freenovelworld Chapter 441 New Year's Eve Palace Banquet: Refusing to Enter the Palace, Preferring a Lively At
Chapter 441 New Year's Eve Palace Banquet: Refusing to Enter the Palace, Preferring a Lively At
Chu Ruohan sighed softly, "I even asked Qin Fang, and he does have some feelings for you."
"However, he also admitted that it was because he was concerned about that old man and was afraid that he would be a burden to you in the future that he kept his feelings hidden in his heart and dared not tell you."
Upon hearing this, Yu Ling trembled violently, her fingers, which were tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, involuntarily loosened and then suddenly clenched again.
It turned out that the complex look in his eyes when he looked at her in the flower hall that day was not her imagination. It turned out that he was not indifferent to her, but rather had such deep concerns.
Yu Ling felt a mix of emotions: the secret joy of knowing they were of one mind, the emotion of being deeply moved by his affection, and the understanding and heartache for his heavy sense of responsibility.
Seeing her like this, Chu Ruohan understood. She handed her a soft handkerchief, her tone still gentle.
“I am telling you these facts today not to make decisions for either of you, nor to force you to make any decisions.”
She paused, looked at Yuling solemnly, and said, word by word, "I want to hear your own opinion. Yuling, I will not force you on this matter."
"If you have any concerns, feel that he is carrying too heavy a burden, that he will suffer injustice because of it in the future, or if you have any reluctance at all, you can tell me frankly."
"The most important thing about your life's most important event is that you are satisfied with it and will not regret it in the future."
Chu Ruohan's words were like a warm current, gently flowing through Yu Ling's heart, but they also made the scales in her heart shake violently.
She naturally trusted Qin Fang's character. After what the lady said today, she admired him even more.
How many men in the world are like him, so loyal and trustworthy?
But that old man...
Yuling was not unaware of hardship; she understood how much effort and toil it took to care of a chronically ill elderly person.
Qin Fang is already struggling to bear this burden alone; if she marries into the family, this responsibility will also have to be shared with her.
Can she do it? Or will she become a burden to him instead?
She recalled Qin Fang's slightly thin yet still upright figure, and the barely perceptible frown between his brows...
A man like that deserves an easier life.
Yu Ling's heart was filled with a mixture of pity and hesitation, leaving her speechless for a moment.
She knew that the lady was genuinely concerned for her and did not want her to suffer in the future.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions, and said softly in a voice with a heavy nasal tone, "Madam, this servant...this servant understands. Please allow this servant...to think about it carefully."
Her voice was soft, trembling slightly, yet it also conveyed a sense of earnestness.
Seeing that she neither immediately refused nor blindly agreed, but instead said she needed to think about it carefully, Chu Ruohan felt a little more at ease.
This girl has finally grown up. She knows how to weigh the pros and cons and how to follow her heart.
She nodded gently: "Alright, there's no rush. Go back and think it over carefully for a few days. Whatever decision you make, I will respect it."
She gently patted Yuling's hand, her eyes filled with encouragement: "Remember, no matter what, I'll always be there for you."
Yu Ling felt a warmth in her heart, and tears welled up in her eyes again. She nodded vigorously and choked out, "Thank you, Madam."
She knew that the lady truly cared for her, which was why she went to such lengths to take care of her.
Ever since Chu Ruohan had that deep conversation with her that day, Yu Ling felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on her heart.
She admired Qin Fang and said she would consider it carefully. Qin Fang, knowing that Chu Ruohan had told Yu Ling everything, perhaps out of respect, did not take the initiative to contact her again.
There seemed to be a thin layer of paper separating the two, and neither of them dared to break through it, so they remained in a stalemate.
New Year's Eve is just around the corner.
The general's mansion was brightly decorated, with festive red lanterns hanging everywhere, exquisite paper-cuts pasted on the window frames, and the air filled with the faint scent of pine branches and incense.
For example, Gu Junze, as an important official of the court, should have entered the palace to attend the imperial banquet.
However, this year, he asked the Emperor for leave early and stayed at his residence.
Chu Ruohan did not ask any further questions. She knew that her husband always acted with discretion, and that he must have his reasons for making such a decision.
She simply gave the order to invite all her family members over, intending to have a lively and joyous New Year reunion at her home.
Chu Ruohan and Chu Yueshu sat in the warm pavilion, watching the maids bring out plates of exquisite pastries and fruits.
Watching Song Ruyan lead a group of maids, Xuan Ge'er chased and played in the courtyard, a gentle smile on his face.
"Sister, the manor is so lively today." Chu Yueshu took the hot tea served by the maid, took a sip, and felt the warmth. "Your brother-in-law didn't go to the palace banquet, and the Emperor actually allowed it?"
Chu Ruohan carefully peeled open a pine nut in her hand. "Well, he said he wanted some peace and quiet at home. It's a rare opportunity for our family to get together."
Her gaze inadvertently swept over Yuling, who was directing the maid to set out the bowls and chopsticks not far away.
Today, Yu Ling was also wearing a half-new lotus-root-colored cotton-linen jacket and skirt, with her hair styled in a simple double-loop bun, looking more feminine and gentle than usual.
However, there was a faint frown between her brows. Although she was still working quickly, she would occasionally lose focus, unlike her usual complete concentration.
Chu Yueshu followed Chu Ruohan's gaze and lowered her voice, asking, "Has that girl Yuling figured it out yet?"
Chu Ruohan gently shook her head, lowering her voice slightly: "Not yet. I told her there's no rush, and to think it over carefully. Ultimately, it's best if she's willing to make the decision herself."
"Indeed." Chu Yueshu sighed. "Qin Fang's character is indeed rare. But the burden on his shoulders is truly heavy. Yu Ling is meticulous, so I'm afraid she has many concerns."
As the two sisters were talking, Gu Junze walked in from outside, carrying a faint chill, but it did not diminish his tall and upright figure and calm demeanor.
"It's cold outside, come inside and warm up." Chu Ruohan stood up, naturally took the black cloak he had taken off, and handed it to the maid beside her.
Gu Junze pulled her to sit down on the warm couch, his gaze sweeping over the cozy and lively atmosphere of the room, and the weariness between his brows seemed to dissipate somewhat.
"It's still more comfortable at home."
Chu Ruohan poured him a cup of hot tea: "My parents will arrive a little later; I've already sent someone to pick them up."
"Mmm." Gu Junze responded, took her hand, and gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips, his eyes tender.
Yu Ling led several maids to deliver various cold dishes and stir-fries into the flower hall in a continuous stream, and carefully served food and poured wine for everyone.
She lowered her eyes, trying her best to appear as normal as usual, but the unresolved thoughts in her heart were like a thin thread, entwining her and making her feel inexplicably uncomfortable when facing Qin Fang.
She knew that Qin Fang was also in the mansion today, in charge of some New Year's Eve celebrations in the outer courtyard.
Although they hadn't met in person, the thought that he might be somewhere nearby made her heart beat faster.