Xiao Jinxing helped An Ning tuck in the quilt. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

An Ning remained indifferent.

No matter what he did, she was disdainful.

"In the future, things like this won’t happen again," Xiao Jinxing promised.

An Ning turned over.

She directly turned her back to him.

"Previously, I didn’t pay much attention to the affairs of the harem, so I didn’t focus on it. If Anqi hadn’t come to care for me and happened to mention that you didn’t return to the sleeping quarters, I wouldn’t have known that Bai Mowan made you go to her sleeping chambers. I always believed Bai Mowan wouldn’t go to such an extent because she’s not stupid," Xiao Jinxing explained.

Even though An Ning didn’t want to listen, he still tried hard to explain himself.

"What difference does it make if you come or not?" An Ning’s low voice finally responded to him.

She didn’t care what his views or feelings were towards Bai Mowan.

She only knew what she wanted!

Xiao Jinxing pursed his lips.

Indeed.

What difference did it make if he came or not?!

By the time he arrived, everything would already be over.

An Ning could withdraw safely and unharmed from Bai Mowan’s side.

She didn’t need his protection at all.

It was his self-delusion that he could give her a sense of security and protect her when she was in danger.

But he never could.

An Ning did not rely on anyone. She was strong and wouldn’t be bullied.

Just as she said.

What use was he?!

"The only freedom I want, you can’t give me. Nothing else, you can’t give me either!" An Ning said coldly.

Xiao Jinxing silently endured An Ning’s rejection and hatred towards him.

He said, "I want to fight for a chance."

An Ning no longer responded.

At that moment, she buried her head under the quilt, expressing her annoyance through her actions.

Xiao Jinxing, however, acted as if he hadn’t seen it and continued, "Since childhood, after my mother concubine passed away, I’ve lived in hatred and cruelty, determined only on revenge. Even when I developed feelings for Bai Mowan, it was passive acceptance. Bai Mowan left when she said she would, and came back when she said she would. I never thought to change her decisions and didn’t believe such a broken and callous heart could truly be happy. I had no pursuit of love, living numb and apathetic."

An Ning really wanted to cover her ears.

She didn’t want to hear a single word.

She just wanted to be alone, quietly, and never see him again.

"Later, I finally achieved my great cause, avenged my grievances, became the emperor, and then fell in love with you," Xiao Jinxing confessed.

His confession, she never took seriously.

But he could tirelessly tell her over and over again.

"Regarding emotions, I’ve never fought for myself, I’m naturally indifferent, never forcing, to anyone including Bai Mowan. But now, I want to fight for myself once, I want you to fall in love with me."

"I won’t," An Ning finally couldn’t help but emerge from the quilt, telling Xiao Jinxing resolutely, "Aside from Fu Xingyi, I won’t love anyone else!"

"I once thought I wouldn’t love anyone other than Bai Mowan, or perhaps, I thought I would never love anyone in this lifetime," Xiao Jinsen said deeply, "But now, I’m in love with you, very much."

An Ning scoffed, "You don’t understand love at all."

"Falling in love with someone else, or failing to realize your true feelings, does that necessarily mean one deserves to die?" Xiao Jinxing asked her.

An Ning pressed her lips together.

Her heart seemed to suddenly be pricked by something.

But she chose to ignore it.

"Give me a chance..." Xiao Jinxing’s Adam’s apple rolled, seemingly suppressing immense emotions, "If by then you still want to leave, I will see to it that you and Youyou leave the Imperial Palace."

An Ning looked at Xiao Jinxing.

A trace of joy suddenly flashed in her eyes.

Truly, without any concealment.

Xiao Jinxing couldn’t help but smile a little.

How much she wanted to leave him, clearly, in such a mood, she suddenly smiled so brightly.

After a moment of joy.

An Ning became serious, "How long?"

She really couldn’t trust Xiao Jinxing anymore.

How cunning was this man.

The so-called chance, the so-called then, perhaps it meant when she was dead.

When dead, naturally, she would be sent out of the Imperial Palace for burial.

"What’s your bottom line on time?" Xiao Jinxing asked.

An Ning really wanted to say, one day.

She was only willing to give him one day of time.

But obviously, that lacked sincerity.

The fact that Xiao Jinxing could say something so sincere, she shouldn’t enrage him.

She thought for a moment, then said with difficulty, "Half a year."

Half a year was her bottom line.

She could only leave An Luming for half a year.

Not too long.

Thinking of Luming now made her feel guilty.

"Okay." Xiao Jinxing agreed immediately.

"Don’t lie to me." An Ning confirmed.

"Yes."

"If you lie to me again, I will truly hate you." An Ning said firmly.

"You don’t hate me intensely now?" Xiao Jinxing raised his eyebrows.

Forcing her to stay by his side, she would hate him to death, wouldn’t she?!

"I really hated you, but since you said you’ll let me go in half a year, I can not hate you." She was that pragmatic.

To those who treated her well, she could reciprocate.

"Are you so sure you’ll leave in half a year? What if you fall in love with me..."

"I advise you not to have hope. Not that I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, but I fear you’d go back on your word."

"Even if I regret it to my very core, I absolutely won’t go back on my word," Xiao Jinxing promised.

An Ning scrutinized Xiao Jinxing.

Though this man wasn’t exactly a good person, when he truly promised something, he generally wouldn’t break his word.

"It’s a deal." An Ning couldn’t hide her smile.

"I have conditions." Xiao Jinxing suddenly said.

An Ning’s smile instantly vanished.

So, it’s really impossible to have any expectations for this damned emperor.

Xiao Jinxing glanced at An Ning’s expression and faintly smiled.

So her happiness was solely because she could finally leave.

He said, "First, don’t reject my kindness toward you. Since it’s about developing feelings, if you keep rejecting, it will be hard for me to move you."

An Ning frowned.

This damned emperor was indeed clever.

She asked, "Including going to bed?"

Xiao Jinxing was silent, slowly answering, "Not included."

An Ning stared at him.

"I won’t force you anymore," Xiao Jinxing said sincerely, "But if you’re willing..."

"Rest assured, there’s no such possibility!" An Ning interrupted him directly.

Xiao Jinxing didn’t insist further.

He continued, "Second, the ceremony of conferring titles will still happen."

"Isn’t that redundant?" An Ning said speechlessly, "Anyway, it’ll be revoked."

"I wish to repay you for what I owed without leaving regrets," Xiao Jinxing stated firmly.

An Ning pondered.

She didn’t think it would have much consequence for her.

Moreover, with this identity, Bai Mowan wouldn’t dare flaunt in front of her.

As this was something that only added trouble for Xiao Jinxing and didn’t have much negative impact on her, but rather benefited her, she didn’t see the need to refuse.

"Alright," An Ning agreed.

"Lastly..." Xiao Jinxing said, "Bring Luming back to the Imperial Palace."