The scalding heat spread from her ear, like a raging fire.

Those habitually roguish and reckless dark eyes actually… held a layer of shyness?

Qing Wu was stunned. She raised her eyes, staring at the man in astonishment.

In an instant, countless images flashed through her mind.

Xie Jin Yan tearing apart the hair ribbon her senior brother had given her, Xie Jin Yan dropping the embroidered pouch she'd made for her senior brother, Xie Jin Yan crushing the jade pendant that symbolized their love, Xie Jin Yan… pinning her to the floor and bullying her, forcing her to call him husband.

"Lies! You're lying!"

"Is Your Highness trying to make a fool of me again? Does Your Highness think this servant will believe such nonsense? How ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"

Yu Qing Wu's eyes reddened, and she looked at her once-beloved seventh brother, whom she had once protected with everything, with disbelieving eyes and a heart heavy with sorrow.

Tears welled up and streamed down her face as she abruptly stood.

However, before she could take a step, the man restrained her from behind.

His arms were like shackles, forcefully, tightly, holding her in his embrace, a tender breath accompanied by a surge of emotion stirred by her ear.

"A Wu, give me a child." Xie Jin Yan closed his eyes, his teeth gently nibbling at her rounded earlobe, finally, recklessly and madly calling her by her nickname, "A Wu, I want you, want you fiercely. I want to hear you call me husband, call me Yan-gege, call me Senior Brother Xie…"

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became, and the large hands that imprisoned her slender waist grew restless.

With a searing breath, he tore open her collar with increasing urgency, pushing her down roughly…

Yu Qing Wu shuddered, frantically trying to push him away.

But Xie Jin Yan pressed down on her relentlessly, pinning her hands. The eyes that had once been filled with utter loathing for her were now filled only with deep affection and infatuation. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he stared deeply at her, as if wanting to engrave her in his very soul, and said tenderly, "A Wu, I love you. I've wanted you since long, long ago, wanted to be with you forever…"

"I'm sorry for what happened five years ago."

He kissed her face gently, and as he spoke, the madness in his eyes transformed into guilt. He caressed her face and asked, "A Wu, can you… forgive me?"

If it had been a few days ago, Yu Qing Wu thought, she would have forgiven him without hesitation, but now, none of it seemed to matter anymore.

People were like that. The things they had once stubbornly pursued suddenly seemed less important once the moment had passed.

Their eyes met, and Yu Qing Wu gave a bitter smile.

"Jin Yan, it's too late."

She shook her head gently, looking into his gentle and affectionate dark eyes, and said softly, "Jin Yan, I waited five years for this apology, even after you constantly bullied me and targeted me. I still told myself that Seventh Brother was just being mischievous, that Seventh Brother was just joking with me. I thought that one day Seventh Brother would apologize to me, and I would forgive him without hesitation."

"I always thought that my most beloved seventh brother couldn't possibly be a heartless wretch."

"Even… after you forced yourself on me like that, even after you abandoned me and left with A Yue in your arms, I still clung to a glimmer of hope."

"But do you know what? Just a few days ago, I suddenly felt that none of it seemed to matter anymore. And you… didn't matter anymore either."

She turned her head away, tears slowly sliding down her cheeks. Despite the sorrow, she suddenly felt a sense of relief.

She sighed, then raised her eyes to look at the man, gently caressing his handsome and profound face, and smiled, "In the past, I often felt sad because my most beloved little brother had become estranged from me, but I won't anymore. Even if you stab me in the heart for A Yue's sake, or for anyone else's, I will never feel sadness again…"

Her eyes were rimmed with red, and her expression was one of unprecedented indifference, her heart as cold as ash, but also liberated…

That look in her eyes made Xie Jin Yan's heart ache, and he suddenly felt a sense of panic.

His eyes reddened, and he slowly caressed her beautiful and delicate face with his large hand, saying with a hint of pleading, "A Wu, can you give me another chance?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Qing Wu didn't answer.

She merely pushed away Xie Jin Yan's hand and said coldly, "You already have A Yue. Let's pretend that tonight never happened. In the future, you will still be the high and mighty Crown Prince, and I will still be the best shield you found for A Yue."

Her face was expressionless. After saying this, she pushed the man away and walked out of Zhuque Courtyard numbly.

In the dark night, Yu Qing Wu wandered aimlessly through the Crown Prince's residence, and it was only after who knows how long that she returned to Qingning Courtyard.

When Mama Xun saw her looking lost and dejected, she thought she had quarreled with Xie Jin Yan again and hurried to the door, supporting her and saying, "Miss, you… why are you back again? Didn't you go to Zhuque Courtyard?"

"I suddenly felt unwell, so I came back." Yu Qing Wu shook off her hand and walked slowly into the room like a living corpse.

When she reached the bed, she turned back to look at Mama Xun and ordered expressionlessly, "By the way, Mama Xun, from now on, there's no need to prepare His Highness's meals anymore. He probably won't be coming here again unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Ah?" Mama Xun was stunned, and she frowned. She hurried forward and asked, "Miss, what exactly happened between you and His Highness?"

"It's nothing, we just came to an agreement."

"From now on, I'll do my part, and he and his A Yue can live happily ever after. We'll all get what we want."

Yu Qing Wu replied coldly, turned over, lay down on the bed, and stopped talking.

Mama Xun originally wanted to ask something, but seeing her like this, she had no choice but to leave.

Outside the window, the cold wind swept past, and in the deepening night sky, large snowflakes began to fall again.

That night, Yu Qing Wu dreamed again, dreaming of Xie Jin Yan when he was little, with his soft and adorable appearance, dreaming of Xie Jin Yan hugging her and begging her to help him mend his clothes, dreaming of the last time he smiled and called her sister…

When she woke up again, it was already dawn.

Mama Xun carried a copper basin into the room, bent forward, and called to her, "Miss, His Highness is here, and he's brought Gao shi with him. He says he has something important to tell you."

Xie Jin Yan came with Gao Min Yue? What for? To tell her that he didn't need her as a shield anymore?

Yu Qing Wu frowned, recalling what she had said impulsively last night. Feeling uncertain, she asked Mama Xun, "Did His Highness say what he wanted to see me about?"

"He didn't say." Mama Xun handed over the handkerchief, her eyes darkened, and she added, "However, this old servant noticed that Gao shi's face didn't look too good…"

"Judging by her appearance, she seemed to have argued with His Highness."

Mama Xun's face was full of worry, and she sighed, "In short, you should be careful what you say later."

"Yes, I understand." Yu Qing Wu walked to the mirror, tidied herself up briefly, and then got up and walked out of the inner chamber.

When she reached the front hall, she saw Xie Jin Yan sitting solemnly in the main seat.

Gao Min Yue sat beside him, and when she saw her, a look of resentment appeared in her eyes.

"A Wu, come and sit down." Xie Jin Yan raised his head and gently beckoned to her.