Chapter 122: Unrequited Sentiment

Gu Li spent yet another sleepless night.

She buried her face in the quilt and wept silently, afraid to make a sound lest she be heard by Jasmine, who was keeping watch outside, or invite the concerned and worried inquiries of others. After all, she could not bring herself to admit that she, a dignified princess, had made a fool of herself by indulging in such delusional hopes today.

Gu Li found herself utterly ridiculous. When she recalled the minute details of their time together—the moments she had mistaken for signs of his affection and interest—she felt a sharp, stinging irony. She had secretly let her heart flutter with joy beneath the covers, and now, it felt as though that very heart had been struck down and killed.

Her eyes were swollen and red from crying. She had spent the entire night with tears soaking her pillow, curled up in her bed, consumed by sorrow until dawn.

The next morning, Gu Li woke up early. Since she had not slept at all, waking early was only natural.

Jasmine entered with a basin to help her wash, but upon seeing the princess’s ghastly pale complexion and red, puffy eyes, she was so startled that she nearly dropped the basin of hot water.

"Your Highness, what has happened to you?"

Jasmine hurriedly set the basin aside and wrung out a hot towel to press against Gu Li’s face, her heart aching. "Your Highness, what grievance have you suffered? Tell your servant, and I will surely seek justice for you."

Justice? How could she possibly seek justice? Was she to scold him or beat him? Or perhaps run to him and demand, "Why don't you like me, when I am so hopelessly in love with you?"

Matters of the heart could not be forced. Gu Li suffered in silence. Hearing Jasmine’s words, she offered no reaction, remaining listless, dejected, and utterly broken.

"Your Highness..."

Jasmine, having calmed down, began to piece together the truth. The princess had never suffered the slightest grievance since birth; she was the jewel in the Empress’s palm, cherished as if she might break or melt away. Who would dare make her shed a single tear? A princess’s tears were more precious than pearls or the stars in the sky.

Thinking this way, Jasmine realized there was only one person in the entire world who could make the princess weep with such despair: the man staying in the side hall.

When it came to the man in the side hall, Jasmine felt helpless. If it were anyone else, she would have dared to report the matter to the Emperor, the Empress, or even the Empress Dowager. But how could she mention General Chang'an?

Aside from the Crown Prince, Jasmine was the only one who knew of the princess’s feelings for General Chang'an. Yet, everyone in the palace knew that the princess’s marriage had long been decided. Although no imperial decree had been issued nor had it been announced to the world, it was common knowledge that the Empress intended to betroth Princess Danqing to Zhou Siyuan, the eldest son of the Duke of Ding.

Who, in all the land, had not heard of Zhou Siyuan? Though he had long been away at Mount Tianming, his reputation was as illustrious as General Chang'an’s. Both were peerless, handsome young noblemen of impeccable character, gifted in both literature and martial arts.

Thus, Jasmine knew deep down that General Chang'an was not a suitable match for the princess. But who could help it when the princess loved him? General Chang'an was the person the princess held closest to her heart. She likely couldn't bear to scold him, let alone strike him.

Jasmine could only sigh. Fortunately, the Empress had been preoccupied with the preparations for the Empress Dowager’s birthday and had no time to visit the Yunyan Palace. Otherwise, it would have been truly difficult to explain the princess’s current state of despondent misery.

"Your Highness, if this person cannot return your feelings and only brings you sorrow, then let us simply find someone else to love. There are plenty of fish in the sea, especially for a woman as noble as you."

Jasmine, having guessed the situation with reasonable accuracy, could only rack her brains to offer comfort.

Alas, Gu Li remained unresponsive. She was submerged in a sea of grief, and such words were hardly enough to bring her peace.