I don't fall in love

Zhi Yawen asked Eunuch Jize about Licheng when Xiana asked him to stop creating chaos.

"I am fighting for my love, Princess Xiana. Let me do it. I do not want to live in regret for not doing anything," Zhi Yawen told her. "It is between two men, so please stay out of this," he requested to Xiana.

"You are fighting for nothing, Yawen," Xiana said. "I apologize to you for hurting you badly," she said with guilt in her eyes. Yuan was standing right beside Eunuch Jize and he asked him if he would not stop them.

"What could I probably say, Prince Yuan?" Eunuch Jize was himself puzzled. How could he even intervene between them? That was a fight between two people in love, in Eunuch Jize's eyes.

Yuan hummed and he also stayed silent.

Yawen turned to look at Eunuch Jize and asked him about Licheng again.

"Brother Licheng is not here. He has gone to converse with Princes Xiana's father," Yuan replied instead of Eunuch Jize.

Zhi Yawen turned to leave when he found Licheng coming in his direction. He looked calm and slowly stopped in his steps upon seeing Yawen in his manor. Licheng looked at Xiana and found her in trouble.

Yawen walked up to Licheng and stood close to him. His facial expressions were dark and he looked angry. "What did you say to Princess Xiana that she refused to come with me?" He questioned him.

"Yawen—"

"I will talk," Licheng stopped Xiana from speaking and glanced at Zhi Yawen. "I only asked her to fulfill the promise to me," he said.

"I was supposed to marry Princess Xiana," Zhi Yawen reminded him.

"Xiana does not wish to marry you anymore. She wants time for herself and she feels freedom here," Licheng stated.

"These are your words, Licheng. You had the plan to make Princess Xiana yours the moment she asked for your help," Zhi Yawen concluded Licheng's intentions in simpler words.

Xiana stepped forward to speak to him when Licheng took the lead.

"You think a woman can sway my heart!?" Licheng chuckled. "I don't fall in love. Love is something I don't do. I was even away from my family for seven years. So, don't make such remarks when you have no idea what kind of person I am," he stated.

Yuan felt a bit sad to hear his brother's words. However, this was true Licheng. He was not into human emotions. The reason why he was able to stay away from everyone for seven years. Xiana also did not like the way Licheng spoke. But she understood him. This was his character, his personality.

"Zhi Yawen, would you have liked seeing the death of your beloved people around you? You know well how useful my martial brothers are to the Yu Kingdom. Xiana has cleared you already, so you must respect her decision if you ever loved her," Licheng said with a tiny smile on his lips.

"So, you do not have any hard feelings for her?" Zhi Yawen asked.

"Wasn't I clear earlier?" Licheng questioned him.

Xiana did not stop this time and stood in front of Licheng with her back toward him. "Now, listen to me, Yawen. I won't marry you. Let's not make it difficult for each other," she asserted.

"Fine. I won't wait for you," Zhi Yawen said and walked away from their sight.

Tears fell from Xiana's eyes. She didn't want anyone to see her cry, so she ran to her room in the manor. Yuan decided to go behind her when Licheng stopped him.

"Why, Brother? She needs someone beside her," Yuan said with a worried look.

"You should go back to your chamber, Yuan. I won't say this twice," Licheng stated. Yuan pursed his lips tightly and nodded at his brother. "Eunuch Jize, please escort Prince Yuan to his chamber," he ordered. After they left, Licheng went to see Xiana.

Xiana had covered herself with the blanket and was crying profusely. She saw the anger in Zhi Yawen's eyes for her and it was the first time it ever happened. But that was not the only reason behind those tears. She felt terrible because she played with Zhi Yawen's feelings and never decided to tell him the truth about her inner emotions.

Licheng heard her sobbing from the door of the bedchamber and halted there. He decided not to go inside as it would make her stop her emotions from flowing. He turned around and leaned his back on the frame of the sliding door. His brows furrowed because he felt upset seeing her cry.

'Why?' he thought.

He stayed there for a long time and saw the room was all dark since the night had fallen. He went toward the floor table and got on his knees. He picked up the tiny candle stand and pointed his finger at it. The candle lit and he withdrew his hand back.

Licheng heard the doors slide and he tilted his head. Xiana was standing in front of him with her eyes red. They were a little swollen.

"Can I ask you something?" Xiana asked.

Licheng stood up and turned to her. He nodded at her, thus allowing her to ask him.

"Am I pathetic?" Xiana's question bewildered him. She lowered her eyes and continued, "I am a terrible person, right? I am a selfish woman."

"It is not wrong to be selfish," Licheng said.

"What about being pathetic?" Xiana asked and sniffled. He noticed her nose was red too.

"If saying the truth makes you pathetic, then I am way more pathetic than you," Licheng stated.

Xiana walked up to him and spread her arms out before hugging him tightly. "He hates me. His eyes said all," she mumbled and again began crying.

Licheng had not expected this from her, and he stopped blinking his eyes. He wanted to push her away, but something was stopping him. He had not forgotten how during the day, he made her fall into the water stream. So, he decided to stay quiet and only listen to her.