Chapter 20: One-Sided Affection

Murong Xuan noticed the look in Zhuang Xiaoyu’s eyes—one that clearly told him to leave quickly. He decided not to continue bothering her.

“Your Highness, you’re so handsome and elegant, like a fine young man in full bloom, yet Miss Zhuang clearly doesn’t seem to care. What should we do?”

It was like getting slapped in the face!

“How would I know? I haven’t been around girls much,” Murong Xuan replied.

“Neither have I, but I could ask someone who has experience?”

“That’s fine.”

Just as they left the gates of the royal mansion, they saw a young lady standing there.

“Who is that?”

Murong Xuan didn’t recognize her.

“Your Highness, that’s Miss Wei. She’s come several times before, but you’ve never seen her,” the attendant replied.

“Tell her not to come anymore. We don’t want to cause any misunderstandings with Xiaoyu.”

How vain! Didn’t he see the look of disdain in Miss Zhuang’s eyes?

Wei Ying quickly rushed up when she saw Murong Xuan’s carriage approaching. “Miss Wei greets Your Highness.”

“Miss Wei, please leave. His Highness will not see you,” the attendant said bluntly.

She really had no shame, coming back time after time after being rejected so many times.

“Your Highness, since the first time I met you, I’ve been thinking about you. Could you give me a chance, for my sincere feelings?” Wei Ying pleaded.

The last time the prince returned to the capital was after Wei Ying first met him. This Miss Wei was truly infatuated—much more than Miss Zhuang, who clearly didn’t seem to care about the prince.

“Your Highness, perhaps you could…” the attendant began, trying to plead for her.

“Return to the manor. If she comes again, throw her far away.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The attendant glanced awkwardly at Wei Ying, ignoring her pleading, and quickly drove the carriage back into the royal mansion.

Wei Ying’s repeated appearances at the royal mansion had drawn the attention of many. Some people said that Miss Wei had no shame, constantly coming to a man’s door and embarrassing the Wei family. Others said she was truly infatuated with the prince.

However, no one understood why the prince didn’t seem interested in Wei Ying, even though her family was powerful. The Wei family was one of the top noble houses in the capital, with the family patriarch being the Grand Tutor and several uncles and brothers holding important government positions. If Murong Xuan married Miss Wei, it would certainly make his path to the throne easier.

The attendant, Jian Yi, had asked several married men for advice, and all of them suggested sending gifts. Women loved beautiful clothes and jewelry, and after sending enough, they would naturally fall in love.

Murong Xuan was once again gazing at his reflection in the mirror. “I’m so handsome. Why doesn’t she like me?”

“Miss Zhuang is not an ordinary woman.”

“If it weren’t for the fact that she saved my life, I wouldn’t even care about her.”

With no manners when standing, sitting, or speaking—besides himself, it was doubtful anyone else would want her.

Jian Yi: Clearly, the prince is obsessed with her, but still pretends not to care. Since when did he become so hypocritical?

“It’s because she saw me in such a pitiful state when I was in trouble. She probably thinks I’m weak and doesn’t want to marry me.”

“It was my mistake, Your Highness. We were tricked into a trap, which put you in danger.”

“Enough. Go buy some jewelry.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At Huicui Pavilion, this was Murong Xuan’s first visit. Upon hearing that he had arrived, Sima Mo personally came to greet him.

“Prince Xuan, who would you like to buy jewelry for?” Sima Mo asked.

“Do I need to report this?” Murong Xuan asked, confused.

“No, Your Highness. I just need to know what kind of person you are buying for so I can recommend the right items.”

“For an unmarried young lady.”

“Ah, then you can choose from these. These are the types of jewelry young ladies wear—jade bracelets, gold hairpins, step bells, earrings…”

“I’ll take a full set, the most expensive one.”

“Of course, Your Highness, please wait a moment.”

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Murong Xuan personally went to Zhuang Xiaoyu’s house to deliver the gift. Jian Yi had told him that in order to show sincerity, he should present it himself.

“Xiaoyu, thank you for saving my life. This is a small gift, just a token of my gratitude.”

“Oh, alright. Since it’s your sincere gesture, I’ll accept it,” Zhuang Xiaoyu said, taking the box and turning to leave.

Zhuang Jian sighed with a headache. His daughter had never learned proper etiquette. How could she not even know to thank someone properly?

“I’ll thank you on her behalf, Your Highness.”

“No need to thank me. A life-saving grace, Your Highness intends to offer himself in return, but unfortunately, Miss Xiaoyu doesn’t care for His Highness.”

“Your Highness, you’re mistaken. It’s Miss Xiaoyu who is unworthy of you.”

To still be pursuing his daughter despite already having someone in mind was truly shameful. But what was with this constant calling her “Xiaoyu, sister”? Is that the custom among the martial world?

The master and servant left the Zhuang residence, and Murong Xuan waved his hand. “Let’s go buy clothes.”

The next day, Zhuang Xiaoyu received another box of purple clothes.

As long as Zhuang Xiaoyu didn’t refuse, Murong Xuan would send gifts, ranging from clothes and jewelry to fruits and delicacies. Buying things for her became his daily routine.

Zhuang Xiaoyu didn’t refuse and even politely invited Murong Xuan to dine at Changkang Residence.

Murong Xuan, of course, wasn’t about to miss such an opportunity. Before leaving, he stood in front of the mirror for quite some time.

He couldn’t help but admit it—this guy was truly handsome. His elegant face was as exquisite as a sculpture, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, just like a celestial being descending to the mortal world, like an unparalleled young noble stepping out of a painting.

Zhuang Xiaoyu watched him approach with a mischievous smile and said, “You look much better than your father.”

“…”

Was that a compliment? So this was how you praised someone’s looks?

Zhuang Xiaoyu had met the Emperor before. Murong Xuan didn’t resemble his father. He must have inherited his mother’s beauty. Her mother had been much more attractive than her father. Zhuang Xiaoyu couldn’t help but think that maybe Murong Xuan wasn’t even the Emperor’s child…

“What does Xiaoyu want to eat? I’ll have Jian Yi…”

“No need, I’ve already ordered. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Has Xiaoyu figured it out?”

“Figured out what?”

“Do you… want Prince Xuan’s body?” Murong Xuan asked, looking a little shy, yet pretending to be casual.

What the heck? A general on the battlefield was acting like this? Zhuang Xiaoyu almost choked on her tea.

“Xiaoyu, what’s going on with you?”

“Heh, can you be normal? I’m allergic to people who are too flirtatious.”

Murong Xuan had worked up the courage to do this, but Zhuang Xiaoyu called him abnormal. It was embarrassing. Luckily, no one else saw him, or how could he face his subordinates?

“My father said you’re not interested in the throne. Why don’t you return to the border?”

Quickly changing the topic to avoid further awkwardness.

“There’s still something I need to do.”

“Can you tell me what it is? Maybe I can help.”

If it’s for her, she might just let him go, so she wouldn’t be a hindrance. If it’s something else, perhaps she could assist. Although they weren’t close, she felt this person wasn’t bad and was worth befriending.

“You can’t help with this.”

“How would you know if you don’t say? I’m really good at this kind of thing,” she said confidently.

“I know Xiaoyu is invincible, but this matter isn’t something that can be solved with force.”

He wanted to take his mother’s coffin from the imperial tomb. As long as his father disagreed, he wouldn’t be able to carry out this plan.

“Fine, fine. If you need me, just let me know. Don’t hold back, except for asking me to marry you.”

“What’s wrong with me? Don’t you like me, Xiaoyu?”

“You’re fine. I just don’t want to get married. By the way, Jian Yi said you have someone in your heart. Who is it?”

“Is that why you’re asking? No, no. My heart is only for you, Xiaoyu. From the beginning to the end, you are the only one in my heart.”

“I don’t want to get married. I want to be taken care of by Old Zhuang. As for the life-saving grace, don’t worry about it. If I see someone in need, I would help, no matter who they are.”

Murong Xuan looked at her for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

“I know. You lost the love of your parents when you were young, and you long for their affection. You want to stay with them, and it’s fine if you want to stay for a few more years. I can wait for you.”

This person was so understanding, but it was a pity that she didn’t need him to wait.

“Don’t wait for me because of me. Don’t waste your time. Please don’t wait for me.”

“No, I’ll wait until you’re ready to marry.”

“Really don’t wait for me. I don’t want to get married.”

“One day, you’ll want to get married.”

“I can’t eat this meal anymore. You can eat by yourself.”

Angry, Zhuang Xiaoyu stood up to leave. This person was so stubborn, just like Old Zhuang. Could he be Old Zhuang’s child?