Chapter 153: Too Many Rivals in Love

"Do you like me?" After asking this, Lianyue's face flushed, and even her fair ears turned an alluring shade of pink.

An Ming, however, was stumped by the question. Although he desperately wanted to answer "yes," he preferred to reveal his true identity before doing so.

Lianyue lowered her head, waiting expectantly for his reply. But as time ticked by without a response, she felt a wave of sadness and asked, "Then, do you dislike me?"

"No." An Ming knew that if he didn't answer, the lovely girl before him would surely be hurt.

Her sorrow eased upon hearing this. Stubbornly, she lifted her head, looked directly into An Ming's eyes, and asked again, "Then do you like me?" Her heart hammered against her ribs, and the flickering flame of hope reignited in her eyes.

An Ming looked at her with distress. He couldn't possibly tell her that he was actually Yuwen Lingxi. How would he explain the Yuwen Lingxi sitting in the pavilion? If he exposed himself, his younger brother, what would become of his father? An Ming could not answer.

So, he chose silence once again.

"Why won't you answer me?" For a woman to cast aside all caution and ask a man if he liked her, only to be met with no answer—this was something Lianyue could not accept. In her heart, liking someone was simple: you either did or you didn't. These things should be spoken aloud, not hidden away. Just like her second brother, who insisted on taking such a winding path and inviting so much trouble when he clearly had feelings for someone.

"I'm sorry, I cannot give you an answer." An Ming still refused to speak. He did not want to deceive Lianyue, but he could not risk pushing his brother into danger.

The light in Lianyue's eyes vanished instantly, like a flower in full bloom shattered by a sudden storm. Her gaze lost its luster, but a moment later, as if struck by a thought, hope crept back into her eyes. She asked cautiously, "Are you not giving me an answer because of my engagement to the Yuwen family?"

An Ming, unwilling to see that light go out again, nodded.

Lianyue let out a long sigh of relief. So, he really did like her! With a radiant smile, she said to An Ming, "You don't need to worry about that. Before my mother left, she said that as long as I met someone I truly cared for, I could call off this engagement. Wait for me; after the banquet, I will write to my father, have him return the jade pendant to the Yuwen family, and annul the betrothal. Besides, after these past few days, I can tell that Young Master Yuwen doesn't like me either. He will surely agree."

An Ming’s heart tightened painfully. No, he could not let her do that. If she did, how could he stand by her side with his true identity? Moreover, such an action would undoubtedly invite endless trouble upon her.

"You cannot do this!" An Ming’s tone was filled with an unusual panic, which only left Lianyue more confused. Had she misunderstood again?

"Please, don't do it just yet, alright? Trust me, we will be together."

The pleading in An Ming’s voice and his final promise left Lianyue unable to refuse. "Why?"

"I have reasons I cannot disclose right now. After this banquet, I need to handle some matters and cannot see you for a time. But if you call off the engagement with the Yuwen family, the news will spread, and you will be swarmed by countless suitors. I do not want to invite so many rivals; I would worry about you too much in the coming days."

Lianyue’s doubts melted away like honey, sweetening her heart. So that was it. Thinking of the headache such a situation would cause, she felt a slight shiver of dread herself.

This must be what sweet talk felt like. Her ears turned even redder. Lowering her head, she traced circles on the ground with her toe. "So that's how it is. You should have told me sooner, instead of leaving me in such a state of agitation."

"They are all worried about you. Let's go back." After the banquet, An Ming would disappear, but Yuwen Lingxi would not. He would remain by her side as his true self.

Lianyue looked up abruptly and saw several figures peeking from behind the pavilion. A flash of annoyance crossed her eyes, but she nodded reluctantly.

It wasn't really their fault; Lianyue’s emotions had fluctuated too wildly. Meng Chuchen had been worried, and at Yaoyao's insistence, she had only stayed by the pavilion to watch. Yue Lingjun, trusting Meng Chuchen’s intuitive sense, had followed along as well.

Qiao Zhi had been on pins and needles ever since Lianyue followed An Ming out, and he wasn't about to miss this chance. As for Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao), he was simply curious about his elder brother and future sister-in-law, and given his role as Lianyue’s fiancé, his concern was only natural.

Only Qiao Ke had remained behind, moving to the side of his father, Qiao Bin, to listen intently to his father and the boisterous Master Zhou.

Lianyue returned to the pavilion in a huff, while the others had already returned to their seats, acting as if nothing had happened. Lianyue glared at each of them in turn. When her gaze passed over Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao), a flicker of guilt crossed her face. She gritted her teeth, forced a smile, and beckoned to Qiao Ke: "Ke'er, let your aunt take you to see the Empress Dowager."

Ke'er cooperatively took her hand, and they walked away. Passing An Ming, Lianyue gave him a fleeting glance and a nod. On the way back, she had already given him both her own mask-changing pill and the one Meng Chuchen had provided, along with instructions on how to use them. It would be quite awkward for him to eat through a mask during the banquet.

Yaoyao, left behind and seeing that neither of them intended to call for her, hiked up her skirts and chased after them. Qiao Zhi hesitated, then followed as well.

As he passed An Ming, he cast a hostile look his way. Although he hadn't been able to hear their conversation, Lianyue’s subtle actions had tipped him off that something unusual had occurred.

Something must have happened between them.

"I... I was just worried he might bully you, that's why I was watching!" Yaoyao knew Lianyue was angry and rushed to explain. But because it was clearly her own curiosity, she had fabricated such a high-sounding excuse, making Lianyue even less inclined to forgive her. Lianyue knew very well that the best punishment for Yaoyao was the silent treatment.

Seeing Yaoyao’s predicament, Qiao Zhi wisely kept his mouth shut, knowing he was likely in the same boat.

Qiao Ke’s clear, apricot-shaped eyes were full of relief. It wasn't that he hadn't wanted to watch, or that he wasn't curious; it was because his father was sitting right there. Even if his father wouldn't have said anything, he certainly would have frowned. Besides, he had already sensed something from Lianyue’s reaction.

Compared to the scheming women in this palace, his little aunt was completely out of her depth.

Xiang Ju and Xiang Zhu followed behind, eyes cast downward, already deciding to tell the Princess Consort what had happened at the first opportunity. On the way, Qiao Zhi was intercepted by a eunuch from the Retired Emperor and diverted to the Qianqing Palace.

When they returned to the Cixi Palace, Lianyue saw that Shen Yemei and the others had already returned. Zhang Yuying gave her a subtle thumbs-up. Lianyue’s gaze swept over the seat where Qiao Yu had been sitting; sure enough, Qiao Yu’s mother was no longer there. It seemed the events in the Imperial Garden were already known.

Lianyue felt no guilt whatsoever. After all, Qiao Yu had brought it upon herself. Even if the Empress Dowager wanted to stand up for her, Lianyue would be ready to question their royal hospitality.

However, the Empress Dowager’s reaction was entirely unexpected.

"Ke'er, why don't you come to your great-grandmother? Have you forgotten me now that you have your aunt?" Her tone was filled with deep affection and a hint of concern.

Lianyue looked up to see the Empress Dowager’s eyes brimming with kindness and joy as she looked at her and the little boy whose hand she held.

Lianyue was taken aback, feeling somewhat embarrassed. She subconsciously released the small hand, only to have it firmly gripped back.

Qiao Ke’s soft, milky voice echoed through the great hall: "Ke'er hasn't forgotten! It's just that it's my aunt's first time in the palace, and I was worried she might get lost, or that the servants wouldn't recognize her and treat her poorly." As he spoke, he led Lianyue toward the Empress Dowager, and Lianyue had no choice but to follow.