Chapter 100 Qinglu Shen Qinglu did not struggle, silently enduring what seemed like...
The warm orange candlelight softly illuminated her beautiful face, making her eyes appear even more like ink jade and her skin as white as snow. The contrast between black and white was striking yet harmonious, creating a picturesque scene.
There was not a trace of shyness or anticipation about marriage in her eyes or expression; it was not the naivety of a young girl who was unaware of the taste of love, but rather a calm indifference.
Such a bland scene naturally disappointed Mu Hanshi.
Despite his disappointment, his deepest desire remained undiminished; instead, he clamored to hold on tightly to the other person no matter what, and would never let go, even at the cost of his life.
Because this is the person he has been longing for, the person he would find even in the deepest hell!
"Have you thought this through? No matter who I am, I can only be your husband in the future."
Shen Qinglu thought it was her imagination; otherwise, how could she have heard the two completely different emotions of timidity and persistence?
This person certainly doesn't know that she has already guessed his identity; if it weren't for his identity, how could she have agreed to the marriage?
She nodded, preoccupied with her own thoughts, unaware of the strange glint that flashed in Mu Hanshi's deep eyes, and even less aware of the true meaning behind his words.
A moment of silence followed, accompanied by the spreading stillness.
A breeze blew in through the slightly open window, bringing the scent of spring—the fragrance of flowers, leaves, grass, and earth—and the vibrant life force of all things.
"The trees in Hsinchu should be growing by now."
She thought of the clump of bamboo in front of her house in her previous life, and couldn't help but express her feelings.
Upon hearing this, Mu Hanshi's heart softened.
Is his A'Zhu homesick?
Perhaps she's thinking of him too.
He followed his heart, placing his hand on the girl's soft hand and gently holding it. "Want to see? I'll take you."
Shen Qinglu felt the temperature of his palm; it was warm, yet scalding hot.
The two gazed into each other's eyes. One was deep and unfathomable, yet shrouded in turbulent energy. The other was pitch black, shrouded in a misty haze. When the wind and mist met, they gave birth to a light spring rain.
Spring rain nourishes all things, including people's hearts. Shen Qinglu seemed to hear the sound of raindrops falling on her heart, a gentle, rhythmic sound like the sound of rain pattering on bamboo leaves that she loved to hear most in her past life.
She uttered a single word, "Okay," her voice as dreamlike as a fairy.
In the boundless silence of the night, they quietly left the mansion, remaining silent to each other, yet knowing what they were doing, like a pair of lovers eloping under the cover of night.
When they got into the carriage, Mu Hanshi pulled her along, protecting her head with one hand, and led her into the carriage. His movements were incredibly smooth and natural.
For a moment, she thought they should be friends or family.
When she stood in front of the bamboo forest at Da Xuan Kong Temple, it was as if she were in a dream.
The fresh scent of bamboo permeates the air, filling every breath. The lanterns in front of the courtyard are lit, illuminating the old and new green of the bamboo grove, creating a scene different from that of daytime.
"It's so beautiful," she said sincerely. "The old hasn't gone, the new has arrived, they depend on each other, the green and blue blend together, it's a sight to behold."
She still remembers what she said!
Mu Hanshi looked at her, joy welling up in his eyes.
If time and space could flow, it would inevitably overlap with a certain moment in a previous life, not only the people, but also the scenes and the words spoken to them.
When the little girl first arrived at her adoptive parents' home, she stood anxiously outside the door. Her faded clothes made her little face look even paler, and she appeared thin and sickly.
Before her stood a boy as green as a bamboo shoot.
With one call of "brother" and another of "A-Zhu," their sibling relationship began.
The young man already possessed an extraordinary demeanor, gentle and serene. Seeing her timidly gazing at the bamboo grove, he said, "Green and blue are both symbols of life. The old green has not yet faded, and the new green has already arrived. They depend on each other. How about you be named Green and Blue?"
"Green?" the little girl murmured, the word "life" resonating with her deepest desire. Her endearing face instantly lit up with a radiant glow. "I love this name."
The cycle of reincarnation, past and present lives, may be preordained.
Looking at the person so close to him, Mu Hanshi's unfathomable eyes revealed not so much a sense of tolerance as a strong possessiveness—so greedy, so burning.
He tentatively reached out and then firmly grasped Shen Qinglu's hand.
Shen Qinglu did not struggle, silently enduring the control that felt like a restraint, as well as the burning body temperature.
For a moment, no one spoke, yet that silence spoke volumes.
Against the backdrop of bamboo groves and illuminated by lamplight, the scene highlights a perfect couple, like a golden boy and jade girl, creating a serene and breathtakingly beautiful painting in the night.
Not far away, someone witnessed this scene, and what welled up in their heart was not admiration, but boundless jealousy.
Yu Liuzhu had seen lanterns lit up outside the courtyard from afar and was overjoyed. She couldn't wait to come over, but unexpectedly, she saw the person she wanted to see, but also the person she least wanted to see.
She couldn't believe her eyes. First, Shen Qinglu was with Mu Hanshi so late at night. Second, the way Mu Hanshi looked at Shen Qinglu.
How could someone so aloof and unapproachable, especially when it comes to women, possibly be like that...?
Everything in this life is being turned upside down; the real becomes fake, the aunt becomes the mother, the man becomes the woman, and the person who loved her falls in love with someone else.
Why?
She refused to accept it; she was unwilling to give up! She wanted to rush over and tell that person that she was the one destined for him, but before she could take a few steps, a dark figure blocked her way.
The murderous aura and sword energy surged forth at once, causing her to retreat in terror.
Amidst the horrified gazes, besides the people blocking the way, there were also those who, having heard the commotion, were walking step by step toward them.
Her breathing quickened, and she forced herself to remain calm and composed until Shen Qinglu was right in front of her.
"It's you?"
“I was staying at the temple before, and I left some things behind, so I came back to get them.” She raised her chin slightly, trying to make herself look reasonable and proper.
Shen Qinglu didn't believe a word of it, her dark eyes filled with undisguised mockery. "You're here to see him, aren't you?"
This "he" refers to Mu Hanshi, of course.
Mu Hanshi didn't move, his deep eyes gazing in this direction.
Yu Liuzhu was furious that her thoughts had been exposed.
"Yu Li, aren't you feeling quite smug?"
"You have a really bad memory. My surname is Chen, not Yu."
"Do you think you've climbed up to the princess, and that Uncle Mu treats you differently because of your own abilities? You're really laughable. The only reason they treat you this way is because you're the Shen family's niece."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qinglu burst out laughing.
"So you knew all along."
Yu Liuzhu realized what was happening and became even more furious.
In the dead of night, she was not only dressed in bright clothes but also had exquisite makeup. Her red dress and begonia makeup could not hide her haggard and sickly appearance. She did not look beautiful and charming, and she looked somewhat out of place.
"Don't you know best? No wonder you keep reminding others that your surname is Shen. Aren't you afraid of being seen with a man so late at night and having your reputation spread, bringing shame to the Shen family?"
"Will you tell anyone?" Shen Qinglu asked instead of answering, her smile still present but not at all reflected in her eyes, which were extremely cold and indifferent.
Yu Liuzhu choked and subconsciously looked in that direction.
That aloof, bamboo-like man was her last act of resentment.
If she tells others, it's hard to guarantee that she won't end up benefiting the person she hates the most.
“Ah Li, my sister.” Her tone suddenly softened. “You have everything now, and you’ve even become friends with Princess Luanhe. As the niece of the Shen family, there must be many noble young men in Donglin City willing to marry you. Why do you want to compete with me?”
In the quiet night, her voice sounded especially pitiful, drifting softly and resentfully, as if trying to cling to someone.
Shen Qinglu knew exactly what she was thinking. She smiled faintly and said, "I've said it before, everything you have originally belonged to me. It's not that I'm fighting with you, but that you're trying to take it from me."
"No, that's not it." Her voice grew increasingly plaintive. "I'm not competing with you; you're the one making trouble for me. I don't understand what your purpose is in getting close to Uncle Mu."
A night breeze suddenly arose, carrying the fresh scent of bamboo everywhere, with one gust heading straight for them.
Shen Qinglu didn't turn around. Under her slightly excited and expectant gaze, she pretended to be oblivious and coldly replied, "Putting everything else aside, he's quite good-looking."
That's true; some people are indeed very good-looking.
"You..." She seemed shocked, her eyes filled with even more excitement and anticipation. "I never expected you to be this kind of person. You clearly don't have feelings for him, but you deliberately approached him just to get revenge on me. How could you do this?"
She seemed to only then notice the person who had appeared out of nowhere, and hurriedly explained, "Uncle Mu, did you hear that? She approached you for another purpose. Don't be fooled by her."
Shen Qinglu looked over slowly and deliberately, and her eyes met Mu Hanshi's deep and dark gaze.
When opportunity knocks, wouldn't it be a waste not to do something about it?
"Lord Mu, do you believe her or me?"
These words are a test, and also a way to make a choice. They have nothing to do with romantic love, but only with a life-or-death cooperation.
Yu Liuzhu clenched her fists, her tone becoming increasingly sympathetic, "Uncle Mu, you don't need to make things difficult for yourself..."
"you."
She was overjoyed, but when she looked up, she saw that Mu Hanshi had already taken Shen Qinglu's hand and was holding it firmly.
"Uncle Mu, she's lying to you..."
Mu Hanshi didn't even glance at her, "Get lost."
She couldn't believe her ears; the word "get lost" shattered the last vestiges of her hope.
"How...how could you do this to me?"
Shen Qinglu glanced at her and said, "The way you're talking makes it sound like there's some kind of secret relationship between you two. Why don't you tell me how he treated you before, and what promises he made to you?"
She was asking Yu Liuzhu, but she was also asking Mu Hanshi.
Although it has nothing to do with romantic love, if they were to become husband and wife, share common goals, or have a cooperative relationship, a basic understanding of each other would still be necessary.
Yu Liuzhu couldn't answer, her eyes filled with resentment, "Ali, do you have to push things to the extreme? Uncle Mu is a man, how can you be so disregardful of his dignity? You..."
"roll!"
As Mu Hanshi uttered the word, he glanced into the darkness.
A dark figure reappeared, blocking Yu Liuzhu's path. "Miss Yu, please leave."
Forced by the murderous aura and sword intent emanating from the other party, Yu Liuzhu had no choice but to leave.
As the night wind rose again, the shadowy figure vanished.
Mu Hanshi still held Shen Qinglu's hand tightly, his handsome face, filled with danger, drawing closer little by little until it seemed like his face was touching hers. "Are you very concerned?"
“Of course.” Shen Qinglu did not shy away from his danger. She slightly raised her chin and looked directly into his deep eyes. “There is no trust between us. I’m afraid you’re using me, so it’s better to ask clearly.”
He held her hand and pressed it against his heart. "If I said you could trust me, would you believe me?"
Beneath her palm, she heard an unfamiliar heartbeat, one after another, strong and powerful.
Unlike her brother...
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she quickly stopped herself, feeling somewhat annoyed by the recurring and strange dreams that had caused her to confuse her brother with the person in front of her.
Belief isn't something you can just talk about. Instead of answering, she asked, "Can I have everything? Like money, status, and power."
Mu Hanshi pulled her close to him, inhaling her pleasant feminine fragrance, unlike the disinfectant and medicinal smells of the past, as well as other mixed scents.
"As long as I'm alive, you can have whatever you want."
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