Lin Xihe naturally understood Ji Zhuo's thoughts, but she was even more aware of how difficult Ji Zhuo's current situation was.
The emperor had long harbored murderous intent towards him, and if he failed once, he would surely try again and again. Ji Zhuo held no military power; since ancient times, when the emperor commanded a subject to die, the subject had no choice but to die. With intrigues and schemes piling up, perhaps only Mu Ruoyan could ensure his safety.
"You don't understand Mu Ruoyan. If I break my promise, I can't bear the consequences." Her voice was low and resolute.
A few months ago, Mu Ruoyan was just a prince who had no interest in the throne, but he suddenly became interested in vying for it. He then planned and executed his plans, and in just a few months, he ascended to a high position.
In contrast, Ji Zhuo and Gu Qinghuai, though exceptionally intelligent, are constrained by their status and social norms, hindering their actions at every turn. Moreover, they both have close family members, who are their Achilles' heel; a slight misstep could have far-reaching consequences.
Mu Ruoyan, however, had no such concerns.
He acted decisively and single-mindedly, pursuing only his own desires and heartfelt needs, without any scruples or fears. Because of this, they were utterly unable to contend with him.
Lin Xihe was telling the truth, but to ease Ji Zhuo's psychological burden, she paused before continuing, "He treats me very well, just like you treat me. As long as I have nothing to do with you anymore, he'll grant my every wish. We're destined to be apart..."
"I'd rather die! I'd rather die!" Ji Zhuo's voice was weak, but filled with resentment, and his emotions gradually spiraled out of control.
"Let go, we can't go back."
She could no longer get entangled with Ji Zhuo, nor could she further provoke Mu Ruoyan.
She couldn't bear the consequences.
She was afraid, afraid that Mu Ruoyan might really act impulsively, even kill someone. She knew in her heart that he had already been accommodating enough to her.
"In Nanzhao, it was he who forced you, wasn't it?"
This was Ji Zhuo's first time meeting Mu Ruoyan. In this brief encounter, he witnessed Mu Ruoyan's strength, which Lin Xihe was completely powerless to resist.
Lin Xihe did not respond.
Ji Zhuo was filled with remorse. He should have given Lin Xihe a chance to explain, but he didn't listen to anything and was only angry that she was intimate with someone else.
"I shouldn't have pressured you like that when you returned from Nanzhao. It wasn't your fault; you were simply powerless to resist. I didn't know you had been living such a miserable life..."
He realized that Lin Xihe must have suffered a lot and been wronged under Mu Ruoyan's forceful coercion, while he was only angry about their intimate relationship and even pressured her.
“It’s all in the past. I’ve never resented you. I had no power to protect myself, yet I still insisted on going to Nanzhao. It was my own choice. However, he did force me, but the relationship between him and me… was more than just force.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Zhuo felt that Lin Xihe was just trying to comfort him and make him feel less guilty.
“I wear this wedding dress today not to marry you, but to make peace with the past. I know you will find it hard to accept. If you want to blame someone, blame me.”
After Lin Xihe finished speaking, she almost collapsed to the ground.
She no longer longed to be with anyone.
She was too tired; it no longer mattered who she was with. She just wanted to stop suffering like this.
Ji Zhuo propped himself up, his gaze fixed on Lin Xihe.
How could he blame her? She made such a sacrifice for him. She had just stood in front of him without hesitation, even saying that if he died, she wouldn't live on alone.
Given all these things, how could he possibly blame her?
At this moment, he could only blame himself for being powerless against that person. This sense of powerlessness made Ji Zhuo feel suffocated.
After a long silence, Ji Zhuo finally spoke again: "I won't make things difficult for you."
Ji Zhuo sensed Lin Xihe's exhaustion and torment; she was like a taut string, unable to withstand any more torment.
Now, if I don't stay calm, I'll only end up hurting Lin Xihe.
"Xi'er, don't think about anything anymore. I know what to do." Ji Zhuo stopped saying he couldn't live without her and stopped making her feel burdened. If he could think of a way, he would definitely take her back.
She loved him, and he always knew it.
She longed to stay with him forever, and he always knew that.
Tao Musheng rushed over and took Ji Zhuo's pulse. Mu Ruoyan's kicks were restrained and did not damage his body. However, given the poison Ji Zhuo had previously been exposed to, he would need to rest for a few days.
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