Chapter 40

Ling Jingchu retrieved A Yao from before the Emperor.

Jiang Yunshu looked at A Yao in her arms and choked up, unable to speak.

I thought this road would take a long time, but I never expected...

She looked up towards the doorway, where Ling Jingchu and Su Ye were standing.

Su Ye smiled with relief, while Ling Jingchu's eyes remained cold, though the tenderness in them could no longer be concealed.

"Mother, I miss you so much..."

She held her tightly in her arms, stroking Ayao's back, and said in a choked voice, "Eat first, sweetie."

Ayao nodded repeatedly, her eyes blurry with tears.

After Ling Jingchu approached, she whispered a thank you.

Ling Jingchu simply nodded slightly, his expression somewhat complicated as he looked at her.

Gu Hanyu looked at him meaningfully, then looked at Jiang Yunshu and smiled.

Jiang Yunshu led Ayao to dinner, while Ling Jingchu watched their retreating figures with a furrowed brow.

Gu Hanyu slowly walked forward and snapped her fingers in front of Ling Jingchu.

Ling Jingchu snapped back to reality, the tenderness in his eyes vanishing instantly, and he looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Ling Jingchu,” Gu Hanyu looked at him with interest, “you’ve been taking exams all this time, and Yun Shu told me not to tell you.”

Ling Jingchu's expression hardened; he had a gut feeling that this was not a good thing.

“My father really likes Yun Shu and insists on arranging a marriage for her with that young general, Lu Xing, who has just returned from a military campaign.”

Gu Hanyu commented with great interest: "You don't know, do you? Lu Xing is the kind of young lady in the capital who wants to marry. He could write poetry at the age of five, went to the battlefield with his father at the age of twelve, and sealed the wolf's lair at the age of sixteen. He often wins with fewer troops and his wisdom is unparalleled in the world!"

The more Ling Jingchu spoke, the colder and more somber his expression became, and a faint killing intent even appeared in his eyes.

Gu Hanyu looked at him and said with a smile, "But you should bless her, right? Yun Shu said you're like family to her. If you can help bring this marriage together, it would be a good thing."

After saying that, Gu Hanyu followed Jiang Yunshu inside.

Even during dinner, Jiang Yunshu only saw Ling Jingchu staring at her with a gloomy look in his eyes, a look that was frighteningly sinister.

Could it be because the parade for this year's newly crowned champion was canceled?

There's no need for that; his name will be engraved on the monument at the Imperial College sooner or later.

She glanced at Ling Jingchu again, but he had already looked away, though the gloomy aura around him lingered.

I didn't expect Ling Jingchu to be someone who cares about these things.

Seeing that Ling Jingchu was in a bad mood, she didn't bother him and just kept putting food on A Yao's plate.

The mother and daughter, along with Gu Hanyu, ate with great relish, while Ling Jingchu ate slowly and deliberately, his face extremely unpleasant, as if the food on the table was utterly disgusting.

——

After Jiang Yunshu put Ayao to sleep that night, she heard a noise outside the window.

She got up suspiciously. Gu Hanyu had placed some people outside the courtyard, making this place even safer than the Jiang family's.

She opened the door quietly, but before she could take two steps, someone grabbed her from behind.

The night was cool and still, and she shivered involuntarily, wearing only a single layer of clothing and an outer robe.

In her panic, just as she was about to kick him, the man's deep voice came: "Jiang Yunshu".

The words seemed to be squeezed out through gritted teeth, carrying an inexplicable hint of grievance.

Why did you come back?

Why...why won't you take responsibility for me?

“I know I’m not good enough for you. I have nothing—no illustrious family background, no outstanding talent, I have none of that…”

"But why..."

Why give me hope only to shatter it with your own hands?

Ling Jingchu's voice sounded even more mournful and desolate in the quiet night.

She pulled her leg back and looked up at him.

The darkness of the night obscured his face. Ling Jingchu held him captive in front of her, and all she could see was his high nose and the pitch-black night.

She vaguely remembered reading in a storybook that a man with a high nose bridge was good in that area...

Thinking of this, she suddenly looked away.

A mocking glint flashed in Ling Jingchu's obscure eyes. She still felt disgusted with herself. All these years, he clearly knew what role he played in her heart.

Yet, they still harbor those dark thoughts.

He himself felt disgusted.

If Uncle Jiang knew he was supporting someone like this, he would probably kick him out, right?

He lowered his eyes and took two steps back.

"I've had too much to drink."

Jiang Yunshu looked at Ling Jingchu and suddenly felt a strange, tingling feeling in her heart. She didn't know how to speak or whether she should speak at all.

But to her utter surprise, she found herself grabbing Ling Jingchu's sleeve.

Ling Jingchu was stunned for a long time. She turned around and stared intently at the hand. She pouted, but before she could speak, a soft, cool lip covered her lips.

Her body gradually softened, and she pressed herself close to him. The cold wind blew, but it only stirred the corners of their clothes, while the heat in her heart grew stronger.

"Miss?"

Qing Shuang's voice jolted her awake. She pushed Ling Jingchu away and ran over.

Ling Jingchu stared intently at her retreating figure as it gradually disappeared into the darkness, a faint smile curving his lips.

I raised my hand to my lips; the warmth there seemed to still linger.

The desire in his eyes deepened.

He won't let Jiang Yunshu marry that general.

She kissed him.

We must take responsibility for him.