Chapter 1686: Chapter 1679: Ling’er, I Will Always Be There

Did he, Zhuo Junli, really think he was made of iron?

Sending him out constantly, as if there was nothing better to do, even if he were running himself ragged.

And yet, to this day, no son has been born.

Yun Sijin walked over to his side with a smile. He pulled her into his arms, and she said coquettishly, "It doesn’t seem like it was the Crown Prince who stirred up trouble this time. Commandant Mo came by, saying he wants to see Ling’er."

"Tell him to get lost," Zhuo Junli said bluntly, his tone devoid of any politeness. "The Leng family raised her into an old maid without a care, so not just any man should come around thinking he can pick up what was left behind."

Back then, he had approved of Leng Muling’s bold behavior because he believed Mo Qi to be a capable and responsible man. But he hadn’t expected him to have that nasty business about memory loss.

And now, as old memories surfaced, he’s caused a child to come into this world and still dares to expect Leng Muling to marry him?

Dream on!

"But Lu Mian... he has formally proposed marriage to Ling’er."

Since Yun Sijin had become the madam of the Prime Minister’s Estate, her access to information had naturally grown sharper. She easily found out why Mo Qi came. Of course, it wasn’t impossible that this information had been deliberately leaked to her by Lu Mian.

"Lu Mian?" Zhuo Junli furrowed his brows tightly, his expression resembling two mountains pressing together. "Does he even realize that he’s more than a full cycle older than Ling’er?"

What a shameless beast!

Yun Sijin had anticipated his reaction. Zhuo Junli’s affection for Leng Muling was genuine, so regarding Lu Mian, he would certainly resolve that matter. As for Commandant Mo...

Zhuo Junli said, "She’ll be back shortly. Let her handle this herself. A young lady of the Leng family shouldn’t grow up timid and afraid."

Leng Muling had weathered many storms over the years. She was no longer the lively and innocent girl of the past, lacking steadiness.

Yun Sijin thought the same and, for this reason, didn’t chase Mo Qi away. She waited until Leng Muling returned.

Leng Muling had spent the entire day outside. On the way back, she ran into Lu Mian and purposely stirred up trouble for him. Although Lu Mian hadn’t forced her into anything, he had deliberately dragged things out, causing her to return home only after nightfall.

"Miss, madam said there’s a guest in the hall and asked you to change before meeting them,"

Yun Sijin’s maidservant came to remind Leng Muling.

Having heard there was a guest, Leng Muling glanced at her dirt-smeared dress hem and, turning toward her quarters with Leng Qiu, said, "To meet a guest, one must change clothes. Who is the guest, by the way?"

It was a casual question, but Leng Qiu grabbed her sleeve, whispering nervously, "Miss, isn’t that Commandant Mo?"

Leng Muling froze where she stood.

Standing under the covered walkway, she looked toward the hall. That tall, dark figure appeared like a blade, stabbing straight into her heart.

Mo Qi.

He had come.

Leng Muling’s breath caught for a moment—so much so that her eyes instinctively turned red, tears threatening to fall.

Mo Qi had been the sweetheart of her youth, the man to whom she’d given everything. They had shared the most intimate of moments.

And yet, not long ago, he’d already begun making arrangements for his marriage.

"He comes now, as if my reputation isn’t already ruined enough?"

Leng Muling let out a self-deprecating laugh and looked down at her dust-stained dress.

So be it.

Why bother changing?

Leng Muling picked up her skirts, straightened her back, and walked confidently toward the front hall.

"Miss! Miss, your leg..."

Leng Qiu wanted to remind Leng Muling not to walk too fast. Her leg had once been broken, and though the bone had healed, it left behind a lingering issue. Walking too quickly would reveal her slight limp.

When Leng Muling attended banquets and social gatherings, she was always careful. But now, facing Mo Qi, she walked boldly and without reservation, caring not if her limp showed.

Mo Qi was surprised to see her.

She wore a sky-blue dress, walking with a brisk stride. Even though she limped, there wasn’t a trace of dejection on her face.

Radiant and captivating, with an alluring charm.

His Ling’er seemed to have grown even more—more beautiful, more spirited and charming.

Even the way she held her skirts and approached him looked...

"Commandant Mo."

Leng Muling’s voice carried a cool detachment, jolting Mo Qi from his trance.

Mo Qi instinctively reached out to steady her. "Ling’er, don’t walk so fast, your leg..."

"My leg may be lame, but that’s none of your concern, Commandant Mo." Leng Muling firmly pushed his hand away.

Her voice was soft, but the force behind it was unrelenting.

Mo Qi lowered his gaze, guilt overtaking him. "I was being presumptuous. My apologies."

"For what purpose does Commandant Mo visit the Prime Minister’s Estate today? My uncle has said that if there’s nothing pressing, he would rather you never set foot here again—nor come to see me."

Leng Muling’s voice was light and carefree, without a trace of despair.

Though Mo Qi had betrayed her, she was no cloistered, grief-stricken woman.

She remained the bright and spirited Eldest Young Miss.

"I have business!"

Mo Qi’s handsome face was filled with guilt. "I no longer deserve to marry you, but I cannot stand by and let others dictate your future. Do you know that Lord Lu Mian has proposed to marry you? Does your uncle, Lord Zhuo Junli, know?

Don’t be afraid of Lu Mian. I won’t let him force you into anything. Prime Minister Zhuo will stand by you as well."

He worried that such an endearing and adorable girl as Leng Muling would be frightened by the prospect of Lu Mian seeking marriage.

Lu Mian had grown colder and more distant in recent years.

Although his rank was high, few influential families were willing to marry their daughters to him.

Leng Muling paused in slight astonishment, while Mo Qi had already started imagining her inner worry. Unable to help himself, he gently placed both hands on her shoulders, offering comfort. "Ling’er, don’t be afraid. I’m here. I will..."

"Why would I be afraid?"

Leng Muling shrugged off his hands and interrupted him again, adding, "Commandant Mo, please behave yourself. We have nothing to do with each other anymore."

Didn’t they resolve everything last time?

He wanted his Hong Lian and his child, and as for her...

She would no longer beg him.

Mo Qi’s eyes grew desolate, a storm of guilt swirling within him.

He had left her a letter, one she hadn’t seen. She only believed he had abandoned her.

But he owed Hong Lian and the child, he couldn’t deny them their rightful place.

Since Leng Muling wouldn’t accept Hong Lian and the child, then he and she...

"Ling’er, I’m sorry." Mo Qi lowered his head. "I don’t know how to make it up to you. I just want you to live well and to... marry well."

That she might meet someone better than him who would love her even more.

A girl so wonderful deserved nothing less than the best affection.

"Of course, I will marry well. Isn’t Lord Lu Mian an excellent match? He’s older than me and knows how to care for people. He holds a high ranking position. As Lady Lu, wouldn’t everyone have to treat me with extra respect?

Commandant Mo, there’s really no need for you to concern yourself over me. Since you’ve chosen your wife and child, you should never spare me another glance, do you understand?"

Mo Qi had never thought Leng Muling would be so clear-headed. Or perhaps... was it that Lu Mian hadn’t forced her?

Could she truly be willing herself?

He let out a bitter and self-mocking smile. "Apologies, I have disturbed you. I only feared you’d suffer and wanted to help."

He took a deep breath, forcing a bitter smile. "Ling’er, I’ve wronged you. But if you ever need me, I’ll always be here. You can come find me anytime."

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