Having grown up together since childhood, Kong Yu had always called him A’Rong, while he called her Yu’er.

This habit had been changed by Jingrong about a year ago.

Facing Kong Yu’s words at this moment, Jingrong only said, “That was a matter of years past. You will eventually marry someone, and calling you Yu’er would be somewhat improper.”

“If I marry, naturally I would marry you. What impropriety is there in you calling me Yu’er?”

Kong Yu was straightforward by nature, never able to hide what was in her heart.

She liked Jingrong and had no need to hide or conceal it.

Naturally, Jingrong wasn’t surprised. He had heard these words from childhood to adulthood until his ears had grown calluses, but he could only regard Kong Yu as an older sister!

While using one hand to take down his robe from behind the screen, he said, “Kong Yu, I understand your feelings. But we’re not children anymore. Some jokes simply can’t be made anymore.”

“I’m not joking with you. I made myself clear to you a year ago. I’m no longer young, and Mother constantly urges me to marry. This time after returning from Qingshan Residence, Mother is determined to settle my marriage. I’ve also agreed, and Mother said that within these two days she will enter the palace to petition His Majesty for an imperial decree.”

“What?”

Jingrong’s expression froze, and his clothing nearly fell from his hands to the ground.

He quickly said, “Kong Yu, I only regard you as an older sister. I’ve also made this clear to you before.”

“You and I grew up together. In childhood, you always loved to cling to me. Now that we’ve grown older, it’s as if there’s a layer of gauze between us—there always seems to be a difference. I’ve laid bare my heart. For your sake, I’ve clashed with Mother many times and rejected numerous marriage proposals. I decided on you in my heart long ago. When you say such things, you leave me with no place to stand.”

As she spoke, Kong Yu’s eyes grew sore, but on the surface she maintained the composure of a distinguished lady. One couldn’t tell whether she was anxious or distressed.

If it were anyone else, Jingrong would have long since turned his back and walked away, but this person was Kong Yu.

He moved his thin lips.

He said, “I don’t mean to humiliate you, it’s just…”

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted!

“If I’ve been overly sentimental and delusional, that’s one thing, but why have you never refused me outright?”

Kong Yu remained calm and composed.

Jingrong felt utterly helpless inside. He turned aside and withdrew, taking a light breath before speaking seriously, “It’s not that I haven’t refused—it’s that you and I grew up together. We’re family.”

Kong Yu lowered her brow and took the robe from his hands, saying, “I didn’t come today to discuss this with you. We can talk about it after your injury heals.”

In truth, Kong Yu was avoiding the issue.

She smoothed out the robe and carefully helped him dress.

But suddenly something fell from the clothing.

Ding—

Looking down, it was actually a pendant bead.

Kong Yu was about to pick it up, but Jingrong was one step faster. As soon as he picked it up, he tucked it into his sleeve.

“What is that? From its appearance, it doesn’t seem to be any precious bead, yet you’re so nervous about it.”

“It’s just an object. Nothing special.”

“Oh!” Kong Yu didn’t pursue the matter further.

That bead was something Jingrong had taken from Ji Yunshu’s silver clasp. Though utterly ordinary, he treasured it immensely.

The two then discussed other matters, with Kong Yu doing most of the talking.

And what she spoke of most was her time at Qingshan Residence.

“Though that place has clear mountains and beautiful waters and nurtures one’s temperament, this past year has also been dull and tedious. Mother was devout day and night, burning incense and reciting Buddhist scriptures. She barely spoke a few words to me. In the great mountains, naturally there were no other people either. Occasionally I would think of the days when we were together—those were truly happy times. Now I’ve finally returned to the capital. Halfway here I encountered Muruo, and he told me some things about you. I heard that you left the capital to investigate the Linjing Case for half a year and only recently returned to the capital. You must have suffered quite a bit during that half year away. Looking at you, you’ve become much thinner.”

As she spoke, she touched Jingrong’s pale, handsome face.

Her smooth fingertips lightly touched him. Jingrong, caught off guard and alert, immediately grasped her hand, gazing at Kong Yu’s melancholy eyes.

Then—

He forcefully pushed her hand back, rose without a word, and walked toward the door.

He instructed Lang Bo, “See Miss Kong home.”

“Yes!”

Jingrong left with his back turned.

Inside the room, Kong Yu watched that figure gradually recede into the distance. The defenses built up in her heart suddenly collapsed. On her calm face, an expression of sadness appeared. Tears welled up for a while, and ultimately flowed down.

Those hands, naturally cold, clenched tightly joint by joint. Her henna-painted nails dug deeply into the flesh of her palms.

Lang Bo entered and cupped his hands. “Miss Kong, let me see you home.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Her tone was cool, but one could hear the distress in it.

She averted her eyes, disliking others seeing her emotions. With small steps, she walked out and left.

Behind her, Lang Bo shook his head. “Your Highness, oh Your Highness, this time you’re likely facing a great calamity.”

…

In the East Garden, Wei Yi was chatting idly in the courtyard with several maids.

As soon as Ji Yunshu returned, she hurried into the room. Before the door could close, Wei Yi’s hand reached in.

“Shu’er, where did you go so early?”

“I didn’t go anywhere!”

She hadn’t gone anywhere early—she hadn’t returned all night.

Wei Yi brought his face close to hers, blinking his eyes. “Shu’er, are you unhappy?”

She choked for a moment, shook her head, and sat before the mirror. But she seemed rather distracted, her hands at a loss as they began fiddling with the items on the table.

Her heart was in turmoil!

Wei Yi sat leaning beside her, his brow deeply furrowed as he watched her for a good while. Suddenly, he grasped her restlessly fidgeting hands.

Warmth flowed from Wei Yi’s palms to the back of her hands, immediately bringing her back to her senses. The panicked feeling in her heart also diminished somewhat.

Turning her eyes, she met Wei Yi’s beautiful eyes filled with concern.

“Wei Yi?”

“Though I don’t understand many things, as long as Shu’er tells me, I will definitely understand. Shu’er, if your heart is uncomfortable, why don’t you tell me? Seeing you like this, I’m so worried.”

His sincere concern was clearly evident in his eyes!

Ji Yunshu touched his head, a slight smile appearing at the corners of her mouth. “I’m fine, really. Wei Yi, you don’t need to worry about me.”

“But Shu’er, you’re not happy.”

“Am I?”

Wei Yi nodded, pointing at a box and a hairpin in front of them. “Shu’er, you’ve put this thing in the box and taken it out again, back and forth several times now. You must be unhappy, which is why you’re doing this.”

Yes, Wei Yi was an attentive person!

Ji Yunshu suddenly felt—how wonderful it would be if Wei Yi weren’t simple-minded.

Suddenly, an idea rose in her heart!

“Wei Yi!” She called his name.

“Mm?”

The next moment, she shook her head again. “Never mind.”

Wei Yi pouted, gripping her hand tightly, then rested his head on her lap.

As he did so, he said, “Shu’er, can you promise me that from now on you won’t be unhappy? And if you really are unhappy, you must tell me.”

“Mm! Alright!”

She agreed, and the panicked feeling in her heart from earlier completely disappeared.

Perhaps only when staying by Wei Yi’s side could she have that feeling of peace and security.