Xiao Tingyi looked at her, a sting in his eyes.
Her words had essentially sentenced him to death; she hadn't even bothered to try before refusing him outright.
He couldn't understand why she was so resolute.
Despite his immense power and sharp intellect, he was a novice when it came to matters of love.
In the past, he had only thought of taking and possessing, of forcefully entering her life. He believed that over time, she would naturally understand and grow accustomed to him. However, Xiao Tingyi had forgotten one crucial point: some cats were disguised as tigers, appearing docile and obedient on the surface, but possessing an unyielding core.
Confronting Feng Jinyao head-on was clearly not going to work.
Therefore, he quickly adjusted his strategy, softening his approach. He even feigned a look of heartache, gazing at Feng Jinyao with a touch of sadness and asking,
"Ayao, do you truly detest this king so much?"
Feng Jinyao was speechless. How could this Prince Ding change his tune so drastically? One moment he was practically dragging her off to get married, and the next he looked on the verge of tears, as if she had abandoned him.
If Yang Zhao and the others saw him like this, their eyeballs would surely pop out!
"I don't detest Your Highness, but I have never liked you either. A lifetime is a very long time. If one were to spend it with someone with whom there is no emotional foundation, they would not be able to endure it, and it would only lead to mutual loathing."
She left out the latter half of her thought: even if there was affection, it didn't guarantee they would reach the end together. Wasn't her previous life a clear testament to that?
"It's good that you don't detest me. As you said, a lifetime is a long time, and I have plenty of time and patience to make you fall in love with me."
At this moment, he didn't force Feng Jinyao, but he also made his stance clear.
For him, the word "give up" did not exist, especially when it came to Feng Jinyao. To say he was determined to win her over would be an understatement.
He didn't want Feng Jinyao to marry him out of coercion due to his power, but rather to truly connect with him, so that they could be together until their hair turned white.
Facing Xiao Tingyi, Feng Jinyao felt a sense of helplessness.
She had refused him, turned her back on him, acted heartlessly, and even conceded.
Such complex emotions had never surfaced for anyone else before. She couldn't understand why they were appearing now.
Since she couldn't avoid it, she decided to face it head-on.
"Very well. Since Your Highness has such a disposition, let us see whose patience is longer and whose heart is harder."
"It's a deal!"
The banquet didn't last long. After Feng Jinyao bid farewell to Xiao Tingyi, the gathering dispersed.
Liang Quanbin was somewhat drunk, so the Min family specially arranged for someone to escort him back.
As for Feng Jinyao and her brother, they had their own arrangements. Chi Zimoh cast a faint smile at her before boarding his carriage.
This was the first time he had witnessed such an amusing scene.
His interest in this Third Miss Feng was truly growing stronger.
Xiao Tingyi never imagined that he would inadvertently cultivate a love rival. Meanwhile, another of his rivals, Yin Canwen, was currently meeting with Xiao Ji and others at the Northwest Army camp.
"I've long heard that the newly appointed Prefectural Assistant is the top scholar of this year's imperial examination. I didn't expect him to be so young. Seeing you makes me feel like an old fool."
Xiao Ji spoke with great emotion.
He held Grand Secretary Xu's letter of recommendation, along with instructions from the Feng family. Thus, he had a very good impression of Yin Canwen from their first meeting.
After all, Grand Secretary Xu did not easily recommend anyone unless they were truly capable.
However, it was rather perplexing that the top scholar of this year's examination was not retained in the Grand Secretariat but was instead sent to this remote and desolate Liangzhou.
The message delivered by the secret guards from Prince Ding's mansion, however, resolved his confusion.
Yin Canwen had single-handedly brought down Wen family, the Minister of Personnel, and implicated numerous other court officials. It was no wonder he had found it difficult to navigate the capital.
Looking at it this way, he seemed to be an upright person.
Such individuals were the best. Xiao Ji, having lived in military camps for so long, was accustomed to straightforward interactions. If a cunning official had arrived, it would have been more troublesome for him.
"General Xiao flatters me. I am merely a scholar and do not understand many things. I hope the General will not find me bothersome and will offer guidance."
"Certainly. Currently, there is no Prefect in Liangzhou, and all matters are under my command. The Feng family head and Vice Prefect Zhu in the city provide considerable assistance, so you must also foster good relations with them."
In a few words, he had listed all the influential figures in Liangzhou city.
Yin Canwen nodded. It seemed the official structure in Liangzhou was quite simple, which was good, as it would save a lot of unnecessary trouble.
"Rest assured, General. I will humbly learn."
Xiao Ji patted his shoulder, offering words of comfort.
"Since you have come to Liangzhou, do not dwell on past grievances, lest they trouble you. Dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to the common people, and blessings will follow."
"I understand, thank you for your reminder, General!"
On his journey here, he had already come to terms with many things. In the past, he had harbored resentment.
Why was he transferred to this harsh land? Why had Feng Jinyao so cruelly rejected him? Why did others have everything from birth, while he had to rely solely on himself?
But the more arduous the journey, the clearer the truth became.
If one's heart is set on serving the people, does it matter if one is at the capital or in the fields?
If there is affection in one's heart, why be fixated on receiving a definitive answer?
If one did not have a privileged background from the start, then one must strive, fight, and contend.
Grand Secretary Xu had managed to reach his current position; why couldn't he be the next?
Therefore, under the clear blue sky and the high sun, all his dissatisfaction transformed into motivation and determination. Looking at Liangzhou and the vast Northwest, he resolved to truly accomplish something tangible for the people here.
That afternoon, he met with Vice Prefect Zhu and the Feng family head, Feng Shan.
Vice Prefect Zhu's official rank was slightly higher than his. He had also risen from humble beginnings. Although his background was in commerce, he understood the lives of ordinary people.
Thus, their conversation primarily revolved around grain, farmland, and water conservancy. The more they spoke, the more they found common ground, and their relationship quickly evolved from mere officials to "Brother Zhu" and "Younger Brother Yin," fostering a closer bond than with other officials.
As for Feng Shan, he had received news from his elder brother's branch of the family and also attached great importance to Yin Canwen.
Therefore, he directly revealed the news of the Feng family's intention to offer their mines to the imperial court, intending to pave a path to success for Yin Canwen.
"The Feng family mines are involved in many affairs. If they are truly offered to the imperial court, it is bound to cause a dispute. Not to mention others, the Wei family will likely be the first to contend."
Yin Canwen had already gained a considerable understanding of the Wei family's disposition and intentions from his time with Grand Secretary Xu.