Chapter 157: Was it on purpose?

He spoke those words softly; only Ye Qingran could hear.

Ye Qingran indeed wanted to use the National Master to harshly strike those who said she couldn't marry; yet receiving his devout answer, she momentarily felt dazed.

I am willing…

How does that sound so like a wedding vow?

With the Endless Holy Realm as betrothal, a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers as matchmaker, a myriad miles of bridal adornment—I will marry you!

Ye Qingran met his handsome brows and eyes, her breath catching. His starry eyes flowed with deep affection, like a black hole—one glance seemed to suck her in, drown her, unable to escape.

Ye Qingran's heart skipped a beat; she abruptly turned her gaze elsewhere, not daring to meet his eyes again.

Although the crowd didn't hear the latter words, when the National Master's clear voice said "I am willing," they heard it, and combined with his deeply affectionate demeanor, no one could doubt it.

The National Master said he was willing to marry Ye Qingran!

That flawless, perfect handsome man—willing to marry Ye Qingran, the useless woman who can't marry?!

The Crown Prince felt as if he'd been slapped, his face burning with pain.

Just now, he told Ye Qingran he wanted to see what kind of man she could find. In his view, she couldn't find anyone better than him! But before he finished speaking, the National Master stepped forward, saying he liked Ye Qingran and hoped she would consider him.

Afterwards, Ye Qingran asked the National Master whether, if she wanted to marry, he would be willing to take her; he readily agreed.

Ye Huanhuan almost bit her silver teeth to pieces.

Originally, the purpose of today's banquet was to humiliate Ye Qingran. Yet contrary to expectation, Ye Qingran not only avoided humiliation, but even gained the National Master's favor, even declaring his willingness to marry her!

Mu Qingrou's jealousy was about to overflow from her eyes.

"The National Master is mine! Mine!! Mine!!!" Mu Qingrou roared in her heart, wishing to rush over and tear Ye Qingran apart.

The other ladies were also filled with jealousy.

How could such an extraordinarily elegant National Master take a fancy to Ye Qingran?

Empress Gu's face looked very grim.

She was the initiator of this banquet, painstakingly organizing it to humiliate Ye Qingran and avenge her two sons.

Yet the outcome fell far short of her expectations; instead, it let Ye Qingran humiliate both of her sons.

Especially the Crown Prince!

Undoubtedly, the happiest person present was Xia Zhimeng.

As a looks-obsessed fan of Ye Qingran, when she saw Ye Qingran ask the National Master if he would marry her and he affectionately agreed, her heart melted!

"Ohhh~~ Sister Ran and the National Master, this is too perfect to ship! Together, together, together!!!" Xia Zhimeng clasped her hands before her chest, looking ready to melt.

Immediately, thinking of something, she suddenly sobered, lamenting: "What about Wuhen?"

Although Wuhen's looks don't match the National Master's, standing beside Sister Ran he is also quite well-matched, not inferior to the National Master.

"Ahhh, it's so hard to choose!"

Xia Zhimeng felt depressed. Though her strange reaction was noticed by tablemates Ling Shaoyang and Gu Dongliu, they paid it little mind, instead continuing to focus on Ye Qingran.

The National Master's eyes locked onto Ye Qingran; seeing her avert her gaze, he couldn't help a self-mocking smile and softly said, "Even if I am willing to marry, you may not be willing to wed."

His tone carried a rare humility.

As the Emperor Sovereign who stands at the pinnacle of contention, he usually strategizes and directs the realm, everything under his control. Yet only in this matter does he hesitate, unsure what to do.

"National Master, you should know I asked that just now on purpose; please… don't take it to heart!"

Ye Qingran did not meet his gaze; instead, her eyes slightly unfocused, she looked past his shoulder into the distance.

The National Master's face held a faint smile, his tone partly serious, partly nonchalant: "What to do? I've already taken it to heart."

Hearing his half‑true, half‑false words, Ye Qingran's toes involuntarily curled.

"National Master, I and you are impossible!" She suddenly turned her head, speaking quite seriously, wiping the smile from Fu Hanxiu's face.

"Why?"

"Because, I don't believe in love."

Fu Hanxiu stared.

She said, she doesn't believe in love?

His brows furrowed slightly, his thin lips pressed tight.

Before meeting her, he also didn't believe in love. But now he does.

Not believing in love merely means he hasn't encountered love yet.

Could it be that she doesn't even like him a little?

Fu Hanxiu's sword‑brows furrowed slightly, as if displeased with that realization.

"Listen, Ye Qingran, even if your heart is made of stone, I will warm it!"

Ye Qingran didn't take those words to heart, smiled, and turned back to her seat.

The banquet having reached this point, there was no need to continue.

As for the Zhou family, needless to say—they not only failed to gain a daughter‑in‑law, but also dragged Zhou Hai into it; Zhou Hai's parents looked terrible, yet because the National Master's status is exalted they dared not speak, only able to swallow their broken teeth mixed with blood. As for Ye Huanhuan and the Crown Prince and company, each felt as if they'd swallowed a fly.

The banquet ended unhappily.

Before leaving, the National Master lifted his gaze to Empress Gu: "Empress Gu, you had better not lightly play matchmaker for others in the future."

Though his tone was light, upon hearing it Empress Gu's body stiffened, a wave of utter chill sweeping over her, making cold sweat continually break out on her back.

"What the National Master said is…" she forced out, not knowing how much strength she had used.

Only after the National Master averted his gaze did she finally exhale.

Just now, she felt as if she'd walked through the gates of hell!

……

Before the Crown Prince Residence

As Ye Qingran and her companions just stepped out, a canopied carriage slowly approached.

Get in my carriage and go.

Ye Qingran lifted her gaze to the carriage, found it extraordinarily luxurious, shook her head, and said, "I have my own carriage; no need to trouble you, National Master."

"Oh." The National Master nodded, surprisingly not insisting.

"Your carriage is here, why aren't you leaving?" After a while, Ye Qingran saw the National Master standing there calmly, as if he had no intention of getting in, and she couldn't help but ask.

"Wait for you to get on first, then I'll go."

Ye Qingran looked doubtful. Is the National Master really that gentlemanly?

After a moment, Leng Yue ran over, "Miss, our carriage is broken; the coachman says it can't carry people."

"Broken?" Is this a coincidence?

Her doubtful glance flicked to the National Master beside her; seeing his calm expression, Ye Qingran seriously suspected that her carriage breaking down was somehow connected to the National Master.

However, she had no evidence.

"How did the carriage break? Really strange! Calling another one temporarily would also take quite a bit of time, right? Why not just take mine? It's quite spacious, won't feel cramped."

Ye Qingran's inner feeling was refusal.

After what just happened, letting her share a carriage with the National Master, she wasn't too keen.

At that moment, she caught sight of Xia Zhimeng's carriage, wanted to hitch a ride, but in the blink of an eye, Xia Zhimeng's carriage had vanished into the vast night.

Ye Qingran: "……"

Running that fast, just how afraid of her hitching a ride is she?

The distant Xia Zhimeng patted her chest, let out a long breath. To create a private opportunity for her crush, is it easy for her?

Ye Qingran didn't manage to hitch a ride on Xia Zhimeng's carriage, and still had no intention of yielding to the evil forces.

Her gaze turned to Ling Shaoyang. Ling Shaoyang pointed at a horse not far off, shrugged at her; Gu Dongliu gestured with his fingers a walking motion, indicating he had come on foot.

As for the others, she wasn't familiar with them.

Seems, like…