Love at First Sight, Chapter 74: That's Not What I Meant

In the study of the Third Prince's residence, Zun Yi and Zun You were both waiting for Wen Yueqing to arrive.

For a moment, they were all a bit awkward, unsure what to say. Now that everything had been laid bare, all that remained was to see how she would respond.

Zun You was taking a gamble; he was betting that Wen Yueqing would not leave him, wagering on the feelings forged between them over the time they had spent together.

“Your Highness, you wanted to see me? Is there something you need?” Wen Yueqing said as she walked in.

She glanced up and saw both men seated with grave expressions. As she entered, their gazes fixed intently upon her.

“This doesn’t look good. I wonder how Zun Yi explained things to him,” she thought to herself, feeling goosebumps rising all over her skin.

She knew Zun You’s temperament well, and if he wasn’t truly angry, his expression would never look like this.

“Could it be that His Highness has uncovered the person who drugged him?” Wen Yueqing had no choice but to sit by the side, bracing herself.

She was certain they would discuss today’s events. In her heart she wondered, “Who could be behind such a plot to frame him and Zun Yi?”

The three of them sat arranged like an iron triangle, with Zun You in the middle and the other two on either side.

Zun Yi dared not meet her eyes directly, for he had nearly crossed a line with her moments before.

Wen Yueqing avoided looking at him as well, knowing Zun You would be displeased if he noticed, and so she deliberately feigned distance from Zun Yi.

The situation was already difficult enough to explain; if she wasn’t careful, Zun You would certainly be consumed by jealousy.

Zun You could hardly wait any longer; he desperately wanted to know Wen Yueqing’s true thoughts.

“Fifth brother, will you ask her yourself, or shall I?” Zun You looked at Zun Yi.

Zun Yi stood and said, “It’s my own matter; I’ll speak for myself.”

With that, he walked toward Wen Yueqing, who felt uneasy as he approached, unable to remain seated.

“I wonder what the Fifth Prince wishes to ask of me?” she said, head bowed, her expression somewhat flustered.

Her mind replayed the scene from the side room earlier; though it had happened only hours ago, it felt unreal, as if she had dreamed it.

“I still want to ask you what I did before: would you be willing to be with me, to become my concubine? If you agree to leave with me, Third Brother has said he will allow it.”

Zun Yi’s gaze never wavered, his face filled with anticipation.

“What did you say? This…” Her mouth hung open, unable to believe what she was hearing.

Wen Yueqing had long known Zun Yi’s feelings toward her, but what shocked her was that Zun You had not directly refused him; instead, he seemed willing to give her away.

Her heart grew cold and her nose stung. Why had it come to this?

Had Zun You grown tired of her after what happened? Did he believe she truly had feelings for Zun Yi and wanted to conveniently rid himself of her?

She stared at Zun You in astonishment, and suddenly understood why he had stopped so abruptly before, just as they were about to cross the final threshold.

“Is it true?” Wen Yueqing turned and looked at Zun You. She needed to hear it from his own lips.

Still unable to believe, she asked again, “Is everything the Fifth Prince said true?”

Zun You had wanted to hear her own wishes; he did not want to force her to stay with him.

But when she questioned him this way, his heart gave a jolt—had he made a mistake?

He could not bring himself to answer her, and even felt a pang of regret. Perhaps he should have firmly refused Zun Yi from the start.

“So, is it true? If I agree, you’ll give me to him?” Wen Yueqing took two steps to his desk, hands braced on the tabletop, her voice tinged with anger.

“That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to know what you thought. Fifth Brother insisted you give him a direct answer,” Zun You said, feeling uncertain as she fixed him with her doe-like eyes.

He was always decisive in other matters, so why was he so hesitant when it came to Wen Yueqing?

Hearing his affirmation, Wen Yueqing felt as if her heart were being cut by knives, tears welling in her eyes, yet she laughed aloud.

Straightening, she forced a bitter smile and said, “So this is how it is. All those words of affection, but in the blink of an eye you can hand the one you claim to love over to someone else, like a thing.”

“That’s not what I meant. I do care for you…” Zun You said anxiously, rising to his feet.

“Enough, don’t say it. Perhaps you do like me, but maybe it’s just like fondness for a kitten or a puppy—a plaything, nothing more, am I right?”

Wen Yueqing fought to hold back her tears; she did not want to cry here.

After what had just happened, she truly wanted to be with Zun You.

When they embraced and kissed, she realized her own feelings, that she had fallen for this young prince.

That was why hearing those words hurt so much, why she was so angry.

She had nearly decided to give herself to him, but this hope had been extinguished by a bucket of cold water.

She regained her composure, reminding herself not to fall in too easily.

At that moment, Zun You stepped in front of her, grasping her shoulders.

He said loudly, “I love you so much—how can you say that?”

“Why? Isn’t it true? Wasn’t it you who agreed to let me go? If I say I want to follow the Fifth Prince, you’d let me leave, wouldn’t you?”

Wen Yueqing looked up at him, speaking each word distinctly.

Zun You saw her stubborn expression, his brows knit tightly, and could only reply, “No, I know you wouldn’t.”

Wen Yueqing turned away, unwilling to look at him. Now she was clear-headed, no longer filled with fury as before, and she shook off Zun You’s hands.

“Fifth Prince, you should give up. I truly do not care for you; I will never be with you in this life. I mean what I say, and I hope you understand.”

She looked Zun Yi in the eye, speaking with earnest resolve.

“I understand,” Zun Yi sighed.

Though he did not want to give up on Wen Yueqing, after hearing their exchange, what more was there to misunderstand?

A forced union will never bear sweet fruit; though he was young, he grasped this principle.

Wen Yueqing was his first love, and he decided to cherish these feelings in his heart forever.

“I won’t trouble you anymore,” Zun Yi said, looking at her in resignation.

“That’s good. You’re a good person, Fifth Prince, and you’ll find someone who truly loves you.”

Wen Yueqing smiled gently at his words.

“I’ll be going now,” she said, and without a backward glance at Zun You, she turned and walked out.

“Yue’er!” Zun You called after her.

But she acted as if she hadn’t heard, neither speaking nor halting her steps.