Chapter 118: Reluctance in the Heart

Guli suffered from insomnia.

The next morning, she woke up with dark, bruised circles under her eyes. She hurriedly asked Jasmine to bring two boiled eggs, applying them to her face for a long time until the swelling subsided; otherwise, the Empress would surely nag her again if she saw them.

It was not until the afternoon that Guli managed to set aside her heavy thoughts. Exhausted, she finally took a nap to make up for the lost sleep. She slept until it was time for dinner.

The imperial kitchen delivered the meal as usual. Seeing that it was even more sumptuous than the day before, Guli figured the Empress must have noticed her poor condition and instructed the kitchen to provide extra nourishment.

Guli signaled to Jasmine and said, "There is too much; I cannot finish it all. Take it and go eat with General Lie Changan."

Jasmine had already prepared two food boxes. She had been thinking that the Princess would surely want to see General Lie Changan today. She might have been able to restrain herself for a morning, but not for an entire day.

As the sky began to darken, Lie Changan realized the day had passed. He had spent the entire time reading military strategy books, yet the person who had sat with him the day before never appeared. He was filled with disappointment, though he told himself he should not have harbored any expectations.

She was a princess; he should be satisfied that she cared for him with such diligence and kindness. Her willingness to let him stay in Cloud Mist Palace was merely to repay his past favors and to ease her own conscience. Why could he not let go of these thoughts? What else could he possibly hope for?

"General Lie Changan."

A familiar voice rang out from the doorway. Lie Changan froze; he recognized the voice—it was Jasmine, her personal maid.

It was time for dinner to be served. Had she not come, then?

Lie Changan felt his spirit deflate. He did not even lift his head, continuing to stare at the military book in his hands. As he listened to the sound of the food boxes being opened and the dishes being set out, his anticipation vanished, and he lost all desire to read or eat.

"Are you not going to eat? You have been reading all day—do you intend to injure your eyes after having already injured your legs and arms?"

Lie Changan jolted, looking up abruptly. When he saw who was standing by his bed, the dejection and disappointment in his heart instantly transformed into a deep, overwhelming surge of joy and relief.

"Yes."

Lie Changan smiled, quickly setting aside the book and picking up his chopsticks. He sat across from her and began to eat. He did not mind her sharp tone at all; he had come to realize that she had a "sharp tongue but a soft heart," and he found her impossibly endearing.

Guli did not understand why he could still smile after hearing her speak in such a tone. Had he gone silly from reading military books all day? Or perhaps...

Could it be that he was genuinely happy to see her?

As soon as this thought crossed her mind, Guli recalled the turmoil of the previous night. Caught in a cycle of uncertainty about whether he might harbor even the slightest affection for her, the thoughts she had managed to suppress all afternoon came rushing back.

The meal passed in quiet harmony.

Neither of them spoke much, each lost in their own thoughts. Lie Changan was naturally delighted by her presence; even without words, he felt content just to share a quiet meal like this, and he found the food even more delicious than usual.

As for Guli, she was weighed down by her own concerns, restless and ill at ease, feeling as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

After the meal, Jasmine began to clear the table. Guli did not want to leave, but with the meal finished, what excuse did she have to stay? She could hardly ask to accompany him while he read military books again.

Seeing Jasmine quickly tidying up, Lie Changan knew she was about to leave. He felt a pang of reluctance, feeling that the time for the meal had passed far too quickly. He scrambled to find a reason to keep her, his gaze eventually falling upon his injured leg.