Chapter 10: Falling in Love

Unfortunately, Zhang Guoying was mistaken. Cui Yu was devoted to devising strategies and safeguarding her family, the Cui Clan, just like her aunt had done. The more intelligent a woman was, the more challenging it was for her to fall in love, as she perceived everything too clearly, constantly weighing the pros and cons, discerning cause and effect, and analyzing the logic.

可惜张国英却错了，崔玉这一生中只有谋和利，她和她的姑姑一样是为了守护崔家而生，守护崔家而死。越聪明的女人就越难爱上一个人，因为她太过聪明，聪明得把事事都看得太透太彻，以至于做任何事情都会权衡利弊，分清因果，分出个所以然来。

That was why she couldn''t see the love in Zhang Guoying''s eyes or hear the affection in his voice.

所以她看不明白张国英眼里的爱，也听不明白张国英声音中的爱意。

She viewed his tenderness and care as merely beneficial to him since she was a valuable asset.

她把张国英的温柔呵护看成了是因为自己对他有用，对他有利而已，自己对他来说只是一个有实用价值的工具。

"I''m returning to Liangzhou, and I was wondering... would you be willing to come with me?"

“我要回凉州了，你……可愿随我同去？”

Cui Yu looked at Zhang Guoying in surprise. Why would he invite her? What for?

崔玉惊讶地看着张国英，他邀请自己同去，为何去？因何去？

As her thoughts raced, she suddenly took two steps forward, closing the distance between them and embracing him.

她脑中百转千回，突然她往前两步，走近他的身前，顺势把自己送入了他怀中，抱住他。

Did he want her to go to Liangzhou with him so she could become his wife? Was he proposing marriage?

要自己和他一起去凉州，是想要让自己做他的妻子，要娶自己的意思吗？

She couldn''t ask, nor was it appropriate to, and even less so to insist. His body''s automatic response would provide the answer she sought.

她不能问，也不好问，更不便问，身体本能的反应会给出她想要的答案。

Seeing his beloved suddenly nestled in his embrace, Zhang Guoying couldn''t help but hold Cui Yu tighter.

张国英见心上人突然依偎在自己的怀中，他情不自禁本能地和崔玉相拥相抱。

Had she agreed to return to Liangzhou with him?

她是同意和自己回凉州了吗？

Alone in the capital, she would be safer with him. In these turbulent times, being such a beautiful woman could be more of a curse than a blessing, and only he could offer her complete protection. He would undoubtedly devote himself to safeguarding her.

她一个人在京城举目无亲，只有跟自己一起才安全，在这乱世之中，长得如此美丽的女子未必就是件好事，也只有自己能护她周全，而且自己也一定倾力护她周全。

"Do you love me?" Cui Yu asked as she saw Zhang Guoying holding her so tenderly.

“你喜欢我？”崔玉看到张国英如此温柔地抱着自己便问道。

Zhang Guoying didn''t answer but instead held her even tighter as a response.

张国英没有出声，只是更紧更紧地抱着她以示回应。

However, Cui Yu didn''t want to go to Liangzhou, nor did she intend to. She had received news from her aunt just a few days ago that her return was imminent, and the Cui Clan would soon rise again. S