Neither Ji Mohan nor Ji Moan expected that their reunion would be like this.
When they were young, Ji Mo'an taught Ji Mo'han to love the people and protect the country. However, they did not expect that many years later, when they met again, the one who had loved the people would rebel.
Life is full of irony, isn't it?
As Ji Mohan was leaving, he paused for a moment and asked, "Why?"
Why do we no longer care for the people? Why do we no longer defend our homeland? Why do we rebel?
Ji Mo'an was silent for a moment, then said something seemingly out of context, "If our fate is predetermined, what's wrong with me wanting to defy destiny?"
“Uncle An, you…” Ji Mohan paused, then continued.
"No need to persuade me anymore. If I hadn't succeeded back then, so be it. But I succeeded once, and since there was a first time, there will be a second time," Ji Mo'an said somewhat maniacally.
The fact that he is here unharmed proves that this world is not without loopholes, and that by seizing these loopholes, one can defy fate.
"Very well, it's best if Uncle An wasn't involved in kidnapping Yan Wan, otherwise, I won't let him off easily," Ji Mohan said coldly.
"I remember you weren't someone who would get caught up in romance. How did you become like this?" Ji Mo'an asked, puzzled. His nephew, who had always been clueless about romance, was now so interested in a woman. It was really unlike him.
“Uncle An, wasn’t there someone who once regarded you as his own life?” Ji Mohan asked in return, gambling that Ji Moan had also once had genuine feelings for him.
Ji Mo'an was taken aback by the other party's response. He thought of the passionate girl, the girl who thought of him until her death. He had been worthy of everyone in his life, except for Li Ge.
However, his guilt quickly dissipated, and Ji Mo'an said coldly, "Who told her to be so stupid, believing everything she said! Can romantic love compare to the supreme position?"
"Do you regret it?" Ji Mohan continued to ask.
"I have no regrets. Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Sacrificing one Li Ge is nothing. Once I obtain that position, there will be thousands upon thousands of Li Ges." Ji Mo'an waved his hand and said indifferently.
But the fists clenched tightly under his sleeves revealed his inner turmoil. He didn't know how to face Li Ge; he felt ashamed and missed her dearly.
"Very well, thank you for answering my questions, Uncle An." Ji Mohan said sarcastically.
Ji Mo'an has lost his humanity. He doesn't care about others; all he cares about is himself and whether he can get that position.
Since that's the case, there's nothing more to say.
Ji Mohan left without looking back, following the servant. He felt only disappointment towards Ji Moan.
Uncle An, who clearly had the big picture in mind, cared for the people, and worked diligently for the country and its people, why has everything changed now?
Ji Mo'an stared silently at Ji Mo'han's retreating figure for a long time. The helpless child who first came to the Northwest back then has now become a great general who can stand alone.
He felt a mixture of sadness and joy. He was happy that the Yin Kingdom had a worthy successor, but sad that they were destined to be rivals.
——
The residence of Gongsun Gua.
Thud!
The man in black threw the unconscious Yan Wan to the ground and respectfully said to the old man leaning on his cane, "Master, the person has been brought here."
"Okay, I understand. You may leave now," Gongsun Gua said, waving his hand gently.
"Yes." The guard disappeared without a trace, leaving Yan Wan unconscious on the ground.
Not long after, Yan Wan woke up from her drowsy state. She tried to raise her hand to rub her aching neck, but found that her hands were tied up.
She struggled desperately, trying to break free of the rope, when suddenly an old voice came from in front of her, "Stop struggling, you can't break free with your strength."
Yan Wan looked up and saw an old man with a full head of white hair sitting in the chair. After thinking for a moment, Yan Wan asked, "Are you Mr. Gongsun? I wonder what business Mr. Gongsun has with me here?"
"This little girl is quite clever despite her young age," Gongsun Gua praised. "However, the reason I brought you here is to confirm one thing."
"What is it?" Yan Wan asked.
"I want to see just how far your husband is willing to go for you," Gongsun Gua said without reservation.
Yan Wanxin understood immediately; it seemed that the rumor Jing Xi had heard was most likely true.
Yan Wan looked at Gongsun Gua and said, "What does Mr. Gongsun want to know? Perhaps I can answer your questions?"
"Ha, you? Something I've never understood in my entire life, you little brat can understand?" Gongsun Gua said with some disbelief.
Yan Wan smiled and said, "Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me. Perhaps there's something you don't understand, and I happen to have a different perspective that can clear up your doubts. Besides, if I don't understand either, we can find the answer together. The strength of two people is always greater than that of one, don't you think?" Yan Wan said sincerely.
Gongsun Gua glanced at Yan Wan, seemingly finding her words reasonable, and said, "Do you know what love is? Or rather, do you believe in love?"
Upon hearing this, Yan Wan realized that Jing Xi was truly a genius, and that the rumor was actually true.
Yan Wan answered without hesitation, "I believe in love."
"Why? Didn't you hesitate at all?" Gongsun Gua asked, puzzled. He really couldn't understand how this young girl could express her opinion so readily.
"I didn't hesitate. Maybe it's because I met someone who made me believe in love," Yan Wan said with a smile. She didn't really believe in love before, but she met Ji Mohan and realized that love can really save a person.
"Have I met someone who makes me believe in love?" Gongsun Gua murmured to himself.
"Yes, that's right. I didn't believe in love before, until I met him. I discovered that love can be so beautiful," Yan Wan said with a happy expression.
"Then how can you guarantee that he thinks the same way you do?" Gongsun Gua continued to ask.
"I'm willing to believe him, and that's enough," Yan Wan said directly. She believed in Ji Mohan and that he loved her too, and that was enough.
"Then how can you be sure he won't lie to you?" Gongsun Gua continued, like a child, relentlessly pursuing the truth.
“There are good and evil deceptions. If you truly love someone, you can’t bear to deceive them,” Yan Wan replied.
"Deception can be good or evil. So what is good intention and what is bad intention?" Gongsun Gua asked loudly, his expression shifting slightly.
"If what she does or says causes you any real harm, then it's malicious; if not, then it's a white lie." Yan Wan didn't know how others defined it, but that's how she believed it.
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