"I'm keeping you in the manor because of Brother Song."
My heart died the moment Gu Qianluo left.
Chen Jinheng's heart is dead; no matter how hard Lin Ruoyan tries, she can never get back into his heart.
However, Lin Ruoyan refused to believe that this was the man she had guarded for most of her life.
From the very beginning, they used bamboo shadows to keep all of Chen Jinheng's actions under their control.
Then, by taking advantage of Shui Yao's death, the name "Gu Qianluo" was completely erased.
All of this was because she was too deeply obsessed with her love for Chen Jinheng.
Lin Ruoyan looked up at the man with his back to her, a sliver of hope rising in her heart.
"Jinheng, don't you have even the slightest bit of affection for me? Not even a shred of sympathy?"
"Ruoyan, there are some things I don't want to say a second time."
Lin Ruoyan looked at Chen Jinheng's cold back, a thought flashing through her eyes. She gently brushed aside her shawl and slowly walked towards Chen Jinheng.
Upon seeing this, Han Ying's heart skipped a beat. She quickly retreated outside and sighed silently.
"Oh! Lin Ruoyan is really ungrateful. Knowing that her master does not like her, she still demeans herself like this and even has the idea of offering herself up as a bedmate."
"Jinheng, Luo'er is dead."
I believe she wouldn't want to see you being so hard on yourself today.
A soft, gentle voice reached his ear, and Chen Jinheng's heart sank. He coldly warned the person behind him.
"Ruoyan, put your clothes on!"
Lin Ruoyan was originally a well-educated and polite young lady, but when Madam Zhang came to visit her today, she said something to her that touched her deeply.
Zhang's words kept echoing in my ears.
"Ruoyan, your love for Jinheng is evident to all, but men are all stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside."
If you always follow the rules, even if he wants to break them, he'll have to resist, won't he?
"What does my sister-in-law mean?"
"Heh, men, their bodies are more honest than their hearts. Why don't you take the initiative today, and once you've made it a done deal, let's see how Jinheng will be able to let you go?"
Lin Ruoyan was so disturbed by Zhang's instigation that she couldn't sleep at night. So, with a try-it-out mentality, she went to Chengheng Palace to find him.
Chen Jinheng realized that it was impolite and pushed Lin Ruoyan's arm away with both hands.
"Jinheng, you can't push me away. My heart already belongs to you."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinheng was startled and quickly pushed the person several meters away, angrily rebuking him.
"Lin Ruoyan! When did you become so shameless?"
What does shame and honor matter? What does etiquette matter?
Chen Jinheng, I have been infatuated with you for more than ten years. I married Brother Song for you and raised Ping'er and An'er for you. But what about you?
They've always kept me out! I've tolerated others treating me like a mistress.
But you suddenly married a woman you'd only met once to be your wife, and I'm absolutely furious!
"Why?! What is it about me, Lin Ruoyan, that Gu Qianluo lacks?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of gloom appeared in Chen Jinheng's eyes. He took off his cloak and draped it over Lin Ruoyan, saying softly,
"Ruoyan, why are you so fixated on me?"
My heart is dead, my heart is dead! Your love, I cannot afford it! Nor do I want it!
"Chen Jinheng! Look at me! I love you more than Gu Qianluo, I understand you better than she does, why do you insist on having her?"
Why does it have to be her?
Chen Jinheng was also unclear about this.
All he knew was that on every lonely night, Chen Jinheng would drift off to sleep by looking at Gu Qianluo's portrait.
He hoped that when he was at the height of his success, she would be there to applaud and accompany him, and that when he fell from grace, she would offer him warm encouragement.
There's no logic to matters of the heart.
Of all the emotions in this world, love is the one that cannot be repaid.
"If I accept you, it would be irresponsible of me to you!"
Lin Ruoyan, wake up! You can live a better life without me!
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruoyan understood that Chen Jinheng meant to send her away.
Her heart ached as if it were being torn apart, and her makeup was ruined by unstoppable tears, making her look extremely disheveled.
With a fierce effort, she lunged at Chen Jinheng's thigh, pleading pitifully.
"Jinheng, I beg you! Please, for the sake of how much I love you and how many years I've protected you, give me a proper status!"
I don't ask you to love me much! I just ask that you don't drive me away!
I know I was wrong! I know you don't love me, but I can't bear to leave you, and I can't bear to leave Ange'er and Ping'er.
"Let me stay!"
Hearing Lin Ruoyan's heart-wrenching cries, a pang of pity flashed through his heart.
Chen Jinheng clenched his fists, slowly closed his eyes, and remained silent for a long time.
"I will deal with your matter after I have observed three years of mourning for Luo'er."
Lin Ruoyan, even if I take you in, I will have no feelings for you whatsoever.
All of this is your own fault!
Three years from now, if you have thought it through, I will ask a matchmaker to find you a good family, and I will send you off to get married in the name of my sworn brother.
Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to take you to Jing'an Temple.
For the next three years, unless summoned by this general, you may not return to the capital!
"Besides, those people behind you have already shown their true colors."
If you dare to pull any more tricks, even if it goes against Brother Song's wishes, I will still deal with you.
After uttering these harsh words, Chen Jinheng swept his sleeves aside and walked gracefully out of the palace.
"Someone! Help Miss Lin change her clothes and escort her back to Lingyan Pavilion."
As soon as Chen Jinheng stepped out of the palace, he saw Han Ying standing guard to the side.
"Han Ying! Send men to track Lin Ruoyan. If Xuan Yan Pavilion makes any further moves, kill them without mercy!"
Upon hearing this, Han Ying's heart trembled, and she quickly followed, pressing for an answer.
"Master, I haven't even told you about Lin Ruoyan yet, how did you know?"
"Heh, I'm afraid no one in this world knows more about her messy affairs than I do."
Han Ying was puzzled and continued to ask, "Since Master knew Miss Lin's identity, why didn't you take more precautions?"
Han Ying's questioning tone weighed heavily on Chen Jinheng's heart, and he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Perhaps it's because I underestimated her."
I thought she was kind, but I never expected her to be so vicious.
"If it weren't for Brother Song's dying wish, I certainly wouldn't have kept her in the manor."
"Lin Ruoyan, as the young master of Xuanyan Pavilion, actually used that status to bully the second madam."
"Master, this woman cannot be kept alive any longer!"
A cold glint flashed in Chen Jinheng's eyes; he had never been so resolute before.
“You’re right. Once she slips up, I will deal with her.”
Even if she is the one Brother Song entrusted with his heart, she must never bully the one I love.
After leaving his own palace, Chen Jinheng unknowingly entered Luoying Palace.
He stood quietly at the entrance of Luoying Palace, his eyes occasionally flashing with images of Gu Qianluo's voice and smile.
All those past experiences stirred his heart.
"Luo'er, this time, I will personally bring you back!"
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