A look of surprise flashed across Ji Xinhe’s face, and she hastily pulled her hand away, feeling awkward for a moment, "I ..."
The excitement in Duan Lan’s eyes dimmed once again, and he pulled a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth, "I knew you wouldn’t accept, but I still held on to the hope of trying. The Emperor has granted me a marriage, to take place in two months. Recently, I’ve been staying at home not wishing to go out, not knowing how to face you or what to say to you, you probably never really did care about me anyway."
It was a monologue spoken to an audience of one and, ultimately, it was futile.
Ji Xinhe quickly replied, "That’s not what I mean. I genuinely consider you a friend, how could I not care about your feelings? It’s just, you know I have a lot of things to do back in the capital. The truth about the handkerchief has not yet been revealed, I never even thought of things like this."
Duan Lan lowered his eyes slightly, he knew all along, her words again only served to emphasize his insignificance.
"I know," Duan Lan managed a smile, "I was only joking just now, don’t take it to heart."
She is unwilling now, and to him, it will be like a whole world between them. As for the concubine his mother mentioned, he knows her too well to realize that she will never be someone’s concubine, nor will she compromise for him.
After his marriage with Li Junyao in two months, she might consciously distance herself from him. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
Duan Lan was suddenly sad. He had finally worked up the courage to see her today but he received an expected response.
"Have you ever loved Mu Houchu?"
The words abruptly came out from Duan Lan’s mouth, causing Ji Xinhe’s heart to skip a beat, she looked at him confused, "What?"
He watched as she looked at him, he repeated, "Have you ever loved Mu Houchu?"
Her mind quickly went through the days they spent together.
He forcefully invaded her life with his dominant and powerful presence, causing her nervousness but also capturing her heart.
How he carried her in the snow fields, leaving footprints along the path.
How he vowed to give up everything for her when she asked him if she looked good in her wedding dress.
How could she have not loved him? But it was precisely because she loved him so deeply, that the wound left by the rift between them was still fresh and painful.
Ji Xinhe seemed to pause for a moment, silent for a while before simply nodding, "Hmm."
Duan Lan forced a self-deprecating smile, "You know, whenever I see Marquis Mu, I can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. He, at least, was sincerely loved by you. What is it like, to be truly loved by you? If he were the one asking you to leave with him today, would you be willing to give everything up and follow him?"
Ji Xinhe looked down and murmured, "Let’s not bring up the past."
Remembering the good times would also bring the pain. She locked those memories away, not daring to touch them. When it came to love, she was still a timid girl.
Duan Lan stood up with a pale face, his smile completely faded, "In that case, I’ll leave now, Xin He, no matter what, I hope you live well."
With that, he turned to leave.
Ji Xinhe couldn’t help herself, "What about you..."
Duan Lan paused and turned his head slightly, whispering, "After today’s farewell, we will become strangers. Don’t give me another chance, otherwise, I won’t be able to let go again."
Ji Xinhe pursed her lips, and said nothing more as she watched his figure disappear into the distance.
As she watched him go, she felt a pang of sadness, their friendship of several months had to come to an end here.
What he wanted, she feared she would never be able to give in this life. She didn’t know how to love another man, her heart was filled and scarred.
She sat in her room staring blankly, lost in thought.
She sat there until it was dark.
Fuquan and Li Saner came rushing in, excited, "Miss, we succeeded!"
Ji Xinhe came back to reality but there was no joy on her face, she softly asked, "What happened?"
Li Saner laughed, "Following your instructions, we bought over a poor wandering Taoist on the street. He stopped Granny Cai and told her that her aura was dark and she was likely possessed. Initially she didn’t believe it, but then the Taoist started recalling some random events from her past. According to his story, the evil spirit came from a woman who died sixteen years ago."
Fuquan quickly added, "As soon as he said that, Granny Cai’s face changed dramatically! I saw everything clearly from the shadows. As you suspected, Granny Cai and the Wang family must somehow be linked to the death of Lady Hou."
Ji Xinhe laughed coldly, "Given how the Wang family has been relentlessly after me for merely possessing a handkerchief that belonged to Lady Wu, I can’t imagine what they could have possibly done to her."
Fuquan chuckled, "The smart Taoist took advantage of Granny Cai’s fear, and added that the woman had just given birth to a child before she died. That sent Granny Cai’s knees trembling with fear."
Li Saner continued, "In the end, the Taoist fed Granny Cai a bunch of nonsense about ghosts seeking revenge after sixteen years, even warning her of potential bloodshed on the 15th of this month. He suggested she confess her sins and beg for the ghost’s forgiveness. Granny Cai was so scared that she was unable to utter a word."
Ji Xinhe asked, a corner of her mouth curling upwards, "So she believed him?"
Li Saner replied, "She wanted to disbelieve until a madman from our side ran up to beg the Taoist for help, lamenting not taking the Taoist seriously before which led to recent disturbances at home. This confirmed all of the Taoist’s claims and left Granny Cai anxious. She immediately went to the Taoist for a solution. He told her the only cure would be to seek forgiveness from the vengeful spirit, sincerely repent, and confess her sins. There was no other way."
"Miss you can rest assured, seeing Granny Cai’s dramatic response, she has probably been scared enough to confess everything," Li Saner laughed.
Ji Xinhe shook her head with a cold smile, "That’s still not enough." It was a huge scheme, hidden in their hearts for so many years, so there must be fear, but how could they easily speak?
"What should we do then?"
"Wait until the 15th." Ji Xinhe said coolly.
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