HCB Chapter 282: Admit Defeat
Chapter 282: Admit Defeat
The two took a few more steps forward, and Yang Yi couldn't help but speak again: "Miss Long, may I ask what your relationship is with the Prince?"
She looked at Long Chuqing with curious eyes, anticipating her answer, looking quite gossipy.
Long Chuqing was taken aback by her sudden question. She paused for a moment, then turned to look at Yang Yi.
Seeing Yang Yi looking at her with a gossipy expression, as if hoping to hear something from her.
"What... what kind of relationship?!" Long Chuqing asked, bewildered. "What kind of relationship could I possibly have with him?"
Upon hearing Long Chuqing's answer, Yang Yi's face was full of disbelief.
She pressed on, "Aren't you living in the Prince of Qin's residence now? How could you not have some connection?"
She spoke the last sentence in a low voice, as if afraid of being abrupt or offensive.
However, she regretted it as soon as she said it. How could she ask a young lady such a question? It was so impolite of her to ask her such a question.
How could I have let my curiosity get the better of me and ask that question?
"Miss Long, I'm so sorry. I was being presumptuous just now. I shouldn't have asked that question. Please don't take it to heart," Yang Yi quickly apologized.
Long Chuqing didn't care much; these weren't things that couldn't be mentioned.
She has been living in the Prince of Qin's mansion for quite some time now, and many people know this, so there's no need to hide it.
Long Chuqing replied, "Even if I live in the Prince of Qin's mansion now, it doesn't mean that I have any relationship with the Prince! If there is any relationship, it is only that of friends, or perhaps..."
"Or what?" Yang Yi perked up her gossipy ears again. "Tell me about it."
Hearing that something seemed unusual, Yang Yi regained her curiosity, and her previous apology had vanished.
“He’s my boss, we’re in a superior-subordinate relationship,” Long Chuqing said definitively. “He pays me wages, and I do things for him, doesn’t that count?”
Not hearing the answer she wanted, Yang Yi felt somewhat disappointed.
"Is that really all there is to it? I find it hard to believe!" Yang Yi pouted.
"That's just how it is! What more do you want?" Long Chuqing said helplessly.
Yang Yi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Well... it's nothing really, it's just that I don't think your relationship is exactly innocent."
Since she had already said so much, she didn't care about one or two more questions, so Yang Yi simply asked what was on her mind.
So be it! But judging from Miss Long's expression, she didn't seem angry at all; she didn't seem to mind saying these things.
She probably doesn't care much about this, right?
Long Chuqing thought about it carefully. They weren't entirely innocent, since they had slept in the same bed.
But to be fair, he is innocent; even if they slept together, nothing happened!
Does sleeping in each other's arms count?
"Is there a situation?"
Yang Yi noticed Long Chuqing's thoughtful expression and looked at her with a suspicious gaze.
Long Chuqing avoided Yang Yi's scrutinizing gaze.
"What could possibly be going on! Don't make wild guesses if there's nothing going on. It wouldn't be good if it damaged the prince's reputation."
"That's not right!" Yang Yi looked suspicious. "Isn't it usually women who are afraid of ruining their reputation? You're worried about the prince's reputation being damaged, but aren't you worried about your own?"
"Me? I don't care!" Long Chuqing said casually. "I'm just a woman of the martial world. My reputation doesn't matter to me. If I move to another place, no one will remember me."
"From what you're saying, do you mean that one day you'll leave the Prince of Qin's residence and the capital?" Yang Yi asked.
“Hmm…” Long Chuqing nodded: “I can’t stay in the Prince’s mansion forever! I’m not from here, and I will naturally leave once things are settled.”
Miss Long's words did not sound like a joke; in fact, her tone was very certain and serious, as if this was her subsequent plan.
Yang Yi glanced behind her and pondered: Perhaps Miss Long only regarded the prince as an ordinary friend, but she could sense that the prince's feelings for Miss Long were not just those of an ordinary friend.
She had met the King of Qin a few times and knew that he was usually a bit aloof, but he wouldn't be like that when he was with Miss Long; his eyes would be very gentle.
If Miss Long were to leave one day, I wonder what the prince would do?
You must be very sad and upset, right?
Does Your Highness know that Miss Long has thoughts of leaving?
-
"I haven't seen this garden full of peach blossoms in bloom for two or three years, and I'm afraid I won't see it this year either," Yang Jing said with a sigh as he walked through the peach grove. "But the sight of the white blossoms hanging on the branches is still quite nice."
Nangong Ming turned his head and asked, "Are you preparing to leave the capital again?"
"Yes... I didn't plan to stay long this time, but I came back earlier than expected. It's a rare treat to be able to relax with everyone and the Prince today."
Xiao Han asked, "Did the young general receive a message from the border?"
"Yes, Your Highness must have received the news as well." Yang Jing sighed. "The border is not peaceful right now, so I'm thinking of returning to the troops as soon as possible, otherwise I'll always feel uneasy."
"When do we set off?" Xiao Han asked.
"Everything is ready. We will depart in three days."
"So eager?" Nangong Ming's expression turned somewhat serious. "It's almost the end of the year, can't we wait until after the New Year to go?"
"I can't wait any longer. I'm always thinking about him. Even if I spend the New Year in the capital, I won't feel at ease," Yang Jing said, placing his hands behind his back. "If I ride at full speed, I might be able to reach the military camp and celebrate the New Year with my father and the soldiers!"
"I haven't had a proper drinking session with you yet!" Nangong Ming sighed softly.
"Get drunk? Sure!" Yang Jing joked. "I'll get you drunk tonight."
"You underestimate me! You think you can get me drunk?" Nangong Ming said defiantly, "I may not be as good as you at fighting, but you definitely can't hold your liquor as well as I can."
"I certainly can't compare to you." Yang Jing nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to Xiao Han and asked, "How is Your Highness's alcohol tolerance?"
"This..." Xiao Han said with shame, "I might not be as good as the two of you."
"Hahaha..." Nangong Ming laughed, "I've only ever heard of people who never admit defeat, but I didn't expect you two to admit defeat before even having a drink."
They both smiled helplessly.
There's no way around it; if you don't have the ability, you can't pretend to be something you're not! Wouldn't that just make you look even more pathetic?
After losing sight of Long Chuqing and Yang Yi, the group quickened their pace.
They soon arrived at the small river in the middle of the peach grove, where many reeds grew on both sides of the riverbank.
In winter, the reeds have a golden coat, and the snow covers the reed flowers and leaves with a layer of crystal-clear frost.
They bowed their heads and swayed gently in the cold wind, as if telling the story of the changing seasons.
In winter, the river is almost completely dry, with water only in the deeper parts, and now it is covered with a layer of ice.
There are two ponds on the other side of the river. One is a larger lotus pond for planting and viewing, and the other is a fish pond for tourists to fish. Both ponds are surrounded by peach trees.
There is a pavilion in the lotus pond, and a wooden bridge across it.