【Sweetheart Lover】

Chapter 142 Tit for tat

The atmosphere in the Ruan family's hall was extremely tense. A family meeting was in full swing, and the solemn atmosphere seemed to be able to overwhelm people.

Ruan Jianan sat in the first seat, his face as gloomy as the dark clouds before a storm. He glared at his mother, Concubine Guo, with rage burning in his eyes. "I am your son, mother. I almost died in the cursed land. Why did you join forces with others to harm me?" His voice was filled with grief and questioning. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, with deep pain and confusion.

Concubine Guo was sitting aside, a trace of panic flashed across her face, but she quickly pretended to be calm and screamed: "If you weren't with that vixen Lin Yanan, how could you have fallen into the cursed land?" There was a hint of resentment in her eyes, and her fingers were tightly twisting the handkerchief in her hand, as if she wanted to put all the blame on Lin Yanan.

Ruan Jianan's eyes widened, looking at his mother in disbelief, "Mother, how can you say that about Yanan? She is innocent!" He was so angry that he clenched his fists, his body trembled slightly, and the veins on his forehead bulged, showing his extreme anger. "Yanan has always been by my side, supporting me and helping me. You shouldn't slander her like this!" His voice rose several decibels, echoing in the hall.

Lin Yanan stood behind Ruan Jianan, and her face turned pale instantly when she heard this. Her lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she tried hard not to let them fall. "Concubine Guo, I respect you as Jianan's mother, but how can you slander me like this?" Her voice was filled with a hint of grievance and anger, but her eyes still revealed determination and unyielding.

Concubine Guo snorted coldly, "Hmph, it's because of you that my son is in such danger. If you hadn't confused him, how could he not listen to me and fall into that horrible cursed land? It's you! It's you who harmed him." Her voice was sharp and piercing, full of accusations and resentment.

Ruan Jianan stood up suddenly, pointed at Concubine Guo and shouted, "Mother, you've gone too far! It was obviously you who colluded with others, but you blame Yanan. You are willing to sacrifice my life for your own selfish desires. Where is your conscience?" His chest was heaving violently and his breathing was rapid, like an enraged lion.

At this time, other family members also began to whisper and talk.

"How could Concubine Guo be like this? She did something wrong and she blamed others."

"Lin Yanan is quite pitiful. She has been doing her best, but she is treated like this."

"Ruan Jianan is really in a difficult position, with his mother on one side and his beloved on the other."

When Concubine Guo heard these discussions, she became even more angry, "Shut up! This is a matter between us mother and son, it's none of your turn to interrupt!" She swept her eyes over the crowd, trying to suppress these discussions with her majesty.

Ruan Jianan took a deep breath and tried to calm himself, "Mother, you still don't repent. Yanan and I are innocent and we are wholeheartedly for the family, but you are blinded by interests. Have you forgotten the honor and dignity of your family?" His voice was a little calmer, but still full of disappointment and heartache.

Concubine Guo's eyes flickered. "Son, your mother is doing this for your own good. That Lin Yanan is a disaster. She will make you lose your mind and deviate from the right path of the family."

Ruan Jianan was furious. "Mother, if you say that about Yanan again, I will never forgive you. Yanan is the most important person in my life. I won't let anyone hurt her, including you!"

Lin Yanan walked forward and took Ruan Jianan's arm, "Jianan, don't make things too awkward between you and your mother because of me. I believe that one day, she will understand our true feelings." Her voice was gentle and firm, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

Ruan Jianan held Lin Yanan's hand, "Yanan, you have been wronged. But I will not let you suffer humiliation in vain, I will definitely seek justice for you." His eyes were full of tenderness and determination.

At this time, an elder in the family stood up and said, "Ruan Jianan, Concubine Guo is your mother after all. You should listen to what she says first. Maybe she has her own difficulties."

Ruan Jianan looked at his elders, "Uncle, she is so unreasonable, I..." Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Concubine Guo.

Concubine Guo suddenly burst into tears, "Son, I know I was wrong, but all this is for the future of our family. I'm worried that you will be deceived by that woman, not marry her, and make wrong decisions that will affect the interests of the family." Her crying was full of sorrow, which made people feel pity for her.

Ruan Jianan frowned, "For the family? What you did is clearly destroying the family. The family's unity and honor have been destroyed by your selfishness and narrow-mindedness. What you call for the family is nothing more than satisfying your desire for power!"

There was a brief silence in the hall, as everyone waited for the next development in this family dispute.

Concubine Guo stopped crying and said, "Son, as long as you leave Lin Yanan, I promise not to harm you again. I will arrange a marriage for you that is well-matched and will make our family more prosperous."

Ruan Jianan said firmly: "Mother, Yanan and I love each other sincerely and will never separate. If you can't accept Yanan, then you can't accept me as your son. I would rather give up everything than give up Yanan."

Lin Yanan's eyes were filled with emotion. "Jian'an, no matter what difficulties you encounter, I will face them with you."

Just then, a servant came running in, "Oh no! There's a group of people outside, they say they're looking for Concubine Guo."

Everyone was shocked. Ruan Jianan frowned and asked, "Who is it?"

Servant: "It seems that the person who came here has bad intentions. It seems to be related to the cursed land."

Concubine Guo's face turned even paler. "This... What should I do?"

Ruan Jianan: "Mother, it seems that what you have done has caused more trouble."

Lin Yanan: "Let's see what they are going to do first."

When they arrived at the door, they saw a group of people dressed in black standing there. The leader said, "Empress Guo, your deeds have been exposed. Come with us."

Concubine Guo collapsed to the ground, "No, I can't go with you."

Ruan Jianan: "Who are you? Why did you take my mother away?"

The leader sneered, "Your mother colluded with others to frame her own son and attempted to destroy the peace of the family. We are here to arrest her."

Ruan Jianan was caught in a dilemma. On the one hand, there was his affection for his mother, and on the other hand, there were the mistakes his mother had made.

Lin Yanan gently pulled the corner of Ruan Jianan's clothes and said, "Jianan, we must respect the facts and not let our mother make the same mistake again and again."

Ruan Jianan took a deep breath and said, "Mother, you have to bear the consequences of your own mistakes."

Concubine Guo looked at her son in despair, "Son, save me..."