Looking up at Meng Jingqi, Xiao Huaichen's gaze was clear, but a cunning sharpness flickered in the depths of his eyes.

Xiao Yichen's handsome face was covered in frost, and he said with a smirk that didn't reach his eyes, "Thinking you can leave after harming my sister? There's no such cheap deal in this world!"

Seeing that things were turning ugly, Hai Tang quickly stepped forward to pull the two brothers back, "Young Masters, Young Master Hang is my lady's sworn brother." Her implication was that they should not trouble Young Master Hang.

Hai Tang was a person her sister trusted the most, impossible to lie to them. The brothers exchanged a glance, and Xiao Yichen took out a small bottle and threw it to Meng Jingqi. Since their sister had already forgiven this person and even acknowledged him as a sworn brother, they would let him off for now.

Clutching the bottle, Meng Jingqi was a bit puzzled. He started his journey back home with Nan Tian and Bei Hai. Near noon, a piercing, bone-eroding pain made the three of them wish for death, and even the Antidote Pills they carried did nothing to help.

"Young Master, what do we do?" Nan Tian asked Meng Jingqi through the pain, especially since they had no idea when or who had poisoned them.

Suddenly remembering the small bottle Xiao Yichen had given him, Meng Jingqi took it out, and indeed, there were three pills inside. Not long after taking them, the excruciating pain gradually subsided.

Gently touching the empty bottle in his hand, Meng Jingqi's brows knitted, a bitter smile curling the corners of his lips, while also feeling relieved.

Meanwhile, Yang Mengchen watched Meng Jingqi depart, then suddenly saw Long Xuanmo, still gently fanning her, but with half-lowered eyelids and an expressionless face, it was impossible to decipher his thoughts. She sighed softly to herself and waved her hand to signal Sister Jin and the others to leave.

"Prince, as the saying goes, the more friends, the more paths. Don't look at how Qing'an Country is far from the four nations, seemingly unrelated, but those new and abundant seeds are enough to show that Qing'an Country is a land of outstanding people, with national power even more advanced and strong than the four nations;

And Meng Jingqi is the Crown Prince of Qing'an Country, upright and bright, as well as intelligent and wise. As long as we sincerely befriend him, we gain another ally;

Moreover, we can keep bringing in new varieties through him to improve or enhance our own agricultural produce. Perhaps in the future, we may really need his help. After all, the other three countries have always been covetous of our land, and in the event of a war, Qing'an Country will be our most powerful external support;

Prince, what do you think?" Yang Mengchen speculated that these seeds must be related to that female military doctor, who was Meng Jingqi's Imperial Aunty.

"Is this what Ah Jiu originally thought?"

Suddenly looking up, Long Xuanmo stared intently at Yang Mengchen. Seeing her clear eyes, without any sign of evasion, and not a trace of infatuation with Meng Jingqi, particularly how she kept saying 'we,' he felt both joy and regret inside, "I'm sorry, Ah Jiu, I didn't mean anything else. It's just that I'm jealous when I see you being so kind to another man!"

Yang Mengchen glared at Long Xuanmo reproachfully, "He's my sworn brother, why would you be jealous of him?"

"He gave you his personal Jade Pendant and even deliberately tried to stir up trouble between you and me. Clearly, he has no good intentions! You must stay away from him in the future, no, you must stay away from all men." Long Xuanmo spoke with righteous indignation, "I'm jealous of your closeness to other men."

Rolling her eyes, Yang Mengchen couldn't be bothered with this childish and shameless man, yet a hint of sweetness bubbled up in her heart.

Whether man or woman, only when one truly cares about the other will they desire to be the only one for each other.

Long Xuanmo had forgotten who told him, but if there's a misunderstanding between two people, never hide or avoid it. Time won't smooth everything over; on the contrary, it will only widen and deepen the rift between them, until they become strangers, or even enemies.

He didn't want to become strangers or enemies with Ah Jiu, and now was the time to address the misunderstanding between them.

"Ah Jiu, I'm sorry! I should not have distrusted you back then, nor should I have said those reckless words that hurt you, let alone intentionally mention to Birdy my intention to marry Ms. Su to test whether you harbored feelings for me. I truly deserve death!

Ah Jiu, I don't dare ask for your forgiveness, I just beg you not to ignore me, is that okay?" Putting down the fan, Long Xuanmo tightly grasped Yang Mengchen's hand, his gaze full of hope, his heart anxious.

Yang Mengchen silently returned Long Xuanmo's gaze, lightly pursing her lips, silent for a long time.

She remembered the heartache she felt upon hearing Birdy's report that Long Xuanmo had decided to welcome Ms. Su as his consort, a pain that nearly tore through her heart.

After hearing Meng Jingqi's words, she suddenly understood.

Over five years of companionship, Long Xuanmo had already become an integral part of her life, occupying her heart without her noticing. It was her own inner demons that had built a cocoon around herself, causing them both deep pain. Ultimately, it was all her fault!

Seeing Yang Mengchen remain silent, Long Xuanmo felt his heart gradually sink, but he would not give up easily, never!

"I know I'm unforgivable, please rest assured, Ah Jiu, I swear that no matter what happens in the future, I will steadfastly trust you and be completely open with you. I only ask for one more chance to prove myself to you, is that okay?"

"Please, Prince, don't say that," Yang Mengchen subconsciously interrupted Long Xuanmo from speaking further.

"At first, I only thought of guarding you, quietly waiting for you to see my worth," Long Xuanmo wouldn't let Yang Mengchen avoid, nor would he allow himself to avoid: "But Meng Jingqi's arrival made me realize that if I did nothing, you might never open your heart to me."

Yang Mengchen looked at Long Xuanmo, not understanding: "Prince…"

Before her confusion could form into words, her lips were sealed, and Yang Mengchen's mind seemed to explode, as dazzling fireworks burst before her eyes, her soul seemingly ascending. She instinctively closed her eyes.

Long Xuanmo's lips were slightly cold, slightly sweet, but mostly forceful and cautious, and clumsy; forceful in their taking, cautious not to cause her pain, and his clumsy movements were markedly inexperienced.

A mix of sensations intertwined, making Yang Mengchen profoundly aware of Long Xuanmo's yearning for her, his infatuation, his remorseless dedication, giving her a sense of security.

She must be crazy.

Only when a pang of pain came from her lips did Yang Mengchen snap back to reality, for Long Xuanmo had bitten her lip.

"I'm sorry, Ah Jiu, I didn't do it on purpose, I…"

Anxiously and gently wiping the blood from Yang Mengchen's lips, Long Xuanmo's handsome face turned red with panic, his eyes filled with regret. He had never been intimate with a woman before; all he knew was from the paintings Mo Yun had given him, and he had not expected to hurt Ah Jiu. He was too clumsy, wondering if she would spurn him for this?

Observing Long Xuanmo's anxious apology and feeling a mix of heartache and sweetness, Yang Mengchen said, "Prince, how about we make a promise?"

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