Ji Mingchen felt guilty and ashamed of his indecisiveness. “I will apologize to Lady Hai,” he said.
“You think she’ll forgive you just because you apologize?” Mingyi sneered, glancing at Ji Bozai beside her.
Ji Bozai immediately chimed in, “Indeed, an apology requires sincerity. It’s inappropriate to seek our blessing for marriage before you’ve properly reconciled with her.”
Mingyi rested her chin on her hand, smiling. “It’s not entirely inappropriate. Like father, like son. Weren’t you also…”
“My memory isn’t what it used to be. I can hardly recall the follies of my youth,” Ji Bozai hastily interrupted, grasping her hand and winking at her out of their son’s sight.
Couldn’t they avoid bringing up old grievances in front of the younger generation?
Mingyi snorted softly, waving her hand as if to let him off the hook. She then addressed Ji Mingchen, “You can make your own decisions about marriage. If she’s willing to forgive you and marry you, just inform us. Otherwise, don’t hinder her from considering other suitors.”
Ji Mingchen shifted uneasily. “Can’t you arrange the marriage?”
“No,” Mingyi narrowed her eyes at him. “Stop using us as a shield. You’re a grown man now; take responsibility for your actions.”
“Your mother is right,” Ji Bozai nodded solemnly.
“I understand,” Ji Mingchen bowed obediently and left Zhaoyang Palace, his spirits visibly dampened.
The attendant walking beside him observed his gloomy demeanor and asked, puzzled, “Why is Your Highness worried? Lady Hai already has feelings for you. If you propose now, she’s sure to accept.”
“She would have before tonight,” Ji Mingchen fiddled with the silk tassel on his jade pendant, frowning. “After tonight, I fear it won’t be so easy.”
Lady Hai had always been straightforward, never one to mince words. Even if he went to propose now, she’d only think he wasn’t sincere. She might even try to convince him not to take the matter to heart.
Heaven knows, he truly wasn’t trying to take responsibility just because they had become intimate. Rather, after their closeness, he realized his worries were unfounded, and his heart still belonged to her.
But how could he explain this to Lady Hai?
As dawn broke, Lady Hai noticed no one had returned. She felt relieved yet dejected at the same time.
She went about her morning routine as if nothing had happened, practicing her skills and changing for breakfast.
Their family customarily ate breakfast together. Her father, seated at the head of the table, glanced at her several times before finally saying, “Since you’ve left the palace, it’s time to consider some suitors.”
Madam Hai, seated nearby, tugged at his sleeve upon hearing this.
Their daughter didn’t want to discuss this matter, yet he kept bringing it up. It wasn’t as if they couldn’t afford to keep her at home. Why push her away?
Master Hai was anxious too. Those years spent in the palace had yielded no good results, only inviting gossip. It would be better to marry her off to a suitable family, at least ensuring she had someone to care for her.
The couple stared at each other, eyes wide with opposing views.
Hai Qing picked up some vegetables with her chopsticks, slowly removing the scallions, and casually replied, “Alright.”
The couple was stunned, both turning to look at her.
Hai Qing smiled, her eyes reddening. “It’s already a great burden to have given birth to me and raised me. To worry about me to this extent – I am an unfilial daughter.”
Madam Hai’s eyes welled up with tears. Master Hai gave her a long, deep look before nodding. “The matches I choose for you may not suit your heart’s desires, but I assure you, they won’t shortchange you.”
“Thank you, Father.”
After the family finished breakfast in high spirits, the Hai residence bustled with activity.
Master Hai had people gather several portraits, which were piled on the table in Hai Qing’s courtyard. She examined them one by one, from daybreak until dusk, without finding a single suitable match.
Just as she was beginning to worry, someone came to light her lamps and handed her another portrait.
Hai Qing took it and unrolled it.
As the scroll unfurled, it revealed a young man with gentle, affectionate features.
Her fingers trembled, and Hai Qing looked up.
The man from the portrait stood before her, both angry and exasperated. “Do you distrust me so much that you’d rather marry a stranger than me?”
She nodded, smiling. “Indeed.”
Better to deal with a stranger than to be cut to the quick by the one she loved most.
“Don’t even think about it,” Ji Mingchen fumed. “Even if I have to stop your wedding procession, tear up the marriage contract, or forsake my position as Crown Prince, I will ruin any marriage plans you have with anyone else!”
Hai Qing choked slightly. “What grudge do you bear against me, Your Highness, to treat me so?”
Ji Mingchen gritted his teeth. “No grudge. I like you.”
The room fell silent for a moment, even the sounds of birds and flowers outside became distinctly audible.
Hai Qing was happy inside, but only for a brief moment before she calmed herself. “Your Highness doesn’t like me. At most, it’s possessiveness. Just because we’ve grown close, you don’t want me to be close to anyone else.”
“That’s… no, that’s not it!” Ji Mingchen said irritably. “I don’t want you close to others, not because you’re close to me, but because…”
“It’s rare to see Your Highness so flustered,” Hai Qing laughed, waving her hand magnanimously. “I won’t hold it against you. You needn’t keep this matter in your heart either.”
Ji Mingchen was about to burst with frustration.
“Wei Ling has already moved elsewhere. I’ve had your palace quarters cleaned and prepared. When will you return?”
“I won’t be returning,” Hai Qing waved dismissively. “If Your Highness truly still considers me a friend, why not help me choose a husband so I can marry soon?”
As she spoke, she reached for another portrait.
Ji Mingchen forcefully placed his portrait in front of her again. “This one. No other choice.”
Hai Qing finally lost her composure.
She looked up at Ji Mingchen, her voice cold. “What’s wrong with you? I’ve already said you don’t need to take responsibility or dwell on this. Let’s pretend nothing happened. Why do you keep pestering me?”
Ji Mingchen was taken aback and then laughed bitterly. “I’m seriously proposing to you. You have feelings for me too. Why do you keep rejecting me?”
“Oh, so you know I have feelings for you?” Hai Qing’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Where was this knowledge before?”
“Who knows who they want to spend their life with at such a young age? Besides you and my sister, I hadn’t interacted with any other girls my age. What if we had rushed into marriage and I regretted it later? Wouldn’t that hurt you even more?” Ji Mingchen argued righteously. “So I just wanted to see what other young ladies were like. It’s not like I did anything with them.”
Hai Qing couldn’t help but applaud sarcastically. “As expected of Master Qin’s star pupil. Not only is your Yuan Power strong, but your tongue is sharp too. Following Your Highness’s logic, I should also go see what other men are like, lest I regret it later.”
Ji Mingchen faltered, finally lowering his defenses. “I was wrong.”
“No, you weren’t wrong. I was,” Hai Qing said. “I was too single-minded, setting my heart on one person so early. Life is long – there’s always room for regret. Thank you for enlightening me, Your Highness.”
Ji Mingchen was left speechless.
He finally understood the meaning of shooting oneself in the foot.