Chapter 18：Time

"You b... bad man... you still have the face to show up? You are shameless... Shameless..." Zhao Yan cried out accusingly.

If it were some other woman who had done it, Fu Yanqing would have broken their hands already but he calmly grabbed the book and placed it down on the table, maintaining a respectable distance.

Zhao Yan immediately put up her guard, glaring at him. He resisted the urge to pinch her puffed up cheeks. She used to do that a lot while he was bedridden and making impossible demands.

"You don't want my gratitude. You don't want my money. I know I have wronged you so I will take responsibility by marrying you." He said the purpose of his trip directly while still maintaining a dignified air around him. He did not want to scare her by looking too fearsome and cold.

Both Court Lady Choi and Jae Ha who had no idea of what was happening was startled to hear this. His Highness wants to marry this woman?

Zhao Yan made a face, frowning with displeasure.

"Shameless... Go away. You are no longer welcome in my home anymore. Chun Lan, escort them outside. If they resist, just call the guards. I am going to sleep." Zhao Yan stood and had no desire to stay any longer. She unconsciously placed a hand on her stomach while looking away.

If he thought that everything could be solved easily by a simple proposal of marrying to take responsibility, then he must have hit his hard too hard because he was acting like an insensible criminal trying to appease the judge halfheartedly.

Zhao Yan's lips trembled. She wanted to cry so badly.

"My lady." Chun Lan said worriedly while Fu Yanqing's eyes followed the movements of Zhao Yan's hand. It looked like she really did not plan on telling him.

Fu Yanqing closed his eyes. This was also expected. After what happened, she was too embarrassed, afraid and angry to be involved with him again.

All his life, he had been selfish for one reason.

It was to survive.

But now, he would again be selfish for another reason.

There was a tension in the air from his pause before it was broken by his cold voice once again.

"How far are you in your pregnancy?" He asked straightforwardly, making her stiffen.

Not only did he reveal that he knows her identity but he also revealed that he knows her condition.

His little woman was bound to be flustered.

Zhao Yan turned around and stared at him with apprehension. Three and half months since she thought she would escape him yet here he was, in front of her and very much alive.

Her face turned bitter. "What do you want...? Are you threatening me? I saved you and I only had one request. I specifically told you to never appear before me again but you are here, ah. Why are you bothering my peaceful life? I am telling you, I will not marry you. You are a bad man, an evil man. Please leave. My house is too small to house a big Buddha like you."

While she was scolding him, Fu Yanqing couldn't help but compare her to an angry little kitten trying to scare him away using her miniature claws. Not only was her face too cute but her voice was too pleasant in the ears that even if he was being scolded, he couldn't help but obediently listen.

He inwardly admonished himself for having such weird thoughts yet again. What was really happening was that she growing defensive and might start throwing random objects at him.

"Yanyan, I am not threatening you. I am here because I want to marry you." Fu Yanqing stated in a serious manner.

Both Si Yao and Si Chong who were listening outside shared a baffled look. What were they hearing? His

Highness has rarely called a woman's name but he was here affectionately calling this young lady, Yanyan? In a soft and calm tone?

And their Highness just said that he wanted to marry! Was the world going to end? They glanced at the sky to see that it was perfectly fine.

Si Yao and Si Chong looked at the door and tried to listen again. Maybe they just heard it wrong.

The woman hater of the century would never act this way and certainly, not their Royal Highness!

Zhao Yan was embarrassed.

"What Y... Yanyan? Don't call my name. We are not close." How could this evil person act so familiarly towards her after what he did? She started to feel embarrassed and afraid.

"Yanyan." Fu Yanqing repeated. Si Yao and Si Chong put their fists in their mouth to stop themselves from making a noise.

What was this? Their Highness was acting so different! Just a while ago, their Highness was brooding and looking like people owed him money, ah.

Zhao Yan was so annoyed that she glared at him.

"I beg of you, please... Leave my home," She sounded frustrated as she said this.

"Chun Lan tell the guards to help them out. Don't let them step inside my house again." She angrily huffed and left, leaving them in fear that she would cry.

Fu Yanqing tried to follow her but Chun Lan spoke up.

"This...young master... Please leave. My lady is pregnant and it's not good for her to get angry or have outbursts like that. It isn't healthy for the baby. Chun Lan asks that this young master leave and doesn't make things harder for Chun Lan. " Chun Lan was stiff scared when she looked at the man who had asked her lady to get married.

He was an imposing figure capable of storms and floods. He looked like someone who was used to ordering people around. It was obvious from his noble bearing and the attire he was wearing that his background isn't ordinary.

Chun Lan couldn't help but be scared but she still kept her duty in mind. She must drive this man away so he won't interfere with the lady's life anymore.

Fu Yanqing looked at the older woman behind him. "Is that true?"

Court Lady Choi bowed respectfully.

"Answering to His Highness, Prince Jing, yes it is true. Just as this servant has said, it is harmful for pregnant women to feel anxiety or stressful emotions. I recommend that His Highness allow the young lady some time to quell her anger before approaching her again."

Having been with the Empress Dowager for so long and being familiar with the habits of the cold Prince Jing, Court Lady Choi wasn't as nervous as other people when facing Fu Yanqing but she still remained respectful. Respectful and obedient enough to keep the woman hater of the century from killing her.

His almost nonexistent tolerance for women was known throughout the palace and the capital.

Fu Yanqing felt a slight panic in his heart. He looked at the women he had brought with him. Court Lady Choi, his mother's most trusted servant, then Jae Ha, one of his female shadow guards. Then he gave out a rare order.

"You both will stay here to assist and help the lady. Serve her well." He said in a strict tone.

"Yes, Your Highness." The two of them bowed, accepting his order. They both knew from His Highness' grave tone that they if they were to ever neglect their duties, he would severely punish them or kill them on the spot.

Both of them did not understand who the lady was or why their Highness wanted to marry her but they were mere servants. They could only speculate and trust in the words he told them.

Although he was reluctant to leave, Fu Yanqing still left on his own and adhered to the advice given to him. There were many things he wanted to say to his little woman but it was also true that this was not a good time.

He would allow her to calm her emotions and prepare herself first before he approached her again.

He would just buy the building or courtyard next door and won't leave until Zhao Yan agrees to come back with him to Zhao Country.

For important matters like this, patience is a necessity.

▪▪▪