Li Man'er’s mind was in turmoil by Qi Yihan’s words.
She thought about it carefully. Her attitude towards Qi Yihan had indeed changed quite a bit without her realizing it. When they first met, she had been wary and defensive of Qi Yihan. Gradually, she seemed to realize that this Ninth Prince was not the overbearing kind of person, and she started to think about latching onto him for mutual benefit.
“Cannot afford to offend the Ninth Prince” was his golden reputation. With such a strong backer, her path would be much smoother.
Qi Yihan felt the same way about her. From initial curiosity to later wariness and vigilance, and then to exploitation…
But, at what point did this relationship of mutual exploitation break?
It seemed to slowly transform into admiration, into trust…
Li Man’er’s heart pounded rapidly. She had thought she was getting along naturally with Qi Yihan. It was only after Qi Yihan’s reminder that she realized she had two completely different faces when facing him compared to when she faced others.
While in the capital, whether dealing with Li Shu or Cui Shi, Guo Shi, and the others, she had been insincere and opportunistic. No matter how well-behaved she appeared on the surface, she was actually observing them coldly, treating them like clowns, and making her own plans in her heart.
Those people simply didn’t enter her sight. Even Tong Qiao and the Princess, mother and son, were like ants in her eyes. As long as she wished, she could crush them underfoot and trample them to death with ease.
Towards enemies, she never showed mercy. The Li family was like this, and so were the barbarians. Even if the blood of her enemies splashed onto her, she would never bat an eye. Even if they had thousands of troops and she was alone, even if it meant death, she would never retreat a single step.
If you don't agree, fight. If you don't agree, argue.
Li Man’er prided herself on her verbal skills and combat prowess, believing that no more than three people in the world could surpass her in these two areas.
But when facing Qi Yihan, would she really say sarcastic things, act coy, throw tantrums, or back down?
Li Man’er recalled carefully, and the more she thought about it, the more horrified she became, her face growing even hotter. Wasn’t she becoming two-faced?
She truly had two faces!
Li Man’er felt that her reputation for a lifetime had been ruined, all her cultivation wasted.
“You, I…”
Usually so sharp-tongued, she found herself at a loss for words when faced with Qi Yihan’s question.
“Man’er, think about it yourself. Aren’t you always different towards me than towards others?” Qi Yihan sighed helplessly. “If someone else held your hand, kissed you, you would kick them away without a second thought, how could you even leave them alive? But it was me who held your hand, me who kissed you, and you weren’t as repulsed, were you?”
Li Man’er’s head buzzed. She didn’t want to answer this question anymore because she already had the answer in her heart.
However, Qi Yihan gave her no room to retreat. He pulled her into his embrace again, and without any politeness or reason, he captured Li Man’er’s red lips once more.
This time, it wasn’t a cautious, delicate probing, but a possessive and domineering declaration of ownership! Li Man’er felt like she was suffocating, but Qi Yihan refused to let go, still pinning her in his arms.
The kiss was long and forceful, as if it used up all their strength. When they parted, their breathing was all out of sync. Li Man’er’s almond-shaped eyes sparkled with a captivating light, as if starlight had been sprinkled within them, making Qi Yihan even more reluctant to let go.
“You…” Rumor had it that the Ninth Prince was aloof and had never been close to women. For many years, not even a female mosquito had appeared by his side. Men his age were already fathers, but he didn’t even have a concubine, and he had even forgotten about the significant matter of marriage.
How could such a person know everything? Kissing, well, he was extremely proficient, not awkward at all!
Li Man’er grew more and more annoyed as she thought about it. She grabbed Qi Yihan’s collar and asked angrily, “Your Highness’s kissing skills are excellent. Who did you learn from? Tell me about it?”
Qi Yihan let her fuss, even raising his hands in surrender, indicating his innocence. “Man’er, don’t you know? Men naturally learn these things when they meet a woman they like.”
A woman they liked…
Li Man’er was still not satisfied. “Is Your Highness trying to flirt with me, wanting me to be your confidante, or do you want to marry me?”
“Naturally, I want to marry you with proper ceremony and write your name into the ancestral temple,” Qi Yihan said. “In this life, I will not marry anyone but you, and that is no lie.”
Li Man’er’s expression improved slightly, and she let go of Qi Yihan. “Since things have reached this point, let’s be even more direct. Since Your Highness intends to marry me, you must be prepared for a lifetime with only one woman. I am a person with a洁癖 (jié pǐ - obsessive-compulsive disorder/cleanliness fetish); I cannot share a husband with other women, even if you are a prince.”
Li Man’er felt disgusted at the thought of sharing a husband with other women and even sharing a “stick” (a euphemism for male genitalia).
“Man’er, rest assured, I want no one but you,” Qi Yihan said. “I am willing to make a solemn vow.”
He truly raised his hand solemnly. “Heaven can bear witness. If I betray you in this life, may I die without a complete corpse, descend into the Avici hell, and never be reincarnated.”
Li Man’er’s heart trembled slightly at this moment. She had to admit, a handsome man making a solemn vow was very pleasing to the eye. Especially his gaze, so devout, it was enough to move her.
“Your Highness, remember today’s vow. If one day Your Highness breaks your promise, I will personally kill you, dismember you into ten thousand pieces.”
Qi Yihan sighed softly and pulled the gritting-toothed Li Man’er closer into his embrace. “This will never happen. You must believe me.”
She had been moved just moments ago, as if her hard shell had finally cracked, but now she had turned into a Yaksha.
Her face changed so quickly, as if he had really done something to betray her.
“Think about it. In terms of martial arts, you are not inferior to me. In terms of using poison, who in this world can compare to you? You can fight, and your poisonous arts are superb. If I dared to betray you, I wouldn’t even know how I died.” Qi Yihan felt his lips were wearing thin. In his entire life, he had never spoken so much in one go.
“It’s good that you know,” Li Man’er suppressed her slight joy, and the tense muscles on her back finally relaxed.
“Your Highness, will the Emperor allow me to marry you?” she asked. She was from the Iron Gallant Marquis’s residence. Li Shu held military power, and even though he had suffered a stroke, there was still Li Nian.
“He will,” Qi Yihan replied. “When the matter in Mobei is settled and you have cured General Xiao, we will leave here, enter the Moluo Mountains, and search for the great tomb of the Wu tribe.”
Li Man’er sat up straight, slightly surprised. “You’re really looking for it?”
Qi Yihan simply said, “Yes, actually, it’s not just them who want to find it; I also have this intention.”