20demayo Chapter 1351 Downfall
Chapter 1351 Downfall
“Grandfather, you always said that one should value relationships and be grateful for kindness.” His voice trembled, filled with confusion and grievance. “Why do these principles not apply to me?”
Xiao Li had always been very satisfied with Zhan Mu, considering him a very intelligent young man.
Unexpectedly, he got stuck on this very issue.
He agreed with Wanwan; no one should be allowed to enter the Marquis of Zhanyi's residence without a thorough investigation of their background.
He couldn't let the children be exposed to unknown dangers.
He slammed his hand on the table, making the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone rattle. His usually gentle eyes were now filled with a stern look: "Even loyalty and righteousness have their limits! Your marriage is a matter of life and death for the Marquis's mansion."
Zhan Mu felt all his strength drain away. He staggered back a step, staring incredulously at his maternal grandfather. The words spoken by that elder, who usually doted on him, were like cold knives piercing his heart.
"So, in your eyes, would Zhiyu harm everyone in the Marquis's mansion?" he asked in a low voice, a layer of grievance spreading across his eyes.
Seeing his distraught appearance, Xiao Li felt a pang of pity in his eyes, but ultimately hardened his heart: "Mu'er, your maternal grandfather is doing this for your own good, for the good of the entire Marquis's mansion. This marriage is absolutely unacceptable. If you insist on it, you will be disregarding the Marquis's mansion and the honor of our ancestors!"
Zhan Mu moved his thin lips, feeling dizzy. He had come to ask his maternal grandfather for a marriage decree, thinking it would be the best way to appease Rong Zhiyu, but he never expected to receive such a firm and resolute rejection.
He recalled Rong Zhiyu lying on his sickbed, his pale face devoid of color, yet he still forced a smile at him, saying, "Brother Mu, don't worry about it, it was just a small favor."
He recalled how she blushed with embarrassment and quickly avoided his gaze after learning that she was a girl. That charming and innocent look now felt like a needle pricking his nerves.
He had promised her that he would give her a proper status and protect her for life. But now, he couldn't even get the most basic thing—a marriage decree.
"Grandfather, do you really think there's absolutely no room for negotiation?" He raised his head, the bloodshot veins in his eyes clearly visible, his tone carrying a final, humble plea.
Xiao Li closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve: "No, Rong Zhiyu is ultimately not the right person for you. When you return to the Marquis's residence, I will send a message to your mother, asking her to select a suitable wife for you as soon as possible!"
Zhan Mu abruptly interrupted him, his voice filled with barely suppressed anger and despair, "No need! I appreciate Grandfather's kindness."
He took a deep breath, straightened his back, and bowed deeply to Xiao Li, but his movements were extremely stiff.
"Mu'er takes her leave."
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around and walked step by step towards the outside of the hall. Each step felt like stepping on a knife's edge, the pain almost numbing him.
The wind outside the palace was strong, carrying a biting chill that stung his face like countless tiny knives. He, however, was oblivious, wandering aimlessly through the ornately decorated corridors and past the majestic palace walls covered with fallen leaves.
The lanterns under the eaves swayed in the wind, their dim light casting long, thin shadows of him, lonely and solitary on the bluestone slabs, much like his state of mind at that moment.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood, yet he felt no pain. A wave of guilt and despair overwhelmed him.
How should he face Rong Zhiyu? How should he fulfill his promise to "take responsibility" that slipped out of his mouth?
The cold wind swirled fallen leaves, hitting him and stinging his cheeks.
He stood there like a stone statue, the light in his eyes gradually fading, leaving only boundless darkness.
He did not leave the palace immediately because he knew very well that his maternal grandfather would not allow him to meet Rong Zhiyu again.
He returned to the library and called the servant to his side.
With bloodshot eyes, he commanded, "Quickly take off your clothes, I need to change them to leave the palace!"
The servant was terrified, his face turning pale. He pleaded anxiously, "Young master, you can't do this! If the Emperor or the Lady of the Marquis finds out, they will blame you!"
Zhan Mu shook his head: "They won't. They know my stubborn nature; they would never implicate innocent people!"
The servant shook his head again: "Young master, please spare me! I really dare not!"
Zhan Mu's face immediately darkened: "Changqing, you've followed me for so many years, and even you won't listen to me anymore, is that it?"
Changqing was so frightened that he shuddered and fell to his knees with a thud.
Zhan Mu disregarded everything, took off his clothes, turned around, and strode outside.
He avoided the Imperial Guards' sight and headed straight for the palace gate.
As dusk approached, he finally arrived at the place where Rong Zhiyu had settled outside the city.
He hesitated outside the courtyard gate, unable to muster the courage to step across the threshold.
He knew that Rong Zhiyu's injury had not fully healed. The doctor said that the arrowhead had grazed the bone and that he needed to rest for a hundred days to fully recover.
He was afraid to see Rong Zhiyu's clear eyes, afraid she would ask about the arranged marriage, and even more afraid to say, "I'm sorry, I couldn't do it."
Just as he was lost in thought, the courtyard gate creaked open from the inside, and Hui'er, the personal maid Rong Zhiyu had just found, came out carrying a bowl of medicine. Upon seeing him, she hurriedly and timidly asked, "Young Master, who are you looking for?"
Zhan Mu composed himself, suppressing the panic in his heart, and asked in a dry voice, "Is your young lady here today?"
Hui'er immediately revealed a shy smile: "So you're looking for my young lady. She's here. She was just able to sit up for half an hour today, leaning against the soft pillows. She said she was feeling bored and wanted to see if the chrysanthemums in the courtyard had bloomed yet."
Zhan Mu's heart clenched again. Rong Zhiyu had always loved being around people and enjoyed painting; being confined to her sickbed for so long must have been incredibly stifling. He forced a smile and nodded, "I'll go in and see her."
Behind the moon gate, in the small courtyard, there are several rows of autumn chrysanthemums, which are in full bloom at the moment. The yellow and white ones are crowded together on the branches, adding a touch of life.
Rong Zhiyu was sitting on a soft chair under the eaves, wearing a plain-colored cloak, her long black hair loosely tied up, and the lines of her profile were incredibly soft.
Hearing footsteps, she turned around and saw him. A look of surprise and delight immediately appeared in her eyes.
"Brother Mu? What brings you here?" Her voice was still a little weak, but it still carried an undisguised lightness.
Zhan Mu walked up to her, his gaze falling on her left shoulder, which was still wrapped in bandages, and his throat tightened again: "I had some free time today, so I came to see you."
Rong Zhiyu patted the seat beside him, gesturing for him to sit down: "Sit down. I was just thinking that once I'm healed, we should go to Hongyun Mountain nearby to admire the autumn leaves. I heard that the maple leaves there are as red as fire."