Chapter 125: Terrible

The Crown Prince had once said that no matter how much the Emperor and Empress doted on Guli, there was absolutely no room for negotiation regarding this matter.

The Empress’s attitude that day had made everything perfectly clear.

The situation could not be made too complex; exposing it prematurely would only lead to an uncontrollable outcome. That was why the Crown Prince had hoped for them to confirm their feelings for each other first, and then proceed step by step, perhaps leaving a glimmer of hope for a change in circumstances.

Though, the Crown Prince himself did not know how likely that possibility truly was.

The Crown Prince sighed deeply. "What if you both love each other? If she likes you too, what will you do then?"

Naturally, the Crown Prince was unaware that they had just discussed this topic two days prior; he did not know that Lie Chang'an had already dismissed such a possibility as zero in his heart.

Lie Chang'an remained silent, his ink-black eyes filled with a deathly stillness.

The Crown Prince sighed internally.

Seeing these two together, he truly did not know what to say. With this attitude, Lie Chang'an would likely strive to restrain his heart and maintain his distance from Guli from now on.

Yet, he could not bring himself to blame Lie Chang'an.

As a man, he actually admired Lie Chang'an for being able to go to such lengths for a woman. This was truly a love that sought no reward, a love that considered the other person in everything, even to the point of risking one's life.

However, he understood Guli. His younger sister had a transparent heart; if Lie Chang'an distanced himself from her, she would not suspect other motives, but would simply conclude that it was because he did not like her.

She had been too well-protected since childhood; her mind was simple, lacking guile. To her, like was like—it meant an uncontrollable urge to be near someone; dislike was dislike—it meant an unwillingness to have even the slightest contact with them.

This was also the reason why she was quick to anger, yet just as easily coaxed back to happiness afterward.

She did not know that others could deceive her, that there could be well-intentioned lies, or that people could be trapped by circumstances beyond their control.

If she were explicitly rejected by Lie Chang'an, she would likely believe it to be the truth and cease all other thoughts.

Guli remained dejected and listless for two days, until the Empress Dowager sent word that a theatrical troupe had been invited to the palace and requested her presence at the Yannian Palace. Only then did she rouse her spirits, asking Jasmine to help her dress and groom herself, restoring her usual radiant appearance before heading to the Yannian Palace.

Naturally, she was afraid of having her true state discovered. After all, she had been completely immersed in the sorrow and heartbreak of her recent blow for the past two days, lacking any vitality. If she had arrived at the Yannian Palace looking like a ghost, she would likely have frightened the Empress Dowager into a faint.

Guli had Jasmine apply a thick layer of powder and a flush of crimson rouge to hide her haggard complexion. She then forced herself to be full of energy, chatting, joking, and sweetly pouting with the Empress Dowager, making herself appear no different from usual.

Guli thought that even her brother, the Crown Prince, who came to pay his respects, would be unable to detect anything amiss from her nonchalant, smiling demeanor.

Yet, in reality, Guli’s true state was abysmal.

Upon returning from the Yannian Palace, Guli’s ears were still buzzing with the shrill, repetitive melodies of the theatrical troupe, leaving her with a splitting headache.

She had returned after finishing dinner at the Yannian Palace. Upon her arrival, she cast a glance toward the side hall before entering the main hall with a vacant expression. Tended to by Jasmine, she enjoyed a comfortable hot bath, changed into fresh clothes, and retreated to her bed, preparing to rest early.

Having failed to sleep well for the past two days, she truly needed a good night's sleep.