Chapter 44

Chapter 44: A Rarely Seen Handsome Man

Long Yue Li captured her hand, bringing it to his lips, his gaze deep and knowing: "Even if I am that kind of person, why can’t I be sincere towards you? Aren’t you aware of your own allure more than anyone else?"

Leng Jiu lifted his chin, leaning in close: "The one thing I trust the least is the human heart. I’ll say it again: I don’t mind your body, but don’t talk to me about love, don’t meddle in my affairs, and don’t try to gain anything from me."

Long Yue Li stared at her intently, then suddenly bit her lip fiercely, speaking with a mix of warmth and anger: "Jiu'er! I truly wish I could peel open your heart to see if it’s really empty inside!"

"Rest assured, it’s full of flesh and blood, but devoid of the feelings you seek," Leng Jiu responded coolly, undisturbed by the pain on her lips.

Eventually, Long Yue Li released her and left the bed, departing as silently as he had arrived.

Leng Jiu calmly withdrew her gaze, pulled the blanket over herself, and went to sleep. Men, after all! Meanwhile, Long Yue Li sat on the roof of Xuan Wang Mansion with five jars of osmanthus wine, drinking alone until dawn.

After that night, Long Yue Li stopped seeking Leng Jiu, and she didn’t inquire about him either. She changed clothes and sneaked out of the palace as usual. Shortly after leaving, she paused, a sly smile playing on her lips – this time, it seemed she had gained a tail. She was always watched when leaving the palace, never knowing who was behind it, but she could easily shake them off. However, this time was different; there were two watchers from different directions, indicating they were not from the same faction. Intrigued but feigning ignorance, she continued on her way.

Leng Jiu had initially planned to change clothes, but now she didn’t bother. She headed straight to the Prime Minister's mansion, entering through the front gate. She didn’t stop but vaulted inside and sprinted through the mansion. The two followers, seeing her enter, naturally came in to investigate, unaware that Leng Jiu was waiting for them.

"Who's there?" A cold shout startled the two intruders. As they realized they were discovered, they also noticed each other. Knowing they were caught, they turned to flee, but their discovery meant there was no chance of escape.

Leng Jiu noticed several shadows clashing in the blink of an eye, but unbeknownst to everyone, another figure had already slipped away unnoticed.

Leng Jiu arrived at the inn, changed back into her usual clothes, added a beauty mark to her face, and then merrily made her way to the Prime Minister's mansion.

"Miss Xiao Jiu!" The gatekeeper Xiao Qian brightened upon seeing her: "You finally came!"

Leng Jiu, in a hurry today, hadn’t brought any gifts. She looked at him innocently, spreading her hands: "I don’t have any bribe for you today. Will you let me in?"

Xiao Qian chuckled: "What are you saying, Miss Xiao Jiu? Am I that kind of person? Go on in. Coincidentally, Young Master Yu Wei is here!"

"Thanks!" Leng Jiu waved at him and hopped inside. She quickly reached the spot where the scuffle had occurred, just in time to see two men in green being led to kneel before Gong Yiwei. Leng Jiu didn’t recognize either of them.

"Big Brother!" Leng Jiu called out softly. Gong Yiwei, who was seriously interrogating the prisoners, was startled and immediately ordered, “Lock them up for now. We’ll interrogate them later!”

"Big Brother!" Leng Jiu rushed over, only catching a glimpse of the backs of the two men being led away. She looked at Gong Yiwei in confusion: "Why were they arrested?"

Gong Yiwei looked at her tenderly, almost instinctively wanting to touch her forehead but restrained himself: "They just committed some offenses. By the way, what brings you here today?"

"Don’t you like my visits?" Leng Jiu’s face fell: "My mother said the Prime Minister's mansion is a noble house, not somewhere for a little girl like me. She forbade me from coming, but I wanted to see you, so I sneaked out!"

Gong Yiwei, initially anxious at her words, felt sweetened by her last sentence, awkwardly explaining: “You’re welcome here anytime if you like it.”

Leng Jiu looked up uncertainly: "Really, Big Brother?"

Gong Yiwei nodded: "Of course, it's true!"

Leng Jiu then smiled: "You’re the best, Big Brother!"

Gong Yiwei’s face flushed slightly, torn between wanting to look at Leng Jiu and feeling too shy. His conflicted expression was endearingly pure.

"Oh! I still have to go shopping. I should leave now, won’t stay longer. I’ll visit you again next time!" As she was about to leave, she felt her sleeve being tugged, forcing her to stop and turn back in confusion to Gong Yiwei: "Do you need something else, Big Brother?"

Gong Yiwei, realizing she was looking at him, quickly let go as if burned, his ears turning red. After a long pause, he finally said, “I have to go out too. I can accompany Xiao Jiu.”

Leng Jiu blinked in surprise: "Ah?"

Thus, Gong Yiwei, blushing, followed Leng Jiu on her shopping spree. She occasionally glanced back at him, trying to maintain a cold demeanor but betrayed by his red ears, making Leng Jiu wonder – was he shy?

Her gaze fell on a small jade gourd hanging from his waist, looking familiar. Could it be the one she gave him? She had chosen it as a token of gratitude, nothing too valuable for her current status. She thought a person of his stature wouldn’t pay much heed to such a trinket, but...

As Leng Jiu pondered, a smile involuntarily curled her lips. Could it be, perhaps, that he had developed feelings for her? The thought almost made her burst into laughter, but Gong Yiwei's next question truly shocked her.

"Xiao Jiu, you mentioned last time that your mother was considering your marriage proposal. Has she agreed?"

Leng Jiu shook her head: "No!" She thought to herself, 'Agree to what? My mother has been dead for hundreds of years!'

Gong Yiwei fell silent upon hearing her response. Leng Jiu looked at him curiously, only to see him looking nervous. After a while, he asked softly, "If I were to propose, Xiao Jiu... would you marry me?"

Boom! Leng Jiu's suspicions were confirmed, leaving her speechless. She had thought Gong Yiwei too timid to say anything shocking, but he had just proposed! She intended to brush it off, but seeing his earnest and hopeful eyes, she found herself unable to utter a single insincere word.

Although he appeared cold, Gong Yiwei was kind-hearted and pure. She had always been using him, even just now to get rid of her tail, while he had never done anything to displease her, always careful not to upset her. How could she continue to deceive him?