Qiao Yu looked at Yan Qu, who seemed a little at a loss. He didn't know how to reply for a moment, but he was not annoyed.
She made her feelings clear, of course not because she wanted a response, but because she wanted to tell her that the naive girl she used to admire most was the man in front of her.
It was he who watched him walk step by step into the abyss, becoming scheming and hateful, but Yan Qu now found himself falling in love with such an unbearable Hua Yunlan, and how conflicted he must be in his heart.
"You may not believe this, but I used to hide in corners and secretly look at you at banquets. If you looked at me for even a second, I would be overwhelmed and happy all day long."
The girl hugged her knees, as if she was recalling beautiful memories. The smile on her lips was so peaceful and happy that people couldn't help but feel happy with her, but also subconsciously felt sad for her.
"I..."
Yan Qu didn't know what to say. He also didn't know when it started, but his eyes would unconsciously follow the girl's figure.
He was very sure that he did not love the Hua Yunlan of the past, but now Yan Qu finally understood what it meant to shoot oneself in the foot, and his heart was extremely bitter.
"I found the medicine specifically for you. It wasn't poisoned. I didn't have any other ulterior motives. I just wanted you to be well... If you want to say I had an ulterior motive, then perhaps I did."
I hope that in the future you will remember me and that you will never forget me.
Qiao Yu didn't say this, but Yan Qu looked into her eyes and understood what she wanted to say.
But facing the girl's hopeful eyes, Yan Qu couldn't bear to look away, for he was afraid that Qiao Yu would cry.
"Yunlan, if you want...I can help you."
Help with what? Help you leave Yan Fu and come back to me?
Then he abandoned everything and hid in the mountains with Qiao Yu, ignoring the world, and waking up every day to see only you and me.
This wish is so beautiful that Yan Qu dare not even think about it.
Yan Qu knew that he could not abandon Dongxu's kingdom, so he promised his royal brother that he would help him protect the world.
Qiao Yu was a smart man and knew that the help he was talking about was for himself, not for the two of them. Even if they left the harem, it would be impossible for them to succeed.
"Yan Qu, there's no going back. I'm already Consort Hua. The glory of the Hua and Xue families is my foundation and my responsibility."
Perhaps because he couldn't bear it or because he felt guilty, Yan Qu frowned and told the current situation:
"The Xue family is now at its peak, and its momentum is too strong. The emperor is suspicious, so you should not be too closely tied to the Xue family..."
But after saying this, Yan Qu felt ridiculous. Qiao Yu not only had the blood of the Hua family, but also the blood of the Xue family. No matter what, she would not be able to escape unscathed.
"This is what I saved."
It was obvious that the girl's smile had faded a lot. Facing her husband's distrust and suspicion, there was no ripple in the girl's eyes, and her calmness was heartbreaking.
Yan Qu couldn't help but think that Qiao Yu understood everything, so maybe her love for Yan Fu was just for self-protection, not because she didn't love him...
Such thoughts were selfish and ridiculous, but Yan Qu couldn't suppress his inner joy.
There were sounds of footsteps not far away, and Yan Fu's anxious shouts:
"Yunlan, Yunlan, where are you!"
It seemed that the rescuers had arrived, but there was no joy on Qiao Yu's face, and she even looked a little regretful. Every expression of the girl fell into Yan Qu's eyes.
What is she regretting...
The footsteps were getting closer, and Yan Qu subconsciously grabbed Qiao Yu's sleeve:
"From now on, I will protect you."
Qiao Yu was stunned at first, then showed a hint of joy, but what made her happy was naturally not such a childish question that required a response from love.
Yan Qu, I gave you a chance to escape, but you couldn't let it go and get away with it.
This touch of joy quickly disappeared, and Qiao Yu returned to his usual aloof demeanor. He retracted his sleeves and spoke to lead the people over:
"We're here."
Qiao Yu's voice was not loud, but Yan Fu had been extremely nervous since just now and did not dare to miss any tiny sound.
As soon as he heard the familiar voice, he ran over quickly and saw the girl, her face covered in dust and dirt, with big, watery almond eyes. Yan Fu's heart instantly twisted into a knot, and he felt distressed.
"Don't be afraid, Lan'er. I'll come down and save you."
The guards following behind did not dare to let Yan Fu get down. If the emperor bumped into something, their heads would be torn apart from their bodies. They hurriedly advised:
"Your Majesty, please do not do this. We will definitely bring the Empress here safely. If your majesty is hurt..."
Yan Fu didn't wait for them to talk nonsense and jumped down swiftly. Then he found Yan Qu next to him. His brows were furrowed, but he didn't have time to think about it. He was just anxious to check if Qiao Yu was injured.
"Are you hurt anywhere? Don't be afraid, I'm coming, I'm coming."
These words seemed to be comforting Qiao Yu, but they were more like comforting himself.
Qiao Yu was also shocked that Yan Fu would come down to save him personally, and forgot to react as he should. After he reacted, he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.
But when Yan Qu saw this smile, he realized that Qiao Yu was also moved by Yan Fu's behavior, and the bitterness in his heart rippled.
"I'm fine. Thanks to Prince An's help, I only scraped my hand."
Qiao Yu did not hide the bandage on his hand, and it was obvious that it came from the clothes of Yan Qu who was standing next to him. However, Yan Fu did not get angry at Qiao Yu for this.
But he didn't take his eyes off Yan Qu beside him. When Yan Fu saw his trouser legs stained red, he subconsciously frowned and felt a little relieved in his heart.
Fortunately, it was Yan Qu who was injured. If it was Qiao Yu who fell down alone, he couldn't even imagine the consequences:
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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