Chapter Seventy-One: Secret Affection Blossoms

After bidding farewell to Yu Yang, they continued on their way.

The Crown Prince, devastated and heartbroken, looked so distraught that Gu Li couldn’t bear to let him ride ahead on horseback. Instead, she pulled him into the carriage to sit beside her. The Crown Prince didn’t refuse; his spirits were so low that riding out front would surely reveal his troubled mood to the officers, but with his own sister, he had no need to hide his vulnerability.

Gu Li had always been the one comforted by others; she hardly knew how to console someone else. But this was her elder brother, so there was no need to search for words—her heartfelt thoughts spilled out naturally.

“Brother, I truly didn’t mean to hurt you, it’s just…” Gu Li felt it necessary to bring her brother back onto the ‘right path.’ “You are the future heir, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. Though Father and Mother dote on us and indulge us, apart from the Crown Princess, if you wished to take a concubine or secondary wife, they likely wouldn’t interfere much. Yet they would insist the woman be of noble birth—at the very least, a respectable family’s daughter. But Miss Yu…”

Of course, the Crown Prince understood Gu Li’s reasoning.

Yu Yang had no background, walked the world alone, and was accustomed to the life of swords and danger. Throughout history, marriage has always valued equality of status, and within the royal family, Father and Mother are particularly strict about family pedigree. Not to mention concubines or secondary wives—even if he tried to elevate a maidservant, Father and Mother would never accept a woman from the martial world.

Perhaps Yu Yang knew this, which is why she had repeatedly turned him down.

Wei Chu was never dull when it came to matters of the heart; he was observant and sensitive, so how could he not see Yu Yang’s hesitation between him and Lie Chang’an?

If it was a matter of suitability, Lie Chang’an was indeed a better match for her.

But the problem was, Lie Chang’an had no such feelings for her.

He could see it clearly: Lie Chang’an admired Gu Li, his own sister, the most beloved Princess Danqing of the court.

The Crown Prince gave a bitter smile. “Last night, I gifted her the rabbit-red cord. I saw her accept it, and I was overjoyed, thinking that as long as she accepted me, no amount of obstacles could stand in my way. But afterward, she rejected me again.”

Gu Li was stunned.

What?

The rabbit-red cord on Yu Yang’s lantern was from her brother? Then… she’d misunderstood Lie Chang’an?

So Lie Chang’an hadn’t given his red cord to anyone at all?

Gu Li couldn’t suppress her wild joy, but then, abruptly remembering something, her heart chilled.

What was there to be happy about?

He remained faithful for Jin An’s sake—what right did she have to rejoice?

The Crown Prince saw the obvious delight in Gu Li’s eyes, only for it to fade away like ashes, and he sighed deeply.

His foolish sister.

The Crown Prince stroked her forehead gently and asked in a low voice, “Do you perhaps harbor feelings for General Chang’an?”

Gu Li trembled, stunned on the spot.

After a long pause, she hurriedly shook her head in denial. “Brother, what are you saying? How could I…”

“Silly girl, what need is there to hide anything from your brother?”

Seeing the Crown Prince’s serious expression, Gu Li knew she couldn’t keep it secret and nodded honestly, but soon grew anxious again, clutching his hand in panic. “Brother, you mustn’t tell him, I… I…”

Her eyes brimmed with tears, so nervous she could hardly speak.

Wei Chu had never seen his sister like this; his heart ached for her, and he quickly soothed her gently, “Don’t worry, your brother would never say a word. These are the little secrets girls keep.”

Hearing this, Gu Li slowly calmed her sobs.

Wei Chu gazed at Gu Li’s pale face and sighed inwardly.

They were siblings, always thinking of each other; but seeing his pitiful sister, tears like pear blossoms on her face, he could not bear to say anything further, though he was full of words.