Seeing Lin Xihe frozen in place, as if she were rooted to the spot and showed no intention of moving, Ji Zhuo had no choice but to take matters into his own hands.
He stretched out his strong arms and carried her to the inside of the bed.
Then, Ji Zhuo raised his hand to loosen his belt, took off the clothes that were soaked by the rain and clung tightly to his body, exposing his strong upper body to the air. He lifted the quilt and lay down on his side next to Lin Xihe.
In the past, the two had slept in the same bed before, but tonight, the air around them seemed to be frozen, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Ji Zhuo felt both depressed and suffocated.
Gu Qinghuai's existence was like a sharp thorn stuck in Ji Zhuo's heart. Every time he thought of him, an uncontrollable killing intent surged within him. And now, with the appearance of Mu Ruoyan from another ethnic group, how could he not feel uneasy?
At this moment, the two of them quietly gazed at the thick, inky darkness before them, their drowsiness completely vanished.
"I clearly sent people to meet you a long time ago, why didn't you use them?" Ji Zhuo finally broke the silence, his voice suppressed, with a hint of questioning hidden in his words.
What he really wanted to ask was why Lin Xihe had an emotional entanglement with Mu Ruoyan.
He sent out highly skilled fighters, so why did Lin Xihe choose to risk her life instead of relying on them? Even if Mu Ruoyan's men were powerful, they could still safely take her away.
He didn't believe that a hundred or so people couldn't take Lin Xihe away from the street.
Lin Xihe opened her mouth, wanting to explain that she just didn't want Ji Zhuo's people to die in vain. Those people were all living beings, and she couldn't bear to see them lose their lives because of her.
But the words were on the tip of her tongue, and she swallowed them back.
After all, the passionate affair between her and Mu Ruoyan before that was already a fact. Whether she did it willingly or not, it had already happened and could not be erased.
"You care so much about Gu Qinghuai, you're even willing to trade yourself for him, so where do you place me?"
Ji Zhuo's voice was full of grievance, as if his heart had been torn into countless pieces.
Have you ever thought about how I felt when I found out about these things?
Although they shared the same blanket, the distance between their hearts seemed to be an insurmountable chasm; they were so close, yet worlds apart.
Now, it seems as if an invisible barrier has been erected around Ji Zhuo.
Lin Xihe knew in her heart that what was coming couldn't be avoided. Sooner or later, she would have to face these embarrassing situations, face Ji Zhuo's disgust, and face Ji Zhuo's disgusting look at her.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner turmoil, and said in a seemingly composed manner, "Since you care so much, there's no need to force yourself. What Lang Feng said was all what he saw with his own eyes. As for what he didn't say, I'm sure you can guess a bit about it."
"You seem quite nonchalant. Do you really think I don't care about these things at all?"
"I know you care. I'm afraid to face your anger, and I hope to get your forgiveness." Lin Xihe's tone was full of helplessness, and her voice trembled slightly.
"Then why don't you ask me for help?"
Ji Zhuo became increasingly agitated: "As long as you beg for my forgiveness, at least it will prove that you still care about me and know that you did something wrong!"
In his heart, as long as Lin Xihe asked for his forgiveness, even if she only said that she was forced, or showed a trace of reluctance to let him go, any response would be fine.
As long as he could get even a few words from her, he could truly feel that she still cared about him.
But Lin Xihe not only didn't do that, he didn't even bother to ask a few more questions or explain anything. All he cared about was taking Tang Bao away, the child he cherished and who was with him day and night.
Lin Xihe avoided Ji Zhuo's questioning and changed the subject: "Zhuo, what should I do if I get tired of life in the capital?"
What she really wanted to ask was Ji Zhuo's attitude towards power, and she wanted to find out whether, in his heart, power had already taken precedence over their feelings.
After all, Gu Qinghuai is determined to overthrow the current situation, and once a conflict breaks out, they will inevitably turn against each other.
“I have no choice. Without the power I have now, neither I nor those I want to protect will be safe. Xi’er, some things cannot be avoided, so make a decision as soon as possible.”
Ji Zhuo's expression was solemn as he spoke frankly.
It was only after Lang Feng returned that he learned that His Majesty had secretly orchestrated Gu Qinghuai's tragic fate.
Although he found such behavior despicable, the news that Lang Feng brought back about Mu Ruoyan and Lin Xihe instantly ignited his anger, causing him to completely lose his mind and no longer want to think about Gu Qinghuai.
Lin Xihe pondered to herself, how could Ji Zhuo, as the emperor's most trusted right-hand man, possibly turn against him simply because of a rival's injustice?
There was absolutely no way that the injustice done to his father and brothers could be redressed through Ji Zhuo's power.
Looking back on how he had been wavering, he realized how incredibly foolish he had been. Fortunately, he hadn't asked any more questions or revealed any further thoughts.
However, this puts them on completely opposite sides, and what awaits them in the future is likely only a cruel ending of life and death.
"Lord Ji, I already know the answer. I'm sure you know it too." Lin Xihe's voice was low, filled with endless sorrow.
"So, you chose him again this time?"
Disappointment and resentment were intertwined in Ji Zhuo's voice. He turned and stared at Lin Xihe, as if trying to find a hint of rebuttal on her face.
Lin Xihe kept her lips tightly closed and fell silent. She couldn't explain to Ji Zhuo why she chose to stand on Gu Qinghuai's side, nor could she say that Gu Qinghuai had embarked on this path of resistance for her sake.
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