Forced love, an inescapable fate

The smile on Jiang Ci's face gradually disappeared. Mu Qingli's words just now made the alarm bells ring in his heart.

Is this going to be hidden? She finally noticed something.

What should I do now? If she knows the truth about everything, how should I explain it?

I'm afraid there won't even be a chance to explain.

After all these years, I still know her personality clearly.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ci's face became even uglier.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

Seeing that Jiang Ci's face looked worse than before, Mu Qingli's face was full of worry.

Jiang Ci tried hard to suppress the worries in his heart, chuckled and spoke, trying to dispel Mu Qingli's suspicion.

"Sister, stop imagining things. All we can say is that we hid well during those two years in Dongli Town, so the people of Qi didn't notice. As for the assassination attempt that night being directed at you, that's even more impossible. General Fengzong's power attracts attention, and with the complex interweaving of forces in the court, there are naturally people who dislike him, so it's very likely that they were the ones who did it. As for the maid Qing'er you mentioned, sister, people's hearts are unpredictable. How can you be sure that she wouldn't betray you and General Fengzong for money or other reasons? What you just said is just your speculation. Don't overthink it. Now that this case has been handed over to the Dali Temple, they will naturally find out the truth."

Although what Jiang Ci said did make sense, Mu Qingli still felt that some things were not that simple. But if she said that these things were directed at her, it was indeed unreasonable. She hoped that she was overthinking it.

Afraid that Mu Qingli would mention what happened before, Jiang Ci quickly changed the subject. Moreover, the scene between her and Su Minsheng just now was still engraved in his mind, so he asked Mu Qingli tentatively.

"I wonder if Sister has someone she likes?"

"what?"

Obviously, she didn't react to Jiang Ci's sudden question.

"Why do you ask this suddenly?"

"I'm just thinking that now that my sister has returned to the capital and canceled her engagement with General Feng, is there someone else in her heart?"

Jiang Ci suddenly talked about relationship issues. Although it was a bit different from what they had just talked about, this issue was indeed something she could consider now. After all, in this era, she was obviously an "older leftover woman".

She thought about it seriously and then answered Jiang Ci's question.

"In the past few years, I don't seem to have had much chance to interact with other men. Apart from Bai Yu, there's Brother Su. Although Bai Yu is not bad, he likes Wan Yue. As for Brother Su, he's a good guy, but he's focused on his medical skills. Besides, we're just friends. So even if I want to have a lover now, I have to meet these conditions."

After Mu Qingli finished speaking, the smile that had just appeared on Jiang Ci's face froze.

She even considered Bai Yu, but never considered herself.

But how could he have the face to like her? Everything in the past was just taking advantage of her and plotting against her.

Jiang Ci smiled self-deprecatingly, the bitterness in his heart was indescribable.

"By the way, brother, let me tell you about yourself. You are a prince, not only of noble status, but also handsome. Are there any noble ladies in the capital that you like? When I recover, I will carefully select them for you and try to find you a girl with good looks and a good temper. But since you are a prince, you should marry more than one. To be honest, sometimes I really envy the men of your time who can have three wives and four concubines, even though this custom is not very good."

"I won't. If I marry, I will only marry the one I like. I won't have three wives and four concubines."

Mu Qingli was surprised by Jiang Ci's words, but then he felt a sense of accomplishment, as if his younger brother had grown up. It was truly rare for a man of this era to have such awareness.

But in Mu Qingli's heart, she just thought that Jiang Ci's words were just a casual remark. After all, his identity did not allow it. Moreover, from what she knew, Jiang Ci's goal was no longer just to gain a firm position in Shangjing. She had already known his ambition and purpose during the three years in Sifang City. How could the future crown prince marry only one person?

But she only thought about these in her heart. She smiled and said, "Then the woman you like is very lucky. She will definitely be very happy to marry someone like you."

Jiang Ci clenched his palms tightly again. When he looked at the person who was laughing heartlessly, he felt a deep sense of powerlessness. In the end, he just pursed his lips tightly.

Seeing that Jiang Ci seemed to be in a bad mood, Mu Qingli thought that things might not be going well recently. She had not asked Jiang Ci clearly about his situation in Shangjing before, and she learned everything from others. Moreover, she always felt that there was an indescribable feeling between them when they met this time, as if they were unfamiliar, but also as if they were not. In short, it felt very strange, but she couldn't describe it.

So seeing that he seemed to be worried, Mu Qingli pretended to be unconscious and asked him, "Are you worried?"

Jiang Ci raised his eyes, and the expression on his face had returned to normal.

"Just some trivial matters, not worth mentioning."

Mu Qingli smiled, knowing that he didn't want to say it, and didn't ask any more questions, but she couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, as they had become strangers after all.

Seeing that he was obviously absent-minded, Mu Qingli thought that he might be busy with other things, but was embarrassed to tell her directly, so she said frankly that she was a little tired and wanted to rest.

Jiang Ci didn't ask any more questions, just nodded, and carefully stretched the quilt for Mu Qingli before getting up.

"Sister, take good care of yourself. I have things to do in the near future and need to leave the capital for a while. I may not have time to come and visit you. Sister, remember to take your medicine on time. I will come to visit you after I am done with my work."

"Well, just focus on your own things and don't worry about me. With Wanyue here, you don't have to worry. So be careful about everything."

"Okay, take a rest, sister."

Mu Qingli looked at Jiang Ci's leaving back, feeling a little lost. In fact, she really wanted to ask Jiang Ci what he was going to do and where he was going, but she swallowed the words back several times.

Forget it, since he doesn't want to say, why bother asking.

Both of them were worried. Jiang Ci walked very slowly. He was waiting for Mu Qingli to ask him what he was going to do and whether it would be dangerous. But he didn't hear her voice until he reached the door.

Forget it, let's go. She is no longer the Mu Qingli who only has herself in her heart. She now has Feng Zong as her brother and Su Minsheng as her suitor. In her heart, she is no longer as important as before.

Hearing the door closing, Mu Qingli stared at the door in a daze.

What exactly is different?