It was all their choice.
If Gu Zhiruo also liked Ruan Xi, and the two of them loved each other, then others' opinions would naturally not be important.
But if Ruan Xi’s affection was one-sided, then he shouldn’t have cursed Gu Zhiruo.
"Ruan Xi is not simple. If he truly falls in love with someone, he will go to great lengths for her. You don’t need to worry about Gu Zhiruo’s situation," Zhan Tianye said. Although he didn't interact with Ruan Xi much, he had some understanding of him.
Yun Shu nodded slightly and smiled with relief, "I worried too much."
She had only considered the complexity of Ruan Xi’s family and his past dissolute lifestyle, forgetting that Ruan Xi was a man of great resourcefulness. Dealing with the “ghosts and monsters” in the Ruan family and ensuring Gu Zhiruo would not be harmed in the slightest was not difficult, merely requiring some effort.
...
Meanwhile.
Gu Zhiruo received a message via carrier pigeon.
It was from Ruan Xi.
Since they both left the Ruan family, their communication had relied on carrier pigeons.
Looking at the familiar handwriting in her hand, Gu Zhiruo’s hand holding the letter trembled slightly.
This letter…
Did he know what he was saying?
Was this letter even written by him?
Although she suspected it wasn’t written by him, she knew very well that the handwriting on it was indeed Ruan Xi’s. They had exchanged messages so often that they were naturally familiar with each other’s handwriting.
"Ruan Xi, have you gone mad?" Gu Zhiruo exclaimed in her mind.
He was actually telling her not to fall in love with anyone else, and he refused a divorce, saying he had fallen in love with her!
Every word on the letter made Gu Zhiruo feel incredulous. He, a man so elegant and free-spirited, with countless charming women around him, countless beauties deeply in love with him, who even held beauties in his arms in front of her, so passionate, claiming to love her? This was too unbelievable, she simply didn't believe it.
"Ruan Xi, are you playing with me?" Gu Zhiruo speculated.
"Miss?" Wan Qing asked softly, noticing Gu Zhiruo’s daze and the unhealthy look on her face after receiving the letter.
Gu Zhiruo came back to her senses and handed the carrier pigeon letter to Wan Qing, "Take it and burn it."
Wan Qing took the letter and brought it to the candle, burning it to ashes. She still felt worried, "Miss, when will young master Ruan be back? We’ve been waiting here for quite some time. Oh, right, young master Zhao came just now and brought some food, saying Miss would surely like it. I saw that young master Zhao is truly sincere towards Miss, and should be someone you can entrust your life to."
Having been by her mistress's side for many years, she was truly worried about Miss's lifelong marriage. She really didn’t want Miss to live a lonely life after divorcing young master Ruan. Miss deserved to be loved! That young master Zhao was deeply devoted to Miss, and could truly be with Miss for life. However, for some reason, Miss was somewhat indifferent to young master Zhao, treating him only as an elder brother, saying there was no romantic affection.
Gu Zhiruo shook her head at Wan Qing, "There is no possibility between young master Zhao and me. Don't say such things again. My decision has never changed. I will never truly marry in this life, nor will I have children for anyone. Living out this life alone is what I desire."
"Then… then what about young master Ruan?" Wan Qing always felt that young master Ruan had feelings for Miss. She was by her mistress's side every day and could see it in young master Ruan's eyes when he looked at Miss, it was clearly the look of someone who liked her. Although they were actually a fake couple, and Miss had said she wanted a divorce, she just had a hunch that young master Ruan liked Miss and would definitely not divorce her. However, she didn't really want Miss and young master Ruan to truly be together. Because Ruan Xi had too many women around him, and too many women liked him. Although Ruan Xi liked Miss, he couldn't be wholeheartedly devoted to her. Even if Miss truly became young master Ruan's wife, he would undoubtedly have many concubines around him in the future. The struggles between the main wife and concubines would definitely not be peaceful. Thinking this, Wan Qing immediately regretted impulsively mentioning Ruan Xi and quickly said, "Miss, please disregard what I said. I… how could Miss like young master Ruan? After all, young master Ruan has many women around him, and Miss would surely be heartbroken in the future if she liked him. So… actually, young master Zhao is the best. Sigh, why doesn't Miss like young master Zhao?"
"There aren't so many 'why's' in this world. Everything is destined by fate and connection. Young master Zhao and I have no fate, and young master Ruan and I have no fate either," Gu Zhiruo said softly.
As she finished speaking, her gaze swept over the letter that had turned to ashes, her eyes flickered, she got up, walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and wrote a letter. It stated that they should keep their promises and not break their oaths. She and Ruan Xi had no possibility.
...
Shortly after breakfast, another guest arrived at the General's mansion in the capital of Xixia.
This guest was masked and was a woman. She claimed to be from Dongning Kingdom and knew the King of Ye and the King of Ye's Consort, requesting an audience with them. The woman was dressed luxuriously and carried herself gracefully, not appearing to be someone with ulterior motives. The servants of the General's mansion dared not refuse her entry and not report her to the King of Ye. They let the woman wait outside and then sent someone to report to the General first, and then to the King of Ye.
However, when the General heard that a woman was seeking an audience with the King of Ye, he ordered the servant to bring the woman to him. The servant was a bit perplexed. Who dared disobey the General's orders? Moreover, they couldn't ascertain the woman's identity, perhaps she was lying? The servant retreated. The woman also intended to leave with the servant, but the door behind her was immediately closed. She nervously pressed against the door, looking at Li De with some fear.
Li De looked at the masked woman, his face extremely cold, "Yun Yueyin, you have grown audacious! How dare you come to the General's mansion to see the King of Ye without my permission?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Yueyin's face turned ashen, and she looked at Li De in fear. "I… I… I just heard rumors outside and didn't know if they were true. I wanted to come and see for myself. After all, the King of Ye and his consort are old acquaintances, and the King of Ye's consort is my cousin. General, please don't be angry. I truly had no other intentions, I just wanted to verify the truth of the rumors."
"Crack!"
A teacup was hurled towards Yun Yueyin's forehead. Yun Yueyin could not dodge in time and was hit directly on her forehead. A sharp pain immediately shot through her forehead. Blood trickled down her face.