Zhou Li was unaware of Nangong Xi’er’s thoughts and continued, “I have never supported arranged marriages!”
“A piece of marriage contract proves nothing. Parental orders and matchmaker arrangements are far inferior to following one’s own heart. There is no need to sacrifice your happiness just to uphold so-called filial piety!”
Nangong Xi’er listened quietly, but the way she looked at Zhou Li grew increasingly fervent.
This man… I want him so badly…
I want to possess him completely…
“That’s all I have to say. Remember, do not deceive your own heart!” Zhou Li finished.
Only then did Nangong Mu cough lightly and say, “Alright, why aren’t you thanking His Highness?”
“Th… thank you, Your Highness…” Nangong Xi’er said, her face flushed red.
At this moment, her mind was filled with an image of Zhou Li being tightly bound, pressed beneath her as she drained him again and again.
“Go and clean yourself up first. Come back later for the meal!” Nangong Mu instructed.
“Yes, Grandfather.” Nangong Xi’er lowered her head and withdrew.
As she left, she kept inhaling the scent of the white brocade robe draped over her.
It was all his scent…
Watching Nangong Xi’er leave, Zhou Li felt that something was slightly off, but he did not think much of it.
At least now she could wholeheartedly pursue Chu Yun.
Meanwhile, Nangong Yan’er felt extremely displeased as she watched Zhou Li’s actions just now.
This bad man…
Why is he so gentle with everyone? Yet he treats me coldly every single day?
“Prince of Han, the banquet is ready. Please proceed to the main hall!” Nangong Mu said respectfully.
“Wait a moment!” Zhou Li suddenly called out, then looked toward Leng Ning.
Leng Ning immediately understood and stepped forward.
Under everyone’s puzzled gaze, she handed a storage pouch to Nangong Mu.
“Your Highness, what is this?” Nangong Mu asked in confusion.
“There are 200 Low-Grade Spirit Stones inside.”
“Why is Your Highness giving this to this old minister?”
Hearing this, everyone turned to look at Nangong Yan’er.
Her face instantly turned pale, and for a moment, she could not say a word.
“Ahem, if that is the case, then this old minister will accept it.” Nangong Mu’s expression turned extremely unpleasant.
“Please, Your Highness, proceed to the main hall.”
Soon, everyone took their seats. Nangong Mu sat at the head, Zhou Li on the left, Nangong De on the right, and the others followed accordingly.
Looking at the table filled with exquisite dishes, Zhou Li pretended to be surprised. “Wow! So many delicacies. It seems the spirit stones I gave aren’t enough!”
Hearing his words, the expressions of everyone in the Duke’s Mansion grew darker and darker.
“But don’t worry, I’ll make up the difference when I return to my residence!” Zhou Li said sweetly to Nangong Yan’er.
Nangong Yan’er immediately poked him discreetly, signaling him to stop talking.
Seeing this, Zhou Li knew his act of playing innocent had achieved its purpose. There was no need to continue. It was time for the next step.
“Oh dear, there’s nothing good to eat at my Prince of Han’s residence. After staying there for just two days, Yan’er has already grown thinner.” As he spoke, Zhou Li picked up a piece of meat and placed it into Nangong Yan’er’s bowl.
Nangong Yan’er looked at him in confusion, only to see Zhou Li pick up a Scarlet Flame Shrimp, peel its shell to reveal the tender meat, and bring it to her lips.
“Here, eat some shrimp!”
Nangong Yan’er instinctively opened her mouth and ate it, her face instantly turning red.
Even though she knew Zhou Li was acting, she could not help but recall the time when he had pursued her and treated her well.
Back then, no matter what she needed or what little moods she had, he would always indulge her.
He used to prepare different gifts for her every day, and sometimes he would even cook personally.
Now that she thought about it, it had been a long time since she had eaten food made by him.
As these thoughts surfaced, her eyes dimmed again. She could not understand why, overnight, he seemed like a completely different person.
It felt as though… she was about to lose him.
This scene was keenly observed by Madam Ru Yan at the dining table.
Nangong Mu, Nangong Hong, and the others watched the affectionate display and nodded in satisfaction.
She quickly walked to her seat and shot Nangong Yan’er a fierce glare.
Zhou Li then served Nangong Yan’er a bowl of soup and said gently, “Drink more soup. It will nourish your body.”
Nangong Yan’er’s heart pounded like a frightened deer. She secretly glanced at Zhou Li and softly said, “Thank you.”
At this moment, all the dissatisfaction she had toward Zhou Li vanished. She only felt that the man before her did not seem so detestable after all.
Zhou Li, seeing her shy expression, let a faint smile appear at the corner of his lips.
The return banquet soon came to an end.
After the meal, Madam Ru Yan called out to Nangong Yan’er, “Yan’er, come here for a moment!”
“Oh, alright, Mother!”
After the two entered a room, Madam Ru Yan carefully asked, “Yan’er, are things going well between you and His Highness?”
Nangong Yan’er’s expression changed slightly. “It’s… it’s going quite well.”
However, Madam Ru Yan stared at her intently. “Yan’er, tell your mother the truth.”
Hearing this, Nangong Yan’er bit her lip and slowly raised her eyes. “Mother, I don’t know what’s wrong with His Highness lately.”
“It’s as if he suddenly became a different person. He has grown extremely cold toward me and no longer treats me as well as before.”
As she spoke, her eyes became moist, and large tears began to fall.
“Don’t cry yet. Explain it clearly to your mother,” Madam Ru Yan comforted her.
Nangong Yan’er choked with sobs. “On the wedding day, His Highness saw that I was indifferent, so he asked why I looked at him as if I were looking at an enemy.”
“But I was only treating him the way I normally do!”
“And then?” Madam Ru Yan asked.
“Then His Highness asked whether this indifference was toward everyone or only toward him. I was caught off guard and couldn’t answer…”
“After that, I thought he was approaching me, and I thought he wanted to consummate the marriage, so I resisted strongly. But in the end, he only took back the necklace he had given me and left. Since that day, he has become much colder toward me.”
After hearing this, Madam Ru Yan was stunned for a moment before asking in shock, “You didn’t spend the night with His Highness?!”
Nangong Yan’er nodded.
Seeing this, Madam Ru Yan said anxiously, “You are being ridiculous! Do you understand that since His Highness has the ability to elevate our Duke’s Mansion, he also has the ability to suppress it!”
“I… Mother…” Nangong Yan’er looked at her with grievance.
Madam Ru Yan sighed and then asked, “Yan’er, tell your mother honestly. Do you still have feelings for that boy named Chu Yun?”