Chapter 10

Chapter 10

In the blink of an eye, half a year passed.

Fang Jingheng hadn’t visited again.

When I went to the capital to sell my wares, I asked around and learned that he had long since left for the border. He had already earned military merits and was expected to return to the capital soon.

“The Crown Prince disappeared halfway back from the border, and it’s been six months now. There’s endless debate in the imperial court; everyone says the Emperor is going to appoint a new heir!”

I returned home with my earnings and shared all this news with Xie Shanyu.

“Fang Jingheng is returning to the capital soon. Now that he has military achievements, his father should favor him more, right?”

Xie Shanyu gazed at me. “Is Zhaozhao very concerned about him?”

“Of course, we grew up together-”

I couldn’t finish my sentence because Xie Shanyu leaned in to kiss me again.

I didn’t know why, but his kisses had become increasingly frequent lately. Whenever he looked at me, his eyes were always filled with a deep, heavy emotion, as if he wanted to swallow me whole.

Left breathless by the kiss, I propped myself up against his shoulders.

Suddenly, I heard Xie Shanyu ask, “Did that person tell you the Crown Prince has been missing for half a year?”

I nodded.

“Zhaozhao, have you ever considered… that I might be the Crown Prince?”

I was so startled that I covered his mouth. “You must never say such things out loud!”

“I’ve heard the Crown Prince is cruel and bloodthirsty. If he heard you, he definitely wouldn’t let you off easy.”

I rambled on and on, only to realize that Xie Shanyu was blinking innocently beneath my hand. I felt a damp, warm sensation against my palm.

With a light cough, I let go.

He immediately said, “If I were the Crown Prince, I would make you my Crown Princess, alright?”

“Stop it!”

I glared at him fiercely. “Do you have a death wish?”

“I was wrong, Zhaozhao.”

Xie Shanyu was quick to admit his mistake. He buried his face in my shoulder, his warm breath tickling my skin.

Just then, the rapid sound of approaching hoofbeats came from outside. I hurried to the door.

As the sun set, a man covered in dust dismounted and stood before me.

“Fang Jingheng!” I nearly jumped. “You’re back!”

He had lost a lot of weight, making his features appear sharper, and there was something different in the way he looked at me.

“Zhaozhao,” Fang Jingheng’s throat moved as he spoke in a dry voice. “That day, amidst the enemy ranks, several arrows were flying toward me. Yet, all I could think about was you. Only then did I realize my feelings for-”

I didn’t catch what he was saying. I just poked my head back inside and called for Xie Shanyu to come out.

Then, tugging on Xie Shanyu’s sleeve, I happily introduced him to Fang Jingheng. “This is the husband you picked for me back then. He’s a wonderful man and treats me very gently.”

Xie Shanyu raised an eyebrow slightly. “Heir Fang, it has been a long time.”

Fang Jingheng froze on the spot, his face turning deathly pale. “He was clearly a beggar… How can he be… the Crown Prince?!”