Chapter 124: An Unreasonable Request

"There have been rumors lately that remnants of the previous dynasty are active near the capital. However, they are cunning, and despite my efforts to have my men investigate for some time, we have made no progress."

Upon hearing this, Lie Changan understood immediately and quickly responded, "Your Highness, rest assured. Please leave this matter to me."

"Do not be too hasty. I am certainly at ease leaving it to you, as my position is sensitive and I am often restricted in what I can do. But there is no need to rush; once your wounds have completely healed, you may handle it together with Deputy General Qi."

Lie Changan nodded. "Yes, I understand."

Having conveyed his message and with nothing else to attend to, the Crown Prince prepared to leave to discuss other state affairs with several senior officials.

"Your Highness, please wait."

Lie Changan hesitated before calling out to him. "I have a favor to ask."

The Crown Prince paused and turned back, his face showing surprise and curiosity. He was genuinely intrigued by what could possibly lead Lie Changan to make a request of him.

"Your Highness, I have a presumptuous request. I beg you to keep my affection for the Princess a secret."

The Crown Prince was stunned. What was this? Guli had asked him to keep it a secret, and now Lie Changan was doing the same?

While it is true that matters of the heart are not meant to be broadcast, if one never speaks of them, and both remain in the dark, does that not lead to endless mutual testing and self-inflicted torment?

"Why is that?" The Crown Prince frowned. "If you do not let her know, she may never find out."

The Crown Prince knew his sister’s character well. Lacking experience in matters of love, she might be somewhat oblivious, but she was always clever and quick-witted. Given enough time, she might notice the subtle signs and guess that Lie Changan favored her. This was, in fact, one of the reasons he had risked sending Lie Changan to the Yunyan Palace; he hoped that by spending more time together, things might gradually become understood between them through a mere glance or gesture. Yet, it seemed there had been no progress at all.

"What if she does know? Knowing would only increase her distress," Lie Changan said with a self-deprecating smile. "I do not wish for my feelings to become a burden to her."

Moreover, she had already stated that even if he loved her, she could never love him back. In her eyes, a military officer of humble origins had likely been disqualified from consideration from the very start. He knew he should not harbor such delusions, nor was he worthy. Therefore, he did not want—and dared not—let her know his true intentions. He feared her disdain, and even more, he feared hearing the kind of words that had left him feeling utterly shattered that day.

He possessed self-awareness, but that did not mean he could endure the pain of having his vulnerabilities exposed and his scars reopened time and time again. He only loved her. That was all.

He never hoped for anything; he never had. Therefore, it did not matter if she did not know, as long as he understood it himself.

The Crown Prince did not know what to say. In truth, he understood Lie Changan’s meaning and could deeply empathize with his feelings. When love reaches such a state of despair, what else is there to hope for? He no longer sought an outcome, knowing it was impossible. What kind of outcome could there be? With the Emperor’s authority looming over them, a single word from him could determine life or death, let alone such a significant matter as marriage.

What would telling them achieve? It might only hasten their demise. They would either rush Guli to marry Zhou Siyuan as soon as she came of age or bestow some noblewoman upon Lie Changan. In any case, they would never grant them their wish.