"Then...do you have romantic feelings for me? I mean, are you willing to marry me?"
Wen Yanche didn't expect her to be so direct. They had only met twice... Could it be that she had fallen for him?
"Your Highness would certainly be a very good wife. Yan Che is naturally willing."
It felt like she had said something, yet it was as if she hadn't said anything at all; Leng Qingning was a little sad.
But she didn't want to keep asking, afraid that Wen Yanche would get annoyed.
So we changed the subject and talked about our views on books.
After returning to her residence, Leng Qingning felt somewhat defeated. She liked Wen Yanche too much. She knew that her liking was not just an appreciation of his appearance, but also because he seemed to possess an indescribable magic that deeply attracted her to get closer to him.
His every smile and gesture was deeply imprinted in her heart. She still remembered the scene when they first met. He walked slowly towards her, like a fairy in a painting in the snow. She was amazed by his beauty at first glance.
But... she couldn't understand his thoughts. Perhaps he was hiding them too well? Or perhaps he simply didn't like her at all.
Leng Qingning became increasingly annoyed and ordered Mo Shuang to serve food and wine, as she wanted to have a good drink.
"They say a good drink can cure a thousand sorrows, let's drink." He muttered to himself.
Having experienced what happened last time, Biluo dared not instruct her master to do anything again, and could only stand quietly to the side.
Leng Qingning drank more than a bottle by herself, and now she felt dizzy and a little nauseous.
"Biluo, help me take a walk in the garden."
Biluo helped Leng Qingning walk to the end of the garden. Leng Qingning felt increasingly dizzy and realized that she could not support herself any longer, so she quickly walked towards the courtyard ahead.
Biluo opened her mouth, but hesitated, as if she wanted to say something...
Hehuan Courtyard
Lu Shiyi helped Leng Qingning take off her outer robe and gently carried her to the couch.
Gazing at the sleeping girl, he pondered for a long time before finally bending down and gently kissing her warm lips…
The next morning, Leng Qingning had a splitting headache and her eyelids felt incredibly heavy. She struggled to turn over in bed.
"Your Highness, you're awake?"
Whose voice is that?
Leng Qingning opened her eyes and saw Lu Shiyi sitting opposite her, smiling at her.
"You... Where am I?" Leng Qingning sat up in surprise.
Lu Shiyi said softly, "Your Highness, you drank too much last night and staggered into my courtyard. I took care of you and put you to bed."
What?! Does that mean her innocence is in jeopardy?!
Pressing her temples, she tried to recall the events of last night… She only remembered that she had drunk too much and went to the garden with Biluo for some fresh air. How did they end up here with Lu Shiyi? She had no recollection of anything after that…
Could it really be with him...? How could I have no memory of him at all?
Lu Shiyi seemed to have seen through Leng Qingning's thoughts...
"Your Highness, I only helped you to bed and sat here all night; nothing else happened."
Leng Qingning raised her head, her eyes filled with surprise and relief, and Lu Shiyi saw her expression.
"Really? So you took care of me all night? Nothing happened between us?" Leng Qingning asked again.
Lu Shiyi smiled and said gently, "Yes, Your Highness."
Leng Qingning felt a little embarrassed. "So you didn't sleep all night?"
"It's alright. There's nothing to do at the manor. You can rest later."
She had misunderstood someone, and Leng Qingning's face flushed.
Lu Shiyi got up and called the servants to help Leng Qingning wash up.
"No need, Shi Yi, you... go and rest. I have some things to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. I'll come see you again next time."
Watching the departing figure, Lu Shiyi's eyes hardened, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Shiyi, huh?
Now that you've entered the manor, why not give it a shot?
…
Leng Qingning hurriedly returned to the courtyard and called Biluo over to inquire.
"Your Highness, you drank too much last night and barged into the Hehuan Courtyard. I didn't dare to stop you." Biluo looked aggrieved.
Leng Qingning wanted to get angry, but seeing Biluo's appearance, she softened. Oh well, if this little girl hadn't ignored her for so many days, she wouldn't have gone from being lively and talkative to being timid and hesitant. Besides, nothing had happened between her and Lu Shiyi.
"Fine, this won't happen again."
Biluo nodded obediently and helped Leng Qingning wash up.
In a private room at a restaurant opposite the Yellow Crane Tower, Leng Qingning and the three little ones were eating nothing but stale food.
"Your Highness, no offense intended, but you don't even reserve a seat for yourself in your own restaurant?" Xue Tong was utterly speechless...
“His Highness must have a reason for doing this. Even eating can’t shut you up.” Xie Yun glanced at Xue Tong.
"I think this place is pretty good, Your Highness. Please try this braised eggplant with wine." Jiang Xue stood up to serve Leng Qingning some food in an attempt to smooth things over.
Leng Qingning poked at the food in her bowl, looking rather uninterested.
Jiang Xue: "Your Highness, is something troubling you? Tell us and we'll give you some advice."
"Alas," Leng Qingning sighed deeply.
"If you like someone, but are unsure if they like you back, what would you do?"
Xue Tong: "Your Highness, you've come to the right person."
"Tell me quickly." Leng Qingning pondered for a moment. She had been pursuing Fu Wen for so long, she should have a way, right?
"Your Highness, you don't need to ask him if he likes you or not. Just keep being attentive and nice to him. Over time, he will naturally get used to your presence," Xue Tong said calmly.
“But I don’t want him to be used to me, I want him to like me.” Leng Qingning said anxiously.
"Alas, Your Highness, haste makes waste. If you treat him well, he can't remain indifferent in time, can he? As long as he feels the same way about you, surely Your Highness will sense it?"
Yes, your eyes don't lie when you like someone.
With only ten days until her wedding, she didn't want to feel awkward staring at each other on their wedding night, so she decided to seize the time to cultivate her relationship with Wen Yanche.
Without further ado, Leng Qingning bid farewell to her friends and returned home.
In Anning Palace, Leng Qingning stood outside the study holding a painting. This was a painting by Mr. Xun, the most renowned traditional Chinese painter in Dayue. She had spent a lot of money to commission Mr. Xun to paint it according to her requirements. He should like it, right?
She slowly approached the study door, and just as she was about to knock, a startled exclamation came from inside.
"Young Master, is this a painting by Mr. Xun?" It was Langyue's voice.
"Mr. Xun's paintings are priceless, and it's truly remarkable that Miss Dong, despite being so far away in Lin Kingdom, was able to buy them and present them to the young lord." Is this Changfeng?
"Miss Dong, you're truly devoted to Young Master," Lang Yue continued. "Unfortunately, our Young Master is destined to be apart from her..."
Wen Yanche put down the painting and said in a low voice, "Langyue, don't talk nonsense anymore."
"Miss Dong?" Leng Qingning seemed to have suffered a huge blow... No wonder he respected Prime Minister Dong so much, it turned out that he liked that Miss Dong.
Who's outside?
Changfeng opened the door, his eyes wide with surprise: "Young Master, it's you?"
Your Highness probably didn't hear anything, right? Lang Yue nervously bowed to Leng Qingning.
Wen Yanche also came out. Seeing Leng Qingning's ashen face and red-rimmed eyes, he sensed something was wrong.
"Your Highness, please take a seat. Langyue, serve tea."
Leng Qingning felt an overwhelming bitterness in her heart, feeling like a joke.
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