The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

However, Shangguan Hanque was a man, so the features on his face were much more defined and tougher than those of Jian Yue. Moreover, he had been on the battlefield for a long time, and his aura of killing was even stronger. He was a true man.

Initially, because of Jian Yue, the two had more contact, but as time went by, she realized how stubborn this silly guy was.

She sensed all the feelings that this fool had for her immediately. However, in her life, she had experienced too much. What was true love? She didn't know that her feelings for Jian Yue were only because of her own reasons.

At first, she was simply curious about how far this man of such strong character would go in his feelings for her. So, she didn't reject his advances or his care. And because of this, she truly experienced things she had never felt before.

Perhaps, that warm feeling had already flowed into her heart when they first met, making it impossible for her to pretend to be a snake like she did with the Second Prince at this moment.

Seeing Hua Xiangrong remain silent, Shangguan Hanque could no longer sit still. He suddenly stood up, walked to Hua Xiangrong's side, and put his arms around her shoulders. Although he was trembling inside, he did not pull his arms back.

He said, "Xiangrong, I know I am stupid. I don't know anything except fighting. I don't know how to say sweet words or how to express my feelings. But I am sincere to you. I just want to know what you are thinking. I can't guess, and that makes me feel bad."

I know that you opened this Lanyue Tower in the capital for your cousin's sake. My cousin has also told me that your past is mysterious and unpredictable, but I don't care. The Shangguan family has never been concerned with social status, let alone forced marriage.

I, Shangguan Hanque, said I would marry you, and I meant it. I said I would be with you for life, and I will never break my promise. I just want to ask you, what are your true feelings for me?

Seeing Shangguan Hanque's cautiousness, Hua Xiangrong would have found it laughable in the past. Anyone can act, and she's done it many times. But right now, this fool was genuinely not lying. The naked love in his eyes was so intense that it almost overwhelmed her, and the cautiousness in his eyes was all the more touching.

After a long while, so long that Shangguan Hanque had no confidence whatsoever and was about to lose heart, Hua Xiangrong suddenly laughed. Her laughter was quite loud, making a clear, ringing sound that seemed to linger in the air.

She looked at Shangguan Hanque, suddenly raised her arm, hooked it around his neck, leaned forward, gave him a light kiss, and whispered, "Silly boy."

Shangguan Hanque was completely stunned. Hua Xiangrong had kissed him before, but it was always teasing or playful. She had never kissed him so gently and reproachfully, with such a tender kiss.

While he was still in a daze, he saw Hua Xiangrong pout and complain, "Silly boy, tell me, if I really didn't have you in my heart, do you think I would treat you like this? You know, Murong Yu has known me for so long, and he has never even touched my hand."

Shangguan Hanque trembled, his eyes suddenly filled with a madness unlike any other. He boldly cupped the delicate face so close to his and kissed her.

This kiss was somewhat domineering, yet also tinged with a raw wildness due to unfamiliarity. It was awkward yet heartbreaking, and also filled me with joy.

Hua Xiangrong responded with enjoyment, guiding him until things almost escalated, at which point she forcefully pushed the brute away, took a step back, and bit her swollen lips, scolding, "Everyone says he's a brute, and sure enough, he can't do anything."

Shangguan Hanque said happily, "I can learn if I don't know how."

After saying that, he suddenly thought of something, his face turned red, and he laughed so hard that Hua Xiangrong bent over.

She teased, "Who do you want to learn from? What? Do you want me to demonstrate for you?"

Shangguan Hanque's face turned even redder, but he firmly shook his head and said, "No, I'll wait until you marry me."

Hua Xiangrong paused for a moment, then smiled charmingly.

She understood what he meant, of course; though his words were simple, they revealed his pure and sincere heart.

Wouldn't it be foolish to reject a man like that?

Hua Xiangrong didn't think that much. She felt that the reason she had never been in love in her life was not because there was no love in the world, but because her destiny had not yet arrived.

Wandering among the flowers is nothing more than waiting for her own flower to appear, then picking it and stuffing it into her pocket so no one else can see it.

Hua Xiangrong steadied herself and then said, "You still haven't said what brings you here today?"

Shangguan Hanque paused for a moment when asked the question, then suddenly said, "It's nothing, it's just that the news about my cousin, the Minister of Justice, isn't very good, so I wanted to come and ask what happened."

Hua Xiangrong raised an eyebrow: "What did you hear?"

"Naturally, it's because my cousin lost her virginity to the heir of the Marquis of Qingyan. My grandfather thought my cousin had suffered a loss, so he sent me here to inquire."

After Shangguan Hanque finished speaking, his expression turned serious. He had never approved of Jian Yue taking revenge in the first place. If he were to get himself into trouble because of revenge, wouldn't that be a loss?

Now, he has no idea where his cousin is, and the people he sent over can't contact her either, which is why he's so worried and came to Lan Yue Lou. However, as fate would have it, the love he's been waiting for for years has quietly arrived, which has made him feel much better.

Upon hearing this, Hua Xiangrong showed no expression and was not in a hurry.

If Jian Yue had truly lost her virginity, the Qilin Pavilion would probably be in an uproar. However, the Qilin Pavilion remains completely silent, suggesting that this matter is entirely fabricated.

She said, "It's alright, don't worry about it. Go back and tell Grandpa that Jianyue is fine. If she's not, I'll contact you immediately."

Shangguan Hanque shook his head and said, "I am worried, but I don't know what she is thinking. If it were just about my aunt, she wouldn't be so resolute."

Hua Xiangrong didn't continue. Actually, she was also curious about why Jian Yue did this. She had never mentioned this matter from beginning to end, except for the part about her mother.

Now that the Qilin Pavilion has intervened in Mother's affairs, it seems unlikely that anything will change. But if that's the case, why continue down this path? To take revenge on the Qiu family?

The Qilin Pavilion could handle it; why bother getting involved with the royal family?

Everything Jian Yue did made people wonder what she really wanted to do.

After thinking for a moment, Hua Xiangrong said, "She always has her reasons for doing things. She will never do anything unless it is absolutely necessary. Don't worry, I will keep an eye on her."

Shangguan Hanque nodded, his eyes filled with tenderness: "Thank you for your hard work."

Hua Xiangrong smiled. Was it hard? Actually, not really. In the past, she couldn't even ask for such a life, so how could it be hard? Now, isn't it a life like that of a god?

"Alright, why all the nonsense? Are you being so formal with me? Are you just bored?"

Hua Xiangrong spoke bluntly, and Shangguan Hanque just stared at her, his eyes filled with an intense, unyielding affection.

At this moment, he still remembers what Hua Xiangrong looked like when he first saw her.

It was the second year since Lan Yue Lou opened. When he went downstairs, he looked up and saw this bewitching beauty looking out the window. Her eyes held a faint mockery and disdain, and there was no trace of the wanton lust that a woman from a brothel should have.

He was immediately attracted to this bold woman, and then he fell for her completely.

He was a general on the battlefield but a novice in love, so he naturally didn't know what was wrong with him at the time. He only felt that he was attracted by those indifferent eyes, his whole body was burning, his heart was racing, and his eyes could no longer leave that beautiful figure.

The next moment, he was caught red-handed. The beauty's eyes suddenly turned sharp. As a soldier, he fully understood what was in those eyes.

Killing intent.

The next moment, the beauty concealed her aura, smiled sweetly at him, and then, nothing more. He foolishly went upstairs and sat down opposite the beauty.

"My name is Shangguan Hanque. What is your name, young lady? Are you married? If not, what do you think of me? Would you marry me?"

In his first sentence, he confessed his love to a woman he had just met and knew nothing about, and then proceeded to list all his possessions.

He thought to himself that he was not like a general who had been through many battles. If this beauty was bait sent by the enemy, then he would have already fallen into it, and in doing so, he would have implicated his country and his family.

But even so, he had no regrets.

He still remembers that Hua Xiangrong was stunned for a moment because of his bluntness, and then she burst into laughter.

That appearance, no matter how he looked at it, was adorable.

However, in the end, they didn't find the traitorous spy, but they did find their aunt who had been missing for fifteen years, as well as her daughter.

It was truly a wonderful coincidence. At this moment, Hua Xiangrong showed no intention of marrying him, but he believed that with time and effort, he would surely be able to bring his beloved home.

After wandering off into his own world for a long time, Shangguan Hanque was woken up by Hua Xiangrong's slap. He immediately sat up straight and looked at Hua Xiangrong as if he was waiting to be scolded, which made Hua Xiangrong want to rub her head and laugh.

She's so adorably silly, she doesn't even want to be a heartless person anymore.

"Alright, you've been out for quite a while now. If you don't leave soon, your grandpa will come and give you a beating."

Shangguan Hanque frowned: "Grandpa wouldn't do that. He's just looking forward to the day I can carry you back."

Hua Xiangrong smiled and shook her head, saying, "Alright, there's no point in saying more. You really should leave, or it won't be good if you run into the Second Prince's men."

Mentioning Murong Yu, Shangguan Hanque's eyebrows suddenly furrowed, and his expression immediately turned unfriendly. Seeing this, Hua Xiangrong raised an eyebrow: "What? Are you jealous? I was just trying to get him to be my backer for free."

Shangguan Hanque said unhappily, "I can also be your backer."