131. Chapter 131: Father is also overjoyed that you have attained such realization.

In truth, she hadn’t gone far—she had remained nearby all along and had overheard their conversation. She hadn’t expected Li Rui to make such a swift and decisive statement, nor the depth of emotion expressed by Fu Yan.

To be honest, part of her felt glad—Li Rui’s stance was clear and resolute—but another part of her sympathized deeply with Fu Yan. Only love that is mutual and willing is truly precious and worth cherishing; feelings forced or unrequited are nothing but illusions.

“I’m only speaking the truth. My heart belongs solely to Lanlan,” Li Rui said earnestly, his words sincere and unwavering. From beginning to end, only Zhang Xiaolan had ever taken root in his heart.

Fu Yan left, utterly heartbroken. Although she was deeply wounded, she resolved silently that she would never so easily forgive them. Love that she could not have, and the sight of others’ happiness, stirred within her a bitter jealousy and resentment.

The moment Fu Yan returned to the estate, she was caught by Fu Shijie, though in truth, he had been waiting there specifically for her. Fu Yan greeted him with a respectful, “Father!”

“Where have you been again? Did you think that having Tianci hold me back would stop you from sneaking out?” Fu Shijie asked, his eyes sharp as he questioned her whereabouts. He had sensed something amiss with Fu Tianci today—how he had kept him busy reciting and practicing calligraphy, yet his breath smelled sweet and fragrant. When he asked where the scent came from, Fu Tianci confessed it was from Fu Yan.

Furthermore, Fu Tianci had said that Fu Yan was inside working on her needlework, which only deepened Fu Shijie’s suspicion. He immediately sent someone to check, only to discover that she had secretly slipped out.

“Father, I will prepare well for the selection. No, I will definitely pass the selection. I want to become a Zhaoyi, a queen,” Fu Yan declared with a newfound confidence, looking at Fu Shijie with determination.

Fu Shijie had intended to scold her for defying his house arrest and sneaking out, but seeing her resolve and repentance surprised and pleased him immensely. Was this not exactly what he had hoped for all along?

“Good! Yan Yan, I’m overjoyed to see you come to this realization. Haha!” Fu Shijie clapped his hands in excitement, his face warm with pride as he looked at his daughter, feeling she had grown capable and understood the honor before her.

Her ambition to become a Zhaoyi, a queen, was rare and commendable. Yet Fu Shijie, caught up in his happiness, failed to notice Fu Yan’s unusual demeanor that day. She spoke not with joy but with a hint of stubbornness. But that didn’t matter—so long as she would participate in the selection.

“Father, I’m going back to practice now. I’ll take my leave,” Fu Yan said, unaffected by his praise. Her heart was filled instead with resentment towards Li Rui and Zhang Xiaolan.

She had made up her mind to become a queen, one above all others, just to spite Li Rui and make Zhang Xiaolan suffer. If she became a princess consort, she would never let Zhang Xiaolan off so easily.

“Go on, go on then! Haha!” Fu Shijie said eagerly, stepping aside to let her pass, urging her to hurry back.

Since that day, Fu Yan had awakened to a painful truth: Li Rui had never truly cared for her. All those years of one-sided infatuation seemed laughable now. What was there to hope for with a man like that?

Yet sometimes, Fu Yan wondered—if Zhang Xiaolan had never appeared, perhaps there might still have been a glimmer of hope. But now, reflecting on it, even that final spark had been extinguished.

Since you are so heartless and unfaithful to me, and have been swayed by that wretched maid, I will wait for the day you regret it deeply. When that day comes, you will bitterly regret the cruel words you once spoke to me.