Chapter 376 Recalling the past, his heart has changed after all
Gu Chengan paused slightly, looked up at the box of familiar-shaped Poria cocos cake, and a trace of trance flashed through his mind.
"It looks like your injury is much better." Du Ruoling did not urge him to eat the pastry, but just looked at his bandaged arm with concern.
"I heard that you're always refusing to properly heal your injuries and still want to read military books and practice swordplay. This won't do. A broken bone will take a hundred days to heal, so be careful."
Gu Cheng'an snorted, still saying nothing, but he had no intention of driving her away.
Du Ruoling took out a small celadon bowl, poured some water into it, and then took out a small bundle from her bosom. When she opened it, there were a few dry leaves inside.
"These are pine needles. Soak them in water and wash wounds to reduce swelling and relieve pain." She deftly placed the needles in the water. "Didn't I use this on you when you hurt your hand before? It healed in three days."
Gu Cheng'an looked at her movements, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He remembered that Du Ruoling had indeed taken care of him in that dilapidated courtyard. Although life was difficult at that time, there had been times when they treated each other sincerely.
"You..." Gu Cheng'an finally spoke in a low voice, "Why haven't you been making trouble recently?"
Du Ruoling's movements faltered slightly, and then she sighed softly, her voice tinged with self-mockery: "People always have to grow up, don't they?"
She raised her head and looked straight into Gu Chengan's eyes: "Chengan, I know I have done a lot of wrong things and hurt your heart."
"I was so foolish back then. I didn't know how to cherish those who truly loved me. I only thought that wealth and fame would bring me happiness."
Gu Chengan's eyes turned cold: "So now that you have obtained the status of a princess, you think of me again?"
Du Ruoling shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes, but she tried hard not to let them fall.
"No, I just finally understood that the most precious thing in this world is not fame and wealth, but a true heart."
She lowered her head and said in a voice that was almost inaudible, "I was lucky enough to get it once, but I destroyed it with my own hands."
The room fell silent for a moment.
The sunlight from the window shone on the ground, illuminating a bright square. A breeze blew by, bringing with it the crisp sound of the wind chimes by the window.
Gu Cheng'an looked at the woman in front of him who seemed to have really changed, and felt mixed emotions.
He didn't believe that Du Ruoling would change so easily, but he had to admit that she was indeed a completely different person at this moment.
"These Poria cocos cakes..." Gu Cheng'an pointed to the food box on the table and finally softened his tone, "Do you want to eat them?"
A hint of joy flashed in Du Ruoling's eyes, but she just shook her head gently: "I don't like sweet food, you remember. These are bought especially for you."
Gu Cheng'an was silent for a moment, reached out to take a piece of cake and took a light bite.
The familiar aroma filled my mouth, with a sweet but not greasy taste, and I seemed to be back in that simple but warm courtyard.
"Do you remember the Lantern Festival that year?" Du Ruoling saw him eating cakes, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "We didn't have money to go to the lantern festival, so you hung a few homemade lanterns in the yard and even conjured up a bowl of glutinous rice balls for me."
A softness flashed in Gu Cheng'an's eyes. It was indeed a beautiful memory. He felt guilty at the time, but he was willing to do anything for her.
"The glutinous rice balls back then were sweet." Gu Cheng'an said softly, "You said you liked them."
"Yes," Du Ruoling nodded, her voice tinged with nostalgia, "Those are the best glutinous rice balls I've ever had."
She raised her head and looked at Gu Chengan deeply: "I didn't say it at the time, but that was really the happiest Lantern Festival I have ever had."
Gu Cheng'an didn't respond, but just took another bite of the Poria cocos cake.
Those past events came flooding back like a tide, and no matter how he resisted, he could never completely erase those once beautiful times.
When he and Du Ruoling first met, she was still a maid in the mansion.
She accidentally broke a vase and was punished by the steward, but her unyielding look and the words "everyone is equal" caught his attention...
Du Ruoling noticed his mood change and was secretly happy, but she didn't dare to show it too obviously.
She slowly stood up and placed the soaked pine needle water on the table.
"The water is ready. You can use it to wash your wound later." She patted the hem of her skirt and said calmly, "I know you can't forgive me yet, and I don't expect you to accept me right away."
"But Cheng'an, I just hope you can give me a chance to make up for my past mistakes."
She turned and walked towards the door, her steps light but not hurried. "I'm sorry for disturbing you today. I should leave now. Take care of your injuries. I'll come see you tomorrow."
Gu Chengan looked at her back and suddenly called out to her, "Ruoling."
Du Ruoling paused, then slowly turned around, with inquiry and a hint of hope in her eyes.
Gu Chengan frowned slightly, as if struggling with something, and finally said, "From now on... you don't need to bring anything."
Du Ruoling was stunned for a moment, then she understood the meaning of his words - he allowed her to come again tomorrow.
Du Ruoling had a hint of joy on her face. She was about to thank Gu Cheng'an for his change of attitude, but she heard him continue:.
"This is the general's mansion after all. It's not convenient for an outsider like me to live here. Besides, my injuries have healed a lot. There's no reason for me to stay here any longer."
The smile on Du Ruoling's face froze instantly and she stood there in a daze.
"I'm going back to the barracks. Chu Ruohan is pregnant and needs to rest and take care of the baby. It's inconvenient for you to send things to her every day..."
Gu Cheng'an's voice was calm, but his eyes were no longer looking at Du Ruoling, but looking out the window.
The sun was still shining brightly, but Du Ruoling felt as if she was in the cold winter.
Du Ruoling couldn't bear to hear the rest of the words. Her face was very ugly. If she hadn't held it back, she would have lost her temper on the spot.
She raised the corners of her mouth stiffly and pretended to be calm.
"I was inconsiderate." Du Ruoling's voice trembled slightly. "In that case, I won't bother you anymore."
"Goodbye." She took a deep breath, turned around and strode away. Her back looked a little hurried, as if she was running away from something.
Gu Cheng'an looked at her departing back, frowned slightly, picked up the Poria cocos cake on the table, took a bite, then put it down with a complicated look.
After leaving the general's mansion, Du Ruoling almost staggered into the carriage.
The maid was about to ask, but was stopped by her look.
"Go back home." She ordered coldly.
The moment the carriage started, Du Ruoling could no longer maintain her composure, and tears fell like beads from a broken string.
She bit her handkerchief, trying hard not to make any sound, but her shoulders couldn't stop shaking.
"It's useless! It's all useless!" Du Ruoling cursed in her heart. The method taught by that crazy woman was completely useless.
Gentle and considerate, no longer entangled, recalling the good old days, showing maturity and change...
She did all these, but Gu Cheng'an remained indifferent.
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