The carriage came to a halt, and Wanqing didn’t bother to hide her actions, continuing to lean against the man beside her as she reached out to lift the curtain.
“Princess Qingyang…” Seeing the furious little figure standing in their way with her maid, Wanqing didn’t take it seriously at all. Instead, she turned to the man beside her and whispered, “This girl, Qingyang, what are you doing?”
The little one’s gaze was fixed on her. Although Leng Mingye knew her abilities far surpassed those of the young maid, and the maid stood no chance against her, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of exasperation and understanding. He knew the little one wanted him to settle things with Qingyang once and for all.
With a helpless sigh, Leng Mingye took the curtain from the little one’s hand and looked at Princess Qingyang, asking calmly, “Cousin, is she worth it for you? Before, I didn’t understand, but for her, you lost years of your inner strength and sacrificed a decade of your youth. Yet she is your cousin. Now, injured as you are, you still insist on going to Daqi with her. Cousin, what you’re doing is immoral and will lead nowhere. Do you really want to keep making this mistake?”
Wu Qingyang thought of the news she’d heard from her second cousin. The idea of him leaving for Daqi, with no telling when he’d return, filled her with dread. Worse still, she’d learned of all he’d sacrificed for Wanqing. She couldn’t help but regret not being there when he was injured.
Though her heart ached with worry, her disbelief overshadowed everything. They were cousins, yet they dared to flaunt their relationship so openly. If word got out, wouldn’t it bring shame to both families? And they were members of the royal family—such an act would invite public scorn and condemnation.
Wu Qingyang knew her cousin had no feelings for her, and he’d made it clear they could never be together. But he could choose anyone—anyone except Mu Wanqing.
Now, as Leng Mingye coldly questioned her, Wu Qingyang noticed how much older he looked in just a few days. His face was pale, his expression weary beyond words.
Behind him stood the little one, his hand resting possessively on her waist. Though Wu Qingyang told herself this man was truly suited to her, his heart belonged to another. Worse still, their relationship was one that should never be. Yet here they were, embracing so brazenly.
Even though Wanqing was a princess, Wu Qingyang couldn’t suppress her resentment. Pointing out their current status, she asked bitterly, “Qingyang, this is between her and me. It has nothing to do with you, does it? I love her. Is that wrong?”
Seeing Wu Qingyang’s reaction, the little one moved to leave his side. Though they shared no blood relation, and Wu Qingyang’s concern was well-intentioned, Leng Mingye had no patience for explanations.
As the little one tried to pull away, his large hand tightened around her waist, keeping her close. He turned back to Wu Qingyang, his gaze piercing as he countered, “Loving her isn’t wrong, but being together like this—isn’t that wrong? Princess Qingya, I know you’re a princess, and I, Wu Qingyang, have no right to judge you. But as a royal, how can you carry on so shamelessly with your own cousin? Aren’t you afraid of the scandal, the condemnation you’ll both face?”
Leng Mingye’s words made Wu Qingyang sway slightly on her feet. Heartbroken, she stared at him. When he remained silent, her eyes shifted to the little one beside him, to the tenderness in his gaze as he looked at Wanqing.
Though she knew her cousin was unyielding and not someone to cross, Wu Qingyang couldn’t help but direct her anger at Wanqing. “Princess Qingyang, out of respect for Mingye, I’ll ignore your words. What happens between him and me is none of your concern. As for whether we face scorn or blame, that’s not for you to decide, is it? If you came just to say this, we appreciate your concern. But Mingye won’t leave me. Right, Mingye?”
Wu Qingyang’s bitter words might have moved others, but Wanqing felt no gratitude. Seeing the affection in her eyes for Leng Mingye, Wanqing merely smiled faintly and pressed closer to the man beside her, looking up at him for confirmation.
“Yes. We have matters to attend to. Please step aside. Qingfeng…”
The little one’s words left Wu Qingyang pale and unsteady. Though Leng Mingye hated to hurt her, he knew it was better to end things cleanly. With a quiet sigh, he nodded in agreement and spoke calmly to Wu Qingyang.
Seeing tears glisten in her eyes but no sign of her moving, he hardened his expression and called to Qingfeng. “Princess, please return. Even the prince and princess consort cannot interfere in my master’s affairs with Her Highness. It’s best you leave now.”
Qingfeng, inwardly sighing at the united front his master and Wanqing presented, stepped forward reluctantly. “Princess, you should go back. My master and Her Highness’s relationship is beyond reproach. Please, for your own sake.”
“You—you two… Mu Wanqing, who you love is none of my business. But when it’s my cousin, I won’t stand by and watch you ruin him. You can afford to be reckless, but he can’t. Just wait—wait until the world sees your true, ugly face. Hmph! Let’s go.”
Seeing her words fall on deaf ears, and the couple flaunting their affection right before her, Wu Qingyang trembled with rage. But in front of the man she loved, she couldn’t bring herself to lash out.
Instead, she directed all her fury at Wanqing, spitting out venomous words before stomping away with her maid in tow.
“Sigh… I’ve made you suffer. Once we return from Daqi, I’ll reveal my true identity. Then no one will dare speak ill of you again.”
Watching Wu Qingyang leave, Leng Mingye felt a pang of guilt. She knew the truth of their relationship yet hadn’t exposed them. Though her departure was filled with anger, he could only shake his head helplessly.
Turning to the little one, who had sat up straight again, he smiled faintly as the carriage resumed its journey. Thinking of Wu Qingyang’s accusations and threats, he looked at Wanqing apologetically. “It doesn’t matter. People can say what they want—it won’t take a piece of my flesh, will it? Besides, she genuinely cares for you. I won’t take it to heart. But you—coming with me to Daqi might bring many troubles. Are you sure you won’t regret it?”
Seeing the guilt and remorse in his eyes, Wanqing remained unruffled. She knew his history with Wu Qingyang ran deep. With a fearless smile, she replied, “Regret? The word doesn’t exist in Leng Mingye’s dictionary. Besides, won’t I have you all with me? What is there to fear? Tired? Rest if you are.”
Her words drew a proud chuckle from him. Though the loss of his inner strength weighed on him, her faith in him warmed his heart. What did it matter if he’d lost his power? To lose his pride and self-respect would be true defeat.
With a faint smile, his face still pale but his spirit unbroken, he met her gaze firmly. As she feigned exhaustion, he pulled her closer again. “Mm.”
His changed demeanor reassured Wanqing. He was indeed a true man, undaunted by the sudden turn of events. Noticing his own weariness, she pretended to be tired as well, nodding obediently before closing her eyes.
Once her eyes were shut, she heard him yawn softly and settle into rest. Peeking through her lashes, she studied his profile—the silver strands at his temples, the mature, steadfast lines of his face—and lost herself in thought.
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