Luo Chengzhang was initially indifferent to Baoger, but after Luo Yining left, he transformed into a completely different person, eager to embrace his chubby grandson and give him a swarm of kisses. He used a rattle to tease Baoger, coaxing him into calling him grandpa. When Luo Yining returned, he immediately resumed his indifferent attitude, while Baoger clambered up and down in his arms, babbling non-stop.

Lin Hairu actually found Luo Chengzhang a little funny and burst out laughing.

After lunch, Luo Shenyuan immediately went to the palace, while Luo Yining accompanied Lin Hairu to watch a play. A short while later, a maid entered the newly built theater and said to her, "Madam, there are guests—Mr. Gu is here with us."

Gu Jingming was the only Lord Gu in the Luo family who frequently visited, but he never met Luo Yining.

Gu Jingming was a smart man, and smart people knew to stay away from Luo Yining. Luo Yining probably also understood that he didn't really want to see her, and often avoided him. Why did he send a maid to pass on a message to her this time? Did he really have something to ask her?

Luo Yining and Lin Hairu took their leave, straightened their jackets and skirts, and walked out.

Gu Jingming was waiting with someone in front of a screen wall with a kirin relief. The lattice windows before them were tiled in the shape of fish scales. Through the gaps, he could see the courtyard, a unique and beautiful scene. The courtyard was clad in silver, and lanterns hung under the eaves of the brackets, creating an elegant contrast with the pink walls and green tiles. A figure, surrounded by a crowd, gradually approached.

Luo Yining wore a bright red satin jacket and a high, fluffy collar. Her neatly combed hair was topped with a single, red-gold knot, giving her a more relaxed and elegant air than she had in her childhood. Her flawless, snow-white face shone faintly in the sunlight. The surroundings were cold, as if she, too, had become desolate.

But when she walked closer and looked, she could clearly see a faint smile on the corner of his mouth.

Gu Jingming waved to her.

Only then did Luo Yining notice the man standing beside him. He was tall and slender, wearing a thin, reddish-brown tunic, and held a Buddhist rosary in his hand. His features were remarkably handsome, yet his expression was strangely cold, the kind of abstinence that comes from abstinence. He slowly turned and glanced at Luo Yining, his lips moving slightly as he said, "Long time no see."

Luo Yining suddenly remembered that when she was half asleep last night, Luo Shenyuan kissed her and said that the capital was not peaceful. He had gone to so much trouble to bring Daoyan back. It was not just not peaceful, I was afraid that the capital was about to change!

Gu Jingming coughed and said, "Yining, do you know who he is?"

"I recognize it." Yining smiled and said, "It's a household name."

"I'm going to stay at the Luo family for the next few days." Daoyan said lightly, "Do you have a small Buddhist temple here?" He traveled around the world and would not bother to return to the capital if it weren't for helping others.

Yi Ning said, "No one in the family believes in Buddhism anymore, so we don't have a small Buddhist temple. Master, could you condescend to sleep in one of the side rooms?"

Daoyan half raised his eyelids and said, "I am not that difficult to please. I can sleep in the stable even if you let me sleep there."

This man had always been rude to her, and Luo Yining was used to it. The last time they met, he had even tried to kill her. She called the servant and said, "Take the master to the stable... oh no, let's find a wing room to rest."

Daoyan walked away without reacting, but Gu Jingming laughed behind his back: "Do you have a grudge against him?"

"It's okay. He wanted to kill me once, and saved me again. It's considered a loss." Luo Yining said, and then asked Gu Jingming, "Cousin Gu, what happened in the capital? Third brother even invited Daoyan back. Daoyan is not..." Daoyan is best at fighting.

"I think you've probably guessed it... There's been some unusual activity among the Third Prince's people. The forces behind them are quite powerful, and as a result, the garrisons have been acting strangely lately." Gu Jingming wasn't very secretive, and of course he wouldn't tell Luo Yining everything. He just picked out a few nice things to say and briefly explained, "The elder has been detained by the Emperor today, but to avoid alerting the enemy, he'll probably be back soon."

Luo Yining noticed Gu Jingming addressing Luo Shenyuan as "Lord," and a feeling of uncertainty set in. She knew Gu Jingming well, and with the growing disparity in their status, it was impossible for Luo Shenyuan to be considered Gu Jingming's equal. Hence Gu Jingming's polite and respectful tone. As he swayed closer to power... the people around him would dwindle.

"Daoyan, you don't have to worry about him. He can survive even if you throw him into the wilderness." He paused and said, "Yining, your grandfather wants to see you. He hasn't been in good health recently. Come and see him when you have time."

Yining nodded in agreement and sent Gu Jingming out the door.

She walked back with heavy steps, and the maids and servants around her were silent. Suddenly she stopped again and looked up at the high sky, which was cloudless.

With each breath, she felt her own insignificance. History had deviated from its original trajectory. At least at this point, Luo Shenyuan shouldn't be a cabinet minister. It was moving in a direction unknown to her, and she felt that this was caused by the changes she had brought about. It had swept Luo Shenyuan and Lu Jiaxue into it.

In their previous life, their hostility stemmed from the issue of the crown prince. In this matter, Luo Shenyuan acted like a sycophant, knowing full well that the eldest prince was unfit to be emperor. He was fearless. With an incompetent emperor ascending the throne, powerful ministers naturally controlled the government. He had already charted his own course. He cared nothing for infamy or future generations.

She wasn't so narcissistic as to think that Lu Jiaxue's unusual behavior was due to her. Lu Jiaxue had always been a very calm person. In his heart, power was more important than anything else.

Luo Yining stopped thinking about it and hurried back to the theater. The theater was bustling with activity, and the New Year's atmosphere was always so good, which made people feel temporarily numb and relaxed.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, she could not return to the Duke of England's mansion for the time being, but she still sent many things back.

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