Jiang Ruan did not know what had happened in the Palace of Compassionate Peace, but in this world, everything was predestined. Even coincidences could easily happen. There were also people who thought of the same thing as Xiao Shao.
In the Zongbing Daren fu, Gu Yi sent away the manservant and was about to sneak out of the fu when he heard a familiar voice behind him, "Yi 'er, where are you going?"
Gu Yi's face fell and he turned around in embarrassment. Sure enough, he saw Gu Furen standing behind him. She walked a few steps to him and reproached, "Now that it's so chaotic outside, where do you still want to go?"
Gu Yi's eyes darted around a few times, and he suddenly had an idea. "I... I want to enter the palace to see Biao Jiejie."
Gu Yi's Biao Jiejie was also a talented person in the palace, and the two siblings originally had a good relationship. Ever since Biao Jiejie entered the palace, Gu Yi had not seen her for a long time.
However, this reason was somewhat far-fetched. Gu Furen raised her eyebrows and said, "Oh? Looking for Biao Jiejie, isn't it the same as looking for Hong 'an Junzhu? "
"Niang-" Gu Yi was somewhat anxious. "I, she and I are friends. Now that she's in an awkward situation, I can't just ignore her. I just want to show some concern for her. "
Gu Furen looked at him resentfully, "Concern for her? Now is the time where the wind and waves are the fiercest. Even if you don't want your life, don't involve the entire fu. It's hard to say what Jiang Xin Zhi's current situation is. Be careful not to be dragged into this. Our fu is innocent, we can't get involved in these things for no reason. "
"I just want to comfort her. It's not as complicated as Niang thinks." Gu Yi hurriedly said, "Niang, I can't be a vile person who sways according to the wind."
Gu Furen sighed and looked at her stubborn son. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad. Her son had grown up and had his own ideas, but Gu Furen was very clear about Gu Yi's thoughts. He still missed Jiang Ruan. She originally thought that it was a child's momentary affection, but after such a long time, he still hadn't let go. For Gu Yi, this might not be a good thing.
Seeing that Gu Furen's expression had loosened, Gu Yi was delighted and said to Gu Furen, "Niang, I will go with Yimu to send something to Biao Jiejie. We'll be back soon."
Gu Furen didn't say anything, implying that she had tacitly agreed. Gu Yi hurriedly ordered the manservant to prepare the horse, turned around, and left the courtyard.
Mo Mo at the side said, "Madam is letting Young Master go just like that?"
"Hong 'an Junzhu is a smart person," Gu Furen said faintly. "Let him go. It's good to cut off his thoughts."
…
At the same time, in the capital governor's manor.
The maidservant handed over a small cup of Snow Pear Stewed with Sugar. The sugar water had been boiled until it was sticky, and it looked exceptionally beautiful in the crystal clear cup. The maidservant put the sweetened water aside and reached out to help the person curled up on the couch. "Miss, get up and drink some sweetened water."
"Don't." A weak voice could be heard, and it sounded like it was sobbing and nasal. The maidservant was in a difficult position and gently advised, "Miss, you don't have to worry too much. The truth is not out yet. Perhaps it hasn't reached the worst stage yet. Why do you want to delay your own health?"
The person lying on the bed seemed to be touched by these words. His shoulders trembled, and he became even sadder. After a while, he slowly sat up, revealing a haggard and pale face. It was Dong Yinger.
Dong Yinger wore a honey-colored lined jacket. Her hair was combed into a simple bun, and the rest of it was draped messily behind her head. She no longer looked as lively and delicate as before. She was only the age of a flower, but she looked old. Her eyes were swollen from being soaked in tears for a long time, and the hair on both sides of her cheeks were wet with tears. She looked very pitiful.
She licked her dry lips and asked, "What time is it now?"
Outside the room, Dong daren and Dong furen were deeply worried. Dong daren placed the teacup in his hand on the table and sighed heavily.
"Since it has come to this, Yinger has no other choice." Dong furen's eyes were abnormally resolute. "I cannot have anything to do with Jiang Xin Zhi. After this matter, it's good that Yinger can give up on him."
"Furen," Dong daren shook his head. "Yinger looks gentle on the surface, but she is extremely stubborn on the inside. I'm afraid she will do something stupid."
"I know my daughter better than you do." Dong furen said, "It's better to get the pain over with. Being sad is better than being obsessed with something impossible for the rest of your life. Besides, you know the situation in the fu better than anyone else. This is the only path we can take now. "She stood up, seeming to have made up her mind." I will go in and try to persuade her. "
Dong Yinger sat on the couch in a daze, like a lifeless clay doll. Dong furen had just entered the room when she saw this scene, and her heart couldn't help but ache. She waved her hand to dismiss the servant girl, then walked to the side of the couch and sat down. She warmly called out, "Yinger."
After a long time, Dong Yinger seemed to finally react. She turned her head to look at Dong furen's face, which was very close to hers. Her heart was filled with mixed feelings when she met her mother's loving gaze. She only managed to call out, "Mother," before she could say anything else. She leaned against Dong furen's body and began to cry bitterly.
Who could have known that when she heard that the border was in a state of emergency and that Jiang Xin Zhi had been defeated and captured, her heart was filled with shock and pain. If she wasn't a girl, she probably would have flown to the border personally to see what it looked like. Dong Yinger's pain was unbearable when she thought of such a wise, heroic, and handsome man ending up like countless soldiers, becoming a pile of dirt on the battlefield.
The pitiful bones by the Wuding River were like the dreams of a young lady. She hadn't told him that she was anxious, and he didn't know her feelings. Just like that, they would be separated forever. In this way, the hardships she had suffered for Jiang Xin Zhi and being grounded in this fu were all in vain! There was one thing in this world that was the saddest: before it had even begun, it was already over.
Dong Yinger's heart's obsession was Jiang Xin Zhi. Now that Jiang Xin Zhi had fallen to such a state, how could she not collapse?
Dong furen embraced Dong Yinger and patted her back with heartache. She comforted her like before, "This isn't your fault. Blame the heavens for playing tricks on people. Now that Deputy General Jiang has fallen to such a state, you shouldn't delay your own health. Father, Mother, and your older brother all love you dearly. If you get hurt, Mother will be distressed. Seeing you in pain, Mother's heart also hurts. "
"Mother," Dong Yinger cried bitterly, "My heart is so bitter —"
"Mother knows that your heart is bitter." Dong furen hugged Dong Yinger even tighter, "How can Mother not be bitter? You only know that Deputy General Jiang's army was defeated, but you don't know that the forces in court are becoming more and more complicated. Our fu originally maintained a neutral position, but Deputy General Jiang's army was defeated. Some things have been put on the table. Our fu is the chestnut in the fire, and everyone wants to come and take it. Right now, your father and your older brother don't know whether to advance or retreat. One careless move and the whole game will be lost. Isn't our fu the same as being roasted in the fire? " She gently stroked Dong Yinger's long hair, "Deputy General Jiang really died on the battlefield. The general's body is wrapped in horse leather, and that's a worthy death. What I'm afraid of is that he will die without knowing it. Ai. "
Dong furen's voice carried a strong sense of exhaustion and worry. Dong Yinger raised her head. These days, she had been locked up in her room, and even treated Dong daren and Dong furen coldly. She also didn't pay attention to the fu's affairs. How could the fu have become so difficult without her knowing?
She turned to look at Madame Dong. She didn't usually notice that Madame Dong, who used to be as round as pearls and smooth as jade, had lost a lot of weight. Her eyebrows were filled with deep worry, and her expression was very haggard. Dong Yinger's heart paused, and she asked, "Mother, what happened?"
"It has nothing to do with you." Dong furen smiled and patted her head, "As long as you are well, Mother's heart will be happier than anything else."
Dong Yinger didn't think so. Just now, Dong furen's words had deeply pierced her heart. Originally, she loved Jiang Xin Zhi, but now, regardless of whether Jiang Xin Zhi was captured or killed in battle, it was impossible for her to be with him in this life. Now that she had broken off her engagement with the Chang family, there was no turning back in the future. In any case, there was nothing to live for. Originally, she had wanted to end all troubles once and for all, but when she saw Jiang furen's situation, she changed her mind.
In this world, the only people who could stay by her side forever and treat her as well as they always had were her family. Originally, she had disobeyed her family for Jiang Xin Zhi. Since she no longer had any other wishes in this life, why not fulfill them?
She looked at Dong furen, "Mother, I'm going to the palace."
"You …" Dong furen was stunned, and forced a smile, "You should rest for now. After all these things have happened, the most important thing is to rest and recuperate. Don't think too much about other things."
"Mother," Dong Yinger smiled gently. In an instant, the mischievous look in her bright eyes seemed to vanish into thin air, and was replaced by a faint coldness, "Since the fu is in such a difficult situation, Gege and Father still have to establish themselves in the court. If we're not careful, we'll become someone else's raft. If I enter the palace, at least I can ask for His Majesty's protection, and at least I can gain His Majesty's trust in the Dong family. " She suddenly stood up, knelt down in front of Dong furen, and respectfully kowtowed three times, "Your daughter is unfilial. It was your daughter's fault in the first place. For my own selfish reasons, I abandoned the Dong fu. Please, Mother, give your daughter a chance to make up for it. Let your daughter enter the palace."
Her tone was firm, as if she no longer had a trace of attachment to Jiang Xin Zhi. Even the deep pain in her eyes had disappeared in an instant, as if she had never loved a military general named Jiang Xin Zhi.
Dong furen looked at her, not knowing whether to be happy or sad in her heart. A myriad of emotions transformed into a long sigh.
That Jiang Xin Zhi, in the end, had turned Dong Yinger into a completely different person. Dong Yinger's life had been rewritten. At this moment, the mischievous and unrestrained days of a young girl had come to an end. From now on, Dong Yinger would enter the depths of the palace. In the cage of intrigue and politics, she would advance step by step in order to obtain temporary prosperity and glory for herself and her family.
As she walked out of Dong Yinger's room, Master Dong came up to her and asked, "Furen, how is it?"
Dong furen was silent. She slowly closed her eyes and stood in front of the statue of Guanyin in the hall. At the same time, she clasped her hands together and a drop of tear quickly splashed out, falling into the incense burner and disappearing in the blink of an eye.
She could only use the rest of her life to atone for her sins. She only wished for peace and happiness in this life, even if it was just … an extravagant wish.
…
In the garden outside the princess' palace, Jiang Ruan raised her eyes to look at the young man in front of her.
Gu Yi was dressed in a lake-green brocade robe with a large pattern of auspicious clouds embroidered on his chest. His black eyes were fixed on Jiang Ruan, and there was a hint of nervousness in them.
In a trance, he seemed to have returned to the time they first met on the Ling Long Boat a few years ago. The youth was a proud son of heaven from a wealthy family. Like the large peonies in this hall, his life was full of flowers and he was born to make people stop and admire him.
At that time, it was just a superficial use. Now, things remained the same, but people had changed. The youth had grown into a young man, but his gaze seemed to be more sincere than before. The frivolity had receded a little, and there was more calmness. However, the person he was looking at was still the same.
"Master Gu." Jiang Ruan nodded. She could smile warmly at the person who was vicious in her heart, but she could only face this persistent adoration with coldness.
"Miss Jiang." Gu Yi did not call her Hong 'an Junzhu. In Gu Yi's heart, Jiang Ruan was like the Ruan niang of the Jiang family when he first met her. He was stunned by her beauty. A fair and graceful lady, a gentleman's match. Later, Jiang Ruan followed the Empress Dowager to the imperial mausoleum. Three years later, she returned in glory and splendor. Gu Yi was shocked to discover that it was as if an unpolished jade covered in dust had finally been unearthed. It had already been carved a little, and it was increasingly difficult for people to take their eyes off her.
However, although he was the son of the General of the Army, he still had to be cautious with his words and actions. Jiang Ruan was now the Princess of Hong 'an, and it was rare for him to come into contact with her. Moreover, Gu daren had explicitly forbidden him from getting too close to Jiang Ruan.
When news of Jiang Xin Zhi's defeat came, Gu Yi could no longer bear it. In his opinion, the ending of a defeated Deputy General could be imagined. Jiang Ruan was in the palace and had no intention of being pushed to the heart of the struggle. The longer she stayed in the palace, the more dangerous it would be. It was inevitable that she would be implicated because of Jiang Xin Zhi.
Gu Yi opened his mouth and said, "Miss Jiang, regarding your brother's matter, I hope Miss will be at ease."
"Many thanks for Master Gu's consolation." Jiang Ruan said lightly.
Seeing Jiang Ruan's attitude, Gu Yi was momentarily perturbed. However, when he thought of what he was going to say next, he was immediately filled with courage. "Miss Jiang, now that Deputy General Jiang's life and death are unknown, it is really too dangerous for Miss Jiang to stay in the palace. Now that the imperial court is in chaos, and Miss Jiang and Deputy General Jiang are siblings, it is inevitable that someone will implicate Miss Jiang because of Deputy General Jiang. Even the Empress Dowager has areas that she cannot attend to. I... I have a solution. "
Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows and the corners of her lips rose. "Oh? What solution does Master Gu have? "
Gu Yi's heartbeat quickened under her gaze, and he paused before saying, "As long as Miss Jiang quickly gets engaged, it will have nothing to do with the Jiang fu. In the future, if someone uses Deputy General Jiang as a raft again, Miss Jiang is not a member of the Jiang fu, so naturally, you will not be able to blame it on them. "
"Master Gu's words are reasonable." Jiang Ruan sighed and said with a smile, "But at this time, who would be willing to get engaged with me? It would be too late to hide. "
"Me!" Gu Yi blurted out, but when he saw Jiang Ruan's expression, he hesitated for a moment. Mustering his courage, he said, "I have been in love with Miss Mu for a long time, and the military office is not something that can be shaken by thieves and thieves. If Miss Jiang is willing to get engaged with me, I will definitely protect Miss Jiang well and not let Miss Jiang suffer any grievances. With the military office to rely on, Miss Jiang will not be framed by others and cause trouble. "
Jiang Ruan smiled as she looked at the young man in front of her. The man's gaze was full of hope, and even his emotions were blazing. In her previous life, she had received the reputation of being a demoness, but she had never encountered such a passionate expression. Unfortunately, Gu Yi had met her in this life. Even such a clean and passionate confession could not move her in the slightest.
She lowered her eyes. "I will only ask Master Gu one question, what does Gu Daren say?"
Gu Yi stiffened. What did his father say? His father had personally told him to give up on the idea of putting the military office on a fire to roast because of a woman. However, he looked at Jiang Ruan. "I will personally convince father."
Jiang Ruan shook her head. "Gu Daren will not be convinced by you." Her tone was gentle. "Many thanks for Master Gu's good intentions, but I know that my identity is awkward. How can I marry into the military office? Not only Gu Daren, but Gu Furen will also not agree. Going against the wishes of family to get engaged, in the end, it will only add a pair of resentful couples. Master Gu has given me this kind intention, and I will keep it well in this life. However, if I insist on persisting with this intention, I will become unrecognizable. This is really not what I want. "
Gu Yi was somewhat anxious. "Miss Jiang …"
"Master Gu," Jiang Ruan interrupted him. "Master Gu is no longer a young man. You know that you must pay the price for everything. Is it really worth it for the military office to pay such a price for me? You know, if you marry me, the military office will always be targeted. The military office has climbed to the position it is today because of one decision by Master Gu, and his career will be obstructed. Gu Furen will also be worried because of this. But for a woman, Master Gu, is it really worth it? "
Gu Yi was somewhat dumbfounded by Jiang Ruan's question. His originally confident mind could not help but become hesitant. For a Jiang Ruan, was it really worth it to put the military office in such a state?
Jiang Ruan took a step back and said with a smile, "Ruan niang thanks Master Gu for coming here today to say these words. Such a precious intention, Ruan niang will remember it well. When we meet in the future, we will still be friends. It's just that the fate of being companions is gone in this life. "
Gu Yi only felt numb and bitter in his mouth, so bitter that it made his heart ache. The beauty was close at hand, but separated by thousands of mountains and tens of thousands of rivers, and it was impossible for them to be together in this life. Although Gu Yi was impulsive, he was also able to distinguish the pros and cons. If someone else had said these words to him, he feared that he would not have listened. However, it was Jiang Ruan, his sweetheart, that gradually cooled his heart.
He laughed bitterly. "I understand. Then, if you were not a junzhu, and I was not the son of the military office, do you think it is possible to fulfill this fate? "
"There are no ifs in this world." Jiang Ruan smiled slightly.
Gu Yi took two steps back, his face full of undisguised sadness. "There are no ifs." He shook his head, as if he had grown up in an instant. The reluctance to part with her in his eyes made people's hearts clench. He turned around and walked away, but after two steps, he stopped and said, "I also only have one question, Miss Jiang's feelings, have you ever stopped for a moment?"
"No." Jiang Ruan replied with a smile.
Gu Yi's body swayed, and he paused for a moment before he walked away with large strides.
Watching Gu Yi's back disappear, Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes and turned to return to the Princess Palace. When she turned around, she saw that under the osmanthus tree, a young man dressed in black was quietly looking at her. She did not know how long he had been standing there.
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