Chapter 360 - Being Heartbroken (1/2)

Jing Yi turned around with worry written in his eyes. ”Disconcerted … by my reaction?”

”Mn.” The woman nodded, grabbed his arm once more and led him further down the stone path in the direction of a huge palace. ”How long has he been going after you? It should be close to ten years, I believe. In all this time, you haven't reciprocated much, have you?”

He lowered his head before nodding in shame. ”You're right. I … I don't deserve his love.” There was a pang in his heart that nearly had him stumble.

Right, he didn't deserve this love. He didn't deserve this man. But Heaven alone knew that he wanted to. Even if he deserved nothing else, he wanted to deserve at least this love. That was all he wished for. Could it really be … too late already?

”Do you think … he'll come by again?” He gingerly looked over at her, afraid of what she might say. What if she didn't think so? What if he really … never saw him again?

”It's hard to say. I always felt that he was really serious about you so, yes, he might do so. Then again it's been so long and all his courting hasn't yielded much. Sooner or later a man is bound to give up hope if there isn't even the slightest hint that things might change for the better with time.”

”I see.”

So I really drove him away with my behavior. I should have known before. I should have … should have given him some kind of hint. But if I did … What would father say?

He looked up at the palace in front of them and his heart felt heavy. He didn't want to lose the man he loved but he also didn't want to disappoint his father who had such high expectations for him. Whatever he did he would let one of them down. How should he decide?

They reached the gates of the palace and the guards opened them and bowed. Jing Yi forced himself to smile and stepped in with the woman next to him. They only managed to pass through the first room when a man in splendid robes hurried toward them and grasped Jing Yi's hands. His eyes radiated excitement while his grasp was still so gentle as if his hands could break should he hold them just a little tighter.

”There you are! Come in, come in. Let father have a look at you.” His gaze indeed traveled up and down before returning to his face. The man frowned slightly. ”Who dared to bully my precious son?!”

”Huh?” Jing Yi's eyes widened and he opened his mouth without knowing what to say.

”Was it the guards at the gate? Hmph, don't worry! Father will replace them for you.” He turned to do just that when he suddenly remembered something. He turned back and smiled. ”Don't worry, father will give justice to you!”

”Father …” Jing Yi smiled wryly. This sounded a lot as if the guards would have to expect punishment for something they never did. ”All is well. Nobody would dare bully your son in the Nine Heavens. You don't have to do anything.”

”Ah, how could that be? You're obviously unhappy! Come on, tell your father. Whoever it was they'll get their just desserts!”

Jing Yi lowered his head. ”I don't understand why father insists on this. Your son is really very well.”