Gu Qinghuai's face was ashen, as if he were wrapped in a layer of frost. Without saying a word, he carried Lin Xihe and strode into the mansion.
Along the way, servants came forward to bow respectfully, but he seemed not to hear them, walking straight ahead without shifting his cold gaze or pausing his steps.
After winding through several narrow paths, Lin Xihe was carried straight into Gu Qinghuai's courtyard.
The courtyard is a sight to behold, with its exquisitely laid-out pavilions and towers scattered throughout, artificial hills, babbling brooks, and lush flowers and plants, exuding elegance and tranquility.
"Stand guard outside the courtyard and do not allow anyone to disturb us."
This was the first time Lin Xihe had stepped into Gu Qinghuai's courtyard.
Once inside, Gu Qinghuai gently settled Lin Xihe on the rosewood daybed beside the bed and whispered, "Wait until I change my clothes."
After saying that, he turned around and quickly walked to the side, closing the door neatly.
Taking advantage of the break, Lin Xihe carefully examined Gu Qinghuai's room.
As her gaze swept across the wall, a huge portrait instantly caught her attention.
She unconsciously stood up and slowly walked towards the portrait.
The person in the painting is dressed in an elegant light blue dress, with a beautiful face and a faint smile on her lips, warm and gentle, giving people a sense of gentleness and tranquility.
The person in the painting is the original owner from a year ago.
The painter who created this painting must have been extremely skilled, capturing the spirit of the person in the painting with just a few strokes.
Lin Xihe quietly looked at the painting. Although the person in the painting looked the same as her, their temperament and demeanor were completely different. With just one glance, she could clearly tell that they were two different people.
Clearly, Gu Qinghuai was enamored with the gentle woman in the painting, the authentic "Lin Xihe" who once existed deep in his memory.
For no apparent reason, an indescribable sadness welled up in Lin Xihe's heart, and a chill ran through her.
She thought that this emotion must have originated from the remnants of the original owner's memories, which quietly welled up in her heart at this moment, making her feel the same way.
Lin Xihe lowered her head in a panic, and was about to turn around and return to the couch when she caught a glimpse of Gu Qinghuai taking off his official robes, revealing a pure white undergarment.
In that instant, she was both surprised and embarrassed, and her cheeks flushed bright red.
She quickly looked away, hurriedly turned her head, and pretended to continue staring at the painting as if nothing was wrong, trying to hide her inner turmoil.
Just then, Gu Qinghuai approached silently and slowly. In the blink of an eye, he was behind Lin Xihe, stretched out his arms, and gently pulled her into his embrace. His actions were filled with a touch of lingering affection and seemed to be brimming with endless longing.
What are you doing?
Lin Xihe's voice unconsciously rose a few decibels, carrying a hint of anger.
"Let me hug you, I miss you so much, day and night..." Gu Qinghuai gently rested his head against Lin Xihe's ear, his warm breath brushing against her ear, his voice hoarse, revealing strands of deep affection and sorrow.
"Let go, don't touch me!"
Lin Xihe was both embarrassed and anxious, and tried to pry Gu Qinghuai's hands away, attempting to break free from his embrace.
Gu Qinghuai noticed her resistance and subconsciously loosened his grip slightly, a hint of desolation flashing in his eyes.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lin Xihe suddenly broke free and turned around to run away, but before she could take two steps, Gu Qinghuai quickly pulled her back.
Gu Qinghuai quickly grabbed Lin Xihe's waist with both hands, gently lifted her up, and placed her on the tall table in front of her.
Immediately afterwards, he stepped forward, his tall figure blocking her path completely.
"What...what are you doing?" Lin Xihe's eyes widened, her voice trembling slightly.
Gu Qinghuai seemed not to hear her, but just stared at her, his deep eyes gradually filling with sorrow. Then, he slowly raised his hand and began to untie the belt of his inner garment.
Seeing this, Lin Xihe was extremely nervous, her heart pounding in her chest. She stammered, "Gu Qinghuai, you...you brought me in here just for this?"
"What do you want to do?" Her voice grew sharper, a desperate scream.
Even if you get my body, you'll never get my heart!
Lin Xihe gritted her teeth, her eyes reddening, and tried her best to hold back her tears.
However, her words did not affect Gu Qinghuai's actions in the slightest.
His hands moved swiftly, opening his shirt to reveal a glimpse of his muscular chest.
Lin Xihe panicked completely, her mind went blank, and she instinctively reached out and grabbed Gu Qinghuai's almost open inner garment tightly.
Her mind raced, and she thought anxiously, "Don't men in this era value women's chastity highly?"
Now that things have come to this, this is the only option left to deceive him.
"Gu Qinghuai, I... I'm already Ji Zhuo's woman, please let me go."
Lin Xihe clutched Gu Qinghuai's clothes, her hands trembling uncontrollably, her voice trembling with sobs, her eyes filled with pleading.
Gu Qinghuai's movements suddenly froze, and he stood frozen in place.
A moment later, a bitter smile slowly tugged at the corner of his mouth. The smile was more unsightly than a cry, revealing endless self-mockery.
He raised his head and looked straight at Lin Xihe, his eyes filled with bitterness that seemed about to burst forth.
The two remained locked in this stalemate, the air seemingly frozen, each second feeling suffocatingly long.
After a long while, Gu Qinghuai slowly pulled down his inner garment, the movement carrying a hint of determination, yet also seemingly concealing endless grievances.
As Lin Xihe watched his movements, despair surged through her heart. Her body tensed, and her eyes were filled with helplessness.
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