Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lu Yan’s and Si Jin’s minds had already crashed into a pile of rubble.
Qi Qingyao was the first to return to her senses. She rubbed her forehead. Barely hiding her anger, she said, “State Preceptor, I have no idea what kind of madness has suddenly come over you.”
Li Ruoxuan replied innocently, “I’m being very sincere.”
Her expression dark, Qi Qingyao said, “I’m not interested in the State Preceptor.”
Li Ruoxuan fell silent for a moment. Eyes half-closed, he gave a somewhat amused laugh. “Qi Qingyao, do you know what the consequences are for rejecting me?”
Consequences?
Was that a threat?
Si Jin instantly snapped back to reality and stood beside Qi Qingyao.
Qi Qingyao thought for a moment then said to Si Jin with a smile, “Everyone, please stand down for now.”
“Big Sis?” Si Jin said as he watched Li Ruoxuan astutely.
“Stand down for now!!” Qi Qingyao repeated authoritatively.
“There is something I need to discuss with the State Preceptor alone.”
Si Jin was unwilling to leave.
Lu Yan walked over to pull Si Jin away.
However, Si Jin remained in place.
Qi Qingyao had no choice but to get up. She walked over and caressed Si Jin’s head. “Be good!”
Si Jin merely gave her a serious glance.
“I will call out to you should something happen.” Qi Qingyao said reassuringly.
Si Jin pondered for a moment, but his beautiful face was filled with killing intent. “If he dares to bully you, I will come back and kill him, mark my words”
With a bright and charming smile, Qi Qingyao said, “If you’re going to say that, he surely won’t dare make a rash mistake.”
Only then did Si Jin leave the room with Lu Yan reluctantly.
Noticing the door was still open, Qi Qingyao went over and closed it expressionlessly.
Li Ruoxuan turned to look at her.
Qi Qingyao stood next to the door, her gaze constantly fixed on him.
Li Ruoxuan said with an air of casualness, “They’ve all left. I wonder what Yaoyao wishes to discuss with me in private?”
Qi Qingyao snapped, “Oh, f*ck you!”
Li Ruoxuan replied innocently, “Why are you cursing me? I came to propose marriage!”
“F*ck your proposal!” Qi Qingyao cursed, unable to hold herself back.
A touch of gloom trickled within Li Ruoxuan’s eyes. “You’re cursing me again.”
“So what if I curse you? I want to curse all eighteen generations of your ancestors!” As she cursed, however, an unexpected smile appeared on her face. “Kill me if you can.”
Li Ruoxuan replied blandly, “Why would I kill you? I’m not even allowed to love you.”
Love? This person was talking about love? Qi Qingyao gave a smile that seemed to express pity. “You’ve gone f*cking crazy.”
“I’m not crazy,” Li Ruoxuan said seriously.
Qi Qingyao silently looked at the refined and clean-dressed man with an eye patch over his right eye.
After a long silence, she said, “If you’re not crazy, then I’m the one who’s gone crazy, is that how it is?”
Li Ruoxuan shrugged but said nothing.
Qi Qingyao hollered, “Li Ruoxuan, let’s have a straightforward conversation!”
Li Ruoxuan raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to speak her mind.
Qi Qingyao said, “You want to marry me because I have Si Jin by my side and you think he is a useful and important chess piece! So, you want to make it so that you and the imperial court can use him!”
Li Ruoxuan’s heart trembled a beat. However, his expression was calm as usual as he said, “No. I like you in earnest. I fell for you that night by the lakeshore when you offered me a fried sugar cake.”
“Don’t be so disgusting.” Qi Qingyao rolled her eyes in annoyance. “You scheming old fox, you really think I don’t know what you’re thinking?”
As if he were trying to convince even himself, Li Ruoxuan repeated firmly, “I sincerely like you.”
Qi Qingyao smiled relaxedly and said, “Then carve out your heart for me.”
Li Ruoxuan, “…”
Qi Qingyao gave a delicate grin. “If you can’t, please go back.”
Li Ruoxuan did not know how to respond.
He was silent for a while.
Then he said.
“You’re truly a weird one.”
Qi Qingyao looked at him with raised brows.
Sounding puzzled, Li Ruoxuan said, “You’re clearly just a random little lady from a random village. Yet you have such a thorough understanding of the current political situation and human nature.” To top it off, she was a huge mystery herself…
Qi Qingyao chuckled.
“Qi Qingyao, I have a little more respect for you now,” Li Ruoxuan said.
Qi Qingyao scrutinized the gentle, clean, and astute man. She coolly replied, “Li Ruoxuan, you’re the kind of person who no one will ever truly experience love in your lifetime. You will die alone! And remain alone until then.”
Li Ruoxuan, “…”
Qi Qingyao added, “Someone who never treats others with sincerity will never be treated with sincerity. Scheming your every move, do you really think you escaped the shackles of fate? You treat others like chess pieces but, in the end, I think that you might actually be one who is being toyed by fate! Not to mention the very depressing kind.”
A conflicted look flashed through Li Ruoxuan’s eyes. He wiped his face, then turned away and stared into the unknown distance. His entire being seemed to be trapped in a vacant place. He turned his head to look at her after a long time.
“One’s place is defined by their duties. I cannot go back on this.”
…
…
News that Li Ruoxuan brought a large chest of gold to the Qi Residence reached Jiang Yeqian’s ears like a whirlwind. Jiang Yeqian, who had not slept well the night before, frowned as he rubbed his aching temples. Before he wondered about what that large chest contained, he was greeted with another piece of news.
He was told that Li Ruoxuan’s purpose for bringing a chest of gold to the Qi Residence was to propose marriage.
The brush in Jiang Yeqian’s hand fell to the floor with a clatter. Realization crashed upon him!