17 Under the Moonlight, Under the Peach Blossoms (2/2)

Father Xu was a simple man. Once his son spoke, he quickly forgot about the scene a second ago. ”En. Yebai, you won't believe this. This afternoon, I sat down for lunch and two yellow birds flew towards me!”

”Whoa, you have to show me the location tomorrow. That sounds cool to me, but I don't know how mother feels about you attracting birds now,” Khan Bojing raised his eyebrow naughtily. In a pretend whisper that everyone could clearly hear, he continued, ”Mother might feel a bit jealous knowing that birds think you're handsome.”

Father Xu was absolutely entertained by Khan Bojing's teasing and laughed uncontrollably. In this family, he really appreciated his son's sense of humor.

Mother Xu rolled her eyes at the ridiculous idea and led her husband to where their son was seated. ”Xu Yebai, your mind is running crazy again. Now, now, let's eat before the food becomes cold.”

Watching this scene from the side, Li Wei was filled an unfamiliar warmth in her heart. Such a lovely family. She could watch them naturally interact for hours. Even when she married Khan Bojing, his background was a top secret she never knew. In the public's eye, the late queen was dead. She, too, believed that his mother died from sickness. It was unfortunate that she never got close to Khan Bojing and never met his real mother and loving step father before. The couple was old, but they were still in love and their eyes filled with happiness from each other's company.

”I'm Li Wei,” she introduced herself to Father Xu as he sat down next to Khan Bojing.

Father Xu smiled kindly at the young lady across the table and nodded in acknowledgement. ”I'm Xu Wenyuan, but you can call me Father Xu.”

The dinner between Li Wei and the Xu family went on quite comfortably. After eating, his parents left to rest for the night.

Now, she was alone with just Khan Bojing. Under the peach tree, peach blossoms scattered about. In the moonlight, she stole glaces at him as he watched the peach blossoms danced in the wind.

After a long time of silence, Khan Bojing stood up to leave, but she stopped him, ”Before you go, can I ask you something?”

”En, what is it?”

”I have to ask you before I leave back to Na'an. Earlier... Why did you say it'd be more scary if I pursue you?” These words were barely audible. Li Wei was hesitant to speak the words that's been filling her mind. Despite being usually confident, she was confused about where they stood. This was only the third time they've met. To him, she was a stranger. After all, she probably scared him with her direct words before.

Khan Bojing's playfulness from dinner disappeared. He gave a sad empty smile before he spoke, ”Li Wei, you're a wonderful person. You're kind to other's and you're fun to be around. You even cared about an annoying person who's done nothing good for you. I'll probably have to use all of my luck this lifetime to love a woman like you. But as the only prince of Hai'an, even if I'm not after the crown, I am left with no choice. Between my personal interest and my people's future, how can I choose myself over thousands of lives?”

He paused and sat down again, facing her.

Li Wei couldn't bear to look as him and diverted her gaze towards the moon. As the night wind blew by, tears glazed her eyes. In her heart, she knew of his next words.

When she couldn't stand the silence anymore, she finally looked at him.

Khan Bojing thought he would be able to continue once her gaze fell on him, but when she looked, he was the one to turn away. ”From the day I was born, the weight of this kingdom was placed on my shoulders. Because of my name, my life has been pre-determined. I've never lived my life the same as others my age. The crown is something I can never take off. Since you're leaving Hai'an, now is a good time to say our farewell. Three years ago, we met as strangers. Tonight, we'll part our ways as friends.”

Her heart fell like the peach blossoms.

”In the future, you will meet someone better than me, someone you like more than me.”

No, I won't.

”You will fall in love and forget about me, a worthless runaway prince you once met in your youth.”

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No, I won't...