CH 214

Chapter 214 Deep Affection (Part 1)

Luo Ning's boudoir was simply furnished. There was a small dressing table by the window, on which were placed various items typical of a lady, such as rouge and powder. Most noticeable was a petite glass bottle, a perfume gifted to her by the Eldest Miss. The fluid level had lowered slightly, indicating Luo Ning's frequent use.

Next to the dressing table stood a desk, neatly arranged with the 'four treasures of the study': brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. A bookshelf was also placed on the desk, piled high with thick volumes of classics, historical works, anthologies, and various written excerpts. Each book was lightly creased, clear evidence of frequent perusal, manifesting Luo Ning's diligence.

Beside the bookshelf lay an immaculate zither, wiped clean of dust, exuding a sense of antiquity and simple elegance.

A lady's boudoir was traditionally her last line of defense, a sanctuary that no strange man could casually enter. However, Lin Wanrong disregarded this rule. After all, it was Old Madam Luo who had invited him up. He considered his visit as carrying out an order. It was his first time in Luo Ning's boudoir, and even a brief glance around made him feel rather emotional. The classics, the zither, painting, and calligraphy - Luo Ning had studied it all. Her reputation as a talented lady was indeed well-earned.

The room carried a faint fragrance, not that of sandalwood, but a natural scent unique to a girl. This aroma was different from Qiaoqiao's, it was a refreshing scent that lifted his spirits.

To know a woman by her scent was indeed a true statement, Lin Wanrong mused with a sigh. Every girl had a different scent, and it was for the discerning to discover and experience.

Within the pink mosquito net, Luo Ning lay quietly on the bed. Her complexion was pale, with a hint of pink, and her breathing was faint yet steady. From a distance, she resembled a sleeping beauty, awaiting the prince's summons.

Lin Wanrong glanced at Luo Ning and thought to himself, ‘this girl looked beautiful even in sleep, truly deserving the title of the most beautiful lady in Jinling.’ Being in Luo Ning's boudoir gave him a strange sensation, as if he was the master of this place. This feeling was especially pronounced after the covert intimacy with Qiaoqiao, stirring up his emotions and bringing about a special sentiment towards this place.

"Poor sister Ning..." Qiaoqiao sighed softly, "If I were ill, I would have my big brother caring for me. When she is ill, she doesn't even have a person to speak kindly to her. Compared to her, I am far luckier. Big brother, you are so good to me."

Lin Wanrong gently squeezed Qiaoqiao's hand, at a loss for words. With Luo Ning's intelligence, talent, and beauty, the number of gentlemen pursuing her could block the Qinhuai River. From the distant Hou Yuebai to the recently emerged Zhao Kangning, if she held no feelings for Hou Yuebai, why wasn't she moved by Zhao Kangning, who was both talented in literature and skilled in martial arts? Recalling the words Luo Ning had shared with him on the old lady's birthday, Lin Wanrong could only smile helplessly. The thoughts of a woman were indeed hard to fathom.

His eyes scanned the room and eventually landed on a pair of embroidered shoes under Luo Ning's bed. The shoes were scattered, suggesting a hint of disarray.

Qiaoqiao frowned and said, "Strange. When I left earlier, sister Ning's shoes were well-placed. I wonder who moved them." She bent down and put the shoes back in order.

Lin Wanrong laughed, "Perhaps the wind blew them."

In the bed, Luo Ning murmured and twisted slowly, showing signs of regaining consciousness. Qiaoqiao said with joy, "Sister Ning is about to wake up."

As she spoke, Luo Ning slowly opened her eyes, looked around, glanced at Qiaoqiao, gave a faint smile, and softly said to Lin Wanrong, "Brother Lin, you are here."

Qiaoqiao exclaimed with surprise, "Sister Ning, are you awake?"

Luo Ning's face flushed as she shyly responded, "I just woke up. I heard you and Brother Lin talking."

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "I learned this morning that Miss Luo was ill, and I wanted to come and visit. I just got here and saw Qiaoqiao, so we exchanged a few words. I fear our voices might have awakened Miss Luo. My apologies."

His lie came out so naturally that it didn't need a second thought. He had clearly done unspeakable things in her room, but claimed he had just arrived. Qiaoqiao felt her heart pounding, she lowered her head, daring not to look at him.

Luo Ning blushed even more, seemingly lost in her thoughts. She quietly said, "Your voices were not loud. I didn't hear much, and you didn't wake me. I was just tired and woke up on my own."

Seeing Luo Ning regain some color and strength, Qiaoqiao asked, "Sister Ning, are you hungry? I can make you some lotus seed porridge, your favorite."

Luo Ning nodded lightly, "Qiaoqiao, thank you so much."

Qiaoqiao smiled warmly, "Why be so formal with me, sister Ning? Big brother, can you stay with sister Ning? I will go make some porridge."

Lin Wanrong nodded in agreement. Qiaoqiao gave him a small smile and rushed out.

"Qiaoqiao is such a good girl." Luo Ning gazed at Qiaoqiao's retreating figure and sighed softly, "Brother Lin, you must treat her well."

"Of course," Lin Wanrong said with a smile. "This girl, she's so endearing. If I don't treat her well, who else would I treat well?"

Seeing his affectionate words for Qiaoqiao, Luo Ning bit her red lips, a flash of sadness in her eyes. She turned her head away, not speaking anymore.

Once Qiaoqiao left, only Lin Wanrong and Luo Ning remained in the room. It was Luo Ning's boudoir, and it was somewhat inappropriate for Lin Wanrong to linger there, especially given his actions outside. He didn't know what to say, and the atmosphere quickly became awkward.

Seeing his discomfort, Luo Ning said slowly, "Brother Lin, thank you for visiting me. I thought you wouldn't come."

"How could I not come?" Lin Wanrong said with a smile. "When I heard you were sick, I was really worried. But I was too busy during the day and only managed to come now. Governor Luo treats me well, Luo Yuan is my brother, and Miss Luo got sick because of me. How could I not visit you? That wouldn't be human."

Luo Ning's face flushed a delicate pink, and she softly asked, "What are you talking about, Brother Lin? How did I fall ill because of you? I don't quite understand."

Lin Wanrong sighed, "Miss Luo, I know you're proud and hate to see your mentor outdone. However, the situation between your mentor and me is genuinely irreconcilable. Frankly, she and I are not cut from the same cloth. Your illness, induced by this situation, is truly unwarranted."

Casting him a glance, Luo Ning lightly bit her lip and somberly said, "Brother Lin, you're right. It is indeed unwarranted for me to fall ill over this matter." She sighed, adding softly, "Today's sickness has sapped all my strength, like drawing out threads from a cocoon. I feel an emptiness inside and don't know who to talk to."

Luo Ning seemed burdened by heavy thoughts. Lin Wanrong said, "Miss Luo, if I may be so bold, you have very few friends. Apart from Qiaoqiao, I fear there isn't anyone else you can chat with."

Luo Ning looked at him and said softly, "And aren't you in the same boat, Brother Lin? You're exceptionally talented, but there are not many people you can converse with either. I suspect your burdens are even heavier than mine."

Surprised, Lin Wanrong gave her a long look. This Luo Ning, she understood him so well. Since arriving in this world, though he seemed to ride high and be cocky, there were few people with whom he could actually talk. Considering his past, it seemed his only friend could be God.

Lin Wanrong laughed, "Miss Luo, my situation is different from yours. My experiences are unique, something no one could comprehend. It's quite normal for me to have few friends."

Gently, Luo Ning said, "Brother Lin, I would like to listen to you. Would you be willing to share your burdens with me?"

Determined, Luo Ning's face flushed a faint pink as she bravely met his gaze. Lin Wanrong gave a bitter smile. ‘Tell you? How could I tell you? You would think me mad.’ He shook his head, "Everyone has secrets in their heart, secrets that can't be shared. This privacy is not meant for others."

Seeing his polite rejection, Luo Ning's expression fell, "Brother Lin, do you remember what you said during our outing?"

"What did I say?" asked Lin Wanrong.

"You said, you and I belong to two different worlds—" Tears trickled down Luo Ning's cheeks, "Do I really mean so little to you, Brother Lin? Am I so undeserving, even unfit to talk with you? Do you know how it felt to hear you say that? I felt like dying."

Strictly speaking, they indeed belonged to two different worlds, Lin Wanrong said pensively, "Miss Luo, if you were in my shoes, what would you have said? Your mentor, your friends, they mocked and humiliated a helpless peasant woman. What was I supposed to do? I don't have many talents, but when something needs to be done, I do it. I can never belong to their world."

Tears streamed down Luo Ning's face as she choked, "Brother Lin, my mentor and friends were indeed wrong. But you know me; I've never looked down on anyone. Even if sometimes my ideas are unrealistic, I've never wished harm upon anyone. I want everyone to be well. Why can't you forgive me just this once? I've never done anything wrong. Brother Lin, I don't want to exist in a world separate from you—"

As Luo Ning spoke, her voice quickened, and a passionate flush spread across her face, inducing a fit of soft coughing.

Seeing her so distressed, Lin Wanrong's heart ached. He hurriedly patted her back gently.

Despite her weakness, Luo Ning found strength from somewhere. She suddenly reached out her arms and tightly embraced him, whispering, "Brother Lin, Brother Lin, I like you, I really like you—"