099. A Fit of Temper

Just as Zhan Lianjing was about to respond, Le Yongcheng blurted out, "So, Prince Zhan, when will you send the betrothal gifts? That child Xue'er is just like that; once she is married off, she will settle down and surely make a good wife."

Haoyue was stunned. Le Yongcheng was certainly direct, already pushing his daughter like this. However, did Zhan Lianjing have such feelings for Le Qianxue? After the trauma Zhan Lianjing had suffered, did he even want to marry again?

Shortly after, she heard Zhan Lianjing say, "Soon. Rest assured, General Le, it certainly won't be too long."

Haoyue felt a jolt of shock in her heart! This was completely unexpected!

Le Yongcheng was also taken aback, half-doubting, "Prince Zhan, are you serious?"

Zhan Lianjing frowned. "Do you think I would be joking?"

Even Haoyue was astonished. Zhan Lianjing suddenly making such a declaration was truly baffling. When, exactly, had things started between Zhan Lianjing and Le Qianxue?

Le Yongcheng smiled with relief, "In that case, why don't we get it done as soon as possible?"

Haoyue interrupted, "General Le, there is no need to rush..."

Le Yongcheng nodded, saying, "That is true. Even if I agree, it is useless. That girl Xue'er will mostly likely refuse. If she does not want to do something, no one can force her."

Thus, Le Yongcheng could only harbor the vain hope that Le Qianxue would marry soon, but it rarely had any effect.

Hearing this, Zhan Lianjing felt a sense of restlessness. He could not fathom what was going on with Le Qianxue, given how uncharacteristically she had behaved toward him today. He cupped his hands and said to Le Yongcheng, "In that case, I shall go and persuade her myself."

Le Yongcheng froze. Was he serious? Indeed, Zhan Lianjing then left, looking as if he could not wait a moment longer.

Le Qianxue had just returned to the Qingyu Courtyard, her stomach so bloated she could barely stand it. She asked Huatao to brew some digestive tea. As she rubbed her belly, she cursed Zhan Lianjing several times in her heart.

Anticipating that Zhan Lianjing would not give up so easily, she called out calmly, "Come out."

In an instant, the guards lurking around the courtyard flashed out and knelt down. These were the people Yin Susu had arranged there; their martial arts were not bad, and through Yin Susu’s training, they could form a tactical formation capable of handling even the rarest of masters. Clearly, Le Qianxue intended to use them to block Zhan Lianjing.

She said, "Guard the Qingyu Courtyard. No one is to enter, except for Huatao and Yuan Tianci."

The guards acknowledged the order. Le Qianxue returned to her room just as Huatao brought the digestive tea. Seeing Le Qianxue’s angry expression, Huatao did not dare to speak.

Outside, Zhan Lianjing had indeed arrived with his men. Several guards stood at the entrance. Haoyue, having previously experienced their skills, said, "Your Highness, these people are not easy to deal with."

Zhan Lianjing remained expressionless and whispered, "Make them stand aside."

He was determined to see Le Qianxue today. He wanted to see who would dare stop him and who could actually stop him!

"Yes!" Haoyue replied. She immediately led a few men forward to clear a path. The guards naturally refused to budge; Yin Susu had already instructed them that they were to obey only Le Qianxue’s orders.

Haoyue didn't hesitate and drew her sword to charge. Her skills had been honed by experts, and though she held her own while surrounded by the guards, she could not break through the tight encirclement. Becoming anxious, she left an opening, and a guard’s blade swung down toward her!

With a sharp clanging sound, someone deflected the guard’s blade. With a sweeping motion, the newcomer knocked the others aside. The only one capable of such a feat was, naturally, Zhan Lianjing.

With another palm strike, Zhan Lianjing shattered the courtyard's wooden gate. It crashed to the ground with a chilling thud. His expression was grim. He had reached the inner courtyard and saw the room door tightly shut, though candlelight glowed from within.

Zhan Lianjing’s voice was neither loud nor soft as he said, "Le Qianxue, come out here!"

After being resisted by her all day, a fire had ignited in his heart. If Le Qianxue would not see him, he would tear down the General’s Mansion!

There was no response for a while, and Zhan Lianjing’s face darkened further! Haoyue felt a shiver of fear; she rarely saw Zhan Lianjing this angry. She couldn't help but think that Zhan Lianjing must have invested a great deal of emotion into Le Qianxue. He rarely cared for other women, yet he cared deeply for her!

Zhan Lianjing’s palm was already gathering internal energy; if Le Qianxue did not come out, he would surely use force.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. Le Qianxue stood before him, her gaze cold and distant. Seeing that look, Zhan Lianjing’s heart tightened. What kind of expression was that? It seemed as if... she had no connection to him, and it was even tinged with disgust.

"Prince Zhan, have you made enough of a scene? This is the General’s Mansion! I refuse to see you, so you come here to attack my people and destroy my courtyard?" Le Qianxue said. "It seems you are not the 'Number One Beauty of the Capital,' but the 'Number One Scoundrel'!"

Le Qianxue’s words were sharp; few in the capital dared to insult Zhan Lianjing. Yet, she dared.

Zhan Lianjing was initially furious, but he knew Le Qianxue was not one to throw tantrums; if she was angry, there must be a reason. He softened his tone and said, "I want to talk to you properly."

Le Qianxue sneered, "There is no need. Please return, Prince Zhan. However, since you are here today, I will make myself clear: I hope you will not disturb me in the future. Otherwise, I will not be polite."

Zhan Lianjing narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

"Can you not understand?" Le Qianxue remained firm.

Zhan Lianjing retorted, "Le Qianxue, these words are easy for you to say. You deceived my heart, and now you tell me not to disturb you?! I tell you, it is not that easy!"

Haoyue nearly tripped over her own feet. What was Zhan Lianjing saying?

Le Qianxue clenched her fists, her expression icing over. The moonlight was cold, and the surrounding atmosphere was suffocating.

Le Qianxue said softly, "Prince Zhan, I do not want to speak too plainly. Having the best of both worlds is always difficult. If you want to keep your bowl while eyeing the pot, there is no need!"

The remark was veiled, but the meaning was clear to anyone listening—it was a jab at Zhan Lianjing’s perceived infidelity.

Zhan Lianjing felt aggrieved. He never looked at other women; what was Le Qianxue talking about? "Are you accusing me of being fickle? Le Qianxue, speak clearly!"

Le Qianxue felt a stinging sensation in her nose. She had wanted to save face for everyone, but Zhan Lianjing insisted on pursuing the matter! She let out a soft laugh, trying to appear less miserable.

"Then who is Yu Yao in your heart, Prince Zhan?" Le Qianxue asked. "Please, Prince Zhan, spare me! I implore you never to come to the General’s Mansion again!"

Haoyue was shocked and quickly warned, "Miss Le, say no more."

Yu Yao had always been a taboo for Zhan Lianjing; her name could not be mentioned in his presence. Indeed, the color in Zhan Lianjing’s eyes turned pitch dark, radiating a trace of killing intent.

However, when he looked up and saw Le Qianxue, his anger dissipated. In the bright moonlight, he saw that her eyes were red-rimmed. In an instant, he understood why she was angry and why she had spoken such heartless words to him.

Zhan Lianjing did not fly into a rage, which surprised Haoyue. Le Qianxue hesitated for a moment before closing the door, ignoring him entirely.

Haoyue paused and turned to ask, "Your Highness, this..."

Zhan Lianjing replied, "Step back."

"Your Highness intends to wait here?" Haoyue was stunned. What was Zhan Lianjing doing? And what was Le Qianxue worth all this trouble?

Zhan Lianjing closed his eyes, looking exhausted. He repeated, "Step back."

Haoyue dared not disobey and retreated.

Zhan Lianjing opened his eyes again, his gaze now calm, devoid of the earlier hostility. "I will wait here. Whenever you are willing to come out and hear my explanation, then come out." No matter how long it took, he was willing to wait.

There was no sound from inside the room. It seemed Le Qianxue would not be coming out again. After a while, Huatao came out, glanced at Zhan Lianjing, curtsied, and left. Shortly after, the candlelight in the room went out, leaving everything in darkness.

The night grew deep and heavy with dew, but Zhan Lianjing remained alone in the courtyard, waiting quietly. He never considered leaving. He waited for the entire night.

When Huatao went to serve Le Qianxue the next morning, she saw Zhan Lianjing still waiting there. Huatao was moved; the world-renowned Prince Zhan had waited an entire night. If she told anyone, no one would believe her.

When she entered, she saw that behind the gauze curtains, Le Qianxue was already up, sitting on the bed.

"Miss?" Huatao called out. "Why are you up so early?"

Le Qianxue hummed, "Help me comb my hair."

Her voice was languid, as if she hadn't slept all night either. She stepped off the bed and walked to the vanity. Huatao noticed then that Le Qianxue had dark circles under her eyes. She couldn't help but wonder—the Prince had been outside awake, and the Miss had been inside awake; what were they both being so stubborn about?

Huatao skillfully styled Le Qianxue’s hair, pinning a few pearls in it. Though simple, it made Le Qianxue look even more elegant.

Le Qianxue paused for a moment and said, "Let him in."