Li Gusong had always been misunderstood.
From the very beginning when he failed to recognize Jiang Wodan, to the later massacre of the Jiang Mansion.
In the final analysis, Jiang Wodan never believed in him.
The first time, she didn't believe that Li Gusong could fall in love with her. Later, she didn't believe that he would resist the decision of Marquis Anding for her sake.
When she went to be a spy beside Li Gusong, she still didn't believe that he truly wanted to abandon everything and just be with her.
...
The massacre of the Jiang Mansion started with Luo Siyuan.
Luo Siyuan was a lecherous emperor. The total number of concubines of all the emperors in the history of Yunjin was not as many as his.
So it was reasonable that he took a fancy to the wife of Marquis Anding Li Ji and dared to force her into the palace.
On this point, we have to praise the magnanimity of Luo Nanchen and Li Gusong.
After all, their fathers had such affairs, yet they could still calmly manage the court affairs together.
Truly, one dared to trust, and the other dared to let go.
Marquis Anding Li Ji rose through the military and had guarded the border for many years. But after getting married, he returned to the capital and no longer concerned himself with border affairs.
It was also to make Luo Siyuan let down his guard and ensure the safety and happiness of his wife and children.
Unexpectedly, that lecher Luo Siyuan lost his soul to Li Gusong's mother's beauty at the first sight.
At that time, Luo Nanchen had just been born not long ago, and Li Gusong was about the same age. These two infants in their swaddling clothes, with the complicated relationship between their parents, were destined to have an extraordinary growth path.
Luo Siyuan found an excuse, saying that the war on the border was urgent and ordinary military generals couldn't handle it, so he sent Marquis Anding to the border.
But Li Gusong had just been born, and his mother was in poor health and couldn't go with him. Naturally, they stayed in the capital.
At this time, the key figure appeared, Jiang Wodan's father, Jiang Xuyao.
Jiang Xuyao was a scholar in the Imperial Academy, from a scholarly family, and was recognized as a kind - hearted man in the capital. No one would be on guard against such a scholar.
Jiang Xuyao was extremely loyal to Luo Siyuan. He did whatever Luo Siyuan said without thinking about the undercurrents.
So when Marquis Anding Li Ji returned to the capital, only a chaotic group of servants and panicked guards were left in the mansion.
Since it was Jiang Xuyao who came to take Li Gusong and his mother into the palace, no one would suspect anything.
This was where the feud between Marquis Anding and the Jiang Mansion began.
...
Since he had memories, Li Gusong had lived in the palace.
At that time, he didn't understand why he, not a prince, had to live in the palace like a prince.
His mother cried all day.
He didn't know why she cried, and he couldn't persuade her to stop. He could only sit there in a daze alone.
The Qiyun Hall was empty. Occasionally, a little beggar would come here to look for food and play with him for a while.
...Actually, the little beggar in Li Gusong's memory was Luo Nanchen.
Later, Li Gusong's mother passed away, and he was sent out of the palace.
Li Gusong was precocious and more mature and steady than other children. So when Marquis Anding told him about the past, Li Gusong didn't fall into depression for long.
Instead, he quickly accepted the reality and supported Marquis Anding's revenge plan without complaint.
Li Gusong's uncomplaining attitude lasted until he was fifteen years old.
Marquis Anding called Li Gusong into the study. "Win the heart of the second miss of the Jiang Mansion at the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet in three days."
This "win" naturally meant winning the other person's heart.
By then, Li Gusong was already well - known for his talent. With his striking appearance, he had already been in the hearts of countless young girls in the capital.
Many ministers even secretly listed Li Gusong as the most eligible bachelor in the capital.
At that time, Luo Nanchen had been on the throne for more than two years. Officials either wanted to send their daughters into the palace or were considering marrying them to Li Gusong.
Moreover, with Luo Nanchen's accession to the throne and Luo Siyuan's death, Marquis Anding Li Ji suddenly couldn't find the main target of his revenge, so he focused all his attention on the Jiang Mansion.
Winning the heart of the second miss of the Jiang Mansion was probably to gain the support of the prime minister, the grandfather of Jiang Woli.
Li Gusong understood it, but being willing was another matter. He felt a bit blocked in his heart. He didn't like the feeling of tying up his whole life.
Li Gusong didn't refute. He just said calmly, "I know."
On the day of the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet, the young masters and ladies from all the noble families were present. For a moment, there was a dazzling display of jewels and beauty.
Everywhere showed grandeur.
Li Gusong didn't like the feeling that things were out of his control, so he went very early and sat on a branch beside to observe the people coming and going.
The Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet was nominally for appreciating chrysanthemums, but in fact, it was an unspoken matchmaking banquet.
Not far away, two people were chatting. Li Gusong could hear them clearly. They were talking about his target today, Jiang Woli.
"I heard that the second miss of the Jiang Mansion will also come today. I've long heard of her beauty. I must have a good look today."
"I've seen her once." The tone was full of pride.
"Tell me quickly. Is she really as beautiful as the rumors?"
"Of course. Who doesn't know the ladies of the Jiang Mansion? They are all as beautiful as fairies."
"All of them? Are there other ladies in the Jiang Mansion?"
"There's also a third miss. I heard she's very charming too, but no one has seen her for a long time. Maybe because she's a concubine - born daughter, she hides at home and doesn't dare to come out."
This was the first time Li Gusong heard of Jiang Wodan's existence, but he didn't take it to heart.
When Jiang Woli came to the Lintai Terrace, she was indeed the center of attention. Even the princess didn't have such a grand entrance.
Li Gusong found an excuse. Taking Jiang Woli's dance as an opportunity, he calmly and implicitly expressed his admiration for her in front of everyone on the Lintai Terrace.
He could have been more direct.
But he felt blocked in his heart.
Jiang Woli was really beautiful. At an age before reaching adulthood, she was already beautiful enough to attract everyone's attention.
Born into a scholarly family, she had an extraordinary temperament. Even the princess standing beside her was overshadowed.
Jiang Woli truly deserved the title of the most beautiful woman in Yunjin.
But Li Gusong still wasn't very willing.
Maybe it was the arrogance of a noble lady in Jiang Woli and the self - righteousness of being surrounded by people that made Li Gusong suddenly lose interest in her.
Or maybe it was the last bit of rebellious heart against being commanded and controlled.
More importantly, he respected love, so he didn't want to treat it as a game.
In any case, Li Gusong couldn't muster the slightest bit of interest in Jiang Woli.
After moving to the Jiang Mansion as a matter of course, Li Gusong accompanied Jiang Woli to enjoy the flowers, play chess, listen to the rain, and drink tea. Jiang Woli always looked self - righteous, with the silence and reserve of a noble lady.
Li Gusong found it very boring.
But he still followed Marquis Anding's request and didn't show any flaws.
After staying there for four or five days, Jiang Wodan came back.
Li Gusong's first meeting with Jiang Wodan was because Jiang Wodan was peeping over the wall of Jiang Woli's courtyard.
At that time, he was enjoying the plum blossoms with Jiang Woli in the courtyard. Jiang Wodan, this little thief, came at a very opportune moment.
It was the middle of winter, with heavy snow falling. Jiang Woli didn't go back to the house, so he had to accompany her.
He was originally bored. Now that a little thief suddenly appeared, Li Gusong naturally wouldn't ignore it.
He flicked a stone over, and as expected, a cry of "Ouch" rang out.