"What?" My ears were playing tricks on me.
Zheng let out a snort. "What made you think I'm married, Qingqing? None of the women in the selection went through."
A hot flash of anger shot through me. "Why? Did they all -"
Zheng took my hands and pressed them against his chest. His heart thudded against his skin, pounding under my fingertips.
"I didn't want to marry anyone else. I told Royal Father that I would only marry the person I wish to spend my whole life with. If not, I will live a lifetime alone."
The sincerity in his voice terrified me.
"The selection was done for Palace customs. But there's only one person for me."
Zheng let out a deep sigh, giving me a crooked smile. "Yi Liang had said that there's no hope for me anymore. I'm beginning to think he's right."
The urge to kiss him increased tenfold, but I held myself still even though he was so warm under my fingers...
"I need to tell you my truth... Who I am and what I was sent here for."
