Ever since the last matchmaking meeting, He Chang’an had not seen this Miss Qu again. Catching sight of her now, he instinctively looked away. “Very well.”

The palace was in a state of unease, and the Empress Dowager, who had always favored the Chancellor, was naturally restless as well. Seeing Marquis Gongyu enter, she hurriedly asked, “Has the Chancellor already been imprisoned?”

He Chang’an cupped his hands in salute. “The common people lined ten streets to see him off; he has already entered the prison.”

Closing her eyes, the Empress Dowager sighed deeply. “How innocent the Hua family is, to have produced a wretch like Hua Liuying — and yet how fortunate, to still have Jinghua holding things up.”

Glancing at the Empress Dowager, He Chang’an said quietly, “In truth, both His Majesty and Your Highness wish to pardon the Chancellor — it’s only that… Prince Xi is being a bit too righteous about it.”

Thinking of Yuwen Xi, the Empress Dowager shook her head helplessly. “That child is too stubborn; even I cannot bend him back. As things stand now, the Chancellor’s punishment has been decided — there is no more room left.”

He Chang’an fell silent.

After a moment of sorrow, the Empress Dowager returned to the matter at hand. “I called you here to discuss your marriage with Xiangge. The date is fast approaching — have you not yet sent the betrothal gifts?”

Qu Xiangge stood off to the side, biting her lip.

He Chang’an lowered his eyes. “I’m afraid Chang’an must disappoint Your Highness’s good intentions.”

“What?” Empress Dowager Ning was startled, glancing at him, then at Miss Qu. “Wasn’t this already settled?”

“After much thought, Chang’an still feels that living alone suits him better, freer and more at ease.” he said quietly. “As for disappointing Miss Qu, Chang’an will personally call upon her family to apologize.”

Qu Xiangge’s face paled slightly, and she looked at him in a daze. “Is it that this lowly one is not good enough, not to the Marquis’s liking?”

“Miss Qu is cultured and sensible, a very fine young lady.” He Chang’an said with a bitter smile.

But when he had come to like someone, he couldn’t make himself like another. Hadn’t Hua Jinghua said as much herself? For someone as stubborn as him, trying to forget one person by falling for someone else would do no good for anyone.

Right now, in his heart and mind, there was only Hua Jinghua — to force himself into marriage with someone else would only wrong both parties.

The Empress Dowager’s expression darkened. “This is a match I arranged myself. Does the Marquis truly intend to show me such disrespect?”

He Chang’an lifted the hem of his robe and knelt down. “This subject begs Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

What audacity! Empress Dowager Ning was somewhat angered — a match she had arranged was as good as one bestowed by the emperor himself, and yet he dared to refuse it! Without a thought for the consequences!

“Since the Marquis is so determined,” she said coldly, “then go apologize to the Qu family yourself. And apologize on my behalf as well, for having wasted the young lady’s marriage prospects for nothing.”

“Yes.”

He Chang’an closed his eyes, rose, and respectfully withdrew.

Yuwen Jie was in the middle of pondering something when he suddenly heard the news that Marquis Gongyu had refused a marriage. His brows knit tightly. “Has he gone mad?”

Eunuch Qin shook his head helplessly. “No one knows what the Marquis was thinking, refusing the marriage right in front of the Empress Dowager.”

This was plainly an act that would offend the Empress Dowager — Marquis Gongyu was such a clever man, why would he act so rashly?

He couldn’t make sense of it, but Yuwen Jie turned the matter over in his mind and immediately understood the reason.

It had to be because of Hua Jinghua — only for her sake would He Chang’an refuse marriage now. Knowing she was going to lose her life, he too no longer needed to marry.

Such deep feelings, truly. Having known He Chang’an for so many years, he had never seen him do such a thing for any woman — let alone for someone who, in front of him, was ostensibly a man.

It was time to act first and seize the advantage.

Leaving the palace, He Chang’an went straight to the Heavenly Prison.

Hua Chun was being treated extremely well in the Heavenly Prison — a VIP suite, a clean and comfortable bed, and good food to boot.

See, this was the benefit of having powerful backing!

Biting into a chicken leg, she found that life here was actually more relaxed than outside. Nothing to worry about — eat, then sleep, then eat again. If the final outcome weren’t being dragged out and beheaded, she would have been quite happy to live like this forever.

The cell door opened, and He Chang’an walked in, his face clouded with gloom.

“Second Brother?” Hua Chun looked at him curiously. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” he said. “Just in a bad mood. Came to chat with you.”

Patting the spot beside her, Hua Chun smiled. “No stools here, come sit on the bed and make do.”

He Chang’an nodded, sitting down beside her as instructed, and let out a long sigh. “If this time we really can’t find a way to save you, what then?”

Hua Chun blinked and smiled. “I never held out much hope to begin with, Second Brother, don’t push yourself too hard. When it comes to life and death, fate decides. If you’ve done everything you can, then all that’s left is to leave it to heaven.”

Everyone else was anxious and grieving on his behalf, yet he seemed the most at ease, as if he hadn’t even considered who would end up on the execution platform in the end.

He Chang’an gritted his teeth, and, losing control for a moment, reached out and grabbed his wrist.

Hua Chun jumped, nearly dropping the chicken leg in his hand, and looked at him in surprise. “Second Brother?”

“There are some things that, if I don’t say them now, I don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance again.” He Chang’an said in a low voice. “Might as well get it all out now.”

Vaguely guessing what he was about to say, Hua Chun felt a bit awkward, instinctively pulling back slightly. “Second Brother, wait — how about we eat something and have some wine first?”

Sensing her evasion, the light in He Chang’an’s eyes dimmed a little. He turned to look at the plate on the table, with hardly any food left on it, and felt even more downcast. “What do you want me to eat, exactly?”

Hua Chun startled, and hurriedly got up to call the guard. “Bring another plate of food!”

“Coming right up!” The guard hurried off, more eager than even a waiter at a fine restaurant.

The other prisoners nearby all felt it deeply unfair — they were all imprisoned the same, so why did this person get VIP suite treatment while they were left rolling around in the straw without even a steamed bun to eat?

Hua Chun gripped the wooden bars, somewhat reluctant to turn around, but thought — she was going to lose her life soon anyway, so why bother being awkward? She turned back and looked at He Chang’an. “Second Brother doesn’t seem too happy today — does it have something to do with what you wanted to say?”

“I suppose it does.” he said with a low laugh. “I’ve called off my engagement with Miss Qu.”

“What?” Hua Chun was startled, her first reaction was to slap her thigh in frustration. “I already prepared your wedding gift!”

He Chang’an: “…”

“Ah — no, Second Brother’s own feelings matter most. If you don’t want to marry her, no one can force you.” She smiled and sat back down beside him. “But this was a match arranged by the Empress Dowager. Refusing it must put you under a lot of pressure.”

“Indeed, it’s no small pressure.” He Chang’an nodded. “It’s entirely possible some crime might be pinned on me one of these days, so I could keep you company.”

“That won’t happen.” Hua Chun shook her head. “You still have His Majesty.”

Though Yuwen Jie was fierce and difficult, he was always protective of his own — with him around, He Chang’an would surely have support.

Thinking of him, Hua Chun suddenly felt a dull ache in her heart. Once imprisoned, she would never see him again until she reached the execution ground. He was, after all, the supreme ruler — she didn’t know whether he would come to see her off at the execution ground. If he didn’t, then that moment in court would have been their last meeting.