Su Nian’an had known this conversation with Gu Qingyu was coming, so she made no attempt to hide the truth. She told him plainly how the Su family had schemed to send her in another woman’s place to marry him.
“I’m the Su family’s own daughter — only, my parents sent me to live with my aunt in the countryside when I was little. Life there was hard. When they finally came to bring me back to the capital, I never imagined it was only to have me take Su Nianxi’s place and marry you.”
Gu Qingyu stared straight into her eyes, searching for any sign of deceit.
But there was simply no reason for her to lie about something so easy to verify. If the Gu family were to ask the Su family, the truth would come out at once. Everything she said was true.
“Are you willing?” After a long silence, that was all he asked.
Su Nian’an turned to him, smiling softly. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be? You’re so handsome — where exactly am I losing out?”
Her eyes curved like crescent moons as she spoke. And hearing those words, Gu Qingyu felt it: his heart, calm and steady for twenty-four years, suddenly began beating a different rhythm.
He quickly looked away. “You mean it?” he asked, his voice low. “The Gu family… is in a precarious position right now.”
“I mean it completely. Why else would I have traveled all this way to find you?” Su Nian’an blinked up at him, doing her very best to charm him. But he would barely meet her gaze.
She’d pictured him as some unyielding ice mountain — yet here he was, flustered by just a little playful attention? He was as innocent as a shy young man!
Before she’d crossed into this world, Su Nian’an had never married — but she’d had her share of relationships. Compared to this stern, reserved man who seemed to have no eye for women, she considered herself practically an expert.
She waited a long time before he finally gave a quiet “Mm.”
Mm? What is that supposed to mean? Su Nian’an felt a little helpless.
But she was determined to win him over — and with him, the spatial bracelet he possessed. She had no intention of playing the part of mere pretend spouses. Men of this era took their duties seriously; once they had truly become husband and wife, he would never abandon her. And Gu Qingyu, of all people, was a man of honor.
If they truly shared the same room… Su Nian’an knew something was bound to happen. Unless he were a monk.
“What does ‘mm’ mean?” She reached out and poked his arm.
At that light touch, Gu Qingyu jerked back as if burned. He stood up so abruptly he startled her.
“W-What’s wrong?” she stammered.
His face was turned away, his expression taut. “Nothing. The water should be warm enough. I’ll fetch a bucket for your bath.”
With that, he strode to the water vat, filled a wooden bucket, and carried it toward the heated bed, ladling water carefully. Su Nian’an rested her chin in her hands and watched him in silence.
He knew she was watching, but he forced himself to steady his breathing. Once the bucket was ready, he carried it out to the makeshift bathhouse built in the backyard. Su Nian’an hurried after him.
It was pitch black outside. She feared nothing — except the dark. And of all eras to land in… one where electric lights were still nowhere to be seen.
Gu Qingyu sensed her trailing behind him but said nothing. Only after he’d set the bucket down in the rough wooden bathhouse did he speak.
“It’s very dark here. Let me fetch a kerosene lamp.”
He turned to leave, but Su Nian’an caught hold of his coat.
“Wait — I’m coming with you.” Her voice had lost some of its easy confidence.
Gu Qingyu sensed her unease but said nothing more. He placed the lamp inside and turned to her. “There. Go ahead and bathe. I’ll return to the house.”
What!
She glanced around — nothing but stars overhead in the inky darkness. The shadows pressed in close, and her heart sank.
“Gu Qingyu!” she called out.
He turned back, frowning. “What is it?” He could tell something was truly troubling her.
“I… I…” She hesitated. Should she ask him to stay? They had only just met today. Wasn’t that asking too much?
But why worry? They were meant to share a bed from now on anyway!
Just as she was about to speak, he said, “On second thought… you’re not familiar with this place. I’ll wait for you here until you’re finished.”
He’d intended to wait by the kitchen stove. But he could see clearly now — she was frightened. Perhaps of the bathhouse, perhaps of the dark, perhaps of something else entirely. Whatever it was, she was afraid.
“Yes! Please — wait for me. We can walk back together afterward.” She spoke to hide her fear, unaware how suggestive those words sounded in the night.
“Go on then.” In the dim light, she failed to notice the faint flush rising along his ears.
“O-okay. Wait right here — I’ll be quick.”
“Mm. I’m not going anywhere.”
Su Nian’an clutched her change of clothes and hurried inside. Thank goodness for the lamp — otherwise she’d have seen nothing at all. There was no time to be fussy. She washed quickly, changed into fresh clothes, and felt instantly refreshed.
A bath really does make all the difference, she thought.
When she stepped outside, she found him leaning against an earthen wall, arms folded. In one hand she held her soiled clothes, in the other the lamp. Her braids had been undone; her hair fell in soft waves around her face, lending her an ethereal glow, like a beauty stepping fresh from a bath.
The warm lamplight gilded her features — the atmosphere was utterly enchanting. Gu Qingyu stole one glance and immediately looked away.
“Finished?” he asked, his voice crisp.
“Yes. Shall we go back? I’ll wash these clothes tomorrow.”
“Very well.”
He stepped forward to take the lamp and her laundry, but she pulled back.
“You carry the lamp. I’ll keep the clothes.”
Especially since there’s undergarments in there, she thought, cheeks warming. How embarrassing.
“Alright.”
He took the lamp, and together they walked back toward the house.
It was only their first day of knowing one another. And yet, they were moving at a dizzying pace — straight into sharing the same bed.