Love at First Sight Chapter 73 Give Miss Wen to Me

After the family physician left, only the two brothers remained in the study. For a moment, the atmosphere was awkward.

"Fifth Brother, what exactly happened today? Why were you and Wen Yueqing together in that room?" Zun You had been puzzling over this all along. Two living, breathing people—if not for his own intervention, how could they have ended up in that place at the same time by coincidence? Even if someone had drugged them, there was no way both could have been deceived at once and locked in together. There had to be a reason they both went there voluntarily, and it was this reason that concerned him most. He was eager to know.

Although both of them were innocent, and nothing improper had occurred, the fact that they were found together was, indeed, suspicious. He recalled what the maid reported—that Zun Yi and Wen Yueqing had entered the room in an intimate embrace. The thought of it still made him angry.

Sensing something off in his brother’s expression, Zun Yi hurriedly explained, "I was tricked by a little maid. Wen Yueqing wasn’t even in the room when I arrived. I had no idea the tea she gave me was drugged."

"How did she lure you there? Why did you follow her, especially to such a secluded place?" Zun You pressed, "Tell me the truth—I won’t blame you."

Zun Yi hesitated for a long while, torn about whether to confess his feelings for Wen Yueqing. He knew that after what had happened, nothing would ever be the same. He weighed his thoughts carefully, finally realizing that this was his last chance. If he missed it, he might never have the opportunity to be with Wen Yueqing.

"Third Brother, I’ve fallen in love with Miss Wen. I hope you’ll give her to me. I confessed my feelings to her before and asked her to come back to the estate with me." He looked at Zun You with sincere eyes. "This time, the little maid told me it was Miss Wen who wanted to see me, so I followed her... I thought she was going to give me an answer, but instead, I was set up."

Though Zun You had mentally prepared himself, he was still utterly shocked by these words. His brows knitted, his face flushing with anger. How had things developed so quickly right under his nose? Zun Yi had already confessed his love—when? Why hadn’t he noticed at all? Why had Wen Yueqing never mentioned it?

He spoke through gritted teeth, "Fifth Brother, you may choose anyone in my household, but not Wen Yueqing."

"Why not, Third Brother? She’s just your maid. I want nothing else—only her," Zun Yi replied, growing anxious.

"Because she is the woman I love. Do you understand?" Zun You fixed him with a piercing gaze, enunciating each word. "If I hadn’t held myself back today, Wen Yueqing would already be mine."

Zun Yi opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it and remained calm. He couldn’t bring himself to say those words—he didn’t want to quarrel with his brother.

"Third Brother, matters of the heart don’t follow the rules of who came first. Unless I hear Wen Yueqing reject me with her own lips, I will not give up," Zun Yi replied with equal seriousness, locking eyes with him.

"You... are being insolent." Zun You had never truly been angry with this younger brother, but now he was furious.

Neither would back down, and the standoff persisted.

Minute by minute, time slipped by.

Zun You turned over many thoughts in his mind. What Zun Yi said made sense—Wen Yueqing had never accepted him. Could it be that she truly didn’t love him? He remembered their first meeting; he had insisted on bringing her to his estate without her consent, and ever since, she’d been clamoring to leave. If her heart truly belonged to another, what use was it to keep her body? He could never win her heart.

Though it filled him with sorrow, if she truly wished to be with Zun Yi, he was willing to let her go.

He recalled the story Wen Yueqing once told him—Beauty and the Beast. At the time, he hadn’t understood; he’d thought that, if he were the Beast, he would never let Belle leave. But after all this time, he finally understood: true love means wishing happiness for the one you love. Love should not be a cage; to see her smile freely every day was the greatest kindness he could offer.

Leaning back against his chair, Zun You called out, "Liu Yi, come in!"

Liu Yi quickly entered. "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Go to Miss Wen and see if she’s recovered. If she’s well, ask her to come here."

There was a touch of helplessness in his voice. He felt utterly exhausted.

By now, it was already late, nearly midnight. After an exhausting night, Wen Yueqing felt utterly drained. After quelling the effects of the drug in cold water, she’d lain in bed to rest, but sleep eluded her. The events of the day replayed endlessly in her mind.

The long-forgotten rush of emotion made her feel as if she’d been transported to another world. But on reflection, wasn’t this exactly what it meant to live a second life? In this body—still untouched, a land yet to be explored—even her spirit seemed to have returned to her sixteen-year-old self.

That year, she had been so young, naive, pure and unblemished, ignorant of the world yet full of dreams for the future.

Lost in her thoughts, she was startled as Tong’er entered the room.

"Sister Qing, how are you feeling? Are you still uncomfortable?" Tong’er asked, her concern evident.

"I’m fine, just a bit tired. Why do you ask? Is something wrong?" Wen Yueqing replied with a gentle smile.

"Steward Liu Yi said that if you’re well, His Highness would like you to come to the study," Tong’er announced from the doorway.

Wen Yueqing had no desire to go; Zun You would surely bombard her with questions, and just thinking about it annoyed her. Instinctively, she wanted to avoid it.

But then she realized—this had all happened today. If he asked something she didn’t want to answer, she could simply feign illness and excuse herself. Sooner or later she’d have to face it, so it was better to settle things now and avoid future trouble.

"Tell him I need a moment to prepare. I’ll come right away," Wen Yueqing replied loudly.

"Understood." With that, Tong’er closed the door behind her.

Wen Yueqing changed into fresh clothes from inside out. Her hair was still damp, so she tied it into a low ponytail with a ribbon—a simple and practical style.

She followed Liu Yi to the study.

"Miss Wen, please," Liu Yi said, lifting the curtain for her.

"Thank you." Wen Yueqing felt a bit embarrassed, since Liu Yi had witnessed the scene earlier. But then she thought it didn’t matter; as the prince’s trusted man, Liu Yi was known for his discretion.