Chapter 648: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 648: His Unspoken Feelings of Protection (1)
The two cousins had supported each other for many years. Chu Heng knew very well what kind of person his cousin was. On the surface, Xiao Ruiyuan was upright and composed, but in reality, he was cold-hearted and destined to be alone. When had he ever seen him so flustered and embarrassed?
In the capital, which noble young man at the age of twenty-three didn’t have a household full of wives and children running around? Yet, this cousin of his had neither children nor even a servant girl to attend to him. Chu Heng had once suspected that his cousin might be suffering from some hidden illness; otherwise, why would he only have rigid attendants serving him and endure such a lonely existence for so many years?
Now, seeing his cousin defend Miss Mo, it was clear that he had deep feelings for her. With his stubborn personality, once he made up his mind, nothing could change it. He was unlikely to fall for anyone else, and no one could force him to accept another woman.
Chu Heng sighed inwardly, thinking, “Indeed, one cannot hold back a growing child!”
Although Miss Mo came from a humble background and technically didn’t even qualify to be a concubine to his cousin, she had saved his life. Even if he wasn’t entirely pleased, he couldn’t bear to break up the pair. Moreover, she had also saved his cousin's life. She was kind-hearted and noble, qualities that couldn’t be overlooked. Since his cousin didn’t care about his future wife’s background, Chu Heng, as his older cousin, had no reason to object.
With this in mind, Chu Heng’s expression softened. Seeing the hidden tension in his cousin’s eyes, he spoke with resignation, “Do you think I’m the kind of person who can’t tell right from wrong, someone who would repay kindness with ingratitude? Even if that woman is Miss Mo’s biological mother, she severed ties with her the day she eloped with Chen Ji. Moreover, Miss Mo bears the Mo surname and just taught Chen Ji a lesson for me. I will remember this favor.”
Hearing this, Xiao Ruiyuan’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on his usually stern lips, brightening the room. “Thank you, Brother!”
Even though Chu Heng knew his cousin’s beauty was unparalleled, that rare smile still dazzled him. After a brief moment of distraction, he couldn’t help but joke, “I must never stand next to you in the future, or else I, the crown prince of a nation, might be laughed at as a mere foil to your beauty!”
At first, Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t understand, but once he did, his face darkened. To him, appearance was just a shell, something he never paid much attention to. Now, being teased by his cousin, he felt aggrieved. How could a dignified man be compared to a beautiful flower?
However, his mind involuntarily conjured up an image of someone who had haunted his dreams. He remembered how, whenever he smiled at her, she would stare at him, her dazed and silly look etched clearly in his memory. Each time, her eyes would reflect different emotions…
Chu Heng had no idea that his casual remark had triggered his cousin’s thoughts. Seeing his cousin’s gaze drifting off into the distance with that fleeting, stunning smile again, Chu Heng was taken aback.
Could his cousin be bewitched? Otherwise, how could someone who rarely smiled twice in a year now smile twice in just a few moments?
Xiao Ruiyuan snapped out of his reverie, noticing his cousin’s strange stare. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, he turned his head and skillfully changed the subject, “Recently, the Lin family has been making frequent moves, all aimed at this year’s autumn examinations. What are your plans, Brother?”
(End of the chapter)
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