C7 I Have to Go Through Sorrow and Joy

"Young Master Su, there's no need for such a fuss. It's not your fault," Wen Wan turned, raising her glass.

Su Xuanjing kept his gaze steady on Wen Wan, maintaining his composure. "I was misled by rumors and came to the Marquis Mansion to propose, which was indeed improper. I drink this cup as an apology."

He tilted his head back, downing the drink in one go.

Wen Wan followed suit, finishing her drink. "Everyone, enjoy yourselves!"

With that, she approached Su Xuanjing. "It's not etiquette you lack, Young Master Su, but rather..."

Amidst the noise below, Su Xuanjing clearly heard the four words Wen Wan whispered as she brushed past him.

Know your place.

Wen Wan descended the steps, leaving the Flower Tower.

Just then, Xue Ji approached. "Young Master Su, Pei'er made a mistake. She put a sedative in County Princess Wen's drink. Now that she's left..."

Su Xuanjing's eyes shot up. "What did you say?"

"Pei'er wanted to help you, but who knew she'd be so bold..."

Before Xue Ji could finish, Su Xuanjing thrust the two glass cups into her hands and hurried down the steps.

...

A light rain drizzled from the sky.

Wen Wan strode through the rain, then suddenly stopped, shaking her head vigorously.

My head hurts so much!

Her vision blurred more and more as she struggled to take a few steps before finally collapsing to her knees. Rain soaked her cheeks, and through the haze, she seemed to see a scene of bloodshed at the mansion. Tears mixed with rain, and a wave of dizziness overcame her, causing her to fall.

Yet, instead of hitting the ground, she unexpectedly fell into a pair of strong arms. She couldn't make out the stern, cold outline through the rain, and slowly closed her eyes.

Xiao Chen, cloaked in black, held her tightly. In this life, he had intended to keep his distance from her, yet found himself irresistibly drawn to her time and again.

In the distance, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Xiao Chen lightly tapped his foot and swiftly disappeared into the night.

Su Xuanjing chased desperately, disheveled and frantic. He gazed down the endless stretch of the street, but Wen Wan was nowhere to be seen.

...

At the mansion, in the Ink Garden, Xiao Chen watched Wen Wan, who had curled herself up in the blankets on the bed. She slept restlessly, kicking the covers away.

Their connection dated back to when they were seven. As the least favored young prince in the palace, he was often bullied by the other princes, especially the Third Prince, Xiao Yao.

Once, they bullied him so harshly, they hung him upside down from a tree and whipped him with willow branches. Even then, he never begged for mercy. He clearly remembered that moment when little four-year-old Wen Wan stepped in.

The tiny girl, somehow finding the strength, managed to untie the fisherman's knot those princes had worked so hard to secure. Her chubby little hands were rubbed raw by the rough rope.

"Don't be scared, big brother. If they dare to bully you again, I'll make them cry!" she declared. "I'm really strong! I always make my little brother cry..."

From that moment on, Wen Wan entered his world. He always watched from afar, protecting and cherishing her. Gradually, no one else mattered to him.

Xiao Chen reached out, his cool fingertips barely brushing the edge of the blanket. On the bed, Wen Wan furrowed her brow and murmured, "Su Xuanjing..."

Xiao Chen froze. He stared at her, whispering to himself, "If you like me, why refuse the marriage?"

After a moment, he withdrew his hand, stood up, and walked to the window, slipping out into the night.