Did Miss become a nun today?

Wei Zhao's ears turned red, and she gave an awkward "hmm".

Would a general who fought on the battlefield also know how to sew?

He knew how to embroider purses, which surprised her even more than the fact that he gave her a purse.

Out of sheer curiosity, she took the purse and examined it closely. Although the design was simple and the embroidery was only average, it was truly astonishing that a general would embroider such a thing.

"This is the first time I've ever seen a general embroider."

The redness from Wei Zhao's ears spread to the side of her neck and then quickly climbed up her cheeks. "Back when we were at the border, we had to mend our own clothes when they were torn, even though we weren't very good at it."

"The general is truly amazing." She genuinely admired him. With a little more practice, he could catch up with her. She was truly ashamed of herself.

"You...don't mind?"

"Of course I don't mind. A purse embroidered by the general himself is quite rare, but..."

It's just that you can't just accept money from someone's pocket.

Hearing that she was about to refuse, Wei Zhao raised an eyebrow and said, "You're not allowed to refuse."

Xie Yun Chu was amused by him. "Is this also something you get in exchange for favors?"

"...This is not it."

She sighed. "General Wei, I understand your intentions, but... I cannot accept this."

"Why? Have you found someone you like?"

Xie Yun Chu shook her head. Wei Zhao grew anxious. "Is it because of the second young master of the Pei family?"

neither.

"Why is that?"

"Because I never intended to get married."

She didn't want to hold others back, so she spoke the truth.

"To be honest, I have long since decided to become a monk and live with Buddha."

"Romantic feelings for one's children have lost all meaning for me."

"General, you have been kind to me. I do not want to delay you, nor do I want to let you down. I speak frankly today, and I hope you will not take offense."

The wind swept through the courtyard, lifting the hem of his clothes.

"Enter the Buddhist order?" He seemed not to understand, or perhaps he understood but couldn't believe it.

Xie Yun Chu lowered her eyes, her expression calm: "Yes."

"You..." Wei Zhao's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice hoarse, "You said you wanted to become a monk?"

"Generals protect their homes and country. They should know that there are things in the world that can and cannot be done. As for me, there is nothing left to love in this mortal world. I would rather have a Buddhist temple and a lamp."

"General Wei has military achievements and a good family background. His future wife will definitely be a good match for you now. You shouldn't waste your time on me."

After she finished speaking, she gently placed the purse back into his hand. "Please take this back, General."

*

As she stepped out of the pavilion, she was greeted by Pei Changfeng, who appeared before her with a dark expression.

Just now, when she was talking to Wei Zhao, she saw a figure standing by the artificial hill, acting suspiciously.

"Xie Yun Chu, do you like him?"

She lowered her eyes and remained silent, then her wrist suddenly tightened.

"say!"

"Pei Changfeng, it's been a long time. I thought our past was over."

She hadn't seen Pei Changfeng since then. She thought he was about to get married to Ji Lanshu and had long forgotten about her. It was really kind of him to come here specifically to wait for her.

Pei Changfeng pulled her into his arms, his voice tinged with pleading, "Yun Chu, I know I was wrong. When will you forgive me?"

"I have nothing with Ji Lanshu, I will not marry her, I will only marry you, only you."

Xie Yun Chu was held tightly in his arms. She struggled a couple of times but couldn't break free, so she simply stopped moving.

"Let go." Her voice was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"I won't let go." He buried his face in the crook of her shoulder, his voice muffled and tinged with grievance. "The moment I let go, you run away. You ran away last time, and you're going to run away again this time."

Xie Yun Chu closed her eyes and took a deep breath: "I'll say it again, our marriage is off. Whether you marry Ji Lan Shu or someone else, it's none of my business."

"I said I won't marry her!" Pei Changfeng raised his head, his eyes reddening. "Xie Yun Chu, what do you want from me? I'll kneel down for you, okay?"

As he spoke, he actually began to kneel down.

Xie Yun Chu frowned: "Pei Chang Feng, stop fooling around."

Pei Changfeng was stunned; these words sounded so familiar.

That's how he used to talk to Xie Yun Chu.

Xie Yun Chu closed her eyes and reached out to pry his fingers off, but they seemed to have taken root; she pried one off and they wrapped around her again.

"Don't do this," she said helplessly.

"What about me?" Pei Changfeng raised his head, his eyes glistening with tears, and his nose red. He was no longer the spirited man he used to be.

"Aren't you the most concerned about saving face? What's the point of this now?"

"Xie Yun Chu, what haven't you seen of me? What face do I need to save in front of you?"

He held her hand. "Do you know how I've been these past few days?" His voice was hoarse. "I've been standing outside Shifang Courtyard every day until midnight. I only leave when the light in your room goes out. I thought you would come out to see me, even just once... But you didn't. You didn't even once."

Xie Yun Chu lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Pei Changfeng stared at her profile, his Adam's apple bobbing a few times, and suddenly laughed, a laugh that sounded even worse than crying.

"I don't ask you to forgive me, but please don't ignore me. You can hit me or scold me, just don't ignore me."

"I beg you, Yun Chu, I'll be obedient, I promise I'll be obedient from now on, I'll only listen to you, I can't take it anymore, you're ignoring me, I'm really going crazy."

He used to just wait for Xie Yun Chu to coax him. He didn't have to do anything or care about anything. As long as he said a few nice words, Xie Yun Chu would continue to fawn over him.

This has taken far too long, really far too long.

She was angry. She was angry that he had argued with her before, angry that he didn't take her out to play, and angry that he didn't save her first at Yong'an Temple.

He's out of his mind.

"Yun Chu, I deserve to die, I deserve to die, please give me another chance?"

"I will not marry anyone else, I only love you."

These were the words she used to long to hear, but now, all she hears is, "But I don't like you, and it's none of my business."

"It's related!" He suddenly raised his voice, then lowered it again for fear of startling her, "Yun Chu, there's nothing between me and Cousin Ji. I... I only have you in my heart, it's always been you."

Xie Yun Chu finally raised her eyes, her gaze falling on his face, which was as calm as a stagnant pool.

"Are you done talking?"

Pei Changfeng was stung by her cold demeanor, and his fingers tightened, gripping her wrist painfully.

"cousin."

That word "cousin" reminded him of how Xie Yun Chu had been by his side all these years.

Every time she called him "cousin," it was filled with affection.

Why bother?

"You and I are cousins, and we will be for life."

"Who wants to be your cousin for life?" Pei Changfeng said as if he had heard something absurd. "I don't want to be just your cousin. I'd rather be your dog than just your cousin."

Her voice finally cracked slightly, "Cousin, why do you demean yourself like this?"

"To humiliate yourself?" He laughed, but sounded disheveled. "I'm willing, Xie Yun Chu, I'm willing!"

He released her wrists, then cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs gently brushing against her cheekbones. The movement was very light.

"Yun Chu," he called her softly, his voice unusually gentle, "I know I was wrong. Look at me, okay? Just look at me once."

Xie Yun Chu met his bloodshot eyes.

In those eyes, there was pleading, resentment, grievance, and an intense, unyielding affection.

"Cousin, I'm saying this one last time: I don't like you. I'd rather die than marry you."