Chapter 08 Enough Pain

When Zhu Mingyang, Gu Yingjie, and the ten men arrived, the door greeter had told them that Gu Xiaowen, Gu Jingjing, and their guards already arrived before them. When they walked into the house Yuan Chaomei rushed out to see them.

Yuan Chaomei smiled and said, "Jingjie." She walked over and took Gu Jingjie's hand from Zhu Mingyang. Then, she looked at Zhu Mingyang and said, "I can take care of him from here. You can go rest now, guard Zhu." She smiled at Zhu Mingyang.

Gu Yingjie smiled at Zhu Mingyang and said, "Mingyang, your wounded has not healed yet, so you can rest."

Zhu Mingyang watched Yuan Chaomei and Gu Yingjie walk to Gu Yingjie's room. Zhu Mingyang turned around and returned to his room. He sat down and began to undress. The wounded sword healed slightly, and when he pressed on the wound it still hurt. Then he heard a knock on the door.

Zhu Mingyang said, "The door is not lock, you can come in."

Lin Ruchao walked in and put the food tray on the table. Lin Ruchao helped Zhu Mingyang cover the wound, and the old guard sat opposite Zhu Mingyang.

Lin Ruchao said, "Mingyang, you must remember your role. The young master Yingjie is your master and you are his guard. Your feelings for him will only hurt you in the future. Believe me, we may be given the title guard, but in fact we are slaves who only live for today, because we don't know whether we will die for the master tomorrow. You do know that Master Yingjie is the heir of the Gu family, and the relationship between the two of you is unacceptable." He sighed. "If the relationship between the two of you is revealed, Master Yingjie will get thirty whips and he will be hook for ten days."

Zhu Mingyang, "I know."

Lin Ruchao continued, "You know that his heir title will be taken away. After that, he will be locked for the rest of his life down in the underground prison cell."

Zhu Mingyang sighed, "I know."

Lin Ruchao, "If you know, what will you do?"

Zhu Mingyang replied, "I don't know."

Lin Ruchao said, "Don't walk in the same path as me." He looked at Zhu Mingyang. "Since you are very young until now, the way your eyes looked at young master Yingjie has not change. This mean your feeling for him is still the same."

Zhu Mingyang looked at Lin Ruchao, "You knew?"

Lin Rucha smiled, "I eat more salt than you eaten rice. How could I not figure out? I also know that young master Yongjie feels the same for you, but he knows where he should do, and I hope you know it too."

A servant quickly walked into the room and said, "Guard Zhu, the young master wants to meet you right away."

Zhu Mingyang looked Lin Rucha and said, "I have to go. I will talk to you later."

Zhu Mingyang followed the servant into Gu Jingjie's study room. Gu Jingjie's smiled and asked, "Mingyang, is that you?" He reached out and grabbed Gu Jingjie's hand.

Zhu Mingyang said, "Yes." He held Gu Yingjie's hand. "Why do you call me? Where is your wife?"

Gu Yingjie said happily, "I am very happy that's why I want to share this with you first."

Zhu Mingyang said, "What's the matter?"

Gu Yingjie, "Chaomie is pregnant." He smiled. "I'm going to be a father."

Zhu Mingyang's face was dark. His heart trembled. He said nothing. Gu Yingjie once assured him that if he marries Yuan Chaomei, he will never let Yuan Chaomei become pregnant. Over the years, Yingjie has done many things that broken Zhu Mingyang's heart, but he endured it because his love for Gu Yingjie was greater than any pain or promise, but this time his heart was completely shattered.

Gu Yingjie did not hear Zhu Mingyang's response. Then he asked, "Mingyang...are you unhappy?"

Zhu Mingyang replied, "Congratulations."

Gu Yingjie smiled and said, "I want to celebrate. Tonight, let us celebrate."

Zhu Mingyang said hurtfully, "You do what you have to do. I have no objection, because I am simply just your guard."

Gu Yingjie learned from Zhu Mingyang's voice that he was dissatisfied with the news. He said, "Mingyang, I am not you. I have responsibility."

Zhu Mingyang said, "I know. Is there anything else?"

Gu Yingjie, "Mingyang, you knew how I treat you..."

Zu Mingyang said, "I know, you don't need to say anything. I know my role."

Yuan Chaomei and her maid walked in through the front door. She looked at Zhu Mingyang coldly, and then said, "Yingjie, I have prepared dinner." He looked at Zhu Mingyang. "Guard Zhu, please join us."

Zhu Mingyang replied, "Madam guard Lin brought me food already. I am taken my leave." He looked at Gu Yingjie holding Yuan Chaomei's hands happily. He walked out without Gu Yingjie or Yuan Chaomei's consent.

Zhu Mingyang returned to his room, but Lin Ruchao was still sitting in the room.

When Lin Ruchao looked at Zu Mingyang's face, he already knew that something made Zhu Mingyang upset. Then he asked, "What is it?"

Zhu Mingyang sat down and asked, "Senior Lin, as the guard of the Gu family, can we redeem our freedom and walk away?"

Lin Ruchao, "Yes, but maybe not worth it."

Zhu Mingyang, "How?"

Lin Ruchao, "If your master chooses a new guard, you can ask to leave. Every year you lived in Gu's house, you will receive one whip on your back. After that, you will drink the poison of 'forgetfulness'. The poison work slow, but within three months you will start to lose your memory and die within a year." He looked at Zhu Mingyang. "Did young master Yingjie said something that upset you?"

Zhu Mingyang said, "Yingjie is going to be a father. He is going to throw a celebrate dinner tonight."

Lin Ruchao, "Mingyang, maybe this is for the best."

Zhu Mingyang, "Senior Lin, why don't you leave?"

Lin Ruchao said, "My master has never chosen another guard. I cannot leave because this is part of the contract I signed when I sought protection from the Gu. Look at me. I have spent my whole life here. If I decided to leave the Gu Household, I will not be able to withstand the sixty-two whips on my back."

Zhu Mingyang looked at Lin Ruchao, "Senior Lin, I want to leave Gu's house."

Lin Ruchao, "Are you sure?"

Zhu Mingyang replied, "I would rather die somewhere watching the sunrise than die here watching Yongjie love another person. I have enough pain."