Chapter 55 Threat
Back in the room, Ruan Xingzhu noticed some wrinkled books, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, her eyes filled with suspicion. She had always kept her books extremely neat these days; how could such obvious creases have appeared out of nowhere?
Her slender fingers gently caressed the creases, as if trying to find the origin of the creases from the lines of the book.
As she looked at the book, Ruan Xingzhu couldn't help but recall Liang Yejing's question from earlier that day, and her mind began to race. Her gaze gradually became somewhat unfocused, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.
Although Liang Yejing came from a humble background and was a scholar at the Imperial Academy, Ruan Xingzhu was deeply impressed by his gentleness, humility, and politeness during their time together.
In her heart, Liang Yejing was a trustworthy person. If he was truly interested in her, then marrying him and spending her life with him would not be a bad choice.
Thinking this, Ruan Xingzhu's heart began to beat faster involuntarily. She bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with shyness and anticipation as she looked at the book, already looking forward to her next meeting with him.
After finishing the book, Ruan Xingzhu carefully picked it up, smoothed the corners, and gently placed it in a delicate cloth bag. She straightened her clothes, examined herself carefully in the bronze mirror, and after confirming that there were no flaws, she took the book and prepared to return it to Liang Yejing.
However, when she arrived at the Liang residence, she didn't see anyone at all. Only a page hurriedly came out of the house and took the book inside.
Ruan Xingzhu stood there, her expectant smile freezing instantly, her eyes revealing a hint of confusion and disappointment.
She subconsciously bit her lip, her hands twisting together involuntarily, and a question arose in her mind: was he too busy, or was there some other reason why he didn't come out to see her?
This seemingly small matter made Ruan Xingzhu feel uneasy. She lowered her head, her brows furrowed, and kept wondering if she had done something wrong.
Only when the letter signed Liang Yejing arrived at the Gu residence the next day did Ruan Xingzhu's previously anxious heart finally ease. She eagerly opened the letter, and as she read its contents, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up, and a glimmer of hope rekindled in her eyes.
Liang Yejing wrote that he had picked out a few more books and would give them to her at the bridgehead the next day.
The next day, before dawn, Ruan Xingzhu got up early and carefully dressed herself. She chose a light pink silk skirt with delicate orchids embroidered on the hem, and when the breeze blew, it seemed as if one could smell the elegant fragrance of the flowers.
When she arrived at the bridgehead, the sun was already high in the sky, and the scorching sunlight shone down on the earth without any obstruction.
On this bridgehead with no shade, under the scorching sun, Ruan Xingzhu quickly developed a few fine beads of sweat on her forehead, which slowly slid down her fair cheeks.
She could only occasionally take out her handkerchief to gently wipe away the sweat, afraid of ruining her makeup. Her eyes were fixed on the direction of the bridgehead, afraid that if she hid in the shade of the trees, Liang Yejing wouldn't see her, and she would miss this opportunity to meet him.
Her small figure appeared even thinner in the sunlight, and her legs gradually weakened, but she gritted her teeth and persevered. As time passed, the sun gradually slanted westward, and the sky grew darker.
Ruan Xingzhu's eyes began to reveal increasing disappointment and anxiety. Every now and then, she would stand on tiptoe and look into the distance, muttering to herself, "Why aren't they here yet..."
But as sunset approached, Liang Yejing was nowhere to be seen. Ruan Xingzhu was filled with disappointment and began to wonder if he had already arrived but she hadn't seen him.
Looking at the sky, Ruan Xingzhu felt her legs were aching terribly. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, she finally saw Liang Yejing arrive.
Her eyes suddenly lit up, and a surprised smile instantly bloomed on her face, but the smile quickly faded.
She clearly saw that Liang Yejing was walking arm in arm with a gentle woman in purple, and from a distance, the two looked like a newlywed couple.
Liang Yejing naturally saw Ruan Xingzhu as well, and immediately asked, "Miss Ruan, what brings you here?"
His voice reached Ruan Xingzhu's ears, yet it seemed to come from a distant place. Ruan Xingzhu was somewhat stunned. Wasn't he the one who told her to come and wait? She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know where to begin.
Before she could speak, Liang Yejing answered his own question, "Oh, I almost forgot that I was the one who invited you. But something came up and I couldn't bring the book to Miss Ruan. I hope Miss Ruan doesn't mind."
Liang Yejing wore a seemingly humble smile, but every word he spoke was like a sharp needle, piercing straight into Ruan Xingzhu's heart.
Upon hearing Liang Yejing's words, Ruan Xingzhu froze. Her already intertwined fingers unconsciously tightened, gripping the hem of her dress as if it were the only thing she could hold onto at that moment.
Her lips trembled slightly, and she managed to stammer out, "I...don't mind."
Her voice was so soft it was barely audible, as if it carried an overwhelming sense of unease and awkwardness.
"That's good then." Liang Yejing said calmly, his expression unchanged, completely lacking the humility he had shown when facing Ruan Xingzhu.
Seeing the two of them being so affectionate, Ruan Xingzhu felt like a clown forgotten in a corner, having stood there all day only to end up like this.
Her face turned deathly pale instantly, and a sharp pain shot through her heart. She forced herself to calm down, took a deep breath, and hurriedly said, "Since Young Master Liang has made an appointment, then I shall be going."
After saying that, she left in a hurry without looking back, her steps hurried and flustered, as if she was afraid that if she stayed for even a second longer, someone would see her disheveled appearance.
Watching Ruan Xingzhu's figure recede into the distance, Liang Yejing's smile vanished, replaced by a low, bitter laugh. His eyes were filled with helplessness and pain, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists, the veins on the back of his hands bulging slightly.
Seeing this, the woman in purple couldn't help but feel puzzled. She frowned slightly and asked softly, "This girl is so kind, why did you lie to her?"
Why did you lie to her?
Liang Yejing's eyelashes trembled violently as he recalled the day he parted from Ruan Xingzhu and rushed home with an excited heart.
But as soon as he opened the door, he froze. Gu Yun'an, the fourth young master of the Gu family, was sitting leisurely in a chair to the side, as if he had been waiting for him to arrive.
For some reason, Liang Yejing always felt that Gu Yun'an's gaze towards him carried a deep hostility, so when he saw him appear, Liang Yejing felt not joy, but a deep unease. His body tensed slightly, and his eyes revealed vigilance.
"Liang Xueshi doesn't even greet people when he sees them?" Gu Yun'an sat calmly and spoke leisurely, his tone carrying a hint of teasing and arrogance.
Upon seeing this, Liang Yejing quickly nodded slightly and said respectfully, "Fourth Young Master Gu."
Despite his displeasure, he tried his best to remain polite.
Gu Yun'an looked around without any attempt to hide it, his gaze sweeping over the furnishings in the room, before finally speaking slowly: "The Liang family is quite honest and upright."
His voice rose and fell in cadence, as if praising Liang Yejing's integrity and uprightness, yet also as if mocking the poverty of his home.
Liang Yejing paused, somewhat taken aback. In reality, compared to others, this mansion was quite nice, but he was Gu Yun'an, and any mansion of the Gu family could easily surpass his.
Frowning slightly, a hint of dissatisfaction rising in his heart, Liang Yejing asked politely, his tone carrying a hint of impatience, "May I ask what brings Fourth Young Master here?"
Gu Yun'an raised his eyes, gave a half-smile, and then said softly, "I think Liang Xueshi should also recognize his own limitations and not get involved in things that he is not worthy of."
As he spoke, a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes, and his tone was full of contempt.
He didn't explicitly say so, but Liang Yejing immediately thought of Ruan Xingzhu. He had no connection with Gu Yun'an, except for having contact with Ruan Xingzhu a few days ago.
Liang Yejing felt a surge of anger. He straightened his back, looked directly into Gu Yun'an's eyes, and said without backing down, "Regarding my matter with Miss Ruan, I think it still depends on Miss Ruan's wishes. After all, the Fourth Young Master cannot represent Miss Ruan."
His voice was firm and powerful, carrying an air of neither servility nor arrogance.
His words made Gu Yun'an scoff, his eyes instantly turning cold, and his tone carrying a hint of threat: "What if I just want you to stay away from her?"
Gu Yun'an narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in them, as if warning Liang Yejing not to challenge his bottom line.
Sensing his subtle threat, Liang Yejing felt a chill, but he remained fearless and said in a humble yet assertive manner, "Then please let Miss Ruan tell me, since this is a matter between Miss Ruan and me."
Liang Yejing stared intently at Gu Yun'an, his eyes revealing determination and persistence.
He kept mentioning Ruan Xingzhu, was he certain of Ruan Xingzhu's feelings for him? A cold glint appeared in Gu Yun'an's eyes, like a bottomless, icy pool.
His voice was cold, leaving no room for negotiation, as if he were squeezing out a few words through clenched teeth: "Liang Xueshi has a younger brother, doesn't he?"
As he spoke, Gu Yun'an pretended to think for a moment, a malicious smile appearing on his face, "I remember he seems to study at the Imperial Academy, right?"
Upon hearing Gu Yun'an mention his younger brother, Liang Yejing felt a vague unease. His expression changed slightly, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
Sure enough, the next moment Gu Yun'an was calm and composed, as if discussing the weather, and said casually, "What do you think would happen to his career if he were kicked out at this time?"
Gu Yun'an slightly raised his chin, his eyes filled with smugness and arrogance.
Liang Yejing's calm expression suddenly changed. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "You... you're threatening me!"
His voice trembled slightly with anger and shock, his hands were clenched into fists, and his body trembled slightly with excitement.
Now that things have come to this, Gu Yun'an no longer wanted to take the gentle approach. He silently waved his hand, his tone extremely arrogant: "So what if it is?"
His face carried the composure of someone in a superior position, as if he didn't find anything wrong with it.
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