After all, her father was an easy person to manipulate.
However, Lin Xihe was completely oblivious to the beautiful music at that moment.
Ji Zhuo's wounded expression was deeply imprinted in her heart, as if a wound had been cut open. The back-and-forth interaction between Mu Ruoyan and Sun Ningxiang was like salt being sprinkled on her already bleeding wound, causing her heart to surge with unspeakable bitterness and resentment.
Her thoughts became increasingly chaotic, and she even began to make unfounded speculations: during the few days that Mu Ruoyan had mysteriously disappeared, could it be that he had gone to meet with Sun Ningxiang?
Once this thought arose, it spread wildly in her heart like weeds. Looking at Sun Ningxiang's graceful figure again, the more she looked, the more she felt that it was extremely similar to the figure from behind in the teahouse that day.
Thinking of this, Lin Xihe felt both heartbroken for hurting Ji Zhuo and aggrieved that Mu Ruoyan might have already been having an affair with someone else.
She looked up at Mu Ruoyan, and a hint of grievance unconsciously showed in her eyes.
Mu Ruoyan had only intended to provoke Lin Xihe, but seeing her pitiful appearance, his heart clenched. He then realized that he had gone too far by adding fuel to the fire after her argument with Ji Zhuo.
Having held a high position for many years, he had long since developed the ability to conceal his emotions, and his face remained calm and composed.
Lin Xihe felt extremely uncomfortable at the banquet, but due to the occasion, she could not leave early.
She could only lower her head silently, hiding her emotions.
She mechanically picked up the wine glass, took a small sip, and the wine that had been spicy and pungent before now tasted completely different, leaving only a bitter taste that slid down her throat and spread throughout her body.
After a long while, Ji Zhuo returned to the table.
His steps were steady, his face calm, showing no emotional fluctuations, as if nothing had happened.
He sat down silently, picked up his wine glass, and drank one glass after another, as if trying to numb his wounded heart with the spicy liquid.
The silence and tension between the two seemed to be isolated from the noisy banquet.
Xiao Yugan's attention was entirely focused on Mu Ruoyan, as he plotted how to arrange a marriage between the Northern Territory and his own forces; while the other ministers were also engaged in lively discussions, immersed in the festive atmosphere of the banquet, and no one noticed the unusual relationship between the two of them.
The banquet finally ended, and everyone knelt to bid farewell to the two emperors.
Ji Zhuo led Lin Xihe onto the carriage, which was filled with a strong smell of alcohol.
After a long while, Ji Zhuo seemed unable to suppress his emotions any longer. He suddenly reached out and pulled Lin Xihe, who was sitting opposite him, into his arms. His movements were urgent and somewhat desperate.
"Xi'er..."
His voice trembled: "I don't want you to love anyone else... Can you only love me? Can you only have eyes for me?"
At this moment, he was on the verge of a breakdown, his voice filled with pain and pleading.
Lin Xihe was held tightly in his arms. She opened her mouth, but ultimately couldn't say anything.
She longed for the same, but the unspeakable helplessness and lack of control over her own destiny were like invisible ropes that bound her tightly, leaving her unable to move and only able to let the torrent of fate sweep her away.
Ji Zhuo held her tightly, filled with endless self-doubt and pain: "But I can't even protect you now, so what right do I have to hope to have you?"
Once upon a time, he was also a proud and arrogant young man who achieved great success at a young age, full of vigor and confidence, walking the world as if the whole world was at his feet.
But now, he is controlled by others at every turn, unable to move an inch, and even unable to keep the woman he loves by his side. This sense of powerlessness is like a heavy hammer, striking his heart again and again.
"Ah Zhuo, I'm sorry..."
Lin Xihe said softly, her voice full of guilt and helplessness: "If I had the freedom to choose, I would definitely choose you without hesitation."
Since arriving in Beijing, this belief had been deeply rooted in her heart, but reality was so cruel that she could not break free from the shackles of fate.
Ji Zhuo was already very drunk, and his consciousness was beginning to blur.
Lin Xihe had no choice but to send him home.
Stepping into Ji Zhuo's courtyard, Lin Xihe finally saw her daughter Tang Bao, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.
Tang Bao was sleeping peacefully on the bed in Ji Zhuo's courtyard. Her small face looked especially sweet in the dim light, and her breathing was soft and even, like the most beautiful dream in the world.
Lin Xihe sat down quietly by the bed, gazing tenderly at her daughter, as if trying to make up for the time she had missed.
Time passed slowly, but she was still reluctant to leave. It wasn't until the night grew deeper and the chill intensified that she slowly got up, turning back every few steps, and reluctantly left the room.
Stepping out of the Ji residence, the night was thick and dark.
Lin Xihe's heart, like the deep night, was filled with endless confusion and pain, unable to find a ray of light or a way out.
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