lcionline Chapter 376 Recalling the Past, His Heart Had Ultimately Changed
Chapter 376 Recalling the Past, His Heart Had Ultimately Changed
Gu Cheng'an paused slightly, looked up at the familiar-looking box of Poria cocos cake, and a sense of disorientation flashed through his mind.
"It looks like your injury is much better." Du Ruoling didn't urge him to eat the pastries, but just looked at his bandaged arm with concern.
"I heard you never take proper care of your injuries and still insist on studying military texts and practicing swordsmanship. That won't do. It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone, so you have to be careful."
Gu Cheng'an snorted, remaining silent but showing no intention of driving her away.
Du Ruoling took out a small celadon bowl, poured in some water, and then took out a small bundle from her bosom. Inside were a few dried leaves.
"These are pine needles. Soaking them in water to wash wounds can reduce swelling and relieve pain." She skillfully placed the pine needles into the water. "When you hurt your hand before, didn't I use these to treat it? It was healed in three days."
Gu Cheng'an watched her movements, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He remembered that Du Ruoling had indeed taken care of him in that dilapidated little courtyard. Although life was difficult back then, there were also times when they treated each other with genuine affection.
"You..." Gu Cheng'an finally spoke, his voice low, "Why haven't you been causing trouble lately?"
Du Ruoling paused slightly, then sighed softly, her voice tinged with self-mockery: "People always have to grow up, don't they?"
She raised her head and looked directly into Gu Cheng'an's eyes: "Cheng'an, I know I've done a lot of wrong things and hurt you."
"I was so foolish back then. I didn't know how to cherish the people who treated me sincerely, and I fantasized that wealth and fame could bring me happiness."
Gu Cheng'an's eyes turned cold: "So now that you've obtained the status of a princess, you've remembered me again?"
Du Ruoling shook her head, a hint of tears welling up in her eyes, but she forced herself not to let them fall.
"No, I just finally understand that the most precious thing in this world is not empty fame and wealth, but a sincere heart."
She lowered her head, her voice almost inaudible, "I was fortunate enough to have it, but I destroyed it with my own hands."
Silence fell over the room for a moment.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a bright square on the floor. A gentle breeze blew by, making the wind chimes by the window tinkle softly.
Looking at the woman in front of him who seemed to have really changed, Gu Cheng'an felt a mix of emotions.
He didn't believe that Du Ruoling would change so easily, but he had to admit that she was indeed a completely different person now.
“These Poria cocos cakes…” Gu Cheng’an pointed to the food box on the table, finally softening his tone, “Do you want some?”
A hint of joy flashed in Du Ruoling's eyes, but she simply shook her head gently: "I don't like sweets, you remember that. I bought these especially for you."
Gu Cheng'an remained silent for a moment, then reached out and took a piece of pastry, taking a small bite.
The familiar aroma filled my mouth, with a sweet but not cloying taste, and for a moment I felt as if I had returned to that simple yet cozy little courtyard.
"Do you remember that Lantern Festival?" Du Ruoling asked, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes as she saw him eat pastries. "We didn't have money to go to the lantern festival, so you hung a few homemade lanterns in the yard and even magically produced a bowl of glutinous rice balls for me."
A gentle light flickered in Gu Cheng'an's eyes; it was indeed a beautiful memory. At the time, he felt guilty but was willing to do anything for her.
“The glutinous rice balls were sweet back then,” Gu Cheng’an said softly. “You said you liked them.”
“Yes,” Du Ruoling nodded, her voice filled with nostalgia, “those were the best glutinous rice balls I’ve ever eaten.”
She raised her head and looked deeply into Gu Cheng'an's eyes: "I didn't say it at the time, but that was truly the happiest Lantern Festival I've ever had."
Gu Cheng'an didn't reply, but just took another bite of the poria cocos cake.
Those memories came flooding back like a tide, and no matter how much he resisted, he could never completely erase those beautiful times.
When he first met Du Ruoling, she was still a maidservant in the mansion.
She accidentally broke a vase and was punished by the supervisor, but her defiant look and her words about equality for all caught his attention...
Du Ruoling noticed his change in mood and was secretly pleased, but dared not show it too obviously.
She slowly stood up and placed the soaked pine needle water on the table.
"The water is ready; we can use it to wash the wound later." She patted her skirt, her tone calm. "I know you can't forgive me right now, and I don't expect you to accept me immediately."
"But Cheng'an, I only hope you can give me a chance to make up for my past mistakes."
She turned and walked towards the door, her steps light but unhurried: "I'm sorry to have bothered you today, I should take my leave now. Take good care of your injury, I'll come to see you again tomorrow."
Gu Cheng'an watched her retreating figure and suddenly called out to her, "Ruoling."
Du Ruoling paused, slowly turned around, her eyes filled with questioning and a glimmer of hope.
Gu Cheng'an frowned slightly, as if struggling with something, and finally said, "From now on... you don't need to bring anything."
Du Ruoling was taken aback for a moment, then understood the meaning behind his words—he allowed her to come again tomorrow.
Du Ruoling's face showed a hint of joy. Just as she was about to thank Gu Cheng'an for his change of attitude, she heard him continue:
"This is, after all, the General's mansion. It's inconvenient for an outsider like me to stay here. Besides, my injuries have healed a lot, so there's no reason for me to stay any longer."
Du Ruoling's smile froze instantly, and she stood there stunned.
"I'm preparing to return to the military camp. Chu Ruohan is heavily pregnant and needs to rest and recuperate. It's inconvenient for you to bring her things every day..."
Gu Cheng'an's voice was calm, but his gaze no longer fell on Du Ruoling; instead, he looked out the window.
The sun was still shining brightly, but Du Ruoling felt as if she were in the dead of winter.
Du Ruoling couldn't bear to listen to the rest. Her face was grim; if she hadn't been holding back, she probably would have exploded on the spot.
She forced a smile, trying to appear calm.
"It was my oversight," Du Ruoling said, her voice trembling slightly. "In that case, I will not disturb you any longer."
"Goodbye." She took a deep breath, turned around and strode away, her back view somewhat hurried, as if she were fleeing something.
Gu Cheng'an watched her departing figure, his brows furrowed slightly. He picked up the Poria cocos cake on the table, took a bite, then put it down, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Leaving the general's mansion, Du Ruoling almost staggered as she boarded the carriage.
The maid was about to ask a question, but she was stopped by a look from her.
"Return to the manor," she coldly ordered.
The moment the carriage started moving, Du Ruoling could no longer maintain her composure, and tears fell like beads from a broken string.
She bit her handkerchief, trying to keep herself from making a sound, but her shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
"It's useless! It's all useless!" Du Ruoling cursed inwardly. The methods that crazy woman taught her were completely ineffective.
Gentle and considerate, no longer clingy, reminiscing about happy memories, showing maturity and change...
She did all of these things, but Gu Cheng'an remained unmoved.