Forced love, an inescapable fate

Mu Qingli frowned, thinking about what Feng Zong had just said.

If I can't accompany my brother to Beijing, what should I do if something happens on the way? Besides, the poison in his body has not been completely eliminated. What if it breaks out again?

But Feng Zong was right. He was a prince after all. In the past, they had no one to rely on and were powerless, so they called each other brother and sister and relied on each other. Now that they were back in Jingguo, even if Jiang Ci was no longer favored, he was still a prince after all, and she could still call him brother and sister.

Thinking of this, Mu Qingli's mood couldn't help but become much lower, and for some reason, his heart felt a little sore.

She lowered her head and whispered to Feng Zong, "I understand."

Feng Zong noticed her disappointment and tried to comfort her.

"Ali, you still have your brother and the Feng family. Your brother will protect you. I know everything that happened to you in Dongli Town. You are very powerful and remarkable. Although the Sixth Prince didn't say it, I can sense that he is very grateful to you."

After saying this, he reached out and touched Mu Qingli's head, trying to make his tone softer. Having been dealing with soldiers for many years, he was actually not good at saying these comforting words.

But the girl in front of him was obviously in a low mood, which made him feel even more guilty.

"From now on, I'll be with you. You won't be bullied anymore. I'll protect you."

Feeling that he was indeed saying these words with some sincerity, Mu Qingli's vigilance gradually decreased a lot, but she did not completely trust Feng Zong. After all, Feng Zong was a complete stranger to her now, and she thought she still had to meet Jiang Ci to confirm it.

After dinner, Mu Qingli followed Feng Zong and went to the courtyard where Jiang Ci was.

Jiang Ci sat silently in the armchair, looking down at Bai Yu who was kneeling on the ground with his head down, expressionless.

It was a long time before I heard his cold words without a trace of emotion.

"Bai Yu, you were sent by my grandfather. I've known for years that my every move was under his control. There's nothing wrong with you doing things for him, but I never keep anyone with two hearts around me. Tell me today, who is your master? If you choose my grandfather, you won't have to come back when you return to Shangjing. If you choose to be loyal to me, then from today on, I'm your only master. As for my grandfather, you should know what to say and what not to say. Consider the two choices I'm giving you before you respond."

Bai Yu knelt on the ground in silence, and Jiang Ci did not speak to urge him. After a moment, he seemed to have made up his mind. He slowly opened his mouth and said solemnly to Jiang Ci: "Your Highness, from now on, you are my only master."

"Alright, stand up. In that case, I'll carry out your first order. Mu Qingli's life belongs to me. While I'm back in the capital, you and Wanyue will be responsible for secretly protecting her. I want her to return to the capital unharmed. Can you do that?"

Bai Yu opened his mouth and finally nodded.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I will protect the princess."

After Bai Yu left, Jiang Ci stared at the long sword hanging on the wall in a daze.

He finally softened his heart and couldn't bear to give up the two years of sincere companionship.

It was not until he heard the notification from outside that he took off the sword and placed it in a corner where it would not be noticed.

Feng Zong and Mu Qingli walked into the yard one after another. Seeing Jiang Ci standing in front of them safe and sound, Mu Qingli's tense heartstrings finally relaxed.

However, she swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth, and finally she whispered to Jiang Ci, "Sixth Prince."

Hearing this address, Jiang Ci's eyes couldn't help but darken, and finally he spoke gently: "Sister, why are you so distant? There's no need for us to be so distant."

"I......"

Without waiting for Mu Qingli to speak, Feng Zong bowed to Jiang Ci and said solemnly, "Your Highness, there is a distinction between the superior and the inferior. The names you two used before must never be mentioned in public again. If someone with ulterior motives overhears and reports it to the Emperor, it will be a serious crime. Your Highness, please be careful."

Mu Qingli also nodded.

"Brother is right. Now that we have returned to Jing State, unlike in Qi State, we must be more careful. Brother is doing this for our own good."

When Jiang Ci heard Mu Qingli addressing Feng Zong, a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"General Feng is indeed very thoughtful. General, the princess and I have something to discuss in private. Could you please excuse me?"

Feng Zong found Jiang Ci's straightforwardness to be very much to his liking. He was a straightforward person and was not used to beating around the bush. Jiang Ci's directness was very much to his liking.

"Okay, then you guys chat first."

After Feng Zong left the door, Jiang Ci smiled gently as usual, and spoke in a very intimate tone.

"Sister, let's go in."

Mu Qingli looked around vigilantly. She remembered what Feng Zong had said before clearly in her heart.

"Why are you still calling me sister? Didn't brother just tell you that we can't call each other like that anymore?"

Seeing her lowering her voice and looking around vigilantly, Jiang Ci just found it funny. He simply grabbed her hand as usual and led her straight into the room.

Only after entering the room did he let go of Mu Qingli's hand and looked at her with a smile.

"Sister, why have you become so timid? And why do you call General Feng brother?"

Mu Qingli flicked his forehead and scolded him, "Tell me, did you discuss this with your brothers a long time ago and keep it a secret from me? Do you know that I was almost scared to death? When I opened my eyes, I thought I was kidnapped. You are so stupid that you hid such a big thing from me and didn't even discuss it with me in advance. What should I do if something really happened to you?"

"Sister, there aren't so many surprises. Besides, I've been training with Mr. Bai Yu for the past two years, so I'm still capable of protecting myself. I kept it a secret from you because I wanted to give you a surprise. Don't you want to see your family? General Feng cares about you very much, and you still call me brother, which is very affectionate. I thought you were happy."

Mu Qingli knocked his head with her hand and turned her face away in feigned anger: "You're not surprised, you're almost scared, how can it be friendly? I don't remember who he is. He just told me that I used to call him that. I have no choice but to do it."

"Sister, please don't be angry. How about you beat me up to vent your anger?"

Mu Qingli was unmoved: "Hit you? Your body is as hard as a rock, and my hands still hurt."

Jiang Ci carefully pulled Mu Qingli's arm and said with a smile: "Sister, I was wrong. I won't hide it from you anymore. Please forgive me, okay?"

During the past two years of getting along, what Mu Qingli could not stand the most was Jiang Ci's coquettishness. Although he was much taller than Mu Qingli now, he was a master at coquettishness and knew that Mu Qingli was most susceptible to it.