Gu Qinghuai gently comforted Lin Xihe, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart. With his patient persuasion, Lin Xihe's emotions gradually stabilized.
At this point, the two had lost interest in taking a walk, and Gu Qinghuai led Lin Xihe back to her room to settle in.
Then, he turned around and brought bedding from another room, skillfully spreading it out on the floor, ready to sleep on the floor.
He did this simply to stay with Lin Xihe and not be separated from her for even a moment, but when the words came out, they could only turn into worry for her safety.
In the days that followed, they lived a seemingly harmonious life, but only when their eyes met occasionally could they see the hidden worries in each other's hearts.
Five or six days passed in the blink of an eye, and two of Gu Qinghuai's trusted confidants hurriedly came to his door.
Things progressed surprisingly smoothly. There were actually quite a few people like Lin's father and Gu Qinghuai who were dissatisfied with the status quo of the court. They were just waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity that would allow them to unite.
However, a new fact struck Lin Xihe like a heavy blow, plunging her into despair once again.
"What?" Lin Xihe's eyes widened in disbelief, and she couldn't help but ask again.
“If I were to overthrow Xiao Yugan, I would inevitably become enemies with Ji Zhuo. This path is not easy, and I don’t want you to be in danger. These past few days, I’ve thought it over and decided to leave you in Yunxiu City.” Gu Qinghuai’s words of comfort.
"I'm not staying here." Lin Xihe's answer was firm and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
"I'll bring Tang Bao here. You just stay here and wait for me, or for Ji Zhuo, okay?" Gu Qinghuai's tone was almost humble, his eyes full of pleading.
“You’re not going to confront him directly when you go back. If I don’t go back, and Tang Bao isn’t in A Zhuo’s residence, wouldn’t it be easier to arouse suspicion?” Lin Xihe frowned and said anxiously.
In the past, she would have chosen to stay away from these conflicts without hesitation, but now she feels that if she backs down or compromises this time, she doesn't know how long she will be trapped here.
These matters were already closely related to her, and she could no longer remain uninvolved.
"Besides, this place isn't absolutely safe. You must take me back." Lin Xihe straightened her back, her eyes revealing an unprecedented determination.
Gu Qinghuai was completely different from Mu Ruoyan. He would not force Lin Xihe to make any decisions, but upon hearing this, his brows furrowed even more.
Lin Xihe knew that Ji Zhuo was probably aware of the things the emperor had done.
Gu Qinghuai naturally understood that he had never mentioned it, simply to avoid causing her unnecessary trouble.
She hadn't thought deeply about these issues along the way. But now she had to face them all. Everything Gu Qinghuai had done was not only for himself, but also for her father and brother.
She couldn't turn a blind eye either.
Gu Qinghuai pondered for a moment and then revealed his plan: "I will take you back and I won't force you to do anything, but you and Tang Bao will have to live with me."
Lin Xihe is willing to risk her life for her beliefs, but she absolutely cannot let Tang Bao be in danger.
She nodded slightly: "I promise you."
For the next ten days or so, Gu Qinghuai and Lin Xihe lived a peaceful and uneventful life.
Time flows by, each day enveloped in gentle sunlight and a tranquil atmosphere, as if the world's troubles are irrelevant to them.
However, on the twelfth day after settling in, Gu Qinghuai received a secret letter. At the same time, several large ships slowly sailed in from the direction of the waterway returning from Nanzhao.
A flag representing Gu Qinghuai was flying high on the ship, fluttering fiercely in the wind. The hundreds of people on board were all Gu Qinghuai's former subordinates.
Although the number of people was not large, the ships were neatly arranged and their momentum was still impressive.
Gu Qinghuai led Lin Xihe on a land journey, and in the next city after leaving Yunxiu City, they boarded a ship belonging to Gu Qinghuai's subordinates.
Lin Xihe only learned about Gu Qinghuai receiving the secret letter when she stepped onto the deck.
What exactly did you receive?
"A map of the defenses of Nanzhao, and maps of various mountain ranges." Gu Qinghuai looked at Lin Xihe with an open and honest gaze.
"Where did it come from?"
Lin Xihe grew increasingly curious, and the image of her elder brother involuntarily appeared in her mind. Could it be a gift from her brother?
"Mu Ruoyan gave it to us. I had already obtained some information about the defense map, and what he gave us was genuine. The fact that we didn't encounter any attacks along the way was also because he sent people to clear the ambushes from the road."
As Gu Qinghuai spoke, he kept a close eye on Lin Xihe's eyes, not missing any subtle changes in her expression.
A strange look flashed in Lin Xihe's eyes, a complex emotion that was hard to describe, a mixture of surprise and lingering resentment.
"Was it him secretly helping me all along?"
“Yes. I won’t lie to you, but you must learn to forget him and never think of him again. The Great Hao and the Northern Border have been at war for many years, with national and personal grudges running deep between them. When we arrive in the capital, we must absolutely not mention him.” Gu Qinghuai’s voice was low and earnest, carrying an undeniable air of authority.
Gu Qinghuai didn't know why Mu Ruoyan, who was always domineering and powerful, would let them leave so easily.
What happened that night, like a shadow, has always lingered in his mind, and he doesn't want to recall it anymore.
But as long as Mu Ruoyan lets go, there is a possibility that everything can start anew.
"I wasn't thinking about him..."
Lin Xihe hurriedly denied it, subconsciously avoiding Gu Qinghuai's probing gaze, and naturally did not tell him the secret that Mu Ruoyan only had a few years left to live.
Of course, there's also the reason Mu Ruoyan let her leave: he couldn't bear to let her fall in love with him and then watch him die, so he painfully let her come back.
She didn't say any of this, treating Mu Ruoyan as just a passerby who would never appear again.
He has no interest in politics and will likely have no further connection with the Great Hao Dynasty.
"That's good. In a few days, we will be entering the capital. You must put all these things behind you. From now on, we and Mu Ruoyan can only be enemies and strangers."
Gu Qinghuai gazed at the calm, mirror-like water, a bitter feeling rising in his heart, and let out a barely perceptible sigh.
He had to admit that Mu Ruoyan was indeed more powerful than ordinary people could imagine.
Even without Mu Ruoyan's secret assistance, Gu Qinghuai could have brought Lin Xihe back safely with his own strategies and abilities, but it would never have been so smooth.
After entering the territory of Da Hao, Gu Qinghuai did not find anyone following him, but Mu Ruoyan seemed to know his every move and their addresses. This made Gu Qinghuai feel uneasy, and he felt that he could only feel at ease if Lin Xihe was by his side.
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