“Tong’er, what’s the matter?” Feng Yuran held her to his chest and asked urgently. He patted her back lightly.

Mo Xuetong gradually came back to her senses as she heard the man’s thick and gentle voice. She did not have the strength to push him away and grabbed his shirt instead. She did not know what she wanted at this moment and did not think to reject him either. She did not ask Feng Yuran why he was so daring as to come into her room in the middle of the day.

She did not want to know anything, and neither did she want to ask any questions. She only knew that her heart hurt severely. There was a burning fire that tore through her heart.

How could it be! How could it be! How could it be!

“Tong’er, don’t be afraid. I am here. Father has agreed to decree our marriage.” Perhaps Feng Yuran could sense Mo Xuetong shaking fearfully in his embrace. He hugged her even closer to himself, his heart aching for her. He could sense that the person he was holding in her pain. He said gently, “Cry if you want to. Don’t be afraid. I am here! It will be alright!”

I am here. It will be okay!

Mo Xuetong’s heart exploded. It was as if something was no longer as strong as before. The collapsed corner fell into the middle of her heart. All that strength flowed out of her, and her defense was no longer as strong.

What she wanted was someone to protect her genuinely and sincerely!

That was all she wanted!

No matter in her past life or this, no one accepted her so, who would protect her no matter what. No one had told her that she was fine and that “I am here, it will be alright,” no one had given her a place of calm…

Large tears slid down her soft skin and onto her cheeks. Her tears fell without stopping. She had cried earlier for her mother, and now she was crying for herself.

She already saw through the person in front of her through her tears. He was King Xuan, Feng Yuran. He was the charming man who kept saying that he wanted to marry her. He was not the vicious and cold-hearted man who had stepped over her body to take the throne that she remembered.

However, for some reason, she wanted to cry. She just wanted to cry. She wanted to cry hard only once!

In her rebirth, she was careful even when she cried. She did not expect that the protective defenses in her heart would fall at this time. She could not help it, but tears fell down her cheeks.

The warmth of the hug around her made her feel lost. The man had always been devilish, seductive, and heartless. However, he was looking at her, lost, and concerned. He patted her somewhat clumsily. He was a little surprised and worried. His eyes, which had always shone with charm, was filled with apparent concern and hurt for her.

The sobs that she had been swallowing suddenly erupted. She did not know how she felt, but she tried to vent her sadness and pain. Complicated emotions swelled in her chest, filling it completely. It was as if she wanted to cry out all the pain she had experienced in her two lives. She leaned into his chest and listened to his strong heartbeat. For that moment, she felt lost…

She cried, messily inside. Outside, Mo Lan was worried. At first, Mo Lan had thought that Mo Xuetong was venting, and she gave her some space. After what happened, her mistress had been hurt. It would be good for her to cry it out. She did not expect that her mistress hurt so much inside, though. Her health would worsen if she were to continue crying like so.

She could not hold back and went up to knock on the door. She said, “Miss, Miss. How are you feeling, Miss? Miss, Miss…”

“Mo Lan, don’t worry. His Highness is inside.” Mo Ye’s hand suddenly reached out to stop her.

His Highness? Mo Lan served Mo Xuetong slightly closer than the other maids. She knew that Mo Xuetong and King Xuan frequently interacted recently. Even Mo Ye, who served Mo Xuetong, was gifted to her by King Xuan. However, what was King Xuan doing in her mistress’ courtyard at this time! However, she would not be so silly to ask that. What her mistress needed at this moment was someone to comfort her.

Mo Lan glanced at Mo Ye and silently stood by her side. She did not leave.

“Shall we call your maids to come in and help you wash up? If you continue crying like that, I will think that you want to marry me so badly that you were so excited and lost control of your emotions when you heard that my father has agreed to let us marry.” Feng Yuran said gently with a smile. He reached out to wipe her tears away carelessly. He practiced martial arts, and his palm was slightly rough. However, it did not feel wrong on her tender face.

Mo Xuetong nibbled on her lips and ignored him. She started to sob again.

“Don’t cry. Father wishes to see you later. How will you go to see him looking like that? He would definitely think that I am forcing you to marry me.” Feng Yuran said with a hidden smile.

Did she still have to meet Emperor Zongwen? Why? Mo Xuetong was shocked. There were still tears hanging on her long lashes. She looked extremely adorable.

“I need someone to come here quickly.” Feng Yuran’s gaze grew gentle, and he called out loud suddenly.

Mo Lan and Mo Ye, who had been waiting outside silently, waiting for orders, hurried in when they heard that. They saw King Xuan sitting before a couch. They were shocked to see him and their mistress embracing each other tightly and could not help screaming, “Miss.”

Mo Xuetong was startled from her reverie when she sensed Mo Lan’s shock. She flushed and shoved Feng Yuran away. Her cheeks were tinted with a faint red blush.

Feng Yuran was not affected, and he turned to walk to the table. He was calm and composed as he sat down. Mo Ye served him tea.

“Bring some ice cubes to help your mistress reduce the swelling. She needs to go out later to meet someone.” Feng Yuran ordered Mo Lan around as if he was her master. However, Mo Lan did not even take a few steps when he suddenly called out again, “Don’t use ice. That’s too cold. Her health is poor, and she won’t be able to take it. Use an egg!”

Mo Xuetong almost teared up again when she heard that.

There was a flurry of activity. Mo Lan did not allow anyone to help her and did everything herself. A man had appeared in her mistress room, and if this were to spread, her mistress’ reputation would be ruined. However, she did not dare to do anything to King Xuan, so she could only stay by Mo Xuetong’s side and was unwilling to leave.

Feng Yuran sat and watched as they busied around. He did not hurry them.

“Mo Lan, you can leave.” Mo Xuetong looked down and leaned into the couch, rubbing the egg on her eyes gently. The atmosphere in the room was even more awkward with two more people, and she did not know what to say for the moment other than to turn around to speak to Mo Lan.

“Miss, I…” Mo Lan looked at Feng Yuran. She wanted to speak, but stopped herself before she could.

“It’s alright. You may leave. I have something to ask the prince.” Mo Xuetong sniffled and tried to smile at Mo Lan to assure her.

“Yes!” Mo Lan could only leave when she saw that.

The door was closed, and the room quietened down. Mo Xuetong rubbed her eyes with the peeled egg, not knowing what to say.

“Is it better?” Feng Yuran put down his teacup and approached her with a smile. Sunlight streamed in from behind him. The charming layer of purple was extremely vivid and touching. The gentleness that danced on the corners of his eyes held a tiny trace of teasing. For some reason, it felt a little naughty.

Mo Xuetong flushed, and she felt shy and guilty. She put down the egg in her hand and bit her lips, saying. “I’m fine now.”

“It’s still a little swollen.” Feng Yuran said with a smile.

“Then I shall massage it more.” Mo Xuetong picked up the egg again.

“It’s alright. This is good. There will be people in the palace who will like that you look like that”, said Feng Yuran.

Mo Xuetong thought that he was joking, and she felt embarrassed and annoyed. She could not pick up the egg in her hand, and neither could she put it down. She bit her lips and chose to ignore his bright and shiny eyes.

“The Empress would not be pleased that you were given to me. If she sees that you have cried your eyes out, she would love it.” Feng Yuran smiled and sat by the couch. He took the egg in her hands and tossed it into the empty bowl on the table accurately.

Mo Xuetong felt a little awkward given his close proximity and now that her hands were freed up. She bit her lips and said after a long pause, “Why would the Empress like that I cried?”

“The Fifth Princess likes Bai Yihao. She hates you because she heard that you and Bai Yihao are close and that Bai Yihao seemed to be very aware of you. She begged the Empress to marry you to the First Prince of Yan Kingdom. She wants you to be married far away. However, the Empress does not agree with Princess Royale Yunruo’s suggestion. She does not wish to marry her daughter to the First Prince of Yan.”

“The Empress and the Fifth Princess are both dissatisfied with the First Prince of Yan Kingdom. You are naturally their target. You are a member of the royal family and have no power. If they marry you to the Yan Kingdom, they would be able to shut Princess Royal Yunruo up and can also prevent the Fifth Princess from having to marry far away. Why would they not do it?”

Feng Yuran stretched his hand out and pulled her into his embrace. His hand wrapped around her slender waist.

Mo Xuetong wanted to push him away subconsciously.

“Tong’er, don’t move. I want to hug you.” A gentle voice could be heard from above her head. “They thought that I would not dare to strike since you are still in mourning. However, they did not expect that I would ask my father straight. Even though he cannot decree that we marry now, he can send for you.”

He seemed to have thought of something, and he smiled lightly. The vibrations of his chest were accompanied by warmth. Her face pressed against his chest. As if something was burning her face, it was slightly hot.

She knew what he meant. She was still in mourning, so they cannot get engaged openly. Even Emperor Zongwen would not dare to break this moral standard. However, he could get Emperor Zongwen to send for her by using asking the Emperor for her hand as a reason. Since the emperor knew that King Xuan was interested in her, he would agree. Even if she could not get married, for the time being, there would not be a single person who would dare to interfere with her marriage from now on. She was protected to a certain extent in this aspect.

However, his reputation would grow even worse. He would not also let a girl who was still in mourning off. How licentious was he? He would be gossiped about!

Mo Xuetong felt touched for some reason, and she felt warm. Her head was still in his chest. She leaned in and did not move any longer. After a moment, she said gloomily, “Will this affect you?”

“What kind of impact would it have on me? At most, they will say that I am lecherous and licentious and will not even let a girl who is still in mourning off.” His voice, which sounded aggrieved, came from above her head. Then, he laughed charmingly. He was never earnest and used such a tone even when he was talking about serious matters.

However, it relaxed her for some reason. She pushed him away gently to indicate for him to let go.

“Don’t worry when we go to the palace later. When Father sees how you look, he will naturally think that you have suffered, and he will not make things difficult for you. As for the Empress, if you meet her, you can just curtsy as you wish. You won’t meet the other consorts, and even if you do, you don’t have to bother. I have always been known to be arrogant, and I will not allow my consort to be bullied.”

Was he worried? Is that why he reminded her again especially!

“Alright. I get it.” Mo Xuetong nodded in reply.

In her past life, she had done what her mother had instructed her to. She knew nothing about anything and stayed far away from the palace. However, she could not stay away from the plotting of others. She had been so innocent, and yet, she had ended up dead, her soul in a million pieces.

In this life, she would not flee. Since she could not stay away from it, she would choose to face it head-on…

The corners of her eyes landed on the letter by the pillow. There were many stains on the surface, and the words on the paper were barely legible. The paper was filled with tear stains and was extremely fragile. One could see the tear stains on some spots from this angle. They were old stains. Were they her mother’s tears?!

Her tears had fallen on her mother’s. Had her mother been like her, crying as she read the letter, sobbing so hard she could not make a sound? Her mother had no choice but to abandon her young daughter. She must have been very painful and sad…

Her tears could not help but well up when she thought of that…

“Alright, don’t look at it any longer. Quick, think of what you are going to say to my father when we go to the palace later.” Feng Yuran followed Mo Xuetong’s gaze and saw the letter. However, he did not pick it up to look at it curiously. Instead, he smiled and softly flicked at her pale and tender forehead. He said with a smile, “If Father is not satisfied and won’t allow you to become King Xuan’s consort, you will have something to cry about.”

Mo Xuetong could not help but want to tsk at him. He had only just made a few severe remarks but had now become like this. Mo Xuetong glared at him as she saw a devilish smile appear on his handsome face. He was like the king of a hundred flowers blooming on a spring day. He was as devilishly charming as could be.

When Feng Yuran saw her looking at him somewhat dazedly, his smile grew even more handsome. He nudged her arm and said, “Do you feel that your husband is extremely handsome beyond compare? And that you’ve lucked out to marry me?”

“Bull**. Who’s my…hus…” Mo Xuetong stuttered slightly.

“Isn’t your husband the handsome and amazing me! Or is there someone else?!” He said with an expression of arrogant pride.

“…” This man was really narcissistic. Mo Xuetong was speechless!