Chapter 1133

First Volume, Chapter 1133: Dislike Is Not Hate

Qin Feng had already shown enough patience; if the ice had been solid, he wouldn't have stopped the Qiyang Commandery Princess at all.

To avoid danger, Qin Feng ignored the Qiyang Commandery Princess's struggles and simply dragged her, turning toward the shore.

The Qiyang Commandery Princess refused to submit; one hand was gripped by Qin Feng, while the other tried desperately to pry open his fingers.

Unfortunately, Qin Feng's strength was simply too great.

No matter how hard the Qiyang Commandery Princess struggled, it was useless.

The Qiyang Commandery Princess could only drag her feet, hoping her weight would halt Qin Feng—but she was dragged sideways across the ice, leaving two deep trails in the snow.

Only after dragging the Qiyang Commandery Princess all the way to the shore did Qin Feng finally release her.

The Qiyang Commandery Princess collapsed onto the shore, looked up at Qin Feng, her emotions turbulent, tears welling in her eyes.

"Damn Qin Feng, do you think now that you're the lofty Qin Prince, you can treat anyone however you please?"

Facing the Qiyang Commandery Princess's accusation, Qin Feng replied calmly: "The former Qiyang Commandery Princess, reduced to this state—don't you feel it disgraces your family's honor?"

At these words, the Qiyang Commandery Princess froze.

Qin Feng knew his words might strike hard—a girl's heart was fragile.

But to awaken the Qiyang Commandery Princess and prevent her from sinking further, Qin Feng spoke bluntly.

"Do you really think I don't know what's going through your mind?"

"Life has always been full of rises and falls; if you only dwell on past gains and losses, how can you face the future?"

"Xie Yun'er's current status and position were earned through her own efforts."

"If you were in her place, do you think you could have endured until now, like Xie Yun'er?"

Facing Qin Feng's question, the Qiyang Commandery Princess said nothing, falling into silence.

In her mind, she couldn't help recalling the hardships Xie Yun'er had endured along the way.

Even during the most tense period between Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor, Xie Yun'er never abandoned Qin Feng, steadfastly standing by his side.

It was precisely this absolute trust that earned Xie Yun'er her present honor and happiness.

Putting herself in Xie Yun'er's place, the Qiyang Commandery Princess knew she could never have been as strong as Xie Yun'er.

Though unwilling, the Qiyang Commandery Princess had to face reality: she had nothing to compare with Xie Yun'er except her bloodline.

She wasn't outstanding…

Facing reality, the Qiyang Commandery Princess hugged her knees, burying her face between them, weeping softly.

That innate pride was utterly shattered at this moment.

Qin Feng never intended to hurt the Qiyang Commandery Princess; though she had often opposed him in the past, and more than once looked down on him with condescension or even insulted him.

But fundamentally, the Qiyang Commandery Princess was not a bad person.

Otherwise, with her status and position, she had countless opportunities to secretly sabotage Qin Feng.

Yet she never did; she merely watched quietly as Qin Feng, Lin Wenwan, and the Nangong Empress clashed behind the scenes.

As for Xie Yun'er, she had never harmed her in the slightest.

Precisely because of this, Qin Feng had permitted Xie Yun'er to protect the Qiyang Commandery Princess and the Chang Princess, and had come with the Qiyang Commandery Princess to the lake.

In Wang Du, finding a true confidant was nearly impossible.

And the Qiyang Commandery Princess was undoubtedly one of Xie Yun'er's closest friends.

Qin Feng did not want Xie Yun'er to lose her only friend—or her own heart's original intention…

Qin Feng reached out again, grasped the Qiyang Commandery Princess's wrist, and pulled her up from the ground.

Looking at the Qiyang's tear-streaked face, Qin Feng sighed softly, his harshness gone, his tone earnest: "You are a commandery princess—that will never change."

"Perhaps now you've lost your former glory, but that doesn't mean you can't rise again from East Mountain."

"Xie Yun'er is willing to offer you protection—that is an opportunity for you."

"Rather than wallowing in self-pity, pick yourself up, regain your spirit, and reclaim what you've lost."

"Dignity and honor are earned by yourself, not given to you by others."

The Qiyang Commandery Princess, once plunged into utter despair, slowly lifted her head at Qin Feng's words.

She looked at Qin Feng's face—now rid of youthfulness, hardened and resolute—and her eyes grew distant.

In the past, she could never have imagined that the reckless, unruly fellow would one day become a man of towering integrity.

"Why are you helping me?"

"When I was young, my mother and the Nangong Empress joined forces and nearly destroyed you."

"Even if my mother has been punished, I am still a criminal by birth—you have no reason to help me."

"No!"

The Qiyang Commandery Princess wrenched her wrist free, stepped back, and clenched her fists: "You should hate me! You should punish me!"

Facing the suddenly furious Qiyang Commandery Princess, Qin Feng remained unmoved; he patted her shoulder and smiled again.

That smile made her heart race, her emotions more complex.

She didn't know whether it was longing or fear.

Qin Feng spoke gently: "You were never my enemy."

"Though we had many unpleasant moments in the past, to me, they were merely the way we came to know each other."

"In other words, you don't hate me—you simply find me annoying, right?"

The Qiyang Commandery Princess bit her lower lip, silently cursing: yes, she found Qin Feng annoying—he was always so presumptuous, so insufferable; who could possibly like someone like him?

But…

The Qin Feng of the past was utterly different from the Qin Feng of now.

Every time the Qiyang Commandery Princess looked at Qin Feng's face, her heart stirred with heat—a feeling both terrifying and beloved.

Qin Feng's voice became even gentler than before.

"There are too many people who can't stand me; some act on their feelings and seek to eliminate me completely."

"Others, though they can't stand me, merely keep their distance and never actually move against me."

"You are the latter—no matter how much resentment you harbor, you only speak harshly but never act on it."

"If you truly hate me, all you need to do is wish it, and Xie Yun'er could die without a grave—wouldn't you?"

Hearing Qin Feng's words, the Princess of Qiyang fell silent once more.

She never dreamed that the one who understood her best was the very person she once despised most.

Everyone had changed… grown mature, steady, and strong—yet she, once an Imperial Relative, a proud Princess of Liang, remained exactly as she had been, without any real growth…