Ningde County Princess's expression stiffened upon hearing this.
She was somewhat taken aback.
Being intelligent, she quickly understood what Zhen Lin meant.
The words of Prince Jin in the forest resurfaced in her mind.
She pursed her lips.
Her expression gradually turned serious.
Zhen Lin continued, "Ningde, do not lose your heart. Remain rational at all times, and only then will you truly understand Prince Jin's thoughts when facing him. In my opinion, Prince Jin does not have you in his heart for now."
"Then how do you explain his intervention just now? If he hadn't stepped in, this matter wouldn't have ended so easily. We might still be bickering with Zhen Xu in front of the Emperor," Ningde County Princess retorted immediately.
However, this question did truly stump Zhen Lin.
His expression became very grave.
Ningde County Princess pursed her lips and said softly, "Brother, I would rather believe he hasn't realized his true feelings, which is why he came to speak to you about breaking off the engagement."
A voice deep within her heart whispered that those hurtful words would no longer be heard in the future, and anything she heard would be words that made her feel happy.
Zhen Lin wanted to say more, but seeing Ningde's smiling, expectant eyes, he knew that what he had said today was enough. The rest depended on fate.
He wished for Ningde's happiness more than anyone!
Ideally, Prince Jin would have feelings for her and would not let her down.
"Brother, let's not talk about me for now. My matters are not urgent. Whether Prince Jin has me in his heart will be answered in the future. But right now, the tricky matter is yours and Miss Ning's," Ningde suddenly thought of the most pressing issue.
Upon hearing the words "Miss Ning," Zhen Lin's vision blurred, and he immediately lowered his eyes and took a sip of tea.
The light tea fragrance spread in his mouth.
It seemed to dilute the hint of greed in his heart.
He calmly said, "I can see that Miss Ning only regards me as a physician to a patient, with no other feelings. Forced melons are not sweet. Ningde, I don't want us to end up not even being friends."
Ningde County Princess's mouth twitched. She said with some exasperation, "Brother, can you just watch her marry someone else? If it were me, I wouldn't stand for it."
When Zhen Lin heard the word "marry," his heart ached, and a pang of pain emerged.
Seeing Zhen Lin's slightly dazed expression, Ningde County Princess said, "Today, when facing Zhen Xu's treacherous scheme, I saw Miss Ning's decisiveness and calmness. She wasn't flustered at all, and she even managed to knock Zhen Xu off his horse, which I admired greatly. Her background is not complicated, and she possesses medical skills. She is a perfect match for you, Brother."
"No, it should be said that you, Brother, have never fallen for a woman before. She is the first. So, Brother, since you've finally fallen for someone, why let her go? If you miss Miss Ning, there won't be another woman like her. With your personality, will you marry a woman you don't love in the future?"
Ningde's questions echoed in his ears.
Zhen Lin felt as if he had been struck in his heart. Each question awaited his answer.
Suddenly, the image of Ning Ruan marrying someone else, being held by another man, flashed before his eyes.
Instantly, Zhen Lin felt his breath catch, and a lump formed in his throat.
He did not want to see it.
What he felt in his heart was completely different from what he said.
Seeing Zhen Lin's silence and grave expression, Ningde County Princess knew she had struck a chord.
Ningde County Princess knew she had to continue.
She therefore pressed on, saying, "Brother, Miss Ning is indeed a rare and excellent woman. You will regret it if you miss her. All these years, she has truly been the woman you loved the most."
Zhen Lin clenched the teacup in his hand abruptly.
Yes.
He had never understood what it felt like to have deep feelings for someone before, believing that there could be no profound emotions between men and women. But now it was different. It was only after meeting Ning Ruan that he realized what it felt like to fall for someone.
If he didn't want Ning Ruan to notice, he would have wanted to be with her every day, to see her at all times.
In the dead of night, he would even dream of holding her in his arms.
These were dreams that stirred emotions he had never experienced before.
Ningde County Princess observed the change in Zhen Lin's expression and knew she didn't need to say any more. Her brother had finally recognized his true feelings.
Zhen Lin lowered his head and gazed at the fine tea leaves in the cup. Finally, he spoke, "If I tell her my feelings, will it scare her?"
Upon hearing this, Ningde County Princess finally smiled. Her brother had figured it out! "It might scare her now, as she has a fiancé. However, there are still seven or eight days. Brother can spend time with Ning Ruan frequently during these days. You can also go on a lake outing together to foster your relationship. I will arrange some matters to give Brother an opportunity to be a hero and save her."
"I am a woman and I understand women's thoughts very well. Being a hero is the easiest way to make a woman fall for you. Then, with a little push, Ning Ruan will surely fall deeply in love with Brother. As for her fiancé, he can be easily dealt with. We can offer him some silver and make some promises, and everything will be resolved. Don't worry, Brother, the ending will be perfect."
Zhen Lin lowered his head and drained the entire cup of tea.
He knew that once he made a decision, there was no turning back.
But he could not let go of the woman he yearned for. Not now.
Under Ningde's gaze, he agreed, "Alright, let's do it this way."
"That's wonderful, Brother!" Ningde County Princess was overjoyed. "I'll have a sister-in-law soon, and a little nephew too!"
Hearing Ningde's words, Zhen Lin's face immediately flushed. Sister-in-law? Little nephew?
He hadn't considered it before.
But now, he realized that he truly wished to marry Ning Ruan, for her to become Ningde's sister-in-law, and then to have a child of their own.
Just thinking about that scene made him feel immensely happy.
...
When Yun Shu returned to her room, she first took a bath, then dried her hair and lay down on the bed.
She reflected on the events of the day.
She also thought about the glance the Emperor of Xixia had given her as she left.
She knew very well that she had aroused the Emperor of Xixia's suspicion, and that he was likely sending people to investigate her now.
Counting the days, Xie Jin should be arriving soon.
Just as she was pondering what to do next, there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" she asked coldly.
It was still early outside, so it shouldn't be Zhan Tianye.
But as she inquired, there was no response from outside the door.
A prank?
Yun Shu grabbed a piece of clothing nearby, put it on, got out of bed, and walked over.
A figure appeared on the window.
She raised an eyebrow slightly and opened the door.
She saw who it was.
"Miss Ning, we really underestimated you. Seeing my husband's predicament, are you very happy?"
Yun Yueyin glared at Yun Shu, her eyes bulging, and questioned her through gritted teeth.
Yun Shu looked at Yun Yueyin's contorted face, remained silent, her expression cold, and with a snap, she shut the door.