Leng Mingye’s words were resolute and firm.
The Grand Princess hesitated. She had watched this boy grow up and knew his temperament well. Her granddaughter had indeed followed him around since childhood, but she had never gotten the desired outcome. Now, even after bringing it up at the royal banquet, he still refused. Could it be that he had no romantic feelings for her granddaughter at all?
“Ye’er regards the princess as his younger sister. If the Grand Princess and the Empress Dowager insist on forcing us together, it will only delay her and ruin her happiness. Thus, I humbly request…”
Seeing the Grand Princess’s expression soften, Leng Mingye sighed helplessly. As for Princess Qingyang, she had indeed been arrogant and domineering before, but these past few days, she had shown rare tenderness toward him. She had frequently visited his home and gotten along well with his parents, especially his mother.
Had it not been for his mother repeatedly mentioning her to him, he might not have given her a second thought. But feelings were feelings—or rather, the lack thereof.
And so, he clasped his fists and pleaded once more.
“Let us discuss this matter another time. For now, Ye’er, take your seat. Mother, Grand Aunt, what do you think?”
The Emperor, seeing the situation, smiled faintly and mediated.
“Very well. Let us set this aside for now. But Ye’er, you are no longer young. Surely there must be a woman who has caught your heart?”
The Empress Dowager, overjoyed at the reunion of her family and the addition of Wanqing—a granddaughter she adored from the bottom of her heart—smiled gently and nodded, not wanting the mood to be spoiled. She turned to Leng Mingye with a question.
“There is.”
Leng Mingye had distinguished himself in the operation to capture Prince An, and his father and brother had always been close to the current Emperor. Hearing the Empress Dowager’s question, his deep gaze flickered toward Wanqing, who stood nearby in her palace attire, before he answered softly.
“Oh? Which lady? Perhaps I could arrange a marriage for you here and now.”
The Empress Dowager chuckled in surprise at his answer. Though Wu Qingyang was indeed beautiful and refined, she had always been simple-minded and arrogant. His refusal was not unexpected, but she still smiled and pressed him.
“You—”
At that moment, Wu Qingyang, humiliated and furious, stood up abruptly. She shot a reproachful glance at her grandmother and Leng Mingye before covering her lips, tears welling in her eyes as she stormed off.
“The Empress Dowager has said that today is a joyous occasion. As for that woman, I have yet to confess my feelings to her, so I shall refrain from revealing her identity for now. It is not too late to speak of it once I have made my intentions clear.”
Leng Mingye watched as Wu Qingyang left in tears, sighing apologetically before turning his gaze to Wanqing beside the Empress Dowager. His eyes, filled with unspoken emotions, lingered on her in full view of everyone.
Wanqing, seated beside the Empress Dowager, tensed. After all, they were cousins. Though past misunderstandings had led to an intimate encounter between them, she had repeatedly told herself that nothing could come of it. Yet, the way he looked at her made her heart race. Hearing his words, she finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“Oh, very well. Grand Princess, perhaps you should go check on Qingyang.”
Though puzzled by Leng Mingye’s rejection of the stunning Wu Qingyang in favor of another woman—especially since the usually aloof and indifferent young lord seemed so cautious about this mystery woman—the Empress Dowager nodded with a faint smile. Watching Wu Qingyang flee in tears, she spoke to the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess, though helpless, nodded apologetically to the others before hurrying after her granddaughter.
“Why? Why? What is wrong with me? Why can’t you see my worth, my efforts? Why?”
The Grand Princess followed Wu Qingyang deep into the garden, where the girl had collapsed beneath a tree, pounding the trunk in frustration and humiliation. Sighing, the Grand Princess approached.
“Yang’er, matters of the heart are like this. If it isn’t there, it simply isn’t. Forcing it will only bring you pain. I’ve watched you grow up—how could I not understand your feelings? But his heart does not belong to you. Even if the Emperor and Empress Dowager were to arrange a marriage, you would have his person but not his heart. Would that truly make you happy, child?”
Seeing her granddaughter strike the tree in anger, the Grand Princess stepped forward and embraced her from behind, stopping her from hurting herself. As Wu Qingyang finally stilled, her tear-streaked face turned toward her grandmother, who continued gently,
“Grandmother, I just can’t accept it! I’ve always been good to him, always made my feelings clear. But he—he—”
Wu Qingyang’s voice trembled with resentment. She had once believed Leng Mingye favored Wanqing, but now that Wanqing was revealed as her cousin—and his—that possibility was gone. Yet he had still publicly rejected her. As a proud noblewoman, she had never suffered such humiliation.
“I know, I know. You’ve always been as proud as Ye’er. But now, more than ever, you must face this with grace. Otherwise, others will take this matter seriously. My earlier words were merely casual—if you react like this, people will assume there was truth to them. The dignity of our household, your reputation—all will suffer.”
The Grand Princess sighed. Her granddaughter had been spoiled, but her outburst would only invite gossip.
“I… Grandmother, I was wrong. I—”
Wu Qingyang finally calmed, though bitterness still lingered. Wiping her tears, she followed the Grand Princess back to the banquet.
Seeing everyone toasting Leng Mingye, she approached him as if nothing had happened, raising her cup with forced composure and offering him blessings.
“Thank you, Yang’er. I’m glad you understand. From now on, we remain as siblings—I will protect and care for you as always.”
Leng Mingye, sensing the change in her demeanor, frowned slightly but raised his cup in return and drank.
“Now, this is much better.”
The Empress Dowager, pleased, exchanged smiles with the Emperor and Prince Ning before nodding approvingly at the Grand Princess. The Grand Princess, though still concerned for her granddaughter, forced a smile and nodded along.
And so, the banquet continued without further incident.
“Cousin, wait—”
That day, with Prince An’s deception exposed and peace restored to the palace, many drank freely in celebration.
After the banquet, Wu Qingyang, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, chased after Leng Mingye as he excused himself for some air.
“Please, stay a moment!”
Her voice carried across the courtyard as she called after his retreating figure.
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