Chapter 234 Second Update
Zheng Nianru slowly released her grip, as if only at this moment did she grasp the full meaning of Zheng Congyuan’s words.
"The Empress Dowager agreed?" asked Zheng Nianru, her doubt evident. Why would the Empress Dowager, who couldn’t stand to see her happy, agree to this marriage? It was something she had never considered. "Is there really no way to change it?"
Zheng Nianru’s voice was laced with indignant resignation as she glanced at Zheng Congyuan, seeming as though there were things she dared not speak aloud.
Zheng Congyuan was in turmoil. Why had he told her? To make her sad? Her little schemes might as well have been laid out before him, open for his perusal, utterly without subterfuge.
Yet, even if he knew, what could he do? He couldn’t, not only because of his status, but because Nian Ru was the offspring of the Imperial Uncle. He couldn’t ask her to abandon everything, to live in the Crown Prince’s Mansion without status or recognition, not even able to meet her own father. How selfish would he have to be to do that? Besides, this wasn’t what Nian Ru wanted; he knew all too well that her greatest hope was to leave the palace and live openly in Prince Duan’s Mansion.
"Nian Ru, don’t be hasty. Some things might not be as bad as they seem," Zheng Congyuan said gently, his hands on her frail shoulders. Zheng Nianru tried to resist, but couldn’t muster the strength. In this position, even if she wanted to take the chance to get closer to Zheng Congyuan, she couldn’t manage it.
Zheng Nianru was truly unhappy now, reaching directly for Zheng Congyuan’s robe. The man didn’t budge, not because he was oblivious to what Zheng Nianru wanted to do, but because he was afraid—an impulse might lead him to do something he’d regret.
"So, you don’t oppose it? You’re happy?" Zheng Nianru couldn’t move him, and looking up, the redness in her eyes deepened. Her anger was real, tainted with tears. So, this had always been his way of thinking.
Yes, Zheng Congyuan, you’re noble, so noble that you could live by your wits alone, by your imagination, dwelling in the lofty righteousness that you’ve conjured for yourself, painting your own golden body against rosy clouds. Even the warmth of a woman’s embrace won’t sway you. Hence, in the previous life, no matter how she coaxed or pleaded, abandoning all dignity, she never won you over.