Chapter 3: Chapter 525: A Show of Force [3]

Changle’s eyes darkened. As soon as she thought of Xu Qianxiao, who was weeping day and night in the palace, and Xu Ruoshi, who spent her days putting on an act for her, her heart suddenly sank.

"No, I cannot marry you." Having said this, Changle turned to leave.

At that moment, Chu Wuyou grabbed her, pulling her into his embrace, and looked at her with anxious eyes. "Changle, what is wrong? Just now you asked me whether I liked the old you or the current you; I will answer you now—I like them both. As long as it is you, I love you."

If it were any other woman, being admired by such an outstanding man would be an exhilarating thing, but Changle merely raised her eyes indifferently. Her gaze appeared very calm, her face showing no sign of being unsettled.

"Especially the you from when we were children. I still remember our first meeting; you were so mischievous, actually using a rope to block the street, causing me to fall from my horse. But it was thanks to your mischief, otherwise, I wouldn't have fallen in love with you."

"From the first moment I saw you, I felt you were very special, unlike any other girl. Thinking back now, it turns out that was love at first sight."

Speaking to this point, a rare, elegant smile appeared at the corners of Chu Wuyou's lips. He looked at Changle with great indulgence, as if lost in his deepest, most affectionate memories.

Seeing Chu Wuyou reminisce so passionately, Changle's heart suddenly began to ache, as if being pricked by needles. The one he loved was not actually her, but the former Changle.

She was merely basking in Changle's glory to obtain the deepest love of this arrogant man.

If she were not Changle right now, but someone else, she believed he would certainly not even deign to glance at her.

She, who had once been so proud, actually considered herself to be nothing more than an ordinary young girl, no different from Xu Linwei and the others.

"Um, Your Highness the Crown Prince, it is getting late. You should return to the palace to rest early. I am very sleepy and wish to return to my manor. There is no need to escort me; you don't need to worry about me, I can walk by myself!"

Changle hurriedly broke free from Chu Wuyou's arms, flashed him a detached smile, and then turned to run quickly toward the nearby Xu Manor, leaving Chu Wuyou stunned in place.

Watching Changle's figure vanish instantly into the alley, Chu Wuyou's narrowed eyes shimmered. His figure froze slightly—why did she refuse to marry him so resolutely, and why did she run away so firmly?

Could it be that her heart truly held Wei Yangche, and that she was rejecting him because of Wei Yangche?

Thinking of this, he closed his eyes in pain. Suddenly, he slammed a fist into a nearby peach tree, shaking pink blossoms down to the ground.

This woman, why is she always so arrogant? Would she die if she just lowered her head a little!

Perhaps, there was no place for him in her heart at all, and he was merely being sentimental on his own.

In the desolate autumn wind, a snow-white figure stumbled forward, running. She wept while clutching her bloodied left hand, crying so sorrowfully that her trembling form evoked a sense of pity.

Xu Ruoshi had been rushing and bumping around in that alley, turning down four or five different alleys in a frenzy. After running for a long time, she finally came to a stop, her eyes brimming with tears.

Why did it turn out like this? Why did the Crown Prince treat her like that? Hadn't he smiled at her and praised her for being beautiful? Why did he come to blame her along with Xu Changle?

She only wanted to win his sympathy; what was wrong with that?

Everyone is afraid of death. She didn't believe Xu Changle wouldn't have pushed Xing'er at that time. If it were Xu Changle, she would be just as afraid of death. Why was she acting like a righteous person now, blaming her?