In a room filled with enchanting and ambiguous atmosphere.
rustling sounds.
Su Wanwan pressed her back against the door, her slender fingertips tugging at the python embroidery thread on the man's brocade robe with such force that they caught the thread.
The man's hot breath filled her earlobe, "Wanwan, Wanwan."
Su Wanwan's voice was filled with sobs and lamentations, "Your Highness, it's time for you to take a wife..."
But when a man is deeply in love, how can he care about her words that are filled with grievance and despair?
He pinched her bright and beautiful face and kissed her slightly parted pink lips forcefully.
Her words were completely shattered and left to drift away in the air.
The varying shades, the subtle and alluring...
When Su Wanwan woke up, the man was already dressed.
High-class and aloof, like the snow-capped peaks of mountains, unattainable.
That ruthless urge to tear her apart and devour her seemed to have never existed.
He looked down at her face, his long, slender fingers gently yet forcefully prying open her fingers, their hands intertwining tightly.
After a long silence, he finally frowned and said softly, "I'm leaving."
Su Wanwan sat there hugging the blanket, swallowing the bitterness in her mouth, and managed to squeeze out a single word: "Mmm."
It's been two years.
He still only met with her occasionally.
There wasn't even a single promise.
Passionate in private, cold as ice in public.
She's already eighteen; if she doesn't get married soon, she'll be drowned in gossip.
This abnormal relationship was long overdue for it to end.
I wanted to settle things with him today.
Unexpectedly, he interrupted her, and she no longer had the courage to speak.
What exactly has she been all about these past two years?
A mere plaything that Prince Lu Xingjian couldn't present?
But she was clearly the granddaughter of the Grand Secretary and had been raised by the Empress Dowager for many years.
Even though she is a perfect match for the cold, aloof, and accomplished Crown Prince, being a Crown Princess wouldn't be beneath her.
He refused.
For years, the Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, and Emperor and Empress in the palace urged him to get married, but he remained unmoved and resolutely refused to agree to take a wife or concubine.
Two years ago, after drinking, he unexpectedly had sex with her.
They tacitly kept their drunken indiscretion a secret.
During each private meeting, the deep affection in his eyes seemed to melt her heart.
This made her believe that she was the only one he had ever chosen.
He will marry her and take responsibility for her.
To protect her reputation.
But upon closer reflection, he had never explicitly told her that he wanted to marry her.
Over the past two years, the only memories the two could recall were a few intimate encounters in bed.
Even when they meet in public, the two deliberately remain cold and distant, not exchanging a single word.
To avoid people speculating that they have a shady relationship.
However.
The palace was filled with gatherings ostensibly for flower viewing but in reality for matchmaking. Each unavoidable encounter felt like a slow, agonizing torture to her.
Watch as he casually surveys all the beauties.
Watch him move among the noble ladies with an air of aloof elegance.
She noticed that when he occasionally made eye contact with her, he would indifferently turn his gaze away.
After enduring countless heart-wrenching pains, she finally realized that he would not marry her.
She's overthinking it.
What choices do unmarried girls who have lost their chastity have?
If he doesn't marry, he'll only spend the rest of his life in seclusion, indulging in Buddhism and the dim light of a lamp.
It might even attract all sorts of suspicion and rumors, bringing shame to the family.
With a heavy heart, Su Wanwan headed towards the palace, only to find a man and a woman surrounded by a crowd standing at the corner.
The young girl was Xia Xueyi, the Empress's niece, her face flushed with shyness. "Cousin Crown Prince, I heard that Sister Wanwan has come to the West Garden. Have you seen her?"
Su Wanwan's heart pounded, and she hurriedly hid behind the artificial hill.
If people were to guess about her secret affair with the Crown Prince.
The crown prince would only have one more harmless romantic rumor, and would be scolded a few times by the emperor.
As for her, a court lady being fostered in the palace, she would be utterly disgraced and might even have to commit suicide to clear her name.
Lu Xingjian exudes an air of authority with every gesture, elegant and composed, making people dare not look up to him.
"Several jade artifacts have recently arrived at the Eastern Palace. Go and help me choose a few as birthday gifts for the Empress Dowager."
His voice was clear and crisp, carrying a nonchalant and relaxed quality, yet leaving no room for doubt.
Xia Xueyi's eyes lit up with excitement.
This is a personal invitation from His Highness the Crown Prince; it's extremely rare!
Why bother with Su Wanwan?
The two left together, Xia Xueyi laughing and talking to him.
Su Wanwan couldn't hear what they were saying.
All I saw was Lu Xingjian smile, as if ice and snow were melting and the warm sun was shining on the snow.
She leaned against the artificial hill, her eyes welling up with tears.
He rarely smiles.
The few times he smiled, it was all for Xia Xueyi.
That's understandable.
Xia Xueyi was the most popular candidate for Crown Princess, and both the Emperor and Empress favored her.
Lu Xingjian and Xia Xueyi looked perfectly matched from behind; they were a match made in heaven.
They can take walks openly, chat and laugh, and choose gifts for their elders together.
As for Su Wanwan, she was like a rat hiding in a ditch, unable to see the light of day, only fit to meet him secretly.
More importantly...
Xia Xueyi can help him please the emperor and empress.
As for Su Wanwan, just standing there would arouse the emperor and empress's disgust.
He's so smart, so calm and rational, he naturally knows who he should marry.
When the tears have dried, my face is taut.
She finally made up her mind, and the two of them ended things completely.
Three days later.
Su Wanwan helped the ailing Empress Dowager finish her medicine.
The young palace maid of Kunning Palace had been waiting for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn: "Her Majesty the Empress requests Miss Su to come to Kunning Palace."
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