Chapter Sixty-One: Gazing at the Stars

Liet Chang'an furrowed his brow, pondered for a moment, and finally said, "She's all right."

He had never truly paid attention to Yu Yang and couldn't honestly judge what sort of woman she was, but he also couldn't risk making a careless comment, so he could only give this measured response.

But Gu Li was clearly dissatisfied with this answer. Her face grew cold, and she pressed further, "Then do you think she's a good match for my Crown Prince brother?"

After she asked, Gu Li watched Liet Chang'an's expression closely, hoping to gauge his reaction.

His Highness the Crown Prince and Miss Yu? Liet Chang'an had never considered the two of them together, but seeing the earnestness in Gu Li's face, he could only speak the truth.

"In my humble opinion, they are not well matched."

The Crown Prince was gentle and refined, as soft as flowing water, while Yu Yang was cold as frost, unapproachable to strangers—they couldn't be further apart in temperament.

Gu Li was incensed.

Of course, she herself felt that the Crown Prince and Yu Yang were not a good match, but hearing Liet Chang'an say so left her unable to accept it.

If Yu Yang wasn't a match for the Crown Prince, then who was she a match for? You?

Gu Li realized that she had asked the question out of spite, so she could only pout, stamp her foot, and march off in a huff.

Liet Chang'an had no idea what he had done to upset the princess this time.

His handsome brows knit together in confusion; he found the thoughts of women utterly unfathomable.

That day, from start to finish, Gu Li did not exchange a single word with Liet Chang'an.

She brooded in silence, and no matter how many times Liet Chang'an tried to speak to her, she responded with indifference, which left him feeling quite aggrieved.

Even after they returned to the residence and entered their chambers, Gu Li had not spoken a word to him.

Unable to sleep, tormented by her silence, Liet Chang'an bathed and then stepped outside to catch the night breeze.

The residence had a rooftop, where a shrine was set up to worship the Rain God, praying for rain to come soon and for the people of Lihuai County to be delivered from the torment of famine.

Standing in the courtyard, Liet Chang'an looked up at the rooftop and unexpectedly caught sight of a slender figure in a pale pink robe, squatting on the ground and gazing up at the stars.

Was this not the very "culprit" responsible for his restless, sleepless night?

Liet Chang'an used his lightness skill to leap gracefully onto the rooftop, coming to sit beside her.

Gu Li was lost in thought, staring at the night sky; when she saw the "culprit" who had disturbed her peace, her expression fell, and she turned her head away in a huff.

Seeing this, Liet Chang'an let out a bitter laugh. "Princess, even if you're angry with me, shouldn't you at least tell me why?"

Gu Li kept her round little face lowered and pretended not to hear.

Seeing her like this, Liet Chang'an stopped pressing. Tonight's breeze was less stifling than usual, carrying a hint of autumn's coolness. The young woman beside him must have just bathed as well—the faint, clean fragrance she carried sent a surge of blood through his veins.

He shifted slightly, trying to calm his suddenly restless heartbeat.

He cherished nights like this all the more—just sitting quietly beside her, unwilling to break such a rare and precious silence.

After a long while, Gu Li seemed to realize her anger was unnecessary, and after a bit of self-consolation, her mood lightened.

She had always been good at comforting herself, a habit formed from being sheltered all her life and never having faced real hardships. She preferred not to overcomplicate things, and even when angry, was easily soothed and satisfied.

Gu Li lifted her gaze to the sky. The bright stars twinkled above, adorning the black velvet of night.

She had always loved the stars, but not tonight.

A sky full of stars meant tomorrow would be a bright, cloudless day—no hope of rain.

Liet Chang'an looked at her serene profile and offered comfort. "Don't worry. Heaven will show mercy—rain will come soon."

With a princess so concerned for her country, so considerate of her people, surely even the Rain God would not let her sorrow last for long.

Gu Li, for all her worries, was still a child at heart. Though troubled by the drought, she couldn't help but put her hope in the reassurance of another, as if that alone gave her new strength and faith.

Her large eyes blinked. "Really?"

Liet Chang'an smiled, suppressing the urge to pinch her soft, fair cheeks, and replied gently, "Truly. Trust me."

It was such a simple promise, yet somehow, Gu Li found herself truly believing it.

She looked at the man before her, realizing for the first time that he had such beautiful eyes—dark as midnight, bright with points of light, where her own tiny reflection shone like a star in the sky.

Suddenly, her spirits lifted.

She raised her lips in a smile of quiet contentment.