"Hmph!
The beast within couldn't be suppressed in the end!
Liu Donghuai maintained his previous posture, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
'Liu Donghuai, what are you, to dare covet a heavenly maiden.'
She must hate him now. Good. The road ahead was fraught with danger, and she should return to the capital as soon as possible.
For the next few days, Lingxi no longer went to the study to copy books. She hid in her room all day.
In reality, she didn't need to deliberately avoid Liu Donghuai. Even when she went out, she wouldn't see him. During the day, he was either working in the front office or out, and they barely encountered each other.
This evening, however, he returned early. It was the first time they had met since that day.
Liu Donghuai acted as if nothing had happened.
Lingxi had been a little apprehensive, but seeing his demeanor made her a little angry.
Indeed, this man was the best at concealing things. He always acted as if nothing had happened. Only she, with her heart in turmoil, foolishly worried about what he might say.
'In a few days, Scholar Fang will arrive in Donglin. When he does, you will return to the capital with him.'
Lingxi was stunned. She hadn't expected him to return early; he had specifically come back to tell her this.
He wanted her to return to the capital.
He knew perfectly well that she didn't want to go back.
'He is the husband the Emperor has chosen for you. Both in appearance and family background...'
Before Liu Donghuai could finish, Lingxi turned and ran.
She couldn't help but run. If she didn't, she would shed useless tears.
How could he do this? He had been like that just a few days ago!
They had almost kissed.
Why was this man so fickle? Did he really think she was that casual, and had just toyed with her that day?
She had thought that if she stayed longer, she might truly forget about asking her cousin Tang and fall for Liu Donghuai.
But it turned out she had been mistaken. He had no feelings for her at all.
Lingxi felt extremely wronged. When she felt wronged, she ran back to Bozi Village.
She cried to Xue Niang for a long time. Instead of saying she didn't want to return to the capital, she kept complaining that Liu Donghuai was a scoundrel.
'He said he'd bring me here, and now he says I should leave. I am a princess of this nation, who is he to control me!'
'Ha!' Xiao Beiyue suddenly jumped out from under the table, startling Lingxi.
'I understand! My auntie was bullied! Auntie, don't be afraid! Is it that pretty boy uncle living in the county office? I said he wasn't a good person. Who sends children ink and brushes? My father said, can you eat it or drink it? You wait! I'll go get revenge for you!'
The little one opened his mouth and shouted, 'Sister, don't hide! Let's go! Let's go be righteous heroes!'
Lingxi: '...'
Then, another little one crawled out from under the table.
Xue Niang slapped the table, 'Xiao Shan! Get in here!'
A wail ensued. Xiao Shan, carrying one child in each hand, turned back and couldn't help but argue, 'I really didn't say that. It must have been Third Brother. Look at this child, he's been taught to be so roguish by Third Brother. I'm going to settle accounts with Third Brother right now.'
'Father, it was clearly...'
Xiao Beiyue's head was pressed against Xiao Shan's waist, his short legs flailing uselessly as he struggled to say anything.
Xue Niang worried. Should she send him to school sooner? He was really being spoiled by Xiao Shan at home.
'I don't think Third Brother taught him. Third Brother isn't roguish at all,' Lingxi said, hiccuping, not forgetting to speak well of Third Brother.
Having taken the money, they had to do their job.
When did Lingxi understand Third Brother so well?
Xue Niang didn't think much of it. Listening to Lingxi's tearful account just now, she felt there was a serious problem between her and Liu Donghuai!
'I say, if you don't want to return to the palace, you need to find a foolproof solution. Otherwise, you could ask Liu Donghuai to have a fake marriage with you. That way, no one can control you.'
Xue Niang tentatively offered a very bad idea. She swore it was just to test Lingxi's reaction.
Lingxi took it seriously and very earnestly. Tears were still in her eyes as she began to ponder.
'A fake marriage? Isn't that deceiving the Emperor?'
'How is it deceiving the Emperor? The marriage is real, but you're just not real spouses. However, that's unfair to him. I don't think Liu Donghuai will agree.'
Lingxi stopped crying.
She didn't want to return to the palace, nor did she want to marry anyone. If a fake marriage could give her peace of mind in the future, it would be the best thing. Moreover, it was Liu Donghuai, whom she knew well. He was kind-hearted and had a connection with her, making him the best candidate.
It was just that it was indeed unfair to him.
At worst, if he found a woman he liked later, she could request to leave the marriage?
Lingxi made up her mind and didn't stay any longer. On the way, she thought it over again and felt it was a brilliant idea.
Now, it depended on whether Liu Donghuai could help.
As the carriage neared the county office entrance, Lingxi spotted Liu Donghuai from afar.
'Stop for a moment.'
She saw Liu Donghuai standing with a girl in purple. They were talking about something, and then Liu Donghuai took the girl's hand. From her perspective, their eyes met.
Perhaps, it was a tender gaze.
Lingxi suddenly lowered the carriage curtain. She felt a bit guilty like a peeping tom, but more so, a discomfort in her chest.
'Go through the back entrance.'
Lingxi started thinking about that idea again, but now it didn't seem so good. But how could what her sister had said be wrong?
She didn't know that after she left, Xue Niang was anxiously having Xiao Shan analyze what was going on.
Lingxi's mind was filled with thoughts of the girl in purple, her relationship with Liu Donghuai, and the more she thought about it, the more agitated she became.
By evening, she hadn't even eaten.
Liu Donghuai watched Chun Tao bring out the untouched, cold meal and finally knocked on the door.
'Lingxi, I want to talk to you.'
'Come in then,' Lingxi replied sullenly.
Liu Donghuai paused for a moment before pushing the door open. Lingxi was sitting by the window, her right hand propping her cheek, her back to him.
'Lingxi, we've known each other for a while, and we can be considered friends. As a friend, I hope you'll have a good life in the future.'
Lingxi remained still.
'I know Fang Siling. He is humble, a gentleman of integrity, from a noble family, and the most outstanding talent in the court. He is the most suitable match for you. You are not young anymore, and it would be a pity to miss such a good match.'
'I'm not forcing you to return to the capital. This is for your own good.'
He stared at Lingxi's back, and when no one was watching, his gaze became unrestrained, seeming to hold a hint of pain.
Lingxi was playing with a small mirror in her hand, seeing his expression clearly, but she was unsure.
Why was he in pain?
'Liu Donghuai, do you have someone you like?'
Someone you like?
He didn't before, but now, perhaps he did.
He didn't know when he had started to care about her, which was why he had been so agitated recently, deliberately avoiding her, and even suffering from sleepless nights.
He didn't dare to say how strong his self-control was, but since childhood, he had never lost control of himself.
But now, every time he saw her, a wild impulse would emerge, wanting to break free.
Hearing her question, he thought of the person who had made her heart turn to ashes, and he misunderstood her meaning.
'If liking someone is destined to have no outcome, then don't make yourself sad anymore. You are a good girl, and you deserve better.'
He had clearly misunderstood.
But what he said was similar to what Ling'er had said.
Don't make yourself sad anymore.
A surge of impulse coursed through Lingxi.
'Liu Donghuai, can you marry me?'"