Chapter 140: Clear-Cut in Love and Hatred

Guli was so furious she could burst. It turned out that he was not rigid, stubborn, and completely devoid of any romantic sensibility after all; rather, he was truly romantic at heart, just not toward her.

The more Guli thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Throwing herself at him like this was utterly shameless. Stamping her foot in anger, she let out a heavy huff and turned on her heel to leave.

The moment Lie Changan saw that, he knew she was angry. Panic gripped him instantly, leaving him no time to even offer formal bows and excuses to Princess Jun'an standing nearby. Desperate, he dashed after her.

Jun'an watched with her own eyes as Lie Changan chased after Guli and left. The anxious and flustered expression on his face bore no resemblance to the cold and aloof man he usually was. This caused Jun'an's heart to tighten involuntarily, her mind racing with questions: What was going on? Since when had Guli and Lie Changan become so close? And since when could Guli command and sway Lie Changan's emotions?

The faster Guli ran, the more urgent her pace became, completely ignoring Lie Changan pursuing her from behind. Yet, how could she possibly outrun his tall frame and long legs? In no time at all, Lie Changan caught up and blocked her path.

"Your Highness."

Anxious, Lie Changan grabbed her wrist. "What is wrong with you?"

How could Guli possibly bring herself to admit that she was jealous and heartbroken? Finding it too humiliating to utter aloud, her frustration only flared higher. She violently shook off his hand, raised her foot, and kicked him hard.

The blow landed with immense force, but Lie Changan made no effort to dodge, taking the full brunt of it. Though his brows furrowed, he swallowed his pain without a sound, bearing it obediently. He thought to himself that although he had no idea why she had suddenly stormed off in a foul mood, if acting as her punching bag and letting her vent could make her feel even a little bit better, then it did not matter at all.

Seeing him take it like this, Guli realized she had kicked him too hard. Even her own foot was left aching slightly from the impact, let alone his shin. Yet, how could she ever swallow her pride and apologize? Instead, she fumed, "I ask you, inside the hall just now, was my dance good or not?"

Lie Changan had no idea why she was suddenly bringing this up. Her dance had naturally been breathtaking—unmatched in beauty. From start to finish, he had never shifted his gaze away even a fraction, completely entranced. Everyone in the hall at that moment must have been captivated by her graceful movements.

Nodding, Lie Changan answered honestly, "Your Highness danced like a gentle breeze and swirling mists, graceful as a startled swan and spirited as a soaring dragon. With a beauty that could topple cities, it was naturally..."

"You are just humoring me!"

Guli refused to listen to another word. Her eyes stung with hot tears of vexation. "Nothing but empty, superficial, and flowery pleasantries!"

She was sick and tired of hearing such remarks, utterly devoid of any genuine feeling. How were they any different from the sycophantic flattery spouted by officials at court?

She was such a fool! Knowing full well that he hadn't watched, that he hadn't paid her any attention at all, she had still subjected herself to such humiliation!

Too angry to deal with him any longer, Guli turned around to head back. To her surprise, the moment she turned, she saw Zhou Siyuan walking straight toward her.

Having finally found her, Zhou Siyuan smiled warmly and cupped his hands in a salute. "Your Highness."

Ah, truly, enemies are bound to cross paths.

Guli held no fondness for Zhou Siyuan. She had always been someone who wore her heart on her sleeve; if she disliked someone, she refused to waste an ounce of effort interacting with them. Even if they shared memories of playing together in childhood, at most he was just a playmate from long ago. After all these years apart, any lingering bond had long since vanished. Furthermore, Zhou Siyuan had uttered such ambiguous and misleading remarks inside the hall earlier, making Guli want to avoid him at all costs.

Therefore, Guli offered only a cold, perfunctory nod and prepared to walk around him.

"Your Highness."

Unfortunately, Zhou Siyuan had no intention of letting her slip away so easily. He smiled again, saying, "Ever since we parted ways in Suoluo Town, has Your Highness been well?"