Xinghua Hutong in the capital is located in the outer part of the inner city, although this location is not good, but in the end it is still in the inner city, so most of the people who live here are some low-grade eunuchs, as well as some wealthy businessmen who can find the way.

It was lunch time, and smoke rose from many courtyards in Xinghua Hutong, and there were very few people in and out of each house at this time, so it seemed very quiet.

At the mouth of the alley, a woman with a look of about thirty-five or sixteen stood far away, her eyes couldn't help but scan into the alley, as if she was looking for someone, but every time she met the eyes of the occasional passer-by, she bowed her head in a little panic to avoid it.

This woman looks gentle and dignified, has a soft temperament like water, and her gestures are even more noble, obviously not from ordinary people.

Perhaps it is precisely because of this that she has lingered at the mouth of this alley for so long that she has not aroused the vigilance of the people living here.

The third courtyard near the mouth of the alley is relatively large in this alley, the house with three entrances and three exits, can be regarded as good anywhere in the capital, at the door of this house, there is also a very thick plane tree that grows luxuriantly, and the mottled bark on the tree seems to tell others the story it has witnessed in the long years.

The woman's gaze was always on this house.

Although she is no longer young, and even has thin crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, the woman's almond eyes seem to have water and light flowing, as if they contain infinite tenderness, and there seem to be countless sorrows in them.

Her name is Zhuang Wanning.

If you only say this name, maybe only a few people know who it is, but if you talk about her other identity, I am afraid that everyone in the capital will know.

In the cognition of the people in the capital, as early as after the bizarre fire in the palace, this woman had already gone to Huangquan with her children who had doubts about their background.

Yes, she is the former Concubine Ning.

Since being sent out of the palace, Zhuang Wanning felt as if she was in a dream, not only did she walk out of the harem where she once thought she would never be able to take a step while she was alive, but she also had the opportunity to meet that person again.

Zhuang Wanning has always believed that she has done too many wrong things in her life, because of the mistakes she made, her children have been put on a tight shackle from birth that they don't know when they will have an attack, and when it happens, it means the death of their mother and son.

What she has always known is that she owes her mother's family, so that her mother's family is in danger of losing their lives at any time because of her fault, and owes her a pair of children, so that they are born with such a prominent identity, but in fact they have such a despicable background.

The moment she stepped out of the palace gate, she had made up her mind to rely on her children in the future, stay away, and no longer pay attention to all the people and things in the capital.

However, when it was time to leave, she was always thinking about that person in her heart, and she couldn't let go.

So she came to Xinghua Hutong.

She actually knew that it was very dangerous to appear here as her, and if she was recognized, she was afraid that it would affect her children.

However, she couldn't control it, she thought, before leaving, she would see the man no matter what.

Fortunately, it has been more than 20 years since she entered the palace, and although her mother's family still lives here, most of the old neighbors who knew her are no longer here, so she has not been recognized.

After guarding the entrance of the alley all morning, Zhuang Wanning's eyes were almost glued to the closed courtyard door, but the heavens didn't seem to hear her prayers, and she never saw the person she wanted to see.

After a long time, Zhuang Wanning sighed faintly.

She was afraid of affecting her mother's family, so even if her mother's family was in Xinghua Hutong, she didn't dare to go back to take a look, she really just wanted to see how that person was doing now.

Just one look, and she might be able to die.

I heard that the man had married many years ago, and that his wife was a sick man who could not even bear an heir for him, but the man had never disliked his wife for so many years, and was not only gentle and considerate to his wife, but even preferred not to have an heir to continue the bloodline than to risk her becoming pregnant.

In the circle of officials and relatives with similar status in the capital, that person is the best model of husband.

These were things that Zhuang Wanning had never heard of in the palace before.

When she knew this, Zhuang Wanning's heart seemed to be injured by a sharp blade, and she could barely breathe in pain.

She felt very conflicted in her heart, obviously when they separated, she hoped that he could marry a wife who was in harmony with him, and live a good life.

But why, when she heard that he had really married a loving lady as she expected, she felt so heartbroken?

Even now, every time she thinks of this, Zhuang Wanning's heart is dull pain one after another.

They used to be a match made in heaven in the eyes of the elders of both sides, they grew up together, and the two parents had an oral marriage contract early, just waiting for them to become biological children when they reached their age.

At that time, how could they have thought that there would be so many changes later.

Recalling these past events, Zhuang Wanning couldn't help but think that if her mother's family had not changed, if she had married that person as she thought, they would definitely be husband and wife, raise their eyebrows, and add three or two children, this is the life she wants most.

But there are no ifs in this world, so now Zhuang Wanning can only stand far away at the mouth of the alley, hoping to hide next to him and sneak a look at him when the person goes out or goes home.

It's just that with this little wish, she probably won't be able to achieve it today.

With another sigh, Zhuang Wanning's eyes darkened, and she turned around in disappointment, ready to leave.

But as soon as she turned around, she saw a black shadow flash behind her, and then, there was an irresistible pulling force in her hand, and before Zhuang Wanning could react, she was pulled into a deep alley not far away.

This small alley can only accommodate about three or four people walking side by side, not even a horse-drawn carriage, and there are a few back doors of houses in Xinghua Hutong in the alley, and few people enter and exit the usually.

Zhuang Wanning's heart seemed to jump out.

She grew up in this Xinghua Hutong since she was a child, and she is naturally very aware of the situation in this alley, and it is precisely because of this clarity that she is more and more afraid.

In such a silent and uninhabited alley, how could she, a powerless woman, resist if she really met some ill-intentioned villains?

Thinking of the terrible end of the woman after being ****, Zhuang Wanning felt a burst of despair in her heart.

Is this God's punishment for her half-heartedly and wanting to see that person even though she is leaving?

Closing her eyes tightly, tears with enthusiasm quietly slipped down from Zhuang Wanning's eyes, thinking about what might happen next, Zhuang Wanning secretly gritted her teeth, she was already an unclean person, but no matter how many wrong things she did, if she was really **** today, she would definitely have no face to live!

Just when Zhuang Wanning made up her mind, a voice that was extremely familiar to her came from her ears, and the whole person was shocked by this voice.

"Wan'er?"

There was irrepressible surprise in the low and mellow male voice.

After a long time, seeing that Zhuang Wanning did not respond, the man behind him hesitated and called: "Wan'er, is it you?" ”

The call again gave Zhuang Wanning the illusion that she had traveled through more than 20 years of time and space, and that person called her like this when she didn't enter the palace.

Stiffening and turning around slowly, Zhuang Wanning finally felt relieved when she saw that familiar face, and then her eyes blinked slightly, and another string of tears slid down.

"Ah Zhan!"

Excited, Zhuang Wanning forgot about the identity gap between each other, and blurted out a nickname that had not been called for a long time.

The man who pulled Zhuang Wanning into this alley was none other than Lin Zhan.

After Zhuang Wanning's emotional call, Lin Zhan's face froze.

Seeing Zhuang Wanning wandering at the mouth of the alley before, he almost thought that there was something wrong with his eyes, obviously Concubine Ning and Princess Hanyue had all died in a fire in the palace a few days ago, and after learning the news, he had been sad all this time.

But he didn't expect that he would see Zhuang Wanning appear here before going home.

If Zhuang Wanning is fine, then the crown prince and Princess Hanyue, are they also fine?

Lin Zhan was first of all happy for Zhuang Wanning and the others, although he didn't know what was going on, but knowing that the three of them were still alive and well, this was something to be happy about.

After all, he and Zhuang Wanning have been entangled in their feelings for so many years, and even Zhao Zaicun and Red Makeup are his biological children.

But after the joy, fear hit my heart.

The three people who had obviously reported to the court for their deaths now appeared in the capital, so wouldn't they have committed the crime of bullying the king?

Although the emperor was already sick before, but the emperor was only sick, in case someone poked out the fact that Zhuang Wanning and the three were still alive, would they still have good luck next time?

Thinking of this, Lin Zhan was anxious, pulled Zhuang Wanning to her side, and then whispered in her ear: "Wan'er, why are you here, do you know how dangerous it is for you to come here, if you are recognized......

And Zhuang Wanning was told like this, but she didn't pay attention to what Lin Zhan said, she only knew that she was almost next to Lin Zhan now, and she could even feel the masculine aura from Lin Zhan's body that fascinated her, and that breath made her feel extremely relieved, as if no matter what happened, as long as she could stay by this man's side, her heart would always be at peace.

Therefore, Zhuang Wanning said: "I know, I know, I just want to come and see you, I want to see if you have been doing well all these years......"

While speaking, Zhuang Wanning had tears in her eyes, she tilted her head slightly, and looked at Lin Zhan with tears in her eyes, wondering what kind of answer he would say.

Hearing Zhuang Wanning say this, Lin Zhan suddenly came to his senses.

He thought that his gentle wife, who was waiting for him to have lunch at this time, a wall away, must have been set up on the table with steaming dishes, each of which he loved and made with his own hands.

And he, while his wife was waiting for him at home, was here to meet the woman who had been in his heart all these years.

Thinking like this, Lin Zhan's heart suddenly welled up with guilt for his sick wife.

Because of this guilt, he took a step back without a trace and distanced himself from Zhuang Wanning.

Looking at Zhuang Wanning, who seemed to treat him as a sky, Lin Zhan sighed and said, "Wan'er, you, let's go back quickly, your current situation can't allow you to appear here like this." ”

Saying such words, Lin Zhan lowered his head because of the shame in his heart.

Obviously, he had the most intimate relationship with the woman in front of him, and even had two children between them, but when they were in the most difficult time, he couldn't shelter them from the wind and rain, and he had to say such words to drive them away.

As a man, he was ashamed of himself.

Lin Zhan clenched his fists tightly, if he could, he actually wanted to take the woman in front of him and their pair of children under his wings to protect, but there were too many things for him to scruple about, and now he was no longer the imperial guard who couldn't care about anything for the sake of his feelings, and he didn't dare to make the same mistake again.

Therefore, without waiting for Zhuang Wanning to respond, Lin Zhan spoke again and urged: "Wan'er, you go back quickly, after you go back, bring your ...... Zaicun and Hanyue, the farther away you are from the capital, the better, and then don't come back for the rest of your life. ”

Zhuang Wanning seemed to have heard something terrible, and suddenly looked up at Lin Zhan, with shock in her eyes, and couldn't say a word for a long time.

She should have said yes, because what Lin Zhan said was what she had planned before she met Lin Zhan.

However, in the face of Lin Zhan's urging, she was sad and unwilling.

She has been in the palace for more than 20 years, because of the relationship with Lin Zhan, she locked her heart tightly, even if she later won the favor of Zhao Tiannan, who was the king, she never delivered her sincerity, let alone was proud of it, and regarded the jealousy of the other concubines in the palace as nothing to envy.

She thought that she was like this, and Lin Zhan should be like this.

Therefore, even if she heard that Lin Zhan had married a wife and had become a good husband that all women yearned for, she only thought that Lin Zhan had deliberately done it for others to see, and she wanted to see him before leaving.

But at this moment, Zhuang Wanning was not so sure.

Could it be that what she thought before was just her false speculation, Lin Zhan, the man she had kept in her heart for decades, had actually put others in her heart for a long time?

Because of the pain in her heart, Zhuang Wanning almost lost her voice at this moment, and after a long time, she suppressed the somewhat unbearable choking in her throat, and trembled her lips to ask Lin Zhan to understand: "Ah Zhan, don't you want to see me at all, don't worry, I'm not coming back to disturb your life, I just want to see you, as long as I look at you, I will leave far away, and I will never appear in front of you again, but why, you don't even leave me this luxury......"

The more she talked, the more excited she became, Zhuang Wanning couldn't control her tears, and then subconsciously followed the habit she had developed many years ago, and when she encountered something sad, she looked for the embrace that could make her feel the most at ease, and threw herself into Lin Zhan's arms, holding his shirt tightly and refusing to let go.

"Ah Zhan, obviously we are the most deserving of being together, we are a pair made in heaven, didn't my father and mother say this at the beginning, it should have been me who lived with you in that courtyard, not a woman who was too weak and sick to even give birth to a child!" Zhuang Wanning was about to collapse, and when her reason was gone, she blurted out what she should say and what she shouldn't say.

Seeing Zhuang Wanning crying like this, feeling the pain and despair in her heart, Lin Zhan originally pitied her very much, but after hearing the second half of the words, after several changes in his face, he gradually only remained firm.

For a long time, Zhuang Wanning, who couldn't cry silently, couldn't get Lin Zhan's response for a long time, and raised her head from Lin Zhan's arms, just as she saw the determined look on Lin Zhan's face mixed with pain.

In a panic, as if she was about to lose something most important, Zhuang Wanning opened her mouth to speak, but was preempted by Lin Zhan.

Reaching out to hold the slender hand that was holding the placket of his clothes, Lin Zhan did what he had always wanted to do more than twenty years ago, and then, his hand was slightly loose, and he broke Zhuang Wanning's fingers one by one, and after doing this, he took two steps back and stood at a distance that Zhuang Wanning felt out of reach.

"Wan'er......" Lin Zhan and Zhuang Wanning looked at each other, at this moment, there were tears in the two different eyes, "The original thing has passed......

"Ah Zhan!" Zhuang Wanning opened her mouth to interrupt Lin Zhan's words, she always had an intuition, if she let Lin Zhan finish speaking, she would definitely lose the most important thing to her, "Ah Zhan, don't you say it, okay?" ”

Lin Zhan froze slightly, but it was only this one, and then he ignored the hope in Zhuang Wanning's eyes, and continued: "Wan'er, the original qiē has already passed, we, don't be nostalgic for the past, after so many things, your mother and son have already died once, why can't you look forward?" ”

"Ah Zhan, don't say it, don't say it......"

Guessing what Lin Zhan was going to say, Zhuang Wanning could only murmur with tears in her eyes.

Lin Zhan felt a pain in his heart, closed his eyes and counted all the unbearable in his eyes, and then said: "Wan'er, you should understand, we can't go back, I was sorry for you at the beginning, I couldn't stop you from entering the palace, and after you entered the palace, I couldn't make a decision to break off the relationship with you immediately, let alone do such a wrong thing with you after meeting in the palace, this qiē, the fault is on me." ”

Zhuang Wanning covered her ears tightly, and her tears dripped into the bluestone slab under her feet like beads, leaving dark marks, "Don't say it anymore......"

But Rao is like this, Lin Zhan's voice still keeps coming into her ears.

"At the beginning, I was already sorry for you, sorry for our children, but now that I have reached this point, I can't be sorry for my wife anymore, let's leave it at that."

Finally finished speaking, Lin Zhan's heart was also throbbing for a while.

The only woman he really put in his heart in this life is Zhuang Wanning, but for him now, his wife, the woman who was tortured by illness, is the wife of his life, and it is also a responsibility that he can't get rid of.

He's been through two women in his life, and no matter what, he should always be worthy of one of them.

So......

After glancing deeply at Zhuang Wanning again, Lin Zhan said in a dumb voice: "I, it's time to go home." ”

The word "home" made Zhuang Wanning's body shake, and even lost the strength to stop Lin Zhan because of this, she could only watch Lin Zhan turn around, and then leave the alley step by step, and then go to the door.

She staggered behind Lin Zhan and came to the mouth of the alley where she had been standing for a long time.

At the end of the line of sight, Lin Zhan came to the courtyard door and knocked lightly, and then the courtyard door opened, and a middle-aged woman in simple clothes appeared behind the door, and the gentle smile on her face almost made Zhuang Wanning cry.

The woman welcomed Lin Zhan into the courtyard, and when her eyes swept to Zhuang Wanning at the mouth of the alley, she paused slightly, then smiled and nodded at her, and the courtyard door closed gently, finally completely blocking Zhuang Wanning's vision.

Zhuang Wanning went soft and fell to the ground along the wall behind her.

In this life, they still have to miss it after all.

ps: Recommend my friend's new work "Danxian, about no" and "The Lotus Pond of Rebirth", you can go and see yo~ (To be continued.) )