Ji Mingchen felt guilty and was ashamed of his indecisiveness: "Your son will apologize to the Hai family."
"Just because you apologize, they have to forgive you?" Mingyi scoffed, glancing sideways at Ji Bozhai.
Ji Bozhai immediately chimed in, "Indeed, apologies require sincerity. It's inappropriate to seek an imperial marriage decree before properly making amends."
Mingyi rested her chin on her hand and smiled. "It's not entirely inappropriate. Like father, like son. Back then, weren't you also—"
"My memory isn't what it used to be. I can hardly recall the follies of my youth." Ji Bozhai quickly took her hand, blinking at her frantically from an angle their son couldn't see.
Let's not dredge up old grievances in front of the younger generation, alright?
Mingyi snorted lightly but waved her hand, letting him off the hook. She then turned to Ji Mingchen. "Your marriage is your own decision. If she's willing to forgive you and marry you, then simply inform us. Otherwise, don't delay her from considering other matches."
Ji Mingchen looked uneasy. "Is an imperial marriage decree truly out of the question?"
"Absolutely not." Mingyi narrowed her eyes at him. "Stop using us as your shield. You're a grown man—take responsibility for your actions."
"Your mother is right," Ji Bozhai added sternly.
"Your son understands." With a dutiful bow, Ji Mingchen withdrew from Zhaoyang Palace, his spirits visibly low.
The eunuch accompanying him observed his gloomy expression and asked in confusion, "Why is Your Highness so worried? The Hai girl has always held affection for you. Now that you're proposing, she's bound to accept."
"She would have accepted before tonight," Ji Mingchen fretted, fiddling with the tassel on his jade pendant. "But after tonight... it's unlikely."
Hai Qing had always been straightforward, never one to tolerate ambiguity. Even if he returned now to propose, she'd likely think he wasn't sincere—perhaps even advise him not to dwell on the matter.
Heaven knew it wasn't just about taking responsibility after their closeness. It was through that closeness he'd realized his earlier worries were unfounded—his feelings for her remained.
But how could he explain this to Hai Qing?
As dawn broke, Hai Qing glanced outside, relieved yet downcast when no one appeared.
She rose as if nothing had happened, going about her studies, changing clothes, and having breakfast as usual.
In her household, it was customary for the family to dine together in the morning. Her father, seated at the head of the table, studied her before finally speaking. "Now that you've left the palace, it's time to consider potential matches."
Beside him, Lady Hai subtly tugged at his sleeve.
Their daughter was reluctant to discuss this, yet he kept bringing it up. It wasn't as if they couldn't afford to keep her at home—why push her away?
But Lord Hai was anxious. Years wasted in the palace without a favorable outcome only invited gossip. It was better to marry her into a suitable family where she'd at least have someone who cared for her.
The couple locked eyes in silent confrontation, both glaring stubbornly.
Hai Qing picked at a side dish in her bowl, slowly separating the scallions as she replied, "Alright."
Her parents froze, turning to stare at her.
Hai Qing smiled, her eyes reddening. "You've already done so much raising and caring for me, yet you still worry like this. I've been unfilial."
Lady Hai's eyes welled up as she discreetly wiped away tears. Lord Hai gave his daughter a long look before nodding. "The matches I choose may not be to your liking, but I promise none will mistreat you."
"Thank you, Father."The family happily finished their breakfast, and soon the Hai residence bustled with activity.
Lord Hai had someone fetch several portraits, all piled onto the table in the Hai family courtyard. Hai Qing examined them one by one, from morning till dusk, yet not a single one caught her fancy.
Just as she was fretting, someone came to light the lamps for her and handed her another portrait.
Hai Qing casually took it and unfolded it.
As the scroll unfurled, the gentle, affectionate features of a young man appeared in the painting.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she looked up.
The person in the painting stood before her, both angry and helpless: "Do you really distrust me so much that you'd rather marry a stranger than me?"
She nodded with a smile: "Indeed."
Better to deal with a stranger than to be torn apart by the one who held her heart.
"Not a chance." Ji Mingchen was furious. "Even if I have to stop the bridal sedan, tear up the marriage contract, and forsake my status as the Crown Prince, I will never let you marry someone else!"
Hai Qing was momentarily speechless: "What grudge do you hold against me, Your Highness, to treat me this way?"
Ji Mingchen gritted his teeth: "No grudge. I like you."
The room fell silent for a moment, so quiet that even the sounds of birds and flowers outside became distinct.
Hai Qing was happy inside, but the joy quickly faded as she regained her composure: "Your Highness doesn’t like me—at most, it’s possessiveness. Just because I’ve been close to you, you don’t want me to be close to anyone else."
"Yes—no, that’s not it!" Ji Mingchen snapped. "I don’t like you being close to others not because you’ve been close to me, but because—"
"How rare to see Your Highness so flustered." Hai Qing laughed, waving her hand magnanimously. "I won’t hold it against you, and you needn’t dwell on it either."
Ji Mingchen was livid.
"Wei Ling has already moved elsewhere. I’ve had your palace cleaned up again. When are you coming back?"
"I’m not going back." Hai Qing waved dismissively. "If Your Highness truly still considers me a friend, why not help me choose a husband so I can marry sooner?"
As she spoke, she reached for another portrait.
Ji Mingchen stubbornly shoved his own portrait back in front of her: "This one. No other choice."
Hai Qing’s expression finally darkened.
She looked up at Ji Mingchen and said coldly, "Are you out of your mind? I’ve already said you don’t need to take responsibility or remember anything—just pretend nothing happened. Why are you so insistent?"
Ji Mingchen choked back his words and laughed bitterly: "I’m seriously proposing to you. You clearly have feelings for me too, so why do you keep rejecting me?"
"Oh, so you know I have feelings for you?" Hai Qing smirked without warmth. "Where was this realization earlier?"
"Who knows at a young age who they’ll spend their life with? Aside from you and my sister, I’ve barely interacted with any other girls my age. What if I marry you in haste and regret it later, hurting you even more?" Ji Mingchen argued righteously. "So I just wanted to see what other girls were like—it’s not like I actually did anything with them."
Hai Qing couldn’t help but applaud him: "Truly worthy of being Headmaster Qin’s prized disciple—strong in Essence Power and sharp in tongue. By Your Highness’s logic, I should also go see what other men are like, lest I regret it later."
Ji Mingchen paused, finally deflating: "I was wrong.""You're not wrong, I am," said Hai Qing. "I was too stubborn, fixating on one person so early in life. A lifetime is so long—there's always room for regret. Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."
Ji Mingchen: "..."
Now he truly understood the meaning of digging one's own grave.
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