Not only were the noble young men who had been watching the excitement surprised, even Qin Shuying was shocked. Were these Liu Junqing’s sincere words, or did he have other schemes?

Emperor Delong laughed heartily. Though he said nothing, his gaze toward Liu Junqing clearly carried approval, making Qin Shuying’s heart skip a beat.

Concubine De asked Liu Junqing: “Why?”

Liu Junqing’s face suddenly flushed red as he stammered: “This humble minister, this humble minister… this humble minister loves and respects her.”

Making such a confession in front of so many people, the watching noble young men immediately burst into laughter. Liu Junqing’s face turned even redder, red enough to drip blood, clearly visible even in the lamplight.

But he wasn’t afraid of everyone’s mockery. Instead, he bravely straightened his chest, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief in his heart. He said solemnly to Qin Shuying: “Sister from the Qin family, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. I won’t hold tonight’s events against you.”

Concubine Kang clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly, and Seventh Prince’s expression also became very unpleasant.

Lianpin watched the scene before her in shock, hardly daring to believe it. Could this Liu Junqing truly have fallen for her cousin? In this situation, it couldn’t possibly be fake!

As for Liang Zhe, he held a stone in his hand and wanted to strike Liu Junqing blind on the spot, barely managing to restrain himself.

Qin Shuying hadn’t expected that despite her careful planning, such an accident would occur. Where did Liu Junqing get this courage? Emperor Delong clearly valued Liu Junqing – if Emperor Delong spoke up, then things would…

But Qin Shuying seemed frightened and trembling, continuously backing away: “Brother, even if you don’t mind, others will. I’m truly afraid of another Red Full Tower incident! Another list! These past days I’ve overestimated myself too much, becoming so delighted I forgot myself, never thinking that Miss Luo and Miss Yun, despite their noble status, would have to be beneath my position – how could we get along in the future… You and I have no fate together. Please let this go!”

Though she spoke incoherently, Liu Junqing understood, and his face immediately turned ashen.

Her eyes were like clear water, filled with hope as she looked at him, tears brimming but not daring to fall, afraid of missing even one of his expressions.

Liu Junqing felt a dull pain in his heart, as if someone were grinding it with stones – was she pleading with him?

Emperor Delong made an “mm” sound, “The Luo family, the Yun family… who are you referring to?”

Concubine De answered: “Elder Luo’s legitimate granddaughter, and Salt Inspector Yun’s legitimate daughter.”

“What’s this about?”

Concubine De briefly explained the situation between Yun Jingshu, Luo Jinniang, and Liu Junqing. After hearing this, Emperor Delong said nothing.

However, Liang Zhe sensitively caught the subtle change in Emperor Delong’s expression.

Having three wives and four concubines was naturally no problem, but when the principal wife’s status was lower than the concubines – this was something Emperor Delong had experienced. Empress Wen came from a humble background, while Concubine De’s origins were much higher than Empress Wen’s.

Qin Shuying looked at Liu Junqing – she was gambling. Now she could tell that Liu Junqing’s attitude toward her had undergone a strange change. If he truly had developed even a trace of affection for her, she had to make good use of that trace of affection.

Fate was so marvelous. Perhaps if he had been able to stand up and shield her from wind and rain half a year earlier, things wouldn’t have developed to this point.

Now, she no longer needed him to speak for her.

Lin Zilan had said it well – as long as Madam Liu didn’t like her, no matter how many good qualities she had, they would ultimately become unrecognizable. Even without the alliance with Liang Zhe, even if Liu Junqing had developed feelings for her, because of the relationship with Liu Gongshan and Madam Liu, Qin Shuying would still break the engagement.

Emperor Delong asked again: “What’s this about Red Full Tower?”

Liu Junqing’s face became even more panicked. He hastily prostrated himself: “Your Majesty, this humble minister finds it hard to speak of! Your Majesty, this humble minister… this humble minister has regrets!”

Emperor Delong’s expression changed slightly, as if remembering something.

Concubine De said: “Liu Junqing, what do you mean by this? Are you giving up the marriage contract?”

Liu Junqing: “…This humble minister has failed Seventh Miss Qin!”

Qin Shuying breathed a sigh of relief, yet felt an indescribable taste.

She had won.

Using Liu Junqing’s trace of affection for her, she had won. However, if she had to do it again, she would still do the same thing.

Concubine De asked: “Liu Junqing, are these words true?”

Having made his decision, Liu Junqing’s speech became more fluent: “Absolutely true, Your Majesty, Your Ladyship. This humble minister acted carelessly and lacked virtue, failing Seventh Miss Qin first. This humble minister willingly breaks the engagement! This humble minister’s word is his bond – there will be no regrets.”

Once these words were spoken, his heart hurt even more, as if being pierced by sharp thorns.

As soon as Qin Shuying had spoken those words, he understood – if he didn’t go along with her wishes, from now on, the already thin affection between them would become even thinner.

Qin Shuying might even hate him.

Just a few days ago, he hadn’t taken the Yun Jingshu matter seriously, thinking Qin Shuying probably wouldn’t mind either – which man didn’t have three wives and four concubines?

But after yesterday’s incident, he finally understood that it was deliberately designed by Qin Shuying. She simply didn’t want to marry into the Liu family, and she was completely clear about what the Liu family members truly thought.

The story about him jumping into the Release Pool to save Luo Jinniang wasn’t true at all – someone had pushed him in. The water wasn’t even deep, and people on shore were shouting that he had saved Luo Jinniang, while Luo Jinniang pressed herself into his arms, creating the final story of “Scholar Liu saves Luo Jinniang at the Release Pool.”

Now he understood, but it was a bit late.

He only hoped he could still leave some good impression in her heart.

Moreover, while Qin Shuying had brought up the Yun and Luo affairs, and though men’s romantic escapades wouldn’t earn mockery, he was after all the top scholar. Such frivolous behavior, while Emperor Delong said nothing, probably didn’t leave a good impression.

It would be better to take responsibility for everything now!

This was the last chance to minimize losses.

“So, you know that if you break the engagement, Seventh Miss Qin will have difficulty marrying in the future. Aren’t you harming her?”

Liu Junqing’s shoulders stiffened. How could he not understand that this would make it difficult for Qin Shuying to marry? But Qin Shuying wasn’t an ordinary person – how could he say such words aloud?

“This humble minister will treat her as a dear sister in the future and will carefully select a good marriage for her.”

“Oh?” Concubine De found this quite interesting.

“Before Your Majesty and Your Ladyship, this humble minister makes a solemn vow – if I violate this oath, may heaven strike me with lightning!”

Liu Junqing’s expression was solemn, not seeming to jest.

Suddenly, a voice interjected cheerfully: “Your Majesty, Your Ladyship, why trouble two people with one matter? There’s a ready candidate right here – Seventh Miss Qin has a good marriage prospect!”

Concubine De looked at Luo Huan, “You mean Young Master Liang?”

Luo Huan said eagerly: “Exactly! Young Master Liang just saved Seventh Miss Qin – isn’t this a ready-made good marriage?”

Liang Zhe raised his fist, his voice cold as iron: “Luo Huan, didn’t you hear what I said earlier? I saved someone – must I be threatened for it?!”

Luo Huan: “That’s not how you put it. If you hadn’t ruined Seventh Miss Qin’s chastity, would she have needed to break her engagement with Scholar Liu? You did save her, but you also ruined her marriage – this is your compensation to her!”