Lu Wanning looked up in surprise. "What? I... You... What do you mean?"
Sheng Jinyu smiled. "I've fallen for you."
Lu Wanning stared at him with wide eyes. "You... Are you just kidding me?"
Sheng Jinyu said, "Of course not. Zhaoyang, I don't even know when it started. Maybe it was that day when you were so silly that you were framed by He Chan and almost fell off the cliff. Or maybe it was when you told me that you couldn't stand by and watch someone die. Perhaps even earlier, I had already liked you, but I just didn't realize it."
Lu Wanning stared at him blankly, not reacting at all.
Sheng Jinyu let out a soft laugh. "Actually, this might not be the right time. If I had more time, I could wait. Wait until everything settles down, wait until... your situation is no longer so difficult, until I can promise you a future. But now, I'm afraid I won't have another chance. I'm even more afraid that... it will be too late when I come back."
Such a confession came so suddenly that Lu Wanning couldn't grasp the key point. She just subconsciously asked him, "But... before, you were so cold to me. You were always hot and cold."
Sheng Jinyu looked at her quietly. After a long while, he said, "It was my fault."
"I was wrong. I thought it would be better for you this way. If you were with me, both you and the Lu family would only face more difficulties."
Lu Wanning asked seriously, "So, why are you willing to say this now?"
There was a hint of hostility in Sheng Jinyu's eyes. "They don't just want to destroy the Lu family. And Fu Rongxuan is not worthy of your love at all."
Lu Wanning looked at him with a glint in her eyes. Was he willing to protect her now?
Sheng Jinyu looked at her in the same way. "You once asked me why I didn't trust you. Actually, from the very beginning, I've always trusted you and the Lu family. Even I knew that when you first approached me, it was just to ask me to protect the Lu family."
Lu Wanning felt a bit guilty and explained, "That was in the past..."
"So it's not like that now, right?" Sheng Jinyu smiled.
He really looked good when he smiled.
Lu Wanning's heart was pounding. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then took out the amulet in her hand and held it out in front of Sheng Jinyu. "This... this is the amulet that the Empress Dowager prayed for me before. I don't go out much when I'm in the capital, so it's of no use to me. But for you... on the battlefield, the swords and arrows are merciless. You must be very careful."
Sheng Jinyu reached out to take the amulet and smiled. "I remember you don't know how to embroider. Did you make these yourself?"
Lu Wanning's face sank slightly. "Who said I can't? I can do it. I just don't do it well. I even made a headband for the Empress Dowager before... It's a pity that she didn't wear it more than a couple of times."
When it came to the Empress Dowager, both of them were in a bad mood.
After a moment of silence, Lu Wanning asked in a low voice, "That day in the Shoukang Palace, the person you said who stood by and watched someone die was the Empress Dowager, right?"
Sheng Jinyu nodded. "She used to be both a relative and an enemy to me. It was not until I had that discussion with you that day that I realized it was not about forgiveness. It's just that my goal should never have been her."
Lu Wanning then asked, "What about the Emperor?"
There was a flash of hostility in Sheng Jinyu's eyes. If it weren't for his usual calm demeanor, Lu Wanning would hardly have noticed the killing intent emanating from him.
Did he want to kill the Emperor?
Lu Wanning was slightly stunned. He wanted to kill the Emperor, but it was clearly written in the book that after the Emperor's death, King Yu was so heart - broken that he vomited blood and fell seriously ill.
Sheng Jinyu took a deep breath. "He's just a stepping - stone."
He turned to leave, but Lu Wanning quickly stepped forward to stop him. The glaring sunlight shone on her face. She subconsciously closed her eyes and reached out to grab his sleeve.
"If... although it's a heinous crime, I still want to say that people's fortunes change in an instant. If something happens to the Emperor, what will you do?"
Sheng Jinyu pursed his thin lips. After a long time, he said, "If something happens to him, I should be happy. Of course, it's not possible for now. I haven't achieved my goal yet."
Lu Wanning looked at him with a glint in her eyes. "If what you said comes from your heart, I have no objections. But Your Highness, I hope you will remember your own heart."
Sheng Jinyu was silent for a long time. His expression softened, and he smiled. "Sorry, I was in a bad mood just now."
Lu Wanning shook her head and pointed at the amulet. "You must carry this with you. Don't lose it, okay?"
Sheng Jinyu laughed softly. "Okay."
"If you lose it, I won't wait for you."
Sheng Jinyu reached out his hand. He really wanted to touch her face. Her skin was so smooth and soft, and it would feel very comfortable to touch. In broad daylight, he really didn't dare to do it. He could only endure it and take a good look at her before leaving.
"So, are you willing to wait for me now?"
Lu Wanning seemed to have completed a task. She turned to leave. Then, after thinking for a while, she turned back and asked, "You... Don't you think it's a pity to leave now?"
"Pity for what?"
Lu Wanning's eyes sparkled. "The Crown Prince has been deposed. You're only one step away from that position. If you don't leave, considering the Emperor's favor for you, you might become the Crown Prince soon."
Sheng Jinyu looked at her quietly without saying a word.
Lu Wanning added, "Moreover, if you leave the capital at this time, aren't you afraid that the power in the capital will fall into other hands and everything will be different when you come back?"
Sheng Jinyu asked, "If I fail, will you still remember me?"
Lu Wanning was shocked. She didn't expect him to ask about the possibility of failure. But failure... No, it wouldn't happen. In the book, the Lu family didn't fall to the enemy, so they here wouldn't fail because of the battle.
She shook her head vigorously. "No. You can't fail, Sheng Jinyu. Do you remember? If you fail, I'll immediately... immediately find another man who is better, more handsome, and more capable than you!"
Sheng Jinyu laughed. "Really?"
Lu Wanning said angrily, "You... You're always thinking about failure. Since you're worried about failure, why did you choose to go to war? Someone else should go, and you should stay in the capital so that you can really compete with Sheng Chenyi."
"Who can go? Besides your father, who else?"
Lu Wanning was speechless.
Sheng Jinyu said, "If I could wait for another half - month, I could surely arrange everything properly, but it's too late. Zhaoyang, it's too late. I can't ignore the war, nor can I ignore the people of the Great Zhou. You're right. I've decided to compete with him, but it's only because he's unworthy. If I were like him, only thinking about power and status, then what's the point of me fighting for that position?"
He tilted his head slightly. "That position is meant to ensure the well - being of the people. If the person in power doesn't care about the subjects, then it's time for a change of dynasty."
Lu Wanning didn't expect Sheng Jinyu to have such thoughts. She said again, "But if he takes the throne, won't all your efforts be in vain?"
"Do our best and leave the rest to fate!"