Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 910

Chapter 910: Side Story : Li Sihui vs. Li Ji : Confession

The cup of cool tea did not provide much relief for long.

The room should not have been this hot, but Li Sihui felt the atmosphere was unbearably stifling. She wanted to go outside to cool off, but hesitated to move.

“Is Your Highness wondering why I said I liked you earlier?” Li Ji suddenly asked.

Hearing this, Li Sihui’s heart skipped a beat. She feared Li Ji’s next words, yet she was also filled with anticipation.

She did not dare turn to look at Li Ji and could only grit her teeth, keeping her back to him.

“Your Highness is so clever; surely you know my feelings?” Li Ji said.

Li Sihui’s heart pounded, her palms trembling slightly. She did not know how to respond. This was the first time she had faced something like this; her mind was in turmoil and filled with complex emotions.

“I remember the first time I met Your Highness was at the restaurant below Qingshan Academy. Does Your Highness remember?” Li Ji recalled.

Li Sihui softly nodded. “I thought you’d hate me then; after all, I splashed wine on you in public.”

“I was really angry then. Everyone in the capital says I have a short temper, but you ran so fast I could not catch you.” Li Ji was preoccupied with worries at the time. He’d gone to have a drink, hoping to see if any troublesome scholars were causing trouble, but he had not expected to get wine splashed all over him. At first, he was furious, but when he recognized it was a girl, and she ran so fast, Li Ji became more curious.

Later, at the Pei Mansion, Li Ji recognized Li Sihui’s identity.

Seeing Li Sihui acting so evasively, he thought this young girl was not so audacious after all and decided to tease her.

Life in the capital was dreary and boring. Li Ji stayed in the capital only to watch his enemies suffer their just desserts. But those days were too lonely.

Although his parents had died early, his grandfather had instilled in him the importance of integrity from a young age. At first, he harbored some feelings for An Zhi, but these were the emotional awakenings of his youth, a natural appreciation of beautiful things.

Appreciation did not mean possession.

Knowing from the beginning that An Zhi was already married, Li Ji never had any improper thoughts. These feelings were rather shallow, gradually transforming into a bond akin to familial affection.

Without parents or siblings, a light suddenly appeared in his life, and Li Ji only wanted to protect that light. He did not deny having felt a flutter in his heart, but he also knew that light had a better protector, so he would not cross any boundaries.

When he first went to the Li family to propose marriage, Li Ji felt he had met his own light, a gift from heaven to this lonely man, unexpectedly delivered to him by chance, giving him an opportunity.

Li Ji chuckled softly, seeing Li Sihui turn slightly to him, and said, “I feel a great destiny with the Princess Consort, do you not think so?”

Li Sihui could not deny this. She nodded.

Li Ji pursed his thin lips slightly. “The Princess said before that we could get married first and then consider other things when we each find someone we like. Does the Princess have someone she likes now?”

Li Sihui’s cheeks flushed red; she did not know how to answer Li Ji.

But before she could speak, Li Ji gave his answer first.

“However, I already have someone I like,” Li Ji suddenly said, taking a small step to the side to face Li Sihui. His gaze was intense, but upon meeting Li Sihui’s eyes, he lowered his head slightly, his voice soft and tinged with a faint smile. “I love the Princess. If the Princess did not know before, she can understand now. If the Princess already knows, then does the Princess reciprocate my feelings?”

“I…” Li Sihui saw the sparkle in Li Ji’s eyes. Faced with this question, she suddenly became hesitant and uncertain. “I… I do not know.”

She truly could not understand herself; she felt she liked someone, yet she also doubted her own feelings.

“It’s alright if you’re unsure,” Li Ji said, not in a hurry for an answer. “I told the Princess this today so she would understand my feelings first. She can take her time to consider it, and she can take her time to like me. If one day she says she likes someone else, I can prepare a dowry for her. I want her to like me wholeheartedly, without any coercion.”

Li Sihui’s face was burning hot; she felt she would faint from the heat if she stayed any longer. She nodded and said, “Alright,” quickly bowed, and left somewhat awkwardly, but Li Ji found it quite endearing.

After a while, Lu Tai entered. He immediately noticed that a row of buttons on the prince’s robe was fastened incorrectly. “Your Highness, your robe…”

“It’s alright, I can do it myself.” Li Ji glanced down; it seemed Li Sihui was truly nervous, not even noticing the mistake. “Lu Tai, my hand will take some time to heal. These next few days, go to the government office more often. Also, keep a close eye on the escort agency’s affairs.”

Lu Tai said it was no problem. “Your Highness, do not worry; several brothers in the residence are watching over it; there will not be any problems.”

While Li Ji was discussing official business, Li Sihui returned to her room, covering her face, speechless for a long time.

Sheyue brought in some chilled tea. “Your Highness, would you like some chilled tea?”

Li Sihui glanced at it; there was no ice. She asked Sheyue to add some ice cubes.

“What’s wrong with you today? Why do you suddenly want ice?” You never usually do.

“I…” Li Sihui turned to look at Sheyue, then blushed and turned away, her cheeks puffed out. She then seemed to gasp for breath. “Sheyue, just now the Prince said he admires me.”

“What?” Sheyue almost dropped the teacup, spilling some cool tea on the floor, but the smile on her lips clearly expressed her excitement. “You mean, the Prince confessed to you?”

Li Sihui nodded. “He said a long, long thing. My head was spinning, and I do not remember what he said, except that he said he liked me and that I could slowly fall for him. Sheyue, you’re always so composed. What should I do?”

“Has the Princess not given the Prince a reply?” Sheyue asked.

Li Sihui shook her head. “I was too shy back then. I did not dare look at him, let alone reply.”

“Then do you like the Prince?” Sheyue asked again, squatting down in front of her young madam. “The Prince is a good person. He admires you. What about you?”

“I…I’m not quite sure either,” Li Sihui sighed. “I was not such a conflicted person before, but at this moment, it feels like God has thrown me a huge problem, one I’ve never even considered.”

Sheyue understood somewhat. “Since you’re unsure, then you must have some feelings for him. If you have feelings, why not give it a try? You were not like this before, so bold as to disguise yourself as a man and take Caiyue out. You should show your old courage. Even if it does not work out in the end, it’s better than not trying and regretting it later. Do you not think so?”

Li Sihui lowered her head thoughtfully, staring blankly at the ground, her thoughts drawn back to past memories.