Meng Fuyao sat, dumbstruck, on one side. She couldn’t understand how things had escalated so quickly, with her as the main topic. She looked down a little and mumbled, “Why look at me? I’m doing great…”

Zong Yue, who was taking her pulse, raised a brow and commented coldly, “Very good indeed, weak energy level, irregular pulse. Too great. We’re all just looking for problems.”

Meng Fuyao shut up instantly, no longer daring to talk.

The atmosphere in the room sank, and the air became cold. Zhangsun Wuji kept quiet until some time later, where he responded slowly, “It is indeed something I’d have to explain to her. As for you, Prince, there’s no need for me to.”

“Yes, you don’t have to report anything to me, and I’m not planning to listen to the schemes of a man who uses even someone he fancies,” Zhan Beiye stated coldly before getting up and pointing at Meng Fuyao. “Observing her over the past few days has made me realize her feelings. I, Zhan Beiye, am not one to pester shamelessly, and my dignity isn’t all that worthless. I’ve thought about giving up as long as she can be happy, but now, I’ve changed my mind.”

He untied his jade pendant from his belt and slapped it onto the table. “This is my betrothal gift to you,” he declared.

Zhangsun Wuji’s brows twitched, and Zong Yue’s face turned white, while Meng Fuyao jumped.

‘Be… be… be… trothal… thal… how did things escalate so quickly…?’

“Fuyao, I once thought that if you like him, there’s nothing for me to say. Now, though, I think he’s not good enough for you. He will get you into trouble. He doesn’t separate personal from political. Marrying him is no different from marrying into politics, and your whole life will be bound by schemes and storms. He’s never going to give up his nation for you, and you… you’re independent and unwilling to subject yourself to others’ protection. It will be exhausting to live a life with him if you can even stay alive. I’m not going to witness the woman I love walk on a path like this, so I’ll place this betrothal gift here. It’s fine if you don’t accept it, Fuyao, and I’d have nothing to say if you want to toss it away, Zhangsun Wuji. My point is that I’m never going to give up!”

‘What an aggressive confession. So… sincere…’

Meng Fuyao lowered her eyes. In that instant, Zhan Beiye had indeed touched her heart. A tyrant like him actually possessed such rich emotions. He was fiery yet tender, and he had read her feelings and identified all the good and bad. He had seriously taken her future into consideration and only decided on his action upon determining that it was an unhappy future.

Meng Fuyao disliked his forthrightness in the past, but now it seemed that he had been acting in that way for her. She was at the core of his mind, and he had only her best interests at heart.

Meng Fuyao was rather lost as to how she had captured his heart. They hadn’t known each other for long so she couldn’t understand how he could be so certain of his choice. While thinking, she did not notice that he was staring at her and had left something unspoken.

It was something his mother had whispered to him, long before her condition.

“Son, do not let go of the first person you take a fancy to. It’s an affinity heaven is blessing you with. Only pain and regret will ensue if you miss it.”

She had a smile on her face when she shared her wisdom, but there was an underlying pain beneath her eyes. It was a pitiful smile that withered all flowers in Yudan Palace.

At this moment, he looked at Meng Fuyao and was reminded of the times where his mother’s palace was filled with freshly bloomed flowers. It was beauty that had so carefully been developed and sheltered, and not meant to be tortured and eventually destroyed by the harsh wind, fire, and bloodshed that were politics.

The atmosphere turned rather awkward, and there was tension in the air. Zhangsun Wuji’s smile never faltered. He simply kept his eyes on the pendant while Zhan Beiye stood his ground. Meng Fuyao looked down, as if accepting punishment, and she heard a sigh coming from Zong Yue shortly after.

She looked up, startled and with her mouth wide opened. ‘No way, clean freak, not you too right? Please do not join in–––’

“I’m not joining in,” Zong Yue stated, as though he knew mind reading as well. Meng Fuyao sighed in relief before he took out the belt and placed it beside the pendant.

Meng Fuyao’s mind exploded. ‘When did he take it? Ah, ah, ah, what’s this… ah, ah, ah, I shouldn’t have been greedy…’

“Not to worry. It’s not a betrothal gift. I have no plans to marry you. You’re so ugly,” Zong Yue smiled kindly while pointing at the belt, “I just want to tell you that I agree with some of the things the War God has mentioned, so I’m officially giving this to you. If you ever bump into problems or are being bullied, take this to any medical hall named Guang De, and someone will help you. ”

Meng Fuyao leaned back, tears wetting her eyes. “I appreciate your kindness, Mister Zong Yue…”

“I never take given gifts.” Zong Your proceeded to leave, and when he reached the door, he turned around with a smile on his face. The smile was no different from the light pink cherry blossoms outside the window.

“It will come in handy one day, I suppose.”

Meng Fuyao watched as his silhouette disappeared into a cluster of cherry blossom trees. Not knowing to sigh or escape with her face covered, she bit on her lips while looking at Zhangsun Wuji. Zhan Beiye and Zong Yue had, with their own methods, challenged him, and she did not know how he was feeling.

He did not get angry or anything like that. Only, his face had turned slightly pale, and the expression he had on was complicated. Strange emotions were swimming in his eyes but he never once reciprocated Zhan Beiye’s cold gaze.

A long time later he leaned back a little, evidently tired, and spoke in a low voice, “You’re right, Zhan Beiye. I haven’t thought it through clearly, and I have no qualms if Fuyao were to blame me for it.

The loneliness in his voice caused Meng Fuyao to tremble, as she recalled the words he had spoken before she woke up. It was something that raised doubt, but it wasn’t the time to question him. All she wanted to do was to dig two holes on the ground and keep the two men separated. Otherwise, she would be the victim of the collision between lightning and fire.

Unfortunately, the catastrophe wasn’t over.

Zhan Beiye strode over suddenly to shove the pendant into Meng Fuyao’s view. “There’s nothing to hide at this point. Let me ask you straight: Do you accept this?”

Meng Fuyao sat motionlessly.

Zhangsun Wuji turned to look at her.

Zhan Beiye seemed not to have the intention to retract his extended hand. He looked at Meng Fuyao with passionate determination.

Meng Fuyao stared at the clear jade, sensing the fire within it. It was a fire that drilled right into her heart, causing her to lose herself. It was an awkward and unbearable moment. She couldn’t keep it, but couldn’t bear to hurt his pride. After all, it wasn’t something a ruthless rejection could simply end. Plus, Zhangsun Wuji was present, and not accepting the pendant might work to a new round of misunderstandings.

Meng Fuyao felt that she could be ruthless when killing people or when taking revenge, but of people were to be kind to her, her good conscience would take over and bind her hands and feet, rendering her helpless.

‘Ah, can I faint now? Too fake, isn’t it?’

Her pupils darted about as she pondered over it for almost a decade. Finally, she made a choice. ‘I’m not going to accept it, and I’m going to make things clear. I’m not accepting anything from anyone!’

The next second she hesitated, thinking about how her action would hurt Zhan Beiye forever. A person like him should be setting his pace and gaze on the Five Region Continent and not on herself.

Meng Fuyao raised her head and bit on her lips. As she was about to speak a hand reached toward her to accept the pendant.

It was Zhangsun Wuji!

Meng Fuyao’s head buzzed, and she was instantly confused. “What do you mean by this?” Zhan Beiye roared.

“Brother Zhan,” Zhangsun Wuji started with a smile. “Why put her in such a difficult position? Pursuing a lady isn’t just about giving and receiving gifts. Just as I’m giving her space, you too should give her the choice and freedom.”

“Have I denied her the freedom?” Zhan Beiye broke into a cold smile. “Don’t sow discord at every chance you get, Zhangsun Wuji. And Fuyao, don’t worry about me. I said I’m not going to give up, so I’m not going to disappear even if you reject me.”

“Since you’re not going to give up, why this jade?” Zhangsun Wuji smiled. “I don’t mean to sow discord, and me accepting this doesn’t represent her intention as well. I’m doing this to tell you that this is a fight between us, and she should remain out of it. What we need to do is not to force her into a decision but let her think about it and make her choice.”

Zhan Beiye kept silent while giving the other man a meaningful look. Meng Fuyao’s heart was leaning toward Zhangsun Wuji, but instead of taking the chance to show possessiveness, the latter had actually taken a step back and suggested a fair fight. It was a beautiful move that did not cause her to feel abandoned while helping her out of the difficult situation. At the same time, he had expressed his intention. Meng Fuyao was touched once more.