Page 300

Chapter 116

Having made up her mind to return to the capital with Gu Changjin, Rong Shu visited General's Manor the following day to inform Mu Nijing of her decision.

Mu Nijing furrowed her brow. "Why the rush? You've only just arrived in Da Tong, and I haven't even had the chance to take you horseback riding yet!"

She had already discussed with her brother that after a few days of rest for Rong Shu, they would find an opportunity for him to teach Zhaozhao archery and horseback riding.

Contemplating her brother's calculative nature, Mu Nijing felt a heavy weight in her heart.

Back then, with the Mu family reduced to only one male heir, he had shouldered the responsibility of upholding the family's honor and preserving their roots in Da Tong. Thus, he had placed his feelings for Zhaozhao secondary to the family's interests, a sacrifice she could comprehend.

Now that the Mu family's foundation was secure, he had promised last year that upon Zhaozhao's arrival in Da Tong, he would express his true feelings to her.

Yet, when Inspector Gu from the Board of Censors underwent a change in status, he hesitated once more.

Mu Nijing understood his concerns – wasn't it because the future emperor also had feelings for Zhaozhao, and he feared that his own personal emotions might draw the emperor's jealousy, potentially endangering the Mu family?

Mu Nijing truly could not endure her brother's hesitant demeanor any longer.

Ever since Rong Shu visited that day, she confided in Mu Rong, "I've arranged to go horseback riding and archery with Zhaozhao in a few days. If you're not willing to give up on her, come along. I'll create an opportunity for you to express your feelings to her face-to-face. But if you lack the courage to show up, then never mention Zhaozhao again, nor entertain the thought of marrying her. Without the bravery to speak your heart, you have no right to ask for her hand!"

Mu Nijing was a straightforward person, despising indecisiveness in matters of the heart.

Hesitation only delays Zhaozhao's fate, doesn't it? Is he planning to wait until the Crown Prince marries someone else and loses interest in Zhaozhao before he confesses his love?

If that were the case, he'd better not claim to be a son of the Mu family.

Their Mu family did not breed cowards!

Fortunately, her brother proved to have some backbone. Upon hearing her words, he chuckled and replied, "Why wouldn't I go? If I dared not, wouldn't you mock me for the rest of my life?"

Mu Nijing glanced at him. "Of course! Do you think it's easy to find girls like me and Zhaozhao?"

It was a shame that just as her brother mustered the courage to compete with the Crown Prince for Zhaozhao's affection, Rong Shu would be returning to the capital the next day.

Mu Nijing didn't know whether to lament her brother's tumultuous romantic journey or acknowledge the seemingly predestined mismatch between him and Zhaozhao. They always seemed to miss each other by a step.

Rong Shu was unaware of her unspoken thoughts and explained with a smile, "I have compelling reasons to return to the capital. Besides, I'm not not coming back. Once my affairs in the capital are settled, I'll return to Da Tong for a period of time."

Implicit in her words was that she wouldn't stay long in Da Tong and would eventually leave.

Mu Nijing didn't inquire about Rong Shu's urgent need to return to the capital. If Rong Shu wished to share, she would; if not, it wasn't Mu Nijing's place to pry.

"The general's aide mentioned that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has delayed his return to the capital by a day. Are you accompanying him tomorrow?"

Rong Shu nodded with a smile and replied truthfully, "Yes, I asked him to delay his departure by a day so we could return together."

Indeed, that seems to be the case.

Looking into Rong Shu's bright and radiant eyes, Mu Nijing said, "Luo Yan mentioned that back in Yangzhou, the Crown Prince saved you on several occasions, once nearly risking his life. At that time, I guessed that sooner or later, your heart would stir again."

Rong Shu was always like this—she kept track of every kindness shown to her. When Luo Yan shared how the Crown Prince had been willing to sacrifice his life for her, Mu Nijing knew her brother could no longer afford to delay.

If he hesitated any further, Zhaozhao's heart would once again be captured by Gu Changjin.

But it was already too late.

Mu Nijing was not surprised in the slightest.

Others might be unaware, but she and her brother knew that the Crown Prince should have been in Liaodong at this moment. He had traveled thousands of miles to Da Tong just for Zhaozhao's sake.

In this regard, her brother paled in comparison to Gu Changjin.

Thus, there was no regret left in her heart.

Even if her brother had arrived one step earlier, he would not have been able to outdo the Crown Prince.

"I once believed that I would never fall in love again."

Rong Shu picked up a lotus seed pastry and placed it in her mouth, recalling the night she woke up in Songsi Courtyard. Back then, she had genuinely resolved to part ways with Gu Changjin for good.

Her heart had been as still as a pond without ripples, incapable of harboring any affection.

Who could have foreseen that one day, those embers would reignite, and the fire burning within her would be even more intense than before?

"Nijing."

"I feel that I love him even more than before."

Mu Nijing gazed into Rong Shu's starry eyes and brushed off crumbs from her hands, smiling as she said, "Follow your heart."

Three years ago, this young lady had held a wishing lantern, confessing her affection for someone. Back then, her eyes had shimmered with the same boundless galaxy as they did now.

Now, she had returned to being that girl, grinning with joy as she clutched her wishing lantern, her eyes curved like crescent moons.

As Mu Nijing felt delighted for Rong Shu, she also experienced a rare wave of nostalgia.

Look, someone who truly loves you will always keep you living in the prime of your life, no matter how old you become. Even with gray hair, you can still smile like a blooming maiden.

She and Rong Shu shared the same disposition: when they fell in love, they would fervently reveal their hearts, openly expressing their affection to the person.

Unfortunately, fate was not on her side; Cui Si wasn't willing to take even that first step.

So why should she wait any longer?

Mu Nijing raised her teacup and sipped the steaming brew gently, addressing Rong Shu, "I was planning to find an opportunity to discuss this with you in a few days, but since you'll be leaving early tomorrow morning, it's best I tell you now. I've terminated my engagement with Cui Si. Don't worry, it was my decision. I, Mu Nijing, have decided that I no longer want him."

Rong Shu was momentarily stunned.

When they parted ways in the capital last year, Nijing had mentioned that upon arriving in Da Tong, she would introduce her to Cui Si, allowing her to see for herself the man chosen by Princess Dan Zhu.