On the day Murong Jing He received news that Mei Lin and the bald-headed healer had left Jingbei, Luo Mei was in the middle of discussing military strategy with him, urging him to lead the troops against the enemy.
"No matter how much the Emperor favors you, if you don't repay his kindness, you are still a man of Da Yan. When strong enemies invade, how can you hide away in this remote land of Jingbei? How will you face the people of this country?" Despite her earnest pleas and detailed analysis, Murong Jing He remained indifferent, even poking at a sweet potato roasting on the fire. Finally, Luo Mei lost her temper and scolded him harshly.
Murong Jing He accidentally pierced the skin of the sweet potato with his fire iron, releasing a mouthwatering aroma. He sniffed the air and suddenly remembered that he had never tasted a sweet potato roasted by Mei Lin. He was tired of eating wild yams and other such things.
"Murong Jing He..." Luo Mei, who had been standing by the window admiring the plum blossoms, was furious when she saw this. She was about to stride over and overturn the brazier to force him to pay attention to her.
"Marry me."
These four words made her freeze in place.
"Marry me. As soon as the wedding is completed, I will go to Zhao Jing to request the Emperor's permission to lead the army," Murong Jing He said calmly, raising his head slowly. Though his voice was steady, there was a hint of tension in his black eyes. Despite feeling confident, his obsession with Luo Mei had become a habit, and her response was still very important to him.
Luo Mei regained her composure, her cheeks slightly flushed, but she was incredulous.
"Are you crazy? Do you realize what time it is?"
Murong Jing He was not surprised by her reaction, but he couldn't help feeling disappointed. He smiled faintly, his gaze shifting to the snowflakes swirling outside the door.
"Ten years ago, you said that as long as the Hu invaders were not defeated, you wouldn't consider settling down. I gave you five years. But after the border was pacified and neighboring countries paid tribute, you became distant. I, Murong Jing He, may not be talented, but my feelings for you are genuine, as the heavens can attest. This time, I want a clear answer from you. Otherwise, there is nothing more to discuss." His voice grew stern as he finished.
Luo Mei initially felt guilty when he bared his heart, and her attitude softened, even showing a touch of warmth in her eyes. But when she heard his final, clearly threatening words, her expression changed, and she sneered. "Have you ever thought about how you've spent the past five years since you were ennobled? Why should I, Luo Mei, marry a man who flirts with every flower and is lost in drink and debauchery every day? If you were a true man, why not defeat the enemy first and then talk to me about marriage?"
"Defeat the enemy..." Murong Jing He laughed bitterly. By the time that happened, he feared he would face the fate of a loyal dog being discarded when it was no longer needed. If they missed this opportunity, they might never have a chance to be together.
"If you don't agree, feel free to return to the capital or go to the southern border," he said, moving the roasted sweet potato aside to cool. He clapped his hands, ready to say more, when he caught sight of Qing Yan hesitating outside, as if wanting to enter but not daring to. Murong Jing He frowned. "What is it?"
Qing Yan, relieved that he was finally noticed, bowed slightly and entered, presenting a letter left by the bald-headed healer.
Murong Jing He glanced at Qing Yan's nervous expression, suspicious, and pulled out the letter. It was written on pale yellow paper typically used for prescriptions, with only a few simple words.
It was just a letter saying that the healer had left. That was fine; Murong Jing He had been annoyed by that bald head for a long time. He was about to tell Qing Yan that he was making a fuss over nothing when he suddenly remembered something, and his face darkened.
"Where is she?" The woman had been staying with the healer. If the healer had left at this time... The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He abruptly stood up.
"R-replying to Your Highness..." Qing Yan wiped the cold sweat from his brow, staring intently at his own feet to maintain the composed demeanor expected of an attendant. "Miss Mei Lin is nowhere to be found."
"What do you mean, nowhere to be found?" Murong Jing He roared, crumpling the letter and envelope into a ball and throwing it into the brazier. The fire, much like his temper, flared up brightly.
Qing Yan's face remained impassive, but inwardly, he thought, Miss, you are courting disaster.
"Order the city to be sealed off immediately. No one is allowed to leave!" Murong Jing He gritted his teeth. "And send people to search every house. I refuse to believe she can disappear into thin air."
Qing Yan nodded and was about to leave when Murong Jing He called him back. "Prepare my horse and have the Tiger Wing Seventeen Riders ready at the gate." With that, he made to leave.
"Murong Jing He, what's going on? Where are you going?" Luo Mei, who hadn't expected their conversation to be interrupted by a letter, hurriedly caught up to him, grabbing his arm in concern.
Sensing an opportunity, Qing Yan quickly went inside to fetch a cloak.
It seemed Murong Jing He only then remembered there was someone else in the room. He suppressed the indescribable anger and fear in his chest, struggling to stay calm. He turned his head stiffly and said, "I'll ask you one last time: will you marry me or not?"
Luo Mei was a proud woman and didn't want to be pressured into making such an important decision, but she did have feelings for Murong Jing He. Otherwise, she wouldn't have remained unattached all these years. Touched by his sincerity, she didn't reject him outright and softened her tone slightly. "Let's discuss this when you've calmed down, okay?"
Murong Jing He, feeling a mix of despair and impatience over Mei Lin, didn't press the issue. He sneered, "The wedding is almost prepared. If you don't marry me, there are others who would gladly take your place."
Luo Mei's expression darkened. She was not one to be swayed by threats. She retracted her hand and replied with a cold smile, "Then go find someone else to marry."
"That's exactly what I intend to do," Murong Jing He replied, giving her a deep, icy look before abruptly turning and stepping out into the snowstorm.
That woman had dared to leave him again. Did she really think he couldn't control her? Did she believe he would allow a second Luo Mei to exist in this world? Enraged, Murong Jing He didn't even realize that he was placing Mei Lin on the same level as Luo Mei.
Qing Yan, who had been standing silently by, hurriedly caught up with him, draping the cloak over his shoulders while barking orders to carry out Murong Jing He's commands.
Luo Mei stood there, watching their figures fade into the swirling snow, clenching her fists as her beautiful eyes dimmed. She didn't really believe he would marry another woman; he was just trying to provoke her. But using such tactics was childish and reckless. He was always like this, so careless and impulsive that it was hard to entrust him with her future.
She had waited five years. If she wasn't going to marry him, who else would she marry? But... she just wanted him to be more capable, was that too much to ask?
1 Comments
Wow they both suck
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