He shakily reached out his hand, and Ye Qingxue immediately placed her hand in his palm, letting him hold it.
"What I said when I went to the Marquis's mansion to propose marriage a few months ago still stands. I just don't know if Miss Ye still remembers it."
"I used to think that the brother by your side was just a guard. I admit that I was not as good as him in martial arts. I originally thought I could win your favor by surpassing him in officialdom or in literary talent..."
Pan Heng gave a wry smile.
"However, I later learned that the person was actually His Highness Prince Jing. In this light, whether it was martial arts, literary talent, or even family background, I was always inferior to him."
"I think I can never compare to him in this lifetime, and I will never be able to win your favor. Tonight... tonight I feel very, very honored to have been able to shield you from the sword."
Ye Qingxue said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that. I didn't have much time left at the time, and I wasn't a good match for you, young master..."
Ye Qingxue's warm tears fell onto his face.
A glint of light flashed in Pan Heng's eyes, and he gripped Ye Qingxue's hand even tighter.
"To hear you say that, young lady, I am very happy..." Pan Heng said, "Although I cannot compare with His Highness Prince Jing in other aspects, I believe that my feelings for you are no less than His Highness Prince Jing's..."
Although shielding her from the sword was completely unexpected, and that wasn't why he entered the palace, he hadn't even imagined Ye Qingxue would be here.
However, he felt very happy and honored to be able to shield her from the sword.
At least in terms of affection, he didn't lose to Prince Jing, did he?
He must have at least one thing he can be proud of, right?
"Don't say anything more. In my heart, you've always been very, very good," Ye Qingxue said. "I've never really compared you to Prince Jing."
“No, let me speak. If I don’t speak now… I might never have another chance,” Pan Heng said.
"I want to ask you a question, young lady: if we are lucky enough to survive tonight, but Prince Jing... Prince Jing will never return, would you... would you marry me?"
Ye Qingxue was stunned.
She had never thought about getting married before.
Later, when she planned to get married and have children, she only wanted to be with Yun Zhuo.
But at this moment, Pan Heng's face turned ashen, yet he kept staring at her expectantly, hoping for an answer from her.
He was dying, so he was asking her for comfort.
It was just a consolation, why couldn't she give it? Ye Qingxue cursed herself inwardly!
Why are you so stingy? You can't even offer a word of comfort! He took a sword for you! Can't you even get a word of comfort in return for a sword?
Pan Yuanzhou cried so hard that his body hunched over.
"You won't die!" Ye Qingxue pulled her hand away and grasped his hand in return. "Neither of us will die! Great Zhou won't perish! I will save you, don't talk nonsense!"
She spoke with great conviction, even a little loudly, as if by doing so, Pan Heng would survive and they would truly win.
But why is she talking so incoherently?
Is it that deep down you're not actually that determined?
Pan Heng looked at her, the light in his eyes gradually fading.
Pan Yuanzhou said, "Miss Ye, Heng'er is dying. Please lie to him, let him hold on, give him hope so he can persevere! I'm begging you!"
Pan Yuanzhou made a gesture as if he was about to kneel down before her.
Ye Qingxue felt as if she had been struck by a blunt object. She immediately said, "I promise you, after tonight's events are over, as long as you survive, I will marry you. You must hold on! If you die, I will have no choice but to marry someone else!"
Pan Heng's expression froze for a moment, then a smile crept into his eyes: "Although I know you're just trying to comfort me, I'm still very happy... Thank you for being willing to lie to me..."
He then turned to look at Pan Yuanzhou: "I'm sorry, Father, your son can't protect you to the end..."
Yun Chi, who was not far away, had been watching this scene the whole time. He had heard everything Ye Qingxue said, and his brows furrowed even deeper, with a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He spurred his horse forward two steps, and countless guards, armed with weapons, surrounded him, forming an impenetrable barrier.
He stopped less than two zhang away from Ye Qingxue and raised his hand to signal everyone to temporarily cease fighting.
As the sounds of fighting gradually subsided, he looked down at Ye Qingxue from his high vantage point.
General Lan, Dongbai, and Qiushen stood protectively in front of Ye Qingxue, as if to say, "If you want to kill her, you'll have to step over our corpses."
Yun Chi looked past them and directly at Ye Qingxue.
"Ye Qingxue, are you still waiting for Prince Xuan to arrive with reinforcements while you guard the Zichen Palace? Stop waiting! Prince Xuan is already one of our men! His temporary departure wasn't to fetch reinforcements for you, but rather to come with Princess Lingyang and her troops to ambush and kill you!"
When these words reached the hall, everyone was shocked and horrified.
Yun Chi continued, "Ye Qingxue, I have always remembered our marriage agreement from many years ago. If you follow me now, I will spare your life and the lives of your people. What do you say?"
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