aren't I? This is a special case."
Special circumstances are understandable, but how did he handle it? "If you had explained last night, I would have had nothing to say, but after last night, it all became meaningless."
That was the truth; he hadn't lied. Hongli truly didn't understand. What difference would a few hours make? "Xiuwen is pregnant and unwell. What do you think I should do? I can't just abandon her and leave, can I?"
Men are mostly rational and only speak the facts, while women are extremely sensitive and care more about attitudes.
"If you hadn't made that promise, I wouldn't have had any hope, and I wouldn't have spent my birthday in hopeless waiting and agonizing speculation. You promised me long ago, and I was full of anticipation, but this is the result. You only care about others; have you ever thought about how I would feel?"
Even after all that had been said, she was still angry, and Hongli felt a headache coming on. "If I really didn't care about you, I could have just sent a servant to let me know. Why did I have to come here in person? I've already explained and apologized to you. What more do you want from me?"
Everyone thought that Hongli favored her, and Su Yushan knew very well that this favoritism would not last long. But she did not expect that in just one month, he would get tired of her and lose patience with her. She only said what was on her mind, and he became impatient.
Once a man starts to have this kind of emotion, then whatever a woman says becomes meaningless. Realizing this, Su Yushan was too lazy to argue anymore and said wearily:
"Fourth Master, you are right. I was being unreasonable and ungrateful. You don't need to waste your breath."
What talk of admitting fault? Isn't she just giving him attitude? Hongli thought he was explaining himself very sincerely, but she wouldn't let go of that one point, making him lose face. Finally, he lost his patience and scoffed:
"I've been busy all day in the palace, and when I get home you two still fight over me. I've tried my best to take care of your feelings, can't you understand my difficulties?"
He needed understanding from others, but what about her? Faced with his accusations, Su Yushan did not flinch or back down, but instead looked back at him and spoke frankly.
"Everyone is selfish and only cares about their own feelings. You are like that, Fourth Master, and I am no exception."
She actually called him selfish? Shocked, Hongli was filled with rage. He shook his finger and sneered, "Su Yushan, how dare you! You act lawlessly just because I spoil you, and you speak without any regard for others."
This is his self-righteous pampering, she doesn't agree!
"You ignored me for no reason all day long, I don't want that kind of pampering! Your so-called apology was just empty words, you don't actually think you've done anything wrong, you think I should unconditionally tolerate you, you have your reasons for everything you do, I can't have my own thoughts, and if I express my opinion, it's considered going against you, and you feel your authority has been challenged."
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