Chapter 1689 - 1682: The Path Leng Muling Chose for Herself
Chapter 1689: Chapter 1682: The Path Leng Muling Chose for Herself
"Hmm, do you think you can still endure it?" Zhuo Junli continued sipping tea and fanning himself, though his expression had become considerably more serious.
"It’s a bit uncomfortable... but I can endure it." Leng Muling looked at him calmly.
"But this is merely the surface. Lu Mian is full of schemes and calculations; even as your uncle, I haven’t grasped the full depth of him. As for you wanting to harm him... you must first ensure that he cannot drive you into a corner."
Zhuo Junli’s words to Leng Muling were blunt, perhaps cruel, yet every sentence contained truths that were useful to her.
"I don’t need you to do anything for the Leng family for now, but you can choose what you want to do for yourself. Lu Mian caused your leg injury, tarnished your reputation,
and if you want revenge, to bring him down in turn, it’s understandable. But first, consider whether you are capable of enduring it."
Leng Muling’s heart sank as she thought about the actions she had taken before. While they had troubled Lu Mian, they had also greatly exhausted her.
Thinking back to earlier today, when she was in his carriage and he pressed down on her, she had no strength to resist and was bullied into tears.
Lu Mian was thirteen years her senior; when she was born, he was already renowned for his talents.
Can she really avenge herself against him?
Suddenly, Leng Muling found her confidence in herself wavering.
Zhuo Junli stood up, adjusting the cloak draped around her shoulders. He admonished solemnly, "To wrap yourself in someone else’s garments for warmth against the wind, or to become a storm that engulfs others—you must thoroughly think it through.
These are two entirely different paths."
Leng Muling was wrapped up in this thought, contemplating day and night and seriously reflecting on her own abilities.
In terms of emotions, she couldn’t accept living under the same roof with Mo Qi and the woman he loved, along with their child.
For the future, if she could marry Lu Mian, she reasoned that the dishonorable reputation he had falsely pinned on her would partly fall on him to bear. Moreover, with her by Lu Mian’s side, the Leng family would have added protection.
Even if Lu Mian remained cold towards her, even bullied her, as long as she was alive and breathing, Lu Mian would never be able to harm the Leng family again!
And the grudge for her injured leg? Lu Mian must pay it back!
Leng Muling asked Leng Qiu to bring her Mo Qi’s cloak. This black cloak was made from the finest silk, the collar adorned with the exclusive insignia of the Imperial Guards’ commander—majestic in every way.
Leng Muling gazed at it with a trace of longing. "Seventh brother, Ling’er loved you with all her heart, giving everything to you. But she cannot marry you; this Chapter is meant to end."
She closed her eyes, a single tear sliding down her cheek and falling onto the cloak, where it quickly disappeared without a trace.
She carefully locked the cloak in a cabinet and threw the key into the lake.
Yun Sijin, upon seeing Leng Muling’s actions, immediately sensed that something was amiss. However, since Leng Muling wanted to know everything about Lu Mian, Yun Sijin couldn’t withhold it.
She compiled everything she knew, everything she could say, into a booklet and handed it to Leng Muling.
When Zhuo Junli saw her handing it over, his gaze was hesitant and conflicted, visibly uneasy.
He teased her with a smile, "Feeling guilty for scheming against your cousin?"
Yun Sijin turned to meet his gaze, utterly fearless. "You dared to send your niece to his doorstep; what is there for me to fear?"
She merely felt that Leng family women were always a source of boundless regret.
Recently, she had paid respects to Leng Shuqing with offerings.
Now, Leng Muling was setting herself against Lu Mian—it was truly astonishing.
"This is her choice. Whatever consequences there may be, let her face them herself. As her uncle, I will not interfere with their decisions; I only make sure they understand the pros and cons."
Zhuo Junli wrapped his arm around Yun Sijin’s waist and led her into the room, discussing plans of having a son with her.
Rather than worrying about others as elders, they might as well focus on their own matters.
These days, meddling too much never ends well!
You strive to help them, offering earnest advice, only for them to roll their eyes and retort: "Why haven’t you had kids yet?"
It makes one seem incompetent.
Yun Sijin found herself entangled in this conversation until nighttime.
Fortunately, she insisted on preparing dinner, snatching her sash back from Zhuo Junli’s hands.
Leng Muling didn’t return for dinner. Yun Sijin sent someone to inquire and learned she had gone to Lu Mian’s residence.
At Lu Mansion.
Lu Mian’s peace lasted less than half a day before Leng Muling appeared at his dining table once again.
The meal, clearly delicious, lost all appeal for Lu Mian the moment he saw Leng Muling.
"Lord Lu, I’ve gone out of my way today to wear your favorite light purple yarn Luo skirt, styled my hair in a Flying Swallow Bun, and prepared a feast of sumptuous delicacies. Yet it still isn’t enough to tempt your appetite?"
Leng Muling’s soft, sweet voice carried an intimately alluring tone.
Something deep in Lu Mian’s heart was harshly tugged.
He stared at Leng Muling and asked coldly, "Did she teach you this?"
"Is Lord Lu saying he fancies me?" Leng Muling stepped forward, tilting her head to smile adorably up at him.
Looking at her face, her makeup, and the deliberately contrived tenderness in her voice, Lu Mian’s mind inevitably conjured Yun Sijin’s image.
As a child, she had acted just like this.
Leng Muling was imitating her!
Lu Mian grasped her neck with a ferocity in his eyes, his rage oppressive. "Leng Muling, is your uncle sending you here to die?"
Gasping for breath, her face reddened, yet she forced a smile. "What is Lord Lu saying? Who wouldn’t want to live well? Who wants to die?"
"If you don’t want to die, then get out!" Lu Mian tossed her to the ground in one swift motion.
Delicate women are usually objects of pity,
but as he glanced at Leng Muling, Lu Mian felt only hatred and extreme disgust.
Leng Muling watched his fury rise; no matter how controlled he seemed, that fire in his eyes still burned bright like flames.
She chuckled softly. Lu Mian, you’re not some celestial being after all!
Standing up, she continued pestering Lu Mian, even bringing up marriage. "Is Lord Lu unaware? The emperor has already replied to the Crown Prince’s request for a marriage decree, and odds are it will be granted.
Because I, the Cold family’s Miss sought in marriage, feel... honor, and, delight!"
She leaned in, her lips close to his ear, pronouncing each word deliberately.
Lu Mian turned his face away, exuding a chilling aura as though intent on freezing her to death. "Leng Muling, are you determined to court death?"
"Who said that? I’m merely seeking a path forward that I can live with." Leng Muling, like a young doe venturing into the forest for the first time, was frightened but utterly fearless.
Lu Mian, this Miss is standing before you today!
Lu Mian ordered his men to tie Leng Muling up in the dining hall. He ate his meal in peace, leaving her without even a bite.
Not that Leng Muling cared about food.
When Lu Mian finally released her, she gave a small bow. "May Lord Lu sleep well tonight. We shall meet again tomorrow."
She gently touched the silver hairpin adorned with a lotus flower nestled in her hair. Her posture was charming, utterly devoid of yesterday’s terror after being bullied into tears by Lu Mian.
Lu Mian’s anger, already rekindled by her presence, surged effortlessly once again.