Chapter 126: Asked at Last

A trace of loneliness flashed through Rong Qinglei’s eyes.

Because of this identity, he had gained many things he never wanted, yet what he lost were always the things he cherished most.

He said softly, “Just because I am a prince of Beirong, do I not even have the right to like you?”

Yue Mingxuan helplessly rubbed his forehead.

That was not the point at all.

Talking to people from ancient times really felt like chickens talking to ducks.

Was it his way of speaking that had gotten worse?

After thinking for a moment, he decided to explain it in another way. “You are a prince of Beirong. Who you like is, of course, your freedom. But you have already affected my life.”

Hearing a slight softening in Yue Mingxuan’s tone, Rong Qinglei quickly explained in a hurry, “Mingxuan, I truly did not want to affect your life. That night, I really couldn’t hold it in…”

He really could not accept it.

Why could Shang Qinghua hold a beauty in his arms while he could only wait bitterly on a tree outside, enduring the cold wind?

Shang Qinghua was just a hostage what right did he have to compete with him?

Yue Mingxuan sighed.

It seemed that people of ancient times truly did not understand things like personal rights.

His tone softened a little more. “Do you think that just because you like me, I must agree?”

Rong Qinglei looked at Yue Mingxuan in confusion and said, “But I would take good care of you. I would give you everything I can give, and make sure the rest of your life is happy and without worry.”

“But none of you ever asked whether I was willing or not!” Yue Mingxuan interrupted Rong Qinglei’s confession, his tone clearly agitated. “In matters like this, shouldn’t you at least ask for my opinion? I am not an object. I am not someone who just follows whoever I am given to.”

Yue Mingxuan’s words made Rong Qinglei fall into deep thought.

Yes, they had always been focused on expressing their feelings for him, even forcing him to accept them, yet not a single person had asked whether he was willing or not.

He was probably unwilling.

They had all ignored his feelings.

They kept saying they could give him a life of happiness and peace, but no one had considered whether that was what he truly wanted.

Just like himself, from a sickly prince to the Prince Qing who controlled Beirong’s finances, he had only passively accepted everything.

No one had asked whether he wanted it and no one had thought about what he had lost in the process.

Thinking of this, pain flashed through Rong Qinglei’s eyes.

His first twenty years of life had already been a tragedy and now he was about to force that same tragedy onto the person he loved.

“Mingxuan, I’m sorry,” he said, his voice filled with sincere remorse.

Yue Mingxuan naturally did not miss the pain in Rong Qinglei’s eyes.

Thinking of the rumors he had heard about this Prince Qing, he could not help but sigh inwardly.

Losing his mother at a young age and managing Beirong’s finances with a weak body, Rong Qinglei must have suffered a great deal growing up.

Remembering the loneliness in his eyes the first time they met, a trace of sympathy rose in Yue Mingxuan’s heart.

“My tone was bad. Don’t take it to heart,” he said.

Rong Qinglei shook his head.

He was actually glad that Yue Mingxuan could say these things to him and allowing him to stop before going too far down the wrong path.

“I was born into the royal family and I have never been able to act freely since childhood. So I understand how you feel.”

Rong Qinglei’s understanding instead made Yue Mingxuan feel a little embarrassed.

“It’s not that serious,” Yue Mingxuan said. “Actually, we can still be friends.”

Rong Qinglei did not speak, but the smile at the corner of his lips showed the joy in his heart.

At this moment, the waiter brought the tea over.

Just by smelling the fragrance, Yue Mingxuan knew this tea was probably very expensive.

Since he had just said they were friends, drinking such costly tea felt a bit too much.

He said somewhat awkwardly, “Um… today let’s split the bill. I’ll pay you back next time.”

“Split the bill?” The new term that came out of Yue Mingxuan’s mouth made Rong Qinglei look confused.

Yue Mingxuan stuck out his tongue slightly.

Damn it, he had unconsciously used a modern term again.

He laughed awkwardly and explained, “That’s a dialect from the border area of our country. It means that when two people eat or drink together, each person pays their own share. But I didn’t bring much silver today, so…”

Seeing Yue Mingxuan’s cute expression, Rong Qinglei felt very pleased. “Mingxuan, you’re worrying too much. No matter what, I am still a prince. I will pay for the tea.”

When Yue Mingxuan heard this, he did not insist anymore.

According to rumors, Prince Qing was as rich as a nation itself, someone whose single stomp could make grain prices rise.

The cost of one pot of tea was nothing to him, not even a fraction of a fraction.

Thinking this, Yue Mingxuan narrowed his eyes and took a sip of tea.

Although it could not compare to imperial tribute tea, it was still fragrant and left a pleasant taste on the lips.

Rong Qinglei also took a sip of the tea in front of him.

A beautiful person at his side and fine tea in hand, this truly was one of life’s great pleasures.

Such a pleasant atmosphere did not last long before it was interrupted.

Rong Qinglei frowned slightly in displeasure, but when he saw that the person who came was Xiao Mei from the medical clinic, he could only suppress his irritation.

“Sir,” Xiao Mei said to Yue Mingxuan, “that servant who caused trouble in front of our clinic earlier wants to ask Grandpa Bian to make a house call. But Granpa Bian still has many patients waiting, so they asked me to come and seek your opinion.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep