Chapter 10: Chapter 839: I Will Return When I Have Time

The snow on the ground was soft. Although she had been hurt by the fall, it wasn't anything serious. Thinking back on it now, it was actually quite pleasant; she really should have thanked the Imperial Uncle back then.

"Don't tease me."

Rong Qingzhi smiled, but the smile soon faded. "Actually, you don't know this, but for the next two or three days, I continued to visit the Mu residence to observe you several times. I saw many interesting things."

Mu Qingge’s heart skipped a beat as she recalled what she had done at the Mu residence back then. She let out a dry laugh: "Hehe, well, I did quite a few outrageous things in those few days. Surely you didn't..."

"That’s right, I saw it all." Rong Qingzhi said with a smile, "I witnessed how you treated your stepmother, stepsister, father, and fiancé."

"Hehe..."

Aside from laughing dryly, Mu Qingge didn't know what else to do.

It was truly embarrassing to the extreme.

Of course, there was also awkwardness, and a touch of displeasure at being spied upon.

"Actually, by doing that, I offended you. I must apologize for that." Rong Qingzhi knew he was in the wrong. "However, I was feeling quite stifled by many things at the time, and it was rare to find someone interesting. Plus, since you couldn't see, I was a bit impolite."

Mu Qingge didn't speak.

Fearing she might misunderstand, Rong Qingzhi added, "But rest assured, I only observed you; I never engaged in any rude or intrusive behavior."

Although Rong Qingzhi was unrestrained and flirtatious, Mu Qingge believed he wasn't a lecherous man, and she naturally trusted him.

She nodded. "It’s all in the past."

"Yes, it’s all in the past. I shouldn't really be telling you this, and I only dare to say it now." Rong Qingzhi sighed regretfully. "Actually, I had wanted to observe you for a couple more days, then find a way to introduce myself, become friends, and perhaps find a way to treat your eyes."

Mu Qingge was stunned; she hadn't expected him to have such thoughts back then.

Rong Qingzhi smiled bitterly. "In truth, I didn't wait those two extra days. I had another argument with my mother, the Empress Dowager, and fearing she would force me into marriage, I left the Imperial City in a hurry."

After that departure, everything that happened upon his return caught him off guard.

When he returned, he hadn't actually been thinking of her; he had been wandering around like a playboy. When he heard that his nephew had married and that the bride was a blind woman surnamed Mu, his heart had inexplicably gone cold.

Then, their formal meeting took place when she officially entered the palace.

When she called him "Imperial Uncle," he finally understood what true regret felt like.

As he spent more time with her later, he sank deeper and deeper, and his regret only grew.

He had hypothesized many times: if he hadn't fled the Imperial City to escape his mother’s pressure and the troubles she brought, and if he had met her first and helped her escape her predicament at the time, would she have been his wife?

However, every time such a thought arose, he couldn't help but refute it himself.

Because that hypothesis was the most perfect state, one that existed above reality.

First of all, his mother would never have allowed him to marry a woman of common background who was blind. Even if her eyes were cured, she would at most be a concubine—or perhaps his mother wouldn't even allow that, merely turning a blind eye to him keeping her as a mistress outside.

That would certainly have been an insult to her.

Furthermore, how could a woman as opinionated and intelligent as her ever agree to such a thing?

Therefore, no matter what, they were destined to have no fate together.

Admitting that they were not meant to be was something he only came to accept after selfishly spending several years with her, and after the time he spent away from the Imperial City with his mother allowed his thoughts to settle.

Everyone said he was broad-minded and a sensible person, but in truth, everyone deceives themselves.

Many things are easy to understand; people just don't want to think about them, choosing instead to lie to themselves.

Listening to Rong Qingzhi and observing his expression, Mu Qingge could guess a thing or two. She pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Imperial Uncle, you are very well-suited to be a friend."

Although it was a bit hurtful, it was the truth.

Even if they had met first, there was little possibility of anything developing between them.

For one, the Empress Dowager was a problem; for another, his personality was better suited for friendship.

Rong Qingzhi paused upon hearing this, then forced a smile. "So direct? You really aren't afraid of hurting someone's heart." A single sentence had crushed all the hypothetical hopes he held in his heart.

"Mm."

When it came to love, she didn't like to drag things out. If she liked someone, she liked them; if she didn't, she didn't.

Rong Qingzhi looked at her for a long while without speaking.

He quietly lowered his head and drank a cup of tea.

After finishing one, he poured another and drank that too.

Mu Qingge watched him, feeling awkward and uncomfortable.

Whether as a friend or an Imperial Uncle, this was the first time she had handled such a situation, and she felt a bit unsure, but she had indeed said what she wanted to say.

The two sat in silence for at least a quarter of an hour.

Rong Qingzhi drank at least three or four cups of tea before finally setting the cup down.

He looked up and smiled at her, his expression surprisingly relieved.

He looked at her very earnestly and said, "It’s impossible for me not to be hurt by what you said, but it has also awakened me. We are indeed not the same kind of people. To be precise, I am not worthy of you."

Mu Qingge hurriedly said, "That’s not what I meant, it’s just..."

Rong Qingzhi reached out to interrupt her, continuing very seriously, "Listen to me, I am being sincere. I appear carefree, but in reality, I am indecisive. I don't know how to fight for anything, nor do I know how to cherish things. I am always looking over my shoulder, worrying too much. Just like the hypothesis I held in my heart—it was filled with the possibility of various obstacles, but lacked the possibility of casting everything aside to love someone purely."

Therefore, he was not worthy of her.

She deserved the best.

Undoubtedly, Rong Jue was very well-suited for her.

Whether in appearance or talent, Rong Jue was peerless under heaven. Furthermore, he was brave and self-assured; he had always strived for the life he wanted and was never led by the nose by imperial power.

Toward her, he was even more protective, guarding and doting on her.

The two were simply a match made in heaven.

Mu Qingge didn't know what else to say. She whispered, "Imperial Uncle, you will also meet the person who is right for you."

"Mm." Rong Qingzhi smiled gently, his expression unexpectedly open-minded. "I believe so, too."

Mu Qingge changed the subject. "Regardless of everything, Tianqi is your country. You were born there, and you are a member of the royal family. Everyone actually likes you quite a bit. You can go back and visit when you have time."

"I know. Don't worry, I will go back when I have time."

Mu Qingge nodded.

With that said, there was nothing left for them to talk about. After each had another two cups of tea, they parted ways, each lost in their own thoughts.