Chapter 136: Chapter 78: Why Not Marry Me?

Zhen’er strained to lift her injured arm and slowly stood up. The mockery and sarcasm previously on her face were gone, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness and solemnity.

She looked firmly at Chengyi and slowly said, “What can I do? I’m just making you see reality.”

“Xiao Chengyi, because of you, I lost myself and even became the person I used to despise the most. Yet, I remained oblivious and thought that all of this was natural.

However, when I felt the pain others once experienced, I was awakened as if from a dream, shocked at how absurd my past actions were.”

Zhen’er took a deep breath and continued, “Fortunately, I’ve awakened not too late.

But I’m different from Shen Ruoxi. She might be indifferent to whether you are good or bad, but I curse you to never find peace in this life.” Upon saying this, she resolutely lifted her leg and turned to leave without hesitation.

Xiao Chengyi trembled with anger and shouted loudly, “Zhen’er, stop, what madness is this? Where are you going? Don’t forget, it was you who was headstrong and ambitious, causing delays in military operations and almost getting Military Doctor Shen killed. If it weren’t for your injury, you would have faced severe punishment.”

Zhen’er merely gave a faint smile, a smile tinged with relief and freedom, “I know. I don’t fear the Marshal’s punishment.

I’m going to find Shen Ruoxi now, to apologize to her in person and say thank you!

Perhaps you find this insignificant, but to me, it is crucial.

Some things, without experiencing life and death, one might never fully awaken to.

I also want to thank you. It’s you who made me realize who I truly am. In fact, I, Ning Zhen, am nothing special.”

“Zhen’er!” Xiao Chengyi was furious.

Someone came over to calm the two down. Zhen’er didn’t glance at Chengyi again and simply walked out.

Xiao Chengyi felt Zhen’er had changed overnight, and her words baffled him.

His brow furrowed tightly. After being persuaded by others, he reluctantly followed her, saying coolly, “I know you’re in pain from your injury and speaking recklessly. I don’t blame you.

This time, you almost made a grave mistake. I’ll plead to the Marshal on your behalf. Let’s go back to the camp so you can rest well.”

“No need; I’m going to find Shen Ruoxi.” Zhen’er’s tone was firm and resolute.

“It’s already late; it’s not too late to talk tomorrow,” Xiao Chengyi tried to stop her.

Zhen’er curled her lips mockingly, her gaze stubborn, “I must say it tonight, or I won’t be able to sleep.”

Xiao Chengyi knew well that Shen Ruoxi was currently with Jun Moling, and his gaze froze. He ultimately chose to follow Zhen’er.

Shen Ruoxi followed Jun Moling to Pei Xuan’s tent.

Upon seeing the Marshal and Military Doctor Shen arrive, the guards outside the tent hurriedly saluted and said, “Marshal, Military Doctor Shen, I’ll report to the Princely Heir right away.”

Jun Moling gently waved his hand, stopping them, “No need, we’ll just go in directly.”

“Yes, sir,” the guard replied respectfully.

Ruoxi was the first to lift the tent’s curtain, but the scene inside made her freeze instantly.

Pei Xuan was lying on the bed, being gently spoon-fed medicine by her own senior sister.

Pei Xuan’s eyes were infatuated, and her senior sister looked at him with a doting gaze. There was an indescribable harmony flowing between the two of them.

Ruoxi instinctively let the curtain fall quickly, perfectly meeting Jun Moling’s gaze that was filled with amusement. She said awkwardly, “Prince Pei seems well; shall we not disturb them?”

Jun Moling nodded slightly, “Then let’s not disturb them, accompany me on a walk.”

The night wind blew, clearing Shen Ruoxi’s head considerably, and she agreed, “Alright.”

Thus, the two of them strolled leisurely along the tents.

Jun Moling gazed intently at her stunning face, his voice exceptionally gentle, “What are your plans?”

Ruoxi appeared puzzled, “Plans for what?”

“After returning to the Capital City,” Jun Moling patiently explained.

Ruoxi’s mood instantly plummeted. She gently bit her lip, and after a long time, she finally spoke with a bitter tone, “I don’t know. It’s not like I will escape from everything! I will explain to the Emperor that I don’t like him and hope he retracts his decision.”

“And if the Emperor insists on making you a concubine, what will you do?” Jun Moling continued to ask.

Ruoxi sighed softly, “Then I’ll truly flee.”

Jun Moling’s lips curved slightly, “Your Shen family still has people, doesn’t it? Don’t you have a sister-in-law and three young nieces? Aren’t you afraid…” Jun Moling deliberately left his words unfinished, gazing at her with deep meaning.

Ruoxi frowned, her voice cold, “The men of our Shen family sacrificed for the country, does the Emperor truly dare to go against all moral decency?”

“I’m simply saying that escaping is not advisable. They are your family, aren’t they? Perhaps in your heart, all that’s left is your concern for them, so how could you possibly escape so easily?” Jun Moling’s words were like a heavy hammer, striking Ruoxi’s heart with each utterance.

Ruoxi’s face was filled with anger, “Then what do you think I should do?”

A gentle breeze ruffled her hair.

Jun Moling raised his hand, intending to tuck the strands behind her ear, but withdrew at the last moment before touching them.

His eyes were bright, “I indeed have a plan.”

Ruoxi stared at him, asking softly, “Then tell me.”

Jun Moling’s gaze suddenly became incredibly tender, as if it could drip water.

He smiled slightly, “Look at me, I’m not young anymore. Could you consider me? Marry me? Perhaps I am the only man bold enough to vie with the Emperor for a woman.”

Ruoxi’s heart skipped a beat, a strange blush swept over her face, making her appear as stunning as the evening glow.

But thinking he held someone else in his heart, she became somewhat agitated, “You, what nonsense are you spouting? Don’t you worry about her anymore? The owner of that small box.”

“I just want to ask you, how do you truly feel about me?” Jun Moling’s deep black eyes locked onto her, as if trying to see through her soul.

Ruoxi’s fingers turned white from clenching, her heart like a stormy sea.

She almost couldn’t bear to meet his eyes, filled with deep affection, and it was a long moment before she slowly said, “I have already lost faith in marriage and hold no hope for you men.

I originally planned to spend my life alone like this, which seemed fine, but the Emperor’s coercion is really infuriating, no matter what I will not enter the palace.”

Jun Moling’s heart sank slightly.

She actually used the word “coercion.” If he confessed that she was the one who saved him back then, would she see it as another form of coercion, an emotional blackmail, causing her endless distress?

Don’t rush, take it slow, let her have him in her heart first before speaking of it.

Jun Moling silently made this decision in his heart, then said softly, “In that case, let’s marry! Let’s safely get past this difficult situation with the Emperor.

If this marriage suffocates you, you can leave anytime, and I won’t hold you back.”

Ruoxi felt an inexplicable discomfort rising in her heart. She lifted her eyes, meeting his and asked, “You’re not going to find her? Is it because I resemble her? Are you treating me as a substitute?”

Jun Moling couldn’t help but laugh, hurriedly explaining, “No, if you think so, then you’ve misunderstood me.

You don’t wish to marry; I didn’t want to either before. Marrying me means you won’t be bound by a marriage, and it can also resolve your current crisis, so why not do it?”

Ruoxi felt inexplicably as though she was at a disadvantage with such a proposal, but in the end, who was really at a disadvantage?

He was offering himself to help her, including his own marriage.

And herself, facing a man who didn’t love her and had someone else in his heart, there was a constant discomfort.

This feeling was like a tangled mess of thread in her heart, unable to be unraveled no matter what.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep