Ren Yingying blinked. "What are your plans?"
They were bound together by an arranged marriage; neither of them would be free until this matter was resolved.
Qu Nian sneered, "Give me a son."
How dare you ask him about his plans?
Did his previous heartfelt confession go to waste?
Dog Meat: Woof woof woof woof!
Don't slander dogs; I won't eat your sincerity.
Ren Yingying: "..."
Is it really that direct?
She rested her chin on her hand and said wistfully, "You really are... Qu Nian, what do you like about me?"
All attraction stems either from physical attraction or from curiosity.
In this era, once a woman gets involved, there's no turning back.
Isn't Qu Nian good?
good.
He was of noble birth, handsome, and gentle in nature—but he could tolerate her constant erratic behavior and acting crazy.
But would she dare to try?
Qu Nian was right, she admitted. She was timid; in matters of the heart, she was a dwarf in action.
But who understands you better than yourself?
She wasn't as strong as Tangbao, never had been.
Why is she so dependent on Tangbao, willing to go through fire and water for her and give everything for her?
Because it was Tangbao who helped her during her most difficult time.
She can repay even the smallest kindness from others with the most sincere gratitude.
But when it comes to love, does she dare?
She was afraid of getting too involved and then suffering serious injuries when she tried to pull herself out.
What's so good about her?
She was always just an ordinary person in the crowd, never shining brightly.
In modern times, Tangbao was always a top student in her school and workplace, the kind of child everyone admired.
What about myself?
Salted fish.
She is content with the status quo and has no desire to shine.
She couldn't understand how someone like her could attract Qu Nian.
She thought it might be because she was different, Qu Nian was very curious.
But after years of living together, all the novelty wears off. What does she have left?
So she kept running away, constantly telling Qu Nian, "Let me go, go find someone else."
Because she can't afford to take the risk.
People say you can take things on and put them down; the problem is, she can take things on, but she can't put them down.
If cowardice is a crime, then she admits it; she is guilty of a heinous crime, and she confesses.
She would rather numb herself with what she thought was happiness than dare to love wholeheartedly.
If the pain of having once possessed something must be healed with a lifetime of suffering, then she is sorry, she is unwilling.
Moreover, she and Qu Nian were not evenly matched at all.
When she wanted to turn away, she couldn't look back; they were destined to be bound together as a resentful couple for life.
She also felt a little envious, though she didn't want to admit it; she really envied Tangbao.
She had subtly mentioned to Tangbao why she chose to trust Prince of Jin.
Tangbao said that when she chose Prince of Jin, she was already prepared to accept the consequences of her gamble.
The worst that could happen is being betrayed, which she accepts; but if she wins, she'll find a soulmate to spend her life with.
Tangbao is strong and capable, and quietly became a strong supporter of Prince of Jin.
That was Tangbao, who had always shone brightly in her eyes.
She can't do it...
Seeing the faint glimmer of tears in Ren Yingying's eyes, Qu Nian suddenly leaned forward.
Ren Yingying retreated, but had nowhere to retreat. She looked at Qu Nian's magnified handsome face with a hint of fear, futilely trying to use the Dog Meat in her arms to separate the two of them.
Qu Nian grabbed the Dog Meat and threw it aside.
Dog Meat: You think you're not human just because you wear my brand?
Feeling wronged, she retreated to a corner.
"What are you afraid of?" Qu Nian's eyes were like they were lit up by starlight, passionate and dazzling, and his warm breath was so close.
He said, "What are you afraid of?"
Hit the bullseye.
Ren Yingying was in a panic and instinctively tried to crack a joke, "What do I have to be afraid of? I..."
"Ren Yingying, I even dare to flaunt your dog tag in public, what am I afraid of?" Qu Nian suddenly sneered, her eyes deep. "I'm the one who's not afraid of anything. What are you pretending for? Don't you like me?"
"I won't..." Ren Yingying bit her lip, her voice growing weak, "I like you."
Qu Nian looked at the tears welling up in her eyes, which she tried to hold back but couldn't hold back any longer. She sighed, reached out and pulled her into her arms, ruffling her hair. "I really want to give you a good beating."
"I told you, a man like you is no good, I told you..."
"Yingying," Qu Nian interrupted her, "Do you know how proud I am, as the heir of a prince's mansion, constantly compared to the Prince of Jin since childhood?"
But all that pride vanishes when you meet the person you truly love.
Because of getting to know her, and deeply understanding what a Lovely and beautiful soul she was, Qu Nian even felt grateful for the experience of becoming a dog.
But he would never admit it.
Do you know why I agreed to help the Prince of Jin fight on the front lines?
Ren Yingying can no longer pretend to be stupid.
She understood that there were reasons for this.
She wanted to help Tangbao, Qu Nian wanted to help her... Although there might be other interests involved, this one definitely was.
"You did this to help me," Ren Yingying said. "So if you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, Qu Nian, I will help you just as I helped Tangbao."
Qu Nian laughed, her tone relaxed, "I can actually compare to the Consort of the Prince of Jin? Isn't that an honor?"
Ren Yingying lowered her head and fiddled with the jade pendants at her waist. She wanted to retort, but her throat tightened and she couldn't speak.
Qu Nian, Qu Nian, why did you have to lay everything bare so bluntly?
Will we be able to face each other again?
"At least you still remember that I was trying to help you, otherwise I would have been driven to my death young by your anger." Qu Nian's voice became more relaxed.
He didn't like looking at Ren Yingying the way she was now.
This is no longer his cunning and clever little fox, capable of anything.
"People like you, with your thick skin, are sure to live to be a hundred."
"Then I'll share some of your good fortune; living to ninety-nine will be enough."
"Pooh."
Seeing that she finally smiled a little, Qu Nian continued, "I've spoken with Prince of Jin, you know. Actually, it's not that complicated. I only made one condition. He agreed, and I'll work for him."
Ren Yingying had a vague feeling that this condition was related to her.
"You begged for a get-out-of-jail-free card? And you're giving it to me?"
"You still need a get-out-of-jail-free card? Isn't the future empress your best lifeline?"
"That's for sure."
"I told the Prince of Jin," Qu Nian looked into her watery eyes, "That I would give you a title, a title that has nothing to do with me, a title that you will honor for life no matter who you marry."
Ren Yingying was speechless, too shocked to utter a word.
Even a fool like her, no matter how hard she racked her brains, couldn't have imagined that Qu Nian would propose such a condition.
"Aren't you more than qualified to be the Lady Protector of the State, a perfect match for me, the Lady Protector of the State?" Qu Nian smiled as he wiped away the tears that were about to fall from the corners of her eyes. "After all, there are plenty of Crown Princes, but only one Lady Protector of the Nation. Yingying, do you like this New Year's gift?"
I like you, my foot!
Ren Yingying lowered her head, tears falling, pattering onto the back of her hand.