Chapter 239: Don't Give Me a Chance

A look of surprise flashed across Ji Xinhe's face, and she hastily pulled her hand away, feeling awkward for a moment, "I ..."

The excitement in Duan Lan's eyes dimmed once again, and he pulled a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth, "I knew you wouldn't accept, but I still held on to the hope of trying. The Emperor has granted me a marriage, to take place in two months. Recently, I've been staying at home not wishing to go out, not knowing how to face you or what to say to you, you probably never really did care about me anyway."

It was a monologue spoken to an audience of one and, ultimately, it was futile.

Ji Xinhe quickly replied, "That's not what I mean. I genuinely consider you a friend, how could I not care about your feelings? It's just, you know I have a lot of things to do back in the capital. The truth about the handkerchief has not yet been revealed, I never even thought of things like this."