Hua Yun Jin felt a surge of happiness upon seeing Princess Chang Ning, knowing she wouldn't abandon him.
After all, he had been a hostage in Huang Ze for three years, and he and Princess Chang Ning had been in love for two. If not for recent complications, he would have believed his relationship with Princess Chang Ning was settled.
Therefore, he found it hard to believe Princess Chang Ning would fall for someone else.
He considered himself to be quite desirable, too.
"Princess Chang Ning," Hua Yun Jin bowed deeply to Xue Zi Ning.
"Rise," Xue Zi Ning said softly.
Hua Yun Jin stood up and looked at Princess Chang Ning before him. Her delicate features and particularly clear eyes captivated him.
He remembered the first time he saw those clear eyes three years ago, wondering who could possess such uncorrupted, pure gaze, as if it held a purifying power.
At that time, he was already consumed by darkness. His father had died a tragic death, Hua Country had been annihilated, and he didn't know which way to turn.
But looking into those eyes, he suddenly found a reason to exist. He wanted to pursue this gaze, possess it, and then rebuild Hua Country.
At times, he seemed to forget his original ambition, wanting only to be with Princess Chang Ning, content to be a mere consort with no real power.
However, the sudden turn of events made him realize he needed to abandon his past thoughts. He had nothing—no status, no position—and might not even be able to protect Princess Chang Ning.
He couldn't remain as he was before. He had to rebuild Hua Country and, as the Crown Prince of Hua Country, marry Princess Chang Ning.
"Your Highness, I am truly happy you could come." He was genuinely delighted. Did this mean Princess Chang Ning still cared about him?
"Young Master Hua, please sit. I have something to tell you."
Hua Yun Jin paused slightly. Princess Chang Ning had never referred to herself as "this palace" in his presence before.
He instinctively looked up and saw a hint of coldness in her eyes, entirely devoid of their former affection. His heart sank.
After sitting down, he heard Princess Chang Ning's cold voice say, "Young Master Hua, I thought I had made myself very clear before. It seems that is no longer the case."
"Chang Ning, what are you trying to say?" Hua Yun Jin looked at Princess Chang Ning. Her demeanor was unusually serene, a look he had never seen on her before.
"Young Master Hua, perhaps my previous actions and thoughts have led you to misunderstand us. But I have now realized my feelings. I like General Yan Xiao. My feelings for you, Young Master Hua, are merely those of friendship."
Hua Yun Jin's smile gradually faded, replaced by sadness. "Princess Chang Ning, are you serious?"
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Yes."
Hua Yun Jin laughed, a hint of sorrow in his laughter. "Princess Chang Ning, don't you think this is cruel to me? How can our past sweet words just disappear?"
"Young Master Hua, I merely considered you a friend before. I had no other intentions."
"No other intentions?" Hua Yun Jin stood up and couldn't help but take a step forward. "Chang Ning, no other intentions? So, these two years we spent together end with 'no other intentions'? Don't you think that's too cruel?"
"Young Master Hua, the affection between men and women is a natural human sentiment. I did not have such feelings for you before, nor did we have any intimate relationship."
"No intimate relationship? You can say that?" Hua Yun Jin pressed forward, step by step, questioning her.
Xue Zi Ning frowned. "Young Master Hua, please calm down."
"I cannot calm down," Hua Yun Jin roared.
How could he remain calm when the prize he had almost secured was now lost?
"Hua Yun Jin," Xue Zi Ning said coldly.
Hua Yun Jin moved forward, intending to grab her shoulders. Seeing this, Xue Zi Ning retreated and, seizing Hua Yun Jin's hand, executed a shoulder throw.
Hua Yun Jin was stunned by the throw, taking a moment to realize that Princess Chang Ning knew martial arts?
Since when? How come he didn't know?
Xue Zi Ning narrowed her eyes and looked at Hua Yun Jin. "Hua Yun Jin, I hope you will calm down. Do not appear before me again."
With that, Xue Zi Ning turned and left.
Hua Yun Jin lay on the ground, his eyes unfocused, feeling lost. Suddenly, it felt as though the vast palace offered him no place to belong.
He remained lying there until the room suddenly lit up. In the dim candlelight, he saw a slender, tall figure.
He watched as she crouched down, her face exquisitely beautiful in the candlelight.
"A Ning, is that you?" he murmured.
She didn't answer, but reached out to touch his face. He grabbed her hand. "A Ning, you can't bear to see me suffer, can you? I knew you still cared about me. Those cruel words were just to make me give up, but I truly can't, and I don't want to. A Ning, A Ning..."
"Yun Jin..."
He saw the tenderness and affection in her eyes and reached out to embrace her neck. "A Ning..."
After a night of intimacy, Hua Yun Jin woke up abruptly. He looked around his bed and smiled, astonished that he had dreamt such a thing.
But when he turned his head and saw the person beside him, he was completely stunned. He recoiled and fell to the floor with a thud, the sound causing the person to open their eyes.
"How... how are you?" Hua Yun Jin stammered in shock.
He was supposed to be with Princess Chang Ning, but it was Princess Chang An.
Xue Chang An sat up, her face flushed. "Yun Jin, we are together now."
"No... no..." Hua Yun Jin shook his head in horror and tried to get out.
Xue Chang An frowned and said coldly, "Stop him."
Soon, Xue Chang An's guards intercepted Hua Yun Jin and pushed him back into the room.
Hua Yun Jin was furious. "Let me go, let me go."
"Hua Yun Jin, you took me last night. You are mine now. Do you think you can leave without my permission?"
Hua Yun Jin trembled and turned to look at Xue Chang An. "Princess Chang An, you know, I love Princess Chang Ning."
"Yes, I know, but what of it? My sister doesn't like you."
Hua Yun Jin's body trembled. "Princess Chang An, how can you take advantage of someone's misfortune?"
"Am I taking advantage of you? Hua Yun Jin, don't you remember what happened last night? Shall I help you recall?"
Hua Yun Jin's face darkened. He knew he had mistaken Chang An for Chang Ning last night.
"Hua Yun Jin, you cannot escape. You belong to me, and you will always be mine."
Xue Chang An got out of bed and walked towards Hua Yun Jin step by step.
Hua Yun Jin instinctively took a step back. Xue Chang An sneered, "Forget Chang Ning, Hua Yun Jin. Whatever you want, whatever you wish to achieve, I will help you."