When Jiang Luoluo and Xiao Yunwei returned to the courtyard, Yao Shiyu had already helped Su Cuirong back to Changshou Residence.
Only Gu Boyuan remained hesitant, pacing back and forth in the courtyard with a complicated expression.
Upon seeing Jiang Luoluo return, he immediately stepped forward and blocked her path.
His expression was troubled, and his tone was urgent and questioning: "Luo Luo, do you really want to marry Prince Yi?"
"Are you aware of the complexities of royalty? How could someone as naive as you possibly endure it?"
Jiang Luoluo raised her eyebrows slightly, stood aside with her arms crossed, and said in a cold and distant tone: "General Gu, I thought I had made myself clear enough last time."
Seeing her cold attitude, Gu Boyuan became even more anxious and couldn't help but press her further: "Luo Luo, don't think that Xie Yizhi really likes you!"
How could someone as cruel, bloodthirsty, cold-blooded, and ruthless as him possibly fall in love with someone so easily?
He's only after your status as the eldest daughter of the Great General's family!
Jiang Luoluo was almost laughing in anger at Gu Boyuan. She felt a surge of annoyance and even wanted to slap him.
However, remembering that Xiao Yunwei was still there, she suppressed her impulse, worried that her rash actions would frighten Xiao Yunwei.
So she took a deep breath, barely managing to maintain a calm tone, and said patiently, "Young General Gu, please have some self-respect."
From now on, please call me Miss Jiang.
She glanced coldly at Gu Boyuan, her tone now carrying an undeniable firmness: "Also, my marriage has nothing to do with you."
"We have no connection whatsoever anymore, General Gu, there's no need for you to worry about it."
Her voice, though soft, carried a subtle sharpness, leaving Gu Boyuan speechless for a moment.
Gu Boyuan felt a tightness in his throat, his heart filled with complex emotions.
He knew he had no right or standing to say these things to Jiang Luoluo, but every time he thought about her impending marriage to Xie Yizhi, he couldn't help but feel moved.
His heart felt as if a piece had been hollowed out, leaving it empty and making even breathing heavy.
It was as if everything that originally belonged to him was gradually drifting away without him realizing it, until it was no longer within his reach.
He stood there, his fists clenched, but he couldn't hide the deep regret and disappointment buried in his heart.
At this moment, Yao Shiyu's maidservant hurriedly came over and stood respectfully to the side to wait.
Gu Boyuan caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye, his heart tightened, and he swallowed back the words he was about to say.
He suppressed his bitterness, composed himself, bowed his head and said goodbye, then hurried away, his back view appearing particularly lonely.
As Xiao Yunwei watched Gu Bo's departing figure, she softly said to Jiang Luoluo, "Luoluo, it's good that you made the decisive decision to cancel the engagement back then."
Gu Boyuan is definitely not a good person.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Luoluo smiled slightly, a hint of self-deprecation in her eyes: "Yes, those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see clearly. I used to be completely infatuated with love, utterly bewitched."
Looking back on what I did, I really want to slap myself.
Xiao Yun smiled and comforted her, "Luckily you realized it early, otherwise it would have been too late to regret it."
The fact that you can face this clearly now is the biggest progress you've made.
Jiang Luoluo raised her eyebrows and said in a light tone, "Yes, thankfully everything is still in time."
As the two were chatting and laughing, Butler Hu hurried over and whispered, "Miss, the Empress Dowager has sent someone."
Jiang Luoluo raised an eyebrow, a sense of doubt rising in her heart. Why had Empress Dowager Du summoned her at this time? The book did not mention such a scene, and she couldn't guess her intention for the moment.
Before long, Rong Momo, who was by Empress Dowager Du's side, came over with a hint of authority and disdain and said, "Miss Jiang, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager invites you."
Jiang Luoluo nodded slightly and asked gently, "Granny, may I ask why the Empress Dowager summoned me?"
Rong Momo flared her nostrils slightly and said arrogantly, "How dare this old servant presume to guess the Empress Dowager's intentions? Miss Jiang, you'd better hurry up and pack your things, and come with this old servant to the palace."
Just then, Dingdang, holding a long sword, walked over menacingly and said warily, "Miss, I'll go with you."
Upon hearing this, Rong Momo sneered and said threateningly, "The Empress Dowager only summoned Miss Jiang to the palace."
"Are any outsiders daring to accompany us in order to incur the wrath of the Empress Dowager?"
Jiang Luoluo turned around, smiled, patted Dingdang's shoulder, and comforted her, "Dingdang, it's alright." Then she leaned closer and whispered a few words in her ear.
Dingdang nodded, clasped his hands in greeting, and quickly left. He mounted his horse and galloped out of the city.
Xiao Yunwei stood to the side, her brows furrowed with worry, and couldn't help but say, "Luo Luo, do you want me to go with you? I'll wait for you outside the palace gate."
Jiang Luoluo turned around and smiled, her tone relaxed: "Sister Yunwei, the Empress Dowager has summoned us, and proper etiquette cannot be disregarded."
Don't worry, the Empress Dowager is an upright and kind-hearted person, nothing serious will happen.
However, I'm afraid we can't have dinner together today. I'll make it up to you next time.
Although Xiao Yunwei was worried, seeing Jiang Luoluo's calm expression, she could only nod in the end: "Then be careful, and remember to send a message if anything happens."
Jiang Luoluo nodded, her expression calm, and walked towards Rong Mama. "Mama, please."
Jiang Luoluo followed Rong Momo's carriage, which bumped along the way. When they arrived at the palace gate, they saw Dingdang already waiting there in the distance.
Dingdang quickly stepped forward, holding a food box in her hands. Her eyes were fixed on Jiang Luoluo, and her tone was filled with worry: "Miss, please be careful in everything you do."
Jiang Luoluo took the food box, a faint smile appearing on her lips, and said softly, "I know, don't worry."
He then gave Dingdang a reassuring look, his expression calm and composed.
Dingdang looked at her nervously, as if she had something to say, but in the end she didn't speak and just stood silently by and watched her go.
Jiang Luoluo, carrying the food box, turned around and followed Rong Momo into the palace.
Sunlight streamed through the eaves of the palace walls, casting its glow on her figure. Her steps were unhurried, yet her silhouette exuded an indescribable composure and serenity.
Rong Momo led Jiang Luoluo through many twists and turns, taking a very long and winding road before finally arriving at the entrance of Cining Palace. It was the height of summer, and the autumn heat was particularly intense.
The heat scorched people's heads, making them dizzy, but Jiang Luoluo remained calm and unhurried. She simply wiped her sweat with a handkerchief and walked with a smile, showing no trace of the petty temper of a noble lady.
Rong Momo felt that the gold ingot in the purse at her waist was particularly hard. This was in the carriage, and Jiang Luoluo had given it to her. Hmm, this was the first time she had received such a big gift.
She felt a little guilty looking at Jiang Luoluo, who was slightly sweating but never complained.
But at this moment, she had no choice but to follow Empress Dowager Du's instructions and say, "Wait here until the Empress Dowager summons you before you can enter."
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