The two arrived at Jie Jing'an's location.
Dark guards were stationed all around.
Qin Yun was a little puzzled.
Was this nuisance, Jie Jing'an, under house arrest?
Confined by Xie Qianmo?
No wonder she hadn't seen Jie Jing'an bothering her lately!
Good riddance, it brought her peace!
Qin Yun glanced at Miao Yan'er.
Seeing the latter's timid demeanor, she stepped forward and knocked on the door.
After just three knocks,
the door opened.
However, it was a tall and thin servant who opened it.
"Scholar Qin, Princess Xi'an, our second prince said he will see no one. You should leave."
Qin Yun was surprised. "If he's not seeing anyone, why open the door?"
"Scholar Qin, please don't make things difficult for me!"
Qin Yun didn't want to disturb him, but seeing Miao Yan'er so dejected, she felt a pang of guilt.
It's so hard to love someone, especially someone who doesn't love you back!
Clearing her throat,
she decided, "What the heck! Since we're here, if I don't let Miao Yan'er see that nuisance Jie Jing'an, I'll feel uncomfortable too!"
"Second Prince, your guests are here, why are you hiding in your room? It's one thing not to come out and greet them, but to try and send them away, what kind of hospitality is this?"
Qin Yun's voice was loud. Jie Jing'an, who had been listless inside for a long time, initially thought he was dreaming when he heard Qin Yun's voice.
But outside the palace gate,
Qin Yun's voice continued to chatter incessantly.
Only then did he finally believe it wasn't a dream.
Qin Yun had really come!
She had come to see him!
Jie Jing'an hurriedly got out of bed, hastily put on his robes, and scrambled out of the room.
Outside the palace,
When Qin Yun saw Jie Jing'an suddenly appear, she was stunned.
Was this Jie Jing'an?
His face was covered in stubble, his hair disheveled, and his clothes untidy!
Compared to his usual handsome and extraordinary demeanor, it was a world of difference!
In contrast,
Miao Yan'er was different.
Her gaze towards Jie Jing'an was practically filled with adoration.
"Cousin!" Miao Yan'er rushed to Jie Jing'an's side and said with tears and snot, "Yan'er missed you so much. Why didn't you see Yan'er!"
Jie Jing'an didn't look at Miao Yan'er, his eyes were filled with joy as he looked at Qin Yun.
"Yun'er, you came to see me?"
Qin Yun asked doubtfully. "Yun'er? Since when were we this close, Second Prince?"
Qin Yun's reminder instantly sobered Jie Jing'an.
He looked down at his attire, then touched his hair, and then his stubble.
He instantly felt terrible!
His slovenly appearance had been seen by Qin Yun!
Jie Jing'an quickly said, "Qin Yun, wait here for a moment, I'll be right out!"
With that, he darted away.
Qin Yun ignored him, only saying to Miao Yan'er by her side, "County Princess, you've seen the Second Prince. I have nothing else to do here, so I'll be leaving now."
"Scholar Qin, won't you stay a little longer?"
Qin Yun waved her hand. "I won't disturb you and the Second Prince's romantic talk!"
Inside the room,
Jie Jing'an changed into proper robes, then washed up and shaved.
In a short while, he had tidied himself up into a handsome young man.
When he came out,
Qin Yun was nowhere to be seen in the courtyard.
Only Miao Yan'er remained.
"Where is Qin Yun?" Jie Jing'an asked Miao Yan'er.
Looking at Jie Jing'an, who had regained his handsome appearance, Miao Yan'er shyly lowered her head. "Scholar Qin said she wouldn't disturb my cousin and me's romantic talk, so she left."
"Who wants to have a romantic talk with you? Yan'er, can you be a bit more reserved and stop running to my palace every few days!"
Jie Jing'an wanted to go out to chase Qin Yun, but the dark guards blocked his path.
"Move aside, all of you! Otherwise, I won't be polite!" Jie Jing'an was furious.
He had only taken the time to change his clothes, how could Qin Yun have left?
He must have taken too long, so Qin Yun couldn't wait and had left.
If he had known this, he wouldn't have changed.
He just wanted to leave a good impression on Qin Yun, but unexpectedly...!
"Second Prince, we are only acting on orders. Please do not make things difficult for us!" The dark guards all lowered their heads but refused to move aside.
"You are seeking death!" Jie Jing'an was angry and immediately engaged in a fight with several dark guards.
Although Jie Jing'an was skilled in martial arts, the other party had superior numbers, and he was eventually defeated.
Perhaps it was Jie Jing'an's stubbornness, but the dark guards initially did not want to harm him. However, Jie Jing'an's attacks were vicious!
The dark guards had no choice but to injure him.
Seeing her beloved man injured, Miao Yan'er rushed forward to help him.
"Cousin, why are you so foolish? You knew you couldn't win, yet you were so stubborn!"
Pushing Miao Yan'er aside, Jie Jing'an said angrily, "I don't need you to worry about me, get out!"
Get out?
At this moment, Miao Yan'er's tears flowed like a faucet.
"Cousin, I am your betrothed wife. Why are you treating me like this?"
She knew she wasn't beautiful enough, nor good enough.
But her heart had been with her cousin since childhood.
Her cousin wasn't that outstanding either, but when you love someone, you have to accept all of them!
However, after her continuous efforts all these days, what did she get in return?
Miao Yan'er was heartbroken and hated herself for not being more assertive.
Jie Jing'an slumped to the ground, looking dejected.
Listening to Miao Yan'er crying so sorrowfully beside him,
he suddenly felt, was he being cruel to her?
He liked Qin Yun, but Qin Yun was not interested in him.
It could be said that Qin Yun's feelings were not on him.
His love for Qin Yun was one-sided.
At first, he had a secret crush on a certain woman.
Later, when he learned that the woman was Qin Yun, he wanted to love her openly.
But what about Qin Yun's feelings towards him?
He wasn't stupid; he could feel that the closer he got to Qin Yun, the more she disliked him.
And thinking about Miao Yan'er now,
she seemed very similar to him.
Miao Yan'er liked him very much, but his heart was not with her.
He treated Miao Yan'er's affection with utter disregard!
If Qin Yun ignored his love, he would be in great pain.
Conversely,
Miao Yan'er was his present self.
"I'm sorry!" Jie Jing'an lowered his head, as if apologizing to Miao Yan'er.
He knew this feeling of loving someone in vain.
Miao Yan'er froze.
She never expected Jie Jing'an to apologize to her.
"Cousin, I'm fine!" Miao Yan'er's anger subsided as quickly as it arose.
With just one apology from Jie Jing'an, she immediately wiped away her tears.
"Yan'er, I know Uncle arranged our marriage. Can you give me some time?"
Miao Yan'er smiled. "Cousin, Yan'er is willing to wait. As long as I can be with you, even waiting a few more years is fine."
Jie Jing'an nodded, remaining silent.
"Cousin, let me help you inside. You're injured. Yan'er will help you apply medicine." Miao Yan'er said gently.
Jie Jing'an nodded again, without speaking.
He was mentally and physically exhausted now.
Should he try to accept Miao Yan'er?
Looking at the dark guards in front of him, Jie Jing'an narrowed his eyes.
Tonight, he had to find a way to get out.
He couldn't wait any longer.
There were some things he was afraid he would regret for the rest of his life if he didn't say them!