Hearing Emperor Jinzheng's words, Wei Shuxuan couldn't help but look up at Xin Zizhao. Just then, Xin Zizhao also turned his head and looked at her. Their eyes met. It was Wei Shuxuan who felt embarrassed first and shifted her gaze. Xin Zizhao, who was a head taller than her, could just see the slightly blushing tips of Wei Shuxuan's ears from his angle. A faint smile couldn't help but curl up on his lips.
Sitting on one side, Emperor Jinzheng watched the silent and ambiguous interaction between the two. They clearly liked each other, yet they still refused the marriage he had arranged for them. He really didn't know what these two were thinking.
Xin Zizhao didn't want to reject the marriage with Wei Shuxuan. He just hoped that Wei Shuxuan would marry him out of her own will, rather than because of her parents' order. This was definitely not the kind of love he wanted, and he didn't want a Wei Shuxuan who would compromise herself for him.
As for Wei Shuxuan, she had her own thoughts. After all, she wasn't from this world. She was just a time - traveler. What if she could really return to her original world? Would she abandon everything here and go back? Also, if Xin Zizhao knew her real identity, would he still like her? These were all questions she needed to think about.
"All in all, you two don't need to say any more. I've made up my mind. You just wait for the auspicious day and prepare for the wedding. If there's nothing else, you can go back first. I'm a bit tired and need to rest."
Seeing the trace of tiredness on Emperor Jinzheng's weather - beaten face, Xin Zizhao and Wei Shuxuan had no choice but to stop. They bowed to Emperor Jinzheng and then returned to the Fenghe Palace.
The two walked out of the imperial study together. Xin Zizhao and Wei Shuxuan walked side by side on the road. The sun shone large patches of sunlight from behind them, and their shadows were stretched long on the stone - paved road. Occasionally, a few clear bird calls could be heard in their ears.
"Do you really not want to marry me, Xuan'er?" Xin Zizhao asked before Wei Shuxuan could say anything.
It was the first time Wei Shuxuan heard Xin Zizhao call her name. She was stunned for a moment but quickly came to her senses. "....Do you mean asking if I like you?"
Xin Zizhao nodded. Naturally, this was what he most wanted to hear.
"Um... Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?" Wei Shuxuan raised her eyes, with a little expectation in her gaze.
"Of course I want to hear the truth. But what's the difference between the two?" Xin Zizhao was already used to Wei Shuxuan's quirky ideas.
"The truth is that I actually don't really not want to marry you. But I really have some unavoidable difficulties that prevent me from marrying you."
"Okay, then what's the lie?" Xin Zizhao nodded.
"The lie is that I quite want to marry you."
"So, your truth means that you like me?" Xin Zizhao didn't pay attention to anything else but the key point he cared about.
Wei Shuxuan hesitated slightly and then gently nodded. But she quickly explained, "Don't misunderstand. I just think I like you a little... just a little..."
Although she said she only liked him a little, Xin Zizhao was still very happy. "I believe that this little bit of liking will grow bigger in the future."
"Okay, you know I like you too. Will you force me to marry you?" Wei Shuxuan looked up and stared straight at Xin Zizhao.
Xin Zizhao's steps, which had been moving forward, slowly stopped. He looked at her. "If you don't like it, I won't force you. I won't force you to stay in the palace either. You can do whatever you like. I'll wait for you to come back to me here."
It was just such an ordinary speech, but it made Wei Shuxuan's tears fall one by one. Maybe even if she returned to her original world, she wouldn't be able to find another Xin Zizhao.
Xin Zizhao walked to Wei Shuxuan's side, reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, and comforted her in a very gentle tone. "Okay, stop crying. It'll be so embarrassing if the passing maids and eunuchs see you."
"It's all your fault!" Wei Shuxuan complained dissatisfiedly.
"Yes, yes, yes. It's all my fault. Let's go back to the Fenghe Palace and talk."
Wei Shuxuan nodded obediently with a rare expression on her face. Xin Zizhao stroked her head and then led her in the direction of the Fenghe Palace.
After having an open - hearted conversation with Xin Zizhao, Wei Shuxuan felt much more relaxed. At least she didn't have to worry about the marriage anymore. Xin Zizhao had given her enough time to think and didn't force her to stay in the palace at all.
When Xuan Ruoling learned the news that Emperor Jinzheng had betrothed Wei Shuxuan to Xin Zizhao, she took the opportunity to sneak into the Fenghe Palace to find Wei Shuxuan on a day when Xin Zizhao was not there.
"I said you liked my fifth brother, but you still said you didn't. In the end, you still accepted the marriage arranged by Father."
Xuan Ruoling rarely teased Wei Shuxuan. When she smiled, a pair of cute dimples appeared on her cheeks. Wei Shuxuan nodded. "Yes, yes, yes. You're right. I have nothing to refute. By the way, how's your progress with Zian?"
"Just so - so. Anyway, he just comes to give me lessons every day. There's no real progress. He only talks to me about official business and won't talk about anything else. But he will still praise me."
Tsk tsk tsk. Ge Zian was definitely a reserved man. Although she wasn't sure if Zian liked Xuan Ruoling, his actions were clearly signs of his reserve. It seemed that she had to do more to help Xuan Ruoling.
Just when Xuan Ruoling looked depressed, she heard Xin Zizhao's voice coming from outside. "Why are you here?"
Xuan Ruoling was startled. She stood up in a hurry, lowered her head fearfully. "....Fifth brother."
Seeing Xin Zizhao's cold face and Xuan Ruoling's frightened little face, Wei Shuxuan quickly stood up. "I asked Ruoling to come and accompany me. Do you have any objections?"
Hearing that it was Wei Shuxuan who asked Xuan Ruoling to come, Xin Zizhao's expression softened a little. "Since you asked her to come, I definitely have no problem. But if she wants to cause trouble in my bedroom, I definitely won't welcome her."
Wei Shuxuan quickly pushed Xuan Ruoling, signaling her to speak quickly. "I know, fifth brother. I won't cause trouble here. I just came here to consult fifth sister - in - law about some questions."
Hearing Xuan Ruoling's words, Xin Zizhao clearly felt better.