Chapter 96: Volume 1 Chapter 96 — How can this person be so good at sweet talk?

After drying her hair, Rong Luoge casually tied it up, inserted a wooden hairpin, comfortable and pretty, then went to eat, and afterwards returned to the bedchamber to linger.

I don't know when the matter at Dadongshan Si will be wrapped up, but even if Han Xinglan went himself to look for me, the credit for this won't fall on him.

So, the person leading this time is probably the one Han Xinglan arranged.

Rong Luoge knows Han Xinglan is a restrained and clever person; although she also gave her some suggestions, not just anyone could carry out the plan so perfectly.

Thinking of this, she suddenly recalled the light in Han Xinglan's eyes when he found her today; although Rong Luoge has never dated, she's not stupid, and watching too many mindless dramas does have some use.

She's never been one to overthink; since she has doubts, she'll just wait for Han Xinglan to return and ask.

This isn't some melodramatic soap opera — you love me, you don't, you love me, you don't, misunderstandings come and go, tearful faces and happy endings over dozens of episodes.

However, she knows that even if Han Xinglan likes her, they probably couldn't make it work.

The Crown Prince is the future emperor; the three palaces and six courtyards are standard, and with her fiery temperament, how could she tolerate that?

She also thinks Han Xinglan is not bad, but unfortunately, their worldviews differ, so love is doomed to never take root.

Forget it, go to sleep.

Rong Luoge didn't let herself overthink and just fell asleep; in a daze, she felt some movement nearby, she's always alert, so despite her drowsiness she opened her eyes.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Han Xinglan standing before the bed, still wearing the same outfit she had seen him in at the valley; Rong Luoge startled, then sat up quickly, looked him over, seeing he didn't appear injured, she let out a slight sigh of relief.

The lamps in the hall were turned extremely low, the faint flickering firelight casting on their faces, also giving off a somewhat eerie glow.

Rong Luoge felt a headache, looking at Han Xinglan she said, "Your Highness, why don't you wash up first? I'll have someone prepare a meal for you."

Han Xinglan glanced at Rong Luoge again, thinking this person truly is heartless, she just fell asleep like that.

Not angry, not angry.

Turning away to wash up in the purification room, when he was done and came out, the table already had a night snack set out.

Rong Luoge changed into her regular clothes and sat there; seeing Han Xinglan come out, she said, "Your Highness, have something to fill your stomach first; we can talk later."

Han Xinglan sighed inwardly, seeing Rong Luoge like this, it was clear she had made up her mind, but obviously the outcome wasn't what he wanted.

They ate the night snack in some silence; when Han Xinglan finished, the two went to the study.

Rong Xin and the others served tea, then bowed and withdrew; the room fell silent at once.

Han Xinglan saw Rong Luoge about to speak, but heard her laugh and speak first: "Your Highness, you know my nature — sounding carefree and indifferent, but actually I'm somewhat particular. I won't tolerate sand in my eyes, and I won't allow anyone to snore beside my bed."

Han Xinglan looked at her with a pair of eyes after hearing Rong Luoge's words; his previously tight brows and eyes gradually relaxed. Those eyes were like a vast clear sky, pure and noble, lofty and unattainable.

"So, do you also like me? If not, why bring this up?"

Rong Luoge looked at Han Xinglan, wondering if his focus was a bit off.

However, since she intended to speak plainly, Rong Luoge didn't want to beat around the bush, saying: "Your Highness means that I do have some extraordinary concern for you, something I don't feel for other men. If that counts as liking, then I like you. But liking someone is the most superficial existence; do you understand, Your Highness?"

"Because liking leads to deep love, deep love leads to obsession, and obsession leads to exclusivity. If at this point Your Highness cannot keep your promise, whether now in the Dong Gong or later in the Hou Gong, if there were another woman, I really wouldn't know what I might do."

Rong Luoge's voice was unusually soft and gentle, yet the words she spoke were shocking.

If it were any other man, he'd probably have already flicked his sleeves and left.

On the contrary, Han Xinglan's smile grew richer: "How coincidental — I suffered because of Consort Ming from a young age, and because Prince Qi endured the emperor's suspicions and guard, I also don't want my future child to endure the pain I once suffered."

Hmm?

Rong Luoge looked at Han Xinglan suspiciously, wondering if his words were to deceive her or sincere.

To say it was to deceive her, as an honored heir apparent, he wouldn't say such things for a woman.

Thinking again about what he said, it's indeed because Consort Ming and Prince Qi have suffered a lot.

"A lifetime is long, decades of lengthy years — promises shouldn't be made lightly; Your Highness should know the weight of these words." As Rong Luoge spoke, she felt her heart quicken slightly. "In the future, when Your Highness ascends that position, there will be countless beauties under heaven, not just for you to pick and choose."

"Among three thousand waters, I take only a ladleful — that's enough." Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge, "Before meeting you, I didn't know what my future crown princess would be like, nor did I care. Before you entered the Dong Gong, I only felt that working with you was pleasant; you always bring surprises, making me look forward to our cooperation."

Rong Luoge thought, "It's not like that; I used to think the same way — if we put it like that, we really are the same kind of person."

"But since entering the Dong Gong and being with you day after day, I feel this cold palace has gained warmth."

Han Xinglan stepped forward to stand before Rong Luoge, lowered his head to look at her, "Every time I return to the Dong Gong I have a sense of anticipation; every time I see you I feel happy, dining together is pleasant; even each morning when I wake up to go to court as a wooden clay statue, seeing your sleeping face makes me feel much more at ease."

Rong Luoge: ……

Good grief, this person really knows how to sweet-talk.

Her heart pounded as if it had its own rhythm, beyond her control.

"Some feelings arise from lust at first sight and may not last, but there is a feeling called growing affection over time; you have become an indispensable part of my life. Luoge, as you said, the future is long, I won't make any promises, for promises are fragile and break at a poke. But I will show you that everything I do is not for some oath, but because you are worthy."

Rong Luoge's face flushed involuntarily; she felt doomed, she's always been a robot missing a screw, unresponsive to emotions.

But today she suddenly experienced what it means for love to be like a flood — it comes as it says, without reason.