"Why apologize?" Zhu Qing'an clutched the quilt, and then he realized that his palms had been medicated at some point. Not only his palms, but also his knees and lips were medicated.

And the person who applied medicine to him was obviously Bian Jingsheng.

Bian Jingsheng looked at Zhu Qingan's delicate face. Even though it was covered by a brocade quilt, he knew Zhu Qingan's beautiful figure underneath the quilt.

"It was me who ruined your innocence! It was me who took advantage of you when you were in trouble!" Bian Jingsheng looked at Zhu Qing'an with a rare look of uneasiness.

After hearing what Bian Jingsheng said, Zhu Qing'an smiled.

"What are you talking about, Your Highness? It was me who begged Your Highness to save me. Your Highness is my savior. If it weren't for Your Highness, I would be a cold corpse by now!" Zhu Qing'an explained calmly.

As for the so-called innocence, it may be very important, but compared with life, Zhu Qingan feels that it is not that important.

Even if her innocence had really been ruined by that thief yesterday, she would not have sought death, because she was never the one who was wrong.

Seeing that there was no shyness or anger on Zhu Qing'an's face, but only calmness, Bian Jingsheng felt an even stranger feeling in his heart, but he also felt that it was natural.

After all, he had always known that Zhu Qing'an was different from ordinary women.

"I will take responsibility!" Bian Jingsheng blurted out. He said quickly, "I will propose marriage as soon as possible and marry you as soon as possible. I will never let you down in the future!"

Zhu Qing'an looked at Bian Jingsheng. She had no doubt about what Bian Jingsheng said.

She knew that Bian Jingsheng was a man of his word; if he had said so, he would surely follow through. Furthermore, if she married Bian Jingsheng, when he ascended the throne, both her aunt and the Marquis of Wen'an would be safe.

But she hesitated!

"I understand your good intentions, but this was just an accident. Your Highness doesn't have to take responsibility out of guilt, and I don't hold your Highness responsible either!" Zhu Qing'an's every word was firm.

She no longer expected to love him, nor did she plan to get married, and she did not want to delay Bian Jingsheng.

"It's not guilt!" Bian Jingsheng looked at Zhu Qing'an. For the first time, his eyes showed no evasion or avoidance. He presented the deep affection in his eyes to Zhu Qing'an. He said softly, "I love you and have loved you for many years! Marrying you has been my greatest wish in these years!"

Zhu Qing'an was still clutching the quilt with both hands, and didn't know what expression to make after hearing what Bian Jingsheng said.

She even felt like Bian Jingsheng was joking. Bian Jingsheng? Liked her? No matter how she looked at it, it was impossible.

She and Bian Jingsheng are two people who have nothing in common. She always thought that Bian Jingsheng was a rational and indifferent man who would never fall in love with a girl in his life.

But now, Bian Jingsheng expressed his feelings for her so frankly. He was so serious, so serious that he was pious, so pious that Zhu Qing'an could not express any doubt.

"Actually, I don't know what love is. I only know that I always think of you, miss you, and want to see you. I want to talk to you. I'm happy when you look at me, and I feel sad when you ignore me. I don't know when I fell in love with you. Maybe you don't believe it, but my love for you is beyond the reach of all the other things I love combined. So, I want to marry you, not out of responsibility, but because I've been planning for a long time!"

Bian Jingsheng even slowed down his breathing. He was waiting for Zhu Qing'an's response. His eyes were focused and sincere, as if everything in the world was concentrated at this moment.

Zhu Qing'an lowered her eyes, not daring to look any longer. She could feel her heart beating rapidly, not because of her heartbeat, but because she seemed to be moved.

She is a mortal, so when an outstanding man whom she admires confesses his love so passionately, it would be a lie to say that she is not touched.

Even Zhu Qing'an had not imagined that there was a non-relative in this world who loved her silently.

Suddenly, all those past details made sense. Bian Jingsheng's care for her in the Imperial Garden, their repeated chance encounters, his care on the way to Chongzhou. She had only ever thought Bian Jingsheng was meticulous and attentive, but now she realized that she was too slow to notice his subtle love for her.

It seemed as if no one had ever loved her so much, not even Shen Shixin in her previous life.

The touch was only momentary, but reason overwhelmed Zhu Qingan, preventing her from impulsively agreeing.

"Your Highness, I have no romantic feelings for you. Although we've had some intimate moments, I can't marry you just because of that!" Zhu Qing'an raised her eyes, her calmness returning to normal. She gently parted her red lips and continued, "My thoughts are shocking, but if I want to marry, it must be someone I love!"

Even if Bian Jingsheng really loved her, Zhu Qingan would not lose her mind.

She always kept her aunt's teachings in mind. In this world, sincerity is changeable, and men's sincerity is even more so. Maybe it is true when they speak, but it is also true when they are cold-hearted after going through many things.

Therefore, whether facing Shen Shixin's change of heart or Bian Jingsheng's true feelings, Zhu Qing'an can remain true to himself.

She knew that only her heart belonged to her. If she was happy or sad because of a man, then she would be really finished.

Bian Jingsheng did not feel any loss when he heard Zhu Qing'an's refusal, because he knew too well how rational Zhu Qing'an was.

After all, children taught by the Queen Mother are always calm and wise.

"I understand. I'm not telling you my feelings to cause you any trouble. I just want to tell you that there is someone in this world who loves you very much. It doesn't matter if you reject me. You can still live your life, and I will just support you silently! I just hope you don't reject me!" Bian Jingsheng smiled. Although he seemed a little lost, he was not decadent.

After all, the relationship between him and Zhu Qing'an has exceeded his expectations.

Zhu Qing'an looked at Bian Jingsheng and was full of curiosity about him.

Men in this world, when they love a woman, always act condescending and give alms to her. If they are rejected, they will become angry and embarrassed.

But Bian Jingsheng was different. Even though he was rejected by himself, he did not feel angry or unwilling, and even maintained his composure rationally.

Such a man is really rare.

Some things are not awkward after being spoken out. Zhu Qingan asked quietly, "No one knows about our affairs, right?"

After all, it seems like a whole night has passed.

"Don't worry, no one knows what happened yesterday except your maid! I will take you back to your residence later!" Bian Jingsheng said considerately.

He naturally would not ruin Zhu Qing'an's reputation. After taking Zhu Qing'an's body yesterday, he had never intended to flirt with Zhu Qing'an.

Bian Jingsheng went out for a while, then took out a new set of clothes and put them beside the bed, and then he walked out of the house and just stood outside.

When Zhu Qing'an stood up, he almost fell down again, not only because of the injuries left from yesterday's escape, but also because of physical fatigue.

She looked down at herself and it was unbearable to look at. Her body was covered with marks. Could it be that Jingsheng was born in the year of the dog?

She quickly changed her clothes and let Bian Jingsheng in.

However, Zhu Qing'an did not expect that Bian Jingsheng would come in with a basin of warm water and toiletries.

"You should wash up and eat something before going back!" Bian Jingsheng asked.

Her stomach was indeed empty, and if someone saw her like this, who knows what kind of rumors would spread. Zhu Qing'an nodded in agreement.

However, when she was washing up, Bian Jingsheng served her like a maid, which made Zhu Qingan feel a little uncomfortable.

"Your Highness, you don't have to be like this!" Zhu Qing'an wiped his cheek and advised helplessly.

Perhaps she is the only one who can be served by the King of Loyalty and Righteousness. It sounds quite creepy.

"You are not well yet, I am just doing what I can!" Bian Jingsheng insisted on doing so. He took Zhu Qing'an's handkerchief and put it aside. He wanted to support Zhu Qing'an, but he still maintained his composure.

The two sat together to eat. The meal was all easy to digest. Zhu Qing'an put down his chopsticks after eating a little, and Bian Jingsheng did the same.

"What happened yesterday was the Imperial Concubine's attempt to plot against me!" Zhu Qing'an still felt scared when he mentioned what happened yesterday. If it weren't for Bian Jingsheng, he really didn't know how it would have ended. He was afraid that he would have been ruined by now.

Bian Jingsheng thought of what he saw yesterday, and murderous intent was suppressed in his eyes.

"Yesterday, the Imperial Concubine conspired with His Majesty. Originally, His Majesty wanted to..." Bian Jingsheng couldn't continue. He didn't want to smear Zhu Qing'an with those words. He said bitterly, "It's just that the Imperial Concubine was afraid that your beauty would steal the Emperor's favor, so she deliberately found a man to ruin your innocence. This way, the Emperor would dislike you, and the Empress Dowager would also be criticized by the court officials because of you!"

"What a good plan!" Zhu Qing'an snorted coldly. This was the second time. This imperial concubine was really persistent.

"There will be a good show today!" Bian Jingsheng said with a smile, which made Zhu Qingan even more curious about what Bian Jingsheng had done.

After the meal, Bian Jingsheng quietly sent Zhu Qing'an back to his residence and then disappeared.

As soon as she replied, Fu Guang and Wang Shu surrounded her. They looked at her and quickly knelt down, their eyes filled with self-blame for not protecting her well.

"I'm fine, don't alert the enemy!" Zhu Qing'an ordered.

The imperial concubine's plan was so fierce that she couldn't avoid it even though she tried her best to be vigilant. This could not be blamed on Wangshu and Fuguang.

After a while, the second sister came back. When she saw Zhu Qing'an, she hurried over and took her arm as usual. "Eldest sister, there is a flower viewing banquet in the palace today. Can you go?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhu Baiwei saw the mottled marks under her elder sister's clothes. At just one glance, Zhu Baiwei was stunned.

Zhu Qing'an quickly lifted her collar a few inches. She thought her second sister would ask something, but Zhu Baiwei acted as if nothing had happened and continued to talk about the arrangements for today's palace.

"This morning, my lady asked me where my eldest sister was going. I said that my eldest sister was afraid that I would not be used to it, so she stayed with me yesterday!" Zhu Baiwei suddenly said this before leaving.

There was heartache and sorrow in her eyes. Although she was just a young girl who knew nothing about the world, the way her elder sister walked and the marks under her clothes made it hard for Zhu Baiwei not to think too much.

However, Zhu Baiwei didn't dare to ask, for she was afraid of touching upon her elder sister's sad memories.

After all, as long as her elder sister could still sit there safely, Zhu Baiwei felt that it was enough.

"Thank you!" Zhu Qing'an looked at Zhu Baiwei with a smile. She knew that Zhu Baiwei had probably guessed what happened yesterday, but it was rare that she could still stand by her side.

Originally, I thought that Zhu Baiwei would go to the flower viewing banquet and would not return until the evening, but unexpectedly, Zhu Baiwei came back not long after Zhu Qing'an lay down.

"Sister, are you asleep?" Zhu Baiwei asked in a low voice while standing outside the house.

"No, come in!" Zhu Qing'an said. She was not sleepy, but it was her first time having sex and her body could not bear it.

Not to mention, Jingsheng over there was like a cow, and she finally fainted. She felt that if Jingsheng hadn't felt sorry for her, she wouldn't even be able to get out of bed today.

I had heard before that people who practiced martial arts had great physical strength, but after yesterday, Zhu Qing'an realized that it was true. The physical strength of people who practiced martial arts was not just great, it was simply incredible.

Zhu Baiwei gently pushed open the door, took a chair and sat down beside the bed, chattering non-stop, "Something big has happened. I heard that His Majesty found a man in the Imperial Concubine's room today!"

"What?" Zhu Qing'an supported his head with his hands, and then suddenly remembered what Bian Jingsheng said in the morning. Could it be that Bian Jingsheng did this?

"Hush, everyone's been spreading this privately, fearing they'll lose their heads if they anger His Majesty!" Zhu Baiwei whispered, "I heard that this morning, His Majesty went to the Imperial Concubine's room and unexpectedly saw her talking to a man. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that the Imperial Concubine actually keeps a man by her side. He usually pretends to be a eunuch, but he's actually a real man!"

Zhu Qing'an nodded. Since the imperial concubine was able to quietly disguise a man as a palace maid yesterday, it must not be difficult for her to keep a man by her side.

"What has Your Majesty done now?" Zhu Qing'an asked. She had no sympathy for the Imperial Concubine. She had framed her time and again, and now she was suffering the consequences of her crimes.

"I heard that His Majesty was very angry. Not only did he beat the man to death with a stick, but he also dragged the imperial concubine and beat her half to death. I heard that His Majesty ordered the imperial concubine to be stripped of her title, demoted to a palace maid, and sent to the cold palace!" Zhu Baiwei said with a sigh.

The imperial concubine who was so glorious yesterday ended up like this overnight.

Zhu Qing'an listened, but also understood that the imperial concubine would probably never cause any more trouble. Usually, concubines sent to the cold palace would die suddenly after a short period of time, let alone an imperial concubine who had cuckolded the emperor.

Now the emperor just didn't want to admit that he was cuckolded, so he spared the concubine's life. Later, the emperor would definitely kill the concubine secretly.

"What a pity! The emperor wants Qi Chen to return to the palace. I thought I could have a few more days of fun!" Zhu Baiwei said regretfully. It was her first time attending a palace banquet, and the novelty had not yet worn off.

"When you have time in the future, there will be many opportunities like this!" Zhu Qing'an comforted.

Perhaps knowing that the imperial concubine had met such an end, Zhu Qing'an felt much happier both physically and mentally, and actually slept for a long time.

After he recovered, he returned home with the officials' families.

But unlike the laughter and joy on the way here, everyone tried to keep their heads down as much as possible on the way back, for fear of making His Majesty unhappy.

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