Chapter 1702: Chapter 1695: Jinling Really Forgot Her

"Jinling is far from being as shallow as you. How many women with pleasant voices has he encountered, and have you seen him give even one of them a second glance?" Lin Sisi crossed her arms, exuding an air of authority.

Saint Ruan rolled his eyes at her. "Mortal men—who can truly escape the fetters of the commonplace?"

In his youth, he had seen too many tales of love and longing, where supposedly devoted men, upon losing the one they loved, would ultimately turn to dissipation.

Even if they didn’t, they would never again devote themselves to love with the same purity and focus as before.

The most genuine and moving affection in this world exists only once and is given to only one person.

Never a second.

Just as Saint Ruan finished speaking, Chu Jinling concluded writing a Chapter upstairs. Standing on the second floor in a warm golden robe of embroidered cloud patterns, he radiated brilliance like the dazzling sun, casting an aura of comforting warmth.

He smiled faintly and said, "Since you’re eager to hear, Your Highness shall read this newly written Chapter aloud for all of you."

"Wonderful!"

"Many thanks, Your Highness!"

"Your Highness’s writing must be exceptional!"

The young misses on the first floor went wild, scrambling for seats and even quarreling over positions closest to Chu Jinling in hopes of catching his attention.

In the end, however, they were pushed to the back by Lin Yu.

Lin Yu, skilled in martial arts, easily maneuvered around them. Moreover, as a concubine of the prince’s mansion, her status naturally overshadowed those women.

Yet Lin Sisi observed this scene with disapproval—Lin Yu didn’t seem worthy of her position.

She appeared unfamiliar with the art of storytelling; after listening for only a short while, she began to exhibit signs of drowsiness. Unlike the other young ladies, her gaze didn’t remain fixed on Chu Jinling with undivided attention.

"This concludes the Chapter. Your Highness shall take leave for today."

After speaking, Chu Jinling smiled and descended the stairs.

Wherever he passed, commotion followed. Even with Lin Yu accompanying him, a growing swarm of women encircled him, engaging him in lively conversation.

Passersby in the street paused to witness this spectacle of Chu Jinling surrounded by an exuberant throng of admirers.

A sight to behold.

Lin Sisi, however, did not join the crowd.

After Chu Jinling left, she selected his latest work at the bookshop, purchased it, and left with Saint Ruan in tow.

Saint Ruan sidled up to her and blinked curiously. "Just like that? Aren’t you going to follow him and watch?"

It didn’t make sense!

Given Lin Sisi’s forthright and fiery nature, how could she endure this quietly?

The swarm of women around Chu Jinling had nearly blocked half the street.

Lin Sisi’s mood was complex. Holding the book as she walked back, her face remained clouded, and she did not speak a word.

Saint Ruan, perceptive and considerate, refrained from disturbing her.

Clutching Chu Jinling’s work, Lin Sisi spent the entire night sleepless, lost in endless rumination.

The sight of other women around Chu Jinling upset her deeply, yet she also felt that, in his heart, she was already gone.

What right did she have, then, to demand that Chu Jinling remain unwed for life?

If she were in his position—if it were Chu Jinling who had vanished forever—how far could she go for his sake?

Could she still stay together with him?

This thought flashed through her mind for only an instant before Lin Sisi resolutely dismissed it.

Saint Ruan had told her that her survival depended entirely on the parasitic worm sustaining her from within. He wasn’t even confident she could live out the full duration he had promised her—three years.

Three years.

Nearly half a year had already passed since she awakened.

Which meant Saint Ruan could, at best, guarantee her another two and a half years of life.

And setting aside her physical ailments—her broken, incapacitated body that rendered her akin to a cripple—she was not capable of fulfilling the duties of a wife, nor could she bear children. She relied on Saint Ruan’s constant care and medicine to maintain her fragile health.

How could she possibly continue with Jinling?

A storm of anxiety gripped Lin Sisi’s heart. She resolved not to interfere with any of Chu Jinling’s endeavors but merely to remain by his side, watching him as much as she could, until the day she could no longer open her eyes.

The next day, Ye Hongru came to visit her.

Saint Ruan explained that she had sustained severe injuries and needed prolonged recovery, prompting Ye Hongru to bring fresh fruits and vegetables as a gesture of care.

Seated together in the courtyard, under the sunlight, Ye Hongru wore a faint smile on his refined face. "Miss Chu, I hope I’m not intruding. I truly appreciate your visit to me earlier and the medicine you brought from Mr. Ruan—it means a great deal to me."

Lin Sisi smiled lightly. "No need for gratitude."

Between comrades-in-arms, such courtesies were unnecessary.

Ye Hongru, a candid man, sighed quietly. "If not for Lin Yu marrying into Prince Ling’s mansion, I should still be at Wangjiang Tower, busy with training!"

"Now, the remaining two young misses have continued their diligent practice under expert guidance, while I..."

"I discussed the matter with Great General Lin. He said that since Lin Yu was unwilling and left for Prince Ling’s mansion, there’s nothing we can do to force her back into military service."

After all, not every woman could withstand the allure of worldly pleasures and expectations, as Lin Sisi had—valiant, righteous, and steadfast.

Lin Sisi tapped the table lightly. "The great general makes a valid point—you shouldn’t let it weigh too heavily on your mind. Everyone has the right to make their own choices."

Ye Hongru, however, looked visibly unsettled. "I just find it such a pity. Ten years of rigorous training—how could marriage undo it all?"

"Has Lin Yu forgotten the vows she made, the aspirations she once held? In my heart, she was never that kind of person! She should have been like General Lin—a woman of unwavering principle, noble and bold!"

Lin Sisi felt slightly embarrassed. "Lin Sisi... is far from as outstanding as you say."

"No!" Ye Hongru exclaimed passionately, rising to his feet. "I will not allow anyone to speak ill of General Lin! She is the finest woman in this world! She saved my life on the battlefield!"

"The only tears I’ve ever shed were for her!"

"Miss Chu, you haven’t met General Lin—you cannot possibly understand. Among women in this world, having one like her is akin to a living legend!"

"She is the blessing I yearned for all my life!"

Lin Sisi froze, startled by his heartfelt confession. She had never imagined she could affect Ye Hongru so profoundly.

"Miss Chu, you wouldn’t know this, but when I found Lin Yu, I could never have imagined she’d succeed in martial arts, excel in military strategy, and reach the heights she has."

"But she possessed the same unwavering grit as General Lin. She faced every obstacle head-on and triumphed over them all. Though she may lack raw talent, her sheer effort made up for it."

"There are countless things in this world where effort alone is futile."

"But Lin Yu insisted on proving that hard work matters—that women, too, can carve out their own domain in this world."

"So you gave your utmost to train her?" Lin Sisi asked, astonished.

She wasn’t surprised by Lin Yu’s decision to seek a wealthy match and lead a peaceful life.

But she hadn’t realized just how driven and ambitious Lin Yu had been during her time under Ye Hongru’s care.

Ye Hongru nodded firmly. "Even now, I believe she still has the chance to participate in the imperial martial arts examination at the Golden Hall."

"But she’s already a concubine of the prince’s mansion. Every word and deed of hers is weighed and constrained, unlike before."

The stringent rules of the prince’s mansion were akin to an oppressive mountain, crushing her freedom.

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