"Mm... mm? Ah?" Xiao Yan's eyes widened involuntarily. Ya Fei's answer instantly shattered all his previous expectations. He had never imagined he would receive such an answer.
But when he saw the shy yet resolute look in Ya Fei's eyes, Xiao Yan knew she was not joking.
"Big Sister Ya Fei, you..." Xiao Yan was so startled by Ya Fei that he could not even put his words together properly.
"I know that Xun Er is the only one in your heart, and I would never interfere with anything you do," Ya Fei added when she saw his reaction.
Seeing how humble Ya Fei appeared at that moment, Xiao Yan said with some pity, "Big Sister Ya Fei, why put yourself through this?"
Ya Fei did not answer his question directly. Instead, she stroked the bracelet around her ivory-white wrist and said sorrowfully, "My father gave this to me after learning of the news. My family all supports this decision."
Seeing that Xiao Yan still wanted to persuade her, Ya Fei stopped him. "I know that, with your current strength, it would not be difficult for you to resolve this trouble for me. But this matter has made me realize that my family has always treated me as nothing more than a pawn."
"Even if I do not become Gu He's concubine today, I still will not escape the fate of a political marriage in the future."
"I know that Xun Er is the only one in your heart, and I also know full well that I cannot compare to her. I do not seek to gain anything from this relationship. On the contrary, becoming your concubine would give me the freedom I need."
"And with your current status and strength, even as merely your concubine, I would still gain