AWB Chapter 501 Does Your Highness Like Me Too?
Chapter 501 Does Your Highness Like Me Too?
Jiang Zhiyi had only arrived in Yuzhou yesterday. Although she had a general understanding of what was going on, she didn't know the specifics. Now that she finally had the chance, she took Lu Yangyang back to her temporary resting place and asked her in detail about what had happened these past few days.
When she heard Lu Yangyang talk about those pirates, she couldn't help but feel shocked: "You mean, Master Shangqing used poisonous pills to control those prisoners exiled to Yuzhou and turned them into pirates to plunder at sea?"
Lu Yangyang nodded, but then shook her head: "That's what he said, but I asked Lord Ling later. Control is real, but most of those who become pirates are originally vicious and ruthless people, otherwise they wouldn't be so easily controlled. It's just a pity that some of those who were implicated and exiled refused to become pirates and were mostly sent to mines. Cinnabar is poisonous, and long-term exposure will inevitably have an effect, along with those innocent civilians. I don't know how many people have died unjustly."
"These people will stop at nothing for money. This was true in the Jiangnan salt mines, and it's even worse in Yuzhou," Jiang Zhiyi said in a deep voice.
Lu Yangyang tapped her fingers lightly on the table and said, "Qinglian Temple in the capital, salt mines in Jiangnan, cinnabar mines in Yuzhou, Fairy Shangshan and Daoist Shangqing are fellow disciples, the Yang family and the Xiao family are in cahoots, and the people behind them are the First Prince and the Third Prince. In the end, it's all for... that position!"
Lu Yangyang lowered her voice and said coldly, "Heartless and insane. If such a person were to succeed, wouldn't the Great Zhao Dynasty be doomed?"
Jiang Zhiyi quickly leaned over to cover her mouth, then sighed, "You're right, so if..."
She paused slightly, then looked at Lu Yangyang: "Is...His Highness here?"
Lu Yangyang was taken aback, then realized that she was referring to Zong Que. She hadn't deliberately kept many things from Jiang Zhiyi, so it wasn't surprising that Jiang Zhiyi could guess.
However, when Zong Que was mentioned, she couldn't help but look listless.
She was a little confused at the time, and afterwards she was busy with other things and didn't want to think about it. Now that it's brought up, she can't help but feel a little lost. Zong Que said that the marriage was called off, so what is their relationship now?
Lu Yangyang had never imagined that one day she would be troubled by this.
Jiang Zhiyi noticed her unusual expression: "What's wrong? Is there some problem?"
She rarely saw Lu Yangyang look so confused; this was so unlike her. She had always thought Lu Yangyang would be just as determined about everything.
Lu Yangyang was silent for a while, then looked up at Jiang Zhiyi. She really needed someone to help her figure things out, but Wen Qingqing only judged by appearances. Bai was a few years older than her and had no experience whatsoever; all she could do was tell her who was prettier...
Lu Yangyang asked Jiang Zhiyi with some hesitation, "What do you think it feels like to be attracted to someone?"
"Hmm?" Jiang Zhiyi looked at Lu Yangyang in surprise, not expecting that Lu Yangyang would ask such a question after hesitating for so long.
She hesitated before asking, "So what do you think? Don't you have any ideas?"
Lu Yangyang rested her chin on her hand on the table, lowered her eyes, and pondered for a moment: "From childhood to adulthood, the only thing I cared about was how to survive. When you're struggling to survive, how can you think about anything else? Later, I was able to eat and dress warmly, but I felt that I needed to learn more to increase my chances of living well. My situation in the capital wasn't good. I knew a little medicine and a little martial arts, but that wasn't enough to protect myself. So even though I wasn't walking on thin ice back then, I was always on guard. Fortunately, I met some good friends, His Highness, and family who truly accepted me."
"This is the best thing for me, and it's what I cherish most."
"I have neither the mind nor the time to think about what it feels like to be moved," Lu Yangyang said honestly after thinking for a moment.
Jiang Zhiyi understood, and then asked her, "Then why are you thinking about it now?"
Lu Yangyang's eyes flickered slightly, then she sighed softly, "Because Your Highness said that I can also meet someone who moves my heart, our marriage is off."
Jiang Zhiyi's eyes flickered with surprise, her heart trembling.
"Then do you think the person you're attracted to is His Highness?" Jiang Zhiyi asked, looking at her.
Lu Yangyang thought for a while, "I like Your Highness very much because Your Highness is someone I can trust and admire and follow for the rest of my life. But I really can't tell whether it's romantic love or not. I can't imagine what romantic love is like."
"So what troubles you is that you like His Highness, but you can't tell if it's because of admiration or because of romantic feelings between a man and a woman, is that right?" Jiang Zhiyi asked with a light smile.
Lu Yangyang nodded.
“Actually, I was quite shocked just now,” Jiang Zhiyi said truthfully. “I’ve heard too many stories of arranged marriages since I was a child. In families like ours, there are even many who are betrothed since childhood. They may not have met each other more than a few times before getting married, and they may not know what kind of person the other is. Just because of a marriage contract, their lives are bound together. I was like that too. If it weren’t for you, I probably would never have been able to get rid of that marriage contract until I died.”
“I’ve heard many stories about His Highness the Crown Prince before, but they all seem so distant. However, the fact that he was able to set aside that marriage contract and grant you your freedom shows that His Highness is a man of great courage. He wants to prioritize your feelings and hopes that you won’t be burdened by worldly concerns, allowing you to choose freely. You must be extremely precious and important to him. Only someone he loves would be so devoted and respectful.”
Lu Yangyang unconsciously raised her head and looked at her in shock. "So, you mean, Your Highness also likes me?"
Jiang Zhiyi chuckled: "Why not try if you want to know? It's not that you're incapable of being moved, but rather that you've never thought about it before, nor have you ever been moved by anyone. I think being moved is hard to describe in words. Maybe one day, at some moment, you'll naturally realize it. The reason you're conflicted is because His Highness is also very special to you. If you have no feelings for His Highness, why would you be conflicted?"
Lu Yangyang blinked, then her eyes brightened instantly. She sat up straight with a start, suddenly understanding: "You're right! I'm conflicted because Your Highness is also very important to me. I understand!"
Lu Yangyang got up and ran outside: "Zhiyi, you really are a godsend sent to deliver a pillow to my head!"
Jiang Zhiyi looked at her energetic demeanor and smiled. This was the real Lu Yangyang.
Lu Yangyang ran all the way to the government office and asked around for Zong Que's address. Just as she was about to knock on the door, Pei Ji opened it from the inside. When Pei Ji saw her, he thought about his abstract young master, made way for Lu Yangyang, pointed inside, and then stepped out the door.
Lu Yangyang stepped inside.
Pei Ji kindly closed the door for him.
Lu Yangyang walked into the inner room and pushed the door open.
Zong Que sat in the bathtub, his gaze meeting hers through the rising steam.
Lu Yangyang's voice suddenly stopped.
"Your Highness?"