Lin Xihe originally thought that she would meet Mu Ruoyan again after he had chosen someone he liked.
However, an imperial edict suddenly arrived from the palace, summoning Lin Xihe to accompany Ji Zhuo to the second palace banquet.
The palace eunuch had just left when Ling Shuang hurriedly arrived.
"Miss, why were you suddenly summoned to the palace?" Ling Xue couldn't help but ask, peering into the distance as she watched her father-in-law's departing figure.
Lin Xihe was also filled with doubts.
Ling Shuang quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and then explained, "It's like this: the wedding date between the young lady and Lord Ji was delayed because Lord Ji was not in the capital at the time. In recent days, there has still been no news about the wedding. His Majesty, out of consideration for Lord Ji, has allowed him to bring the young lady to the palace banquet as a family member. To show his importance, he even sent someone to deliver the imperial edict."
"Did Ji Zhuo send you to tell me this?"
“Indeed, young lady. Lord Ji knew that it was inappropriate for you to enter the palace, so he politely declined on the spot, saying that you had caught a cold a few days ago and were not feeling well, so it was inconvenient for you to go out. But His Majesty still insisted on having someone deliver the imperial edict.”
Lin Xihe couldn't help but chuckle, thinking that Xiao Yugan's decision to send Ji Zhuo, his trusted minister, on official business just as he was about to get married was already suspicious.
Of all the officials in the court, only Ji Zhuo was chosen, and now their wedding has been delayed because of this. This action is nothing more than an attempt to show concern for Ji Zhuo, to demonstrate the emperor's boundless grace, and at the same time, to continue to lull Ji Zhuo into a false sense of security, so that he does not realize that he was behind this incident.
"Lingxue, go back and tell Azhuo to come and pick me up in advance so we can go to the palace together."
"Miss, are you really going?" Ling Xue had originally intended to persuade Lin Xihe to continue feigning illness and making excuses.
"The imperial edict has already been issued. If I don't go, I might be accused of disrespect. Let Azhuo come and fetch me."
In any case, Mu Ruoyan's mind is not on him at all now. Even if he is dissatisfied with this, he can deal with it by saying that a subject cannot resist a monarch.
The palace banquet was scheduled for the evening of the following day.
In the afternoon, Ji Zhuo waited outside the mansion early. Although he longed to see Lin Xihe, he restrained himself and did not rush into the mansion.
At this time, he had not yet found a way to contend with Mu Ruoyan, and the letters he had sent earlier had not received a response for the time being.
Upon hearing that Ji Zhuo was already waiting outside, Lin Xihe hurriedly instructed Ling Xue to quickly do her hair and makeup.
Once everything was in place, Lin Xihe walked out of the mansion. Ji Zhuo saw her coming and immediately got out of the carriage to greet her.
When his gaze fell upon Lin Xihe, he was instantly captivated by her appearance today.
Lin Xihe was dressed in a white, floor-length gown, the hem embroidered with pale blue irises. The delicate and refreshing colors of the flowers made her look like a fairy blooming in spring, elegant and charming. Her hair was styled in a high bun, with a white jade hairpin inserted at an angle. The hairpin was carved with exquisite and intricate patterns, which further accentuated her extraordinary temperament, making her seem like a fairy who did not eat the food of this world.
"A-Zhuo." Lin Xihe called softly when she saw Ji Zhuo staring at her in a daze.
Ji Zhuo then came to his senses, a gentle and warm smile spreading across his lips. He then reached out and carefully helped Lin Xihe up.
Lin Xihe gently took Ji Zhuo's outstretched hand and gracefully boarded the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Ji Zhuo's gaze never left Lin Xihe.
Lin Xihe felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she gently scolded, "Azhuo, if you keep staring like that, I'm afraid you'll look a hole in my face."
Upon hearing this, Ji Zhuo smiled slightly. Although he turned his face away, he couldn't help but turn his gaze back to Lin Xihe.
The woman before him should have been his wife, but now it seemed as if an invisible chasm stood between them, making him feel that although they were close at hand, they were thousands of miles apart.
"You attended the palace banquet with me. Will he... take his anger out on you?" Ji Zhuo finally couldn't help but ask, his tone tinged with worry.
Lin Xihe was slightly taken aback, then lowered her head, her voice a little guilty: "No, he hasn't come looking for me recently. We had a fight that day, and I haven't seen him since."
She remembered that she had told Ji Zhuo that Mu Ruoyan treated her very well in order to put Ji Zhuo at ease, but she found out that he had other women that very day.
But if Ji Zhuo knew about this, it would only worry him, so she didn't say anything more.
Ji Zhuo learned from His Majesty that the Great Hao Dynasty intended to form a marriage alliance with the Northern Border, and His Majesty's preferred candidates were two princesses.
Ji Zhuo was unwilling for Lin Xihe to attend the banquet. What he was most worried about was that Mu Ruoyan would act unpredictably and insist on choosing Lin Xihe despite the fact that he was already engaged to her.
If that's the case, his chances will only become even slimmer.
Lin Xihe was silent for a moment, then said softly, "But, Azhuo, there is still an agreement between him and me. In public, we can pretend that we are still engaged, but you... don't have any more feelings for me. And don't worry about me, he won't make things difficult for me."
She knew in her heart that even if Mu Ruoyan had someone else in his heart now, he might not let her go easily.
That man was always domineering, so she had to keep her distance from Ji Zhuo.
Ji Zhuo didn't want to put Lin Xihe in a difficult position, nor did he want to become a burden to her, so he suppressed the thousand words in his heart, simply nodded slightly, and did not continue to ask questions.
The two sat facing each other, each harboring unspoken feelings. They suppressed the urge to get closer, sitting quietly and letting time slip by in silence.
It was still early, and most of the guests for the palace banquet had not yet arrived.
The carriage stopped in front of the palace gate, but the two did not get out. Instead, they waited quietly. Only after most of the guests had entered the palace did Ji Zhuo gently help Lin Xihe up and lead her down from the carriage.
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