He was still Prince Jin, yet somehow, he seemed like a completely different person.
The Lu Fengjin of the past had been high-spirited and supremely arrogant, but the man sitting before Chu Yueli tonight was a gloomy figure, utterly consumed by heartache.
He even seemed entirely listless.
Chu Yueli was pouring wine for him.
Just as in the past, Lu Fengjin always came to her when he had something on his mind. Happy or unhappy, he would pour his heart out to her.
Tonight, he was clearly unhappy.
After downing several cups of fiery liquor in a row, Lu Fengjin looked at Chu Yueli and asked softly, "Is General Chu's wound getting better?"
"It is better," Chu Yueli replied indifferently, her cold face devoid of the slightest expression.
Lu Fengjin knew that a wound of that nature could never truly heal.
He gently reached out to take Chu Yueli's hand. "Ali, don't be angry with me. It was my fault that day; I shouldn't have snapped at you."
Indeed, for all these years, he had truly treated Chu Yueli very well.
Let alone snapping at her, even if he spoke to her in a slightly raised tone, he would immediately offer an apology.
He had never even used the title "this prince" in front of her—except for that single time three days ago.
Chu Yueli lowered her gaze, instinctively trying to pull her hand back.
Instead, Lu Fengjin gripped it tighter. "Ali, please... don't be angry with me. I don't know why I've become like this either."
"Become like what?" Chu Yueli gazed into his face.
Pain and helpless despair filled his eyes and expression.
Yet he was the God of War of Dongling, Prince Jin! He had fought countless battles of all sizes and weathered every imaginable storm. Even if Mount Tai were to collapse before him, he would not change his expression.
When had she ever seen him in such a difficult predicament?
"Ali, you are the only one in my heart," Lu Fengjin suddenly declared. "You were in the past, you are now, and you always will be. Nothing will change our wedding! Ali, we will be married next month, and from then on, I will love only you."
If the Chu Yueli of the past had heard these words, her heart would undoubtedly have been filled with boundless emotion.
Yet having been through what happened that day, and having seen the murderous intent flash in his eyes toward her, for some reason, she suddenly felt that nothing he said carried much meaning anymore.
"Ali, are you not happy?" Chu Yueli's composure only made Lu Fengjin's mood heavier.
Chu Yueli raised an eyebrow, looking perplexed. "Why should I be happy? Wasn't this a promise you already gave me in the past? Why is the prince repeating it now?"
When he spoke like this, was he trying to convince her, or was he finding another way to remind himself?
This time, Lu Fengjin actually avoided her gaze. Letting go of her hand, he picked up his cup and slowly drank again.
Chu Yueli, however, was losing her patience. She still needed to go back and take care of Zisu and her eldest brother.
Sensing her impatience, Lu Fengjin felt an even deeper wave of frustration; she would never have treated him this way in the past.
"Ali, can I share what's on my mind with you? Can't we be the way we used to be?" Why had he loved Chu Yueli alone for so many years? It was simply because, no matter what he went through, she would never abandon him.
Back then, when he had accidentally offended Imperial Father and was punished, the people around him had one by one turned to curry favor with Fourth Imperial Brother. Only Ali had remained faithfully by his side.
She was like a haven to him; whenever he encountered any storms, as long as he returned to her side, he would feel completely at ease.
This time, he hoped he could still return to her side to catch his breath.
"Ali, I think... I think I've fallen for that damned girl."