Chapter 222 He no longer wants to lie

People who tell lies will be tormented by lies for the rest of their lives.

Xie Guanlan lowered his eyes and looked at the overlapping shadows of the two people.

The night wind blew away the rich sweet fragrance of osmanthus, and the girl's lifted gauze skirt fluttered and flew, silently brushing against the narrow knife hanging at Xie Guanlan's waist.

There was a softness in his eyes.

He has already...

I don't want to lie anymore.

Wen Xingluo suddenly grabbed his sleeve tightly.

Her body trembled slightly, and when she looked up, her round almond-shaped eyes were wet and red like apricot blossoms in spring. She opened her mouth to clarify, but the young man held her shoulders.

He looked at her, paranoia hidden in his narrow eyes.

It seemed to be telling her that the matter ended here.

It is the best choice for him to take responsibility for everything.

He is a man, and the world has always been more tolerant of men. When the storm has passed, everyone in the city will just say thank you for the commander's youthful charm.

But Wen Xingluo is different.

He didn't want to, and couldn't bear to let Wen Xingluo be in the spotlight.

Wen Xingluo's eyes were filled with tears.

She suddenly instinctively wanted to throw herself into the young man's arms, but her reason held her back. Even Xie Guanlan noticed her intention and calmly pressed her down.

She couldn't get close to him.

He wanted her to be pure and clean forever, and he wanted her to never have to bear the stigma.

Wen Xingluo stared at the young man in front of him.

I'm so close to him, yet so far away that I can't get close to him.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

She wordlessly and with difficulty took a half step back, keeping her distance as he wished.

Xie Guanlan glanced around coldly, "Have you seen enough of the excitement?!"

The guests were shocked and realized that they had discovered the secret of the Zhenbei Palace. They did not dare to stay any longer and said goodbye and left.

It wasn't until all the guests had left that Xie Shian stammered, "You...when did this happen between you two? I...how come I don't know anything about it?"

It's obvious that these two people don't get along.

It was obviously him who was hanging out with Ningning all day long. When did his elder brother start to have feelings for Ningning?

He looked around again.

Except for him and his father who had dull eyes, his grandmother and second brother all looked normal. Even Wei Ying was not surprised at all, as if they had known about this for a long time.

"No?!" He scratched his head frantically, "When did you find out?! How come I didn't hear anything?!"

Xie Yanchen patted his head sympathetically, "Children, don't meddle in adult matters."

While Xie Shian was digesting this news, Wen Yueyin, who was not far away, opened her mouth and asked, "How...how could this be?"

She looks similar to Wen Xingluo, but in her previous life, Xie Guanlan completely disdained her.

Why would he favor Wen Xingluo so much in this life?!

Even said that he liked her and was obsessed with her!

As the commander of the Southwestern Army, how could he possibly like a girl who was hated and despised by her father and brothers?!

And she is cherished by the Wen family as a treasure. How is she inferior to Wen Xingluo?!

She couldn't figure it out, and neither could the three Wen Rufeng brothers.

Even Xu Miaomiao looked bewildered.

They knew very well that Wen Xingluo's temperament was not pleasing. When she was at the Wen family, she always stayed alone in the corner. She seemed to be always covered with a layer of gray and dull color, and seemed to be always ignored.

Xie Guanlan had made great military achievements and was of noble status.

Why would such a gifted child of heaven look down at a gray-faced little girl?

Before they could figure it out, Xie Guanlan coldly said, "Come here, kick Wen Yueyin and the others out of the palace. Wen Rufeng has slandered the court officials for accepting bribes. He must be imprisoned immediately and await trial."

After dealing with the screaming Wen brothers and sisters, only people from the Zhenbei Palace were left in the garden.

Wei Si held Wen Xingluo's hand silently, as if she was afraid that she would be accused and hurt by the people in the palace, and quietly took her away from Xie Guanlan.

Wen Xingluo followed her closely.

She stared down at her pearly shoes, not daring to look back, let alone look at her grandmother and the others.

It was not until the mother and daughter left that Xie Jing's face suddenly darkened.

He glared at Xie Guanlan fiercely and said in a deep voice, "Come with me to the study."

Xie Guanlan watched Wen Xingluo's figure disappear at the end of the flower path, and followed Xie Jing silently.

"grandmother!"

Xie Shian grabbed the old concubine's sleeve and said angrily, "You and my second brother know everything, but you won't tell me anything! Please tell me quickly, tell me quickly!"

The old concubine sighed deeply, shook her head and said nothing.

Xie Shian was so anxious that he hurried to Xie Yanchen, "Second brother?!"

Xie Yanchen smiled, "I'm actually not sure exactly how it all started. Now that I think about it, I imagine they must have started to develop feelings for each other when they were trapped alone in the isolated village during the heavy rains in Shu County last year. After all, those were the only few days they were alone together."

Xie Shian: “…”

He vaguely remembered that after returning from the lonely village, his elder brother and Ningning still got along as before.

Unexpectedly, it has already started in private!

They are both great at acting!

He glanced worriedly in the direction of Xie Jing's study, "Second brother, you're still in the mood to laugh. I'm afraid that eldest brother will be beaten!"

…

Xie Jing's study is in the main courtyard.

Wen Xingluo took a bath in Wei Si's boudoir. When she was sitting in front of the bronze mirror combing her hair, she heard the muffled sound of a whip hitting flesh from outside the window.

She couldn't help but tighten her grip on the ivory comb.

Wei Ying had already changed into her pajamas and was sitting cross-legged on the bamboo couch practicing her skills.

Even though she had her eyes closed, she seemed to be able to sense Wen Xingluo's anxiety, "Cousin, are you feeling distressed?"

Wen Xingluo stared at the pale face in the bronze mirror and did not answer.

"Xie Guanlan is quite a man, daring to take full responsibility," Wei Ying commented. "Cousin, if you really want to make him your princess, I support you."

Wen Xingluo listened to the sound of the whip and had no intention of arguing with Wei Ying.

After about fifty lashes, the sound of the whip finally stopped.

The corners of Wen Xingluo's eyes turned red, and when he noticed the wetness on his lips, he realized that he had been so nervous that he had bitten his lips.

Wei Ying looked at her. "He has harbored rebellious thoughts towards his stepsister. Xie Jing will not only beat him, but I'm afraid he'll also be punished by making him kneel in the ancestral hall and reflect on his actions. If I were you, I would take advantage of this dark and windy night to visit him in the ancestral hall. He will surely be even more touched and devoted to you."

"If I go to him now, it will only get him into more trouble."

"Go secretly."

Suddenly there was a sound outside the window.

Xie Shian, dressed in night clothes, stealthily opened the window and said, "Ningning, I will help you avoid the guards and go to the ancestral hall to visit your elder brother!"

Wen Xingluo was stunned.

A hint of red then appeared on the pale cheek.

She lowered her almond-shaped eyes, feeling guilty for ruining Xie Guanlan's reputation. Her voice was barely audible, "Fourth Brother, don't you blame me?"