The sudden question left Lu Hong at a loss for words and his face turned red in an instant.

  Although he knew that Ling Xiao couldn't see, Lu Hong still shifted his eyes away with a guilty conscience and coughed unnaturally: "Ling Xiao, why did you suddenly ask about this?"

  Ling Xiao's ears were extremely sensitive, and he followed the sound to look at Lu Hong: "I'm asking this for a reason. Brother Hong just needs to answer me. Do you like Ah Jiao?"

  I love it!

  Of course I like it!

  He fell in love with her at first sight, and his soul was turned upside down. Every day he racked his brains, just to see her again. Occasionally saying a few words would make him ecstatic, and the whole day would be filled with good mood.

  Ling Xiao waited patiently for a while before Lu Hong finally mustered up the courage to nod. Thinking that Ling Xiao couldn't see, he also hummed in agreement.

  Ling Xiao didn't think it was unexpected either.

  His eyes couldn't see, but he still had sharp hearing. Every time Ah-jiao was mentioned, Lu Hong's voice would have an irrepressible excitement. When they met, no matter how cold Ah-jiao was, Lu Hong was happy.

  What else can it be if not liking?

  "Today is Grandma's birthday, and there are many guests in the mansion. Ah-shu has to entertain the guests, now she went to the garden, even if you see her, there's no chance to talk." Ling Xiao lowered his voice and smiled: "After lunch, when the opera troupe starts performing, I'll secretly call Ah-shu to the Autumn Water Pavilion. You don't need to disturb others, just come alone. Whatever you want to say, just tell Ah-shu!"

  Lu Hong was both surprised and delighted: "Are you telling the truth? Ling Xiao, my brother, you're not deceiving me, are you?" He had always wanted to find an opportunity to speak with her privately, but unfortunately, he had never had a good chance. Unexpectedly, Ling Xiao brought it up today.

  This is simply a godsend.

  Ling Xiao nodded with a faint smile.

  Lu Hong grasped Ling Xiao's hand tightly, excitedly and somewhat incoherently: "Xiao younger brother, thank you. You're really too good to me."

  Ling Xiao smiled with a hint of mischief, but in his heart, he thought: What I'm doing isn't entirely for your sake.

  Ahu has been preoccupied lately, and it's unclear whether it's because of Lu Hong. Rather than dragging things out in such an ambiguous manner, it would be better for the two to have a straightforward conversation. If Ahu also has feelings for Lu Hong, then everyone will be happy.

  If fallen flowers have a heart and flowing water has no feeling... it can also make Lu Hong give up his heart earlier.

  ......

  In Lingfu Village, a high stage was set up, and the most famous opera troupe in Dingzhou City was specially invited.

  There were many tables and chairs placed beside the stage. The male guests and their wives sat on either side, watching the play while whispering to each other in hushed tones, creating a lively atmosphere.

  Ling Jingxu and Ling Jingyan sat together, whispering something to each other, then looked at each other and smiled.

  "Jiě's younger sister is really formidable, in just a few short days, she has become so familiar with Yan's older sister." Ling Jingxian's words were tinged with jealousy: "If someone who didn't know them saw this, they would probably think the two of them are biological sisters!"

  She and Ling Jingyan had some unpleasantness at first, even if she wanted to get close, she couldn't put down her face for a while. Watching Ling Jingyu and Ling Jingyan getting along intimately, she felt inexplicably resentful and unhappy.

  Ling Jing smiled and said, "Yan Tang's sister rarely returns to Dingzhou to stay for a few days, I reckon she should be returning to the capital soon. Even if Ju Tang's sister is close to her, it's not possible for her to follow her to the capital. What do you have to worry about?"

  What you said also makes sense.

  Ling Jingxian's mood calmed down a lot, and she picked up the pastry and put it in her mouth, watching the play.

  Spending the whole day at home, with very few opportunities to go out and visit others. Every day, I see the same faces coming and going, and all I do is read books, embroider, play the piano, paint, and so on. Today, a troupe of actors came to perform, and everyone was excited to watch.

  At this moment, on the stage, a white and handsome martial artist stands proudly with his head held high, holding a long knife, majestic and powerful. Another comedian, dressed in a comical costume, runs while doing flips, bringing bursts of applause and cheers.

  Ling Jingxu was born with a liking for quietness and had little interest in listening to plays, chatting idly with Ling Jingyan.

  Ying Yu quietly walked over and said in a low voice, "Ninth Miss, the young master is annoyed by the noise of the opera and doesn't want to stay here. He wants you to accompany him back to the Autumn Water Pavilion!"

  Ling Jingxu didn't suspect anything else and immediately smiled in response.

  ......

  Ling Jingxiao smiled brightly and stepped into the Autumn Water Pavilion, calling out: "A Xiao."

  Ling Xiao was nowhere to be seen, but a handsome face that she had never expected appeared before her eyes, with a warm smile: "Cousin Jiu."

  It's actually Lu Hong!

  Ling Jingxu's smile suddenly disappeared, and her voice turned cold: "How did you end up here? Where is Ah Xiao?" Had he been following Ling Xiao all along?

  Lu Hong hesitated for a moment before telling the truth: "It was Xiaotang's brother who specifically asked me to come here and wait for you."

  Ling Jingxu: "......"

  What is Ling Xiao going to do?!

  Ling Jing's eyebrows furrowed, and a not-so-pleasant thought flashed through her mind: "Why did Ah Xiao want you to come see me?"

  Her cold indifference was like a basin of cold water poured down, extinguishing more than half of Lu Hong's joy and excitement. The smile on his face also stiffened slightly: "Xiao Tang also had good intentions, wanting to give us two a chance to be alone for a moment, to chat..."

  "Never mind!"

  Ling Jingyu said coldly: "Men and women are different, and we should avoid suspicion. Besides, we're not familiar with each other at all, I don't think there's anything to talk about. You leave first!"

  Luhong couldn't smile anymore, and the words hidden deep in his heart burst out: "Sister Jie, what did I do wrong? Why do you dislike me so much? You've never been polite to me!"

  Why?

  Ling Jingyu pulled the corner of her lips, without a hint of smile in her eyes, and instructed without turning back: "Bai Yu, go to the entrance and guard it. Don't let anyone come in."

  Today, there is an opera troupe performing in the prefecture, and all the maids and wives have gone to join in the excitement. Now, the Autumn Water Pavilion is empty with no one inside. Bai Yu carefully closes the door and stands guard outside the courtyard gate.

  Lu Hong stood under the corridor, Ling Jingxu stood in the yard. The two were about three meters apart, facing each other from a distance.

  The long-awaited solitude suddenly became a reality. But Lu Hong's heart sank down, swaying gently.

  Never looking at him with her beautiful bright and clear eyes, Ling Jingyu finally raised them today, staring straight at him: "Lu Hong, the question you asked me earlier, I'll give you the answer now."

  Lu Hong wanted to say something, but he forcibly restrained himself.

  "You haven't done anything wrong." Because you didn't have time yet.

  "You've guessed a thing or two about my feelings for you. However, I don't have any romantic feelings for you. So, I don't want to give you even the slightest misunderstanding."

  In this life, I will never again be trapped in the same cycle, nor will I be moved by your gentle and deep emotions.

  Ling Jingxu's tone was very calm, and the disgust that was usually in his eyes was gone, looking at him as if he were a complete stranger.

  Such tranquility is even more hurtful than the previous coldness and disgust.

  Lu Hongjun's face slightly turned pale, and he forced himself to calm down: "Jiamei, we haven't been together for long, you're not familiar with my character yet. It's reasonable that you're on guard against me."

  "I, like your siblings, lost my mother at a young age. I know the taste of not having a loving mother. From childhood, I have been diligent and hardworking in my studies, hoping to pass the imperial examination and bring glory to my ancestors. Before meeting you, I had never paid attention to girls of the same age, nor thought about lifelong matters. But on that day when we met in the garden, I fell deeply in love with you at first sight. These days, I have been trying every means to get close to Brother Xiao, also for the opportunity to see you a few more times. Brother Xiao saw through my thoughts and deliberately created opportunities for me to be alone with you, revealing my intentions."

  "I've made up my mind. After today, I'll bring up our marriage to Father and Mother. If heaven blesses me, I'm lucky enough to marry you, this lifetime I will be devoted to you wholeheartedly."

  "If you don't believe me, I'll swear to heaven right now. Heaven is above, and I, Lu Sheng, love Ling Jingyu with all my heart. This feeling will not change in this life or the next. If I break this oath, let thunder strike me dead and may I never rest in peace."

  ......

  A handsome young man, deeply and sincerely pouring out his heart.

  This scene is enough to capture the hearts of all the young ladies!

  In her past life, she was indulged in such tenderness and deep affection, easily giving away a heart. Wholeheartedly trusting and relying on him, with a heart full of longing for the future, she married into the Lu family... But who could have thought that just a few years later, he would change his mind! Abandoning his wife, staying in the capital, never returning to Dingzhou again.

  She ended up in such a miserable state, all because of him!

  A surge of intense hatred and pain churned in her heart, and Ling Jingxuan's voice also became sharp and agitated: "Whatever you think is your business, it has nothing to do with me. I don't have a shred of good feeling towards you, nor have I ever thought of marrying you. You've said what you wanted to say, now leave!"

  Lu Hong's expression froze.

  A heartfelt confession, but in return is an apathetic rejection. Whoever it was, couldn't face it calmly. Moreover, beneath Lu Hong's polite exterior, he has always had the superior air of a noble family's son and the pride of achieving success at a young age...

  Lu Hong pursed his lips and suddenly walked over, stopping only two steps away from Ling Jingyu: "What's wrong with me? Why do you dislike me so much that you won't even give me a chance?"

  He has a good birth and a good father, he is the eldest son of the Lu family, and will be the master of the Lu family in the future.

  He was clever and had a good memory since childhood, he could remember everything after reading it once, and he had a natural talent for studying. He obtained the title of "Xiucai" at a very young age, and his future prospects were boundless.

  He was born with a good appearance, and his demeanor and temperament were both excellent, making him a handsome young man admired by everyone.

  How could Ling Jingxu not like him at all?

  Lu Hong couldn't suppress the surging emotions, and suddenly stretched out his hand to grasp hers. Just as he touched her fingertips, before he could even wrap his palm around her slender and soft hand...

  Ling Jingxu's face suddenly turned pale, her whole body seemed to convulse for a moment, a strong wave of nausea surged up in her chest, she stumbled backward one step, and then vomited loudly.