==Chapter Nineteen==
The exclamation drew everyone’s attention to the river lanterns floating on the lake, yet one person’s gaze remained fixed elsewhere.
Feng Wenyu could feel that persistent stare firmly settled upon her. She found it rather baffling—why was he staring at her so intently?
Though fully aware their connection had long been severed, the vivid dreams that often haunted her after the broken engagement—particularly those intimate scenes—made it impossible for her to remain composed when facing Gu Yushi.
Jinshu also noticed Gu Yushi, and when she looked back at the disturbed river lantern, she couldn’t help feeling it was an ill omen.
Why did they have to run into him?
On the bridge, Mu Fan was regretfully watching the lanterns, but when he followed his master’s gaze to the opposite side and saw the figures there, his voice abruptly cut off. His eyes widened particularly at the two men beside Feng Wenyu, and he hurriedly turned to his master with a barely perceptible strain in his voice:
“Y-Your Excellency, it’s Feng Guniang!”
Heavens! Why was Feng Guniang with other men?
Could she have already found another match?
Mu Fan shot a quick glance at his master. Seeing his master’s pathetic state made it clear he still carried a torch. If this continued, Feng Guniang would truly be lost to him!
With this thought, Mu Fan leaned over the bridge railing, stretching his arm to wave enthusiastically toward Feng Wenyu’s position, calling out loudly:
“Feng Guniang! Feng Guniang! Long time no see!”
Amid the lively atmosphere, the greeting didn’t seem particularly out of place, yet several people present visibly changed expressions.
Shuyao muttered under her breath: “How does he still have the nerve to greet the young lady?”
Jinshu secretly rolled her eyes in Mu Fan’s direction.
Gu Yushi was snapped out of his reverie by the call. Watching Mu Fan’s ridiculous posture with half his body dangling over the lake, his face darkened as he gritted out: “What are you doing?”
Mu Fan’s mouth twitched. Ignoring his master’s discomfort, he stiffly claimed responsibility:
“Having been acquainted with Feng Guniang after all, this humble one wished to offer greetings.”
Mu Fan’s explanation sounded reasonable, leaving Gu Yushi momentarily speechless. The peculiar looks from the woman across the way made his whole body stiffen.
Truthfully, he had spotted Feng Wenyu the moment she stepped out of the carriage.
He recognized the man constantly hovering protectively around Feng Wenyu—her cousin Zhou Chibai, who had been among those blocking the gate during their wedding in his previous life.
As for the man who appeared later—
Gu Yushi’s eyes darkened slightly. His gaze swept imperceptibly over Pei Yan, carrying both criticism and scrutiny, devoid of any goodwill whatsoever.
The man’s visible delight and awkwardness, including his obvious distress and confusion when rejected, were so transparent that anyone could guess his intentions.
With one glance, Gu Yushi could find no redeeming qualities in Pei Yan—just like that Linyu Gongzi from his previous life, who had approached Feng Wenyu relying merely on a moderately handsome face, appearing utterly feeble and weak to the point of being unbearable to watch.
Perhaps due to intuition, the moment Pei Yan spotted Gu Yushi across the way, he felt a subtle unease. Especially when their eyes met across the distance—no matter how concealed Gu Yushi’s emotions were—he detected that faint trace of hostility.
The other’s gaze pressed down with a weighty intensity, causing Pei Yan to instinctively furrow his brow. In that moment, he felt the person across from him exuded even more pressure than his own father, who had long been entrenched in officialdom.
The eye contact lasted only an instant before both averted their gaze, with Feng Wenyu completely unaware of the silent confrontation between them.
Feng Wenyu rose to her feet. She glanced at Mu Fan, her peripheral vision inadvertently sweeping past Gu Yushi. She truly didn’t know what attitude to adopt toward Gu Yushi, so she simply pretended not to hear Mu Fan’s calls. Turning to Zhou Chibai, she said:
“Cousin, shall we go elsewhere?”
Behind them, Mu Fan’s voice rose sharply: “Feng Guniang! Feng Guniang!”
This drew curious looks from those around them. A young woman nearby covered her lips with a light laugh, whispering to Feng Wenyu: “Miss, someone’s calling you. That young gentleman seems quite persistent – perhaps you should acknowledge him?”
The woman had only heard Mu Fan’s repeated calls. Clearly Feng Wenyu didn’t wish to respond, yet Mu Fan persisted relentlessly, revealing his stubborn nature.
But why did the woman mention Gu Yushi when it was Mu Fan calling? Without their master’s tacit approval, how would a subordinate dare be so presumptuous?
The woman had also noticed Pei Yan and Zhou Chibai. After comparing the three men, she still found the one across from them more striking and formidable, though the other two also had their distinctive qualities. Though none of this concerned her personally, the woman slightly furrowed her brow, momentarily feeling it difficult to choose between them.
Hesitating, she gave Feng Wenyu a meaningful look and advised: “You should consider this carefully, miss.”
Feng Wenyu felt both flushed and awkward, her cheeks coloring with embarrassed pink. The bystander’s reminder made her feel self-conscious, and she glared fiercely back at Mu Fan, who had placed her in this uncomfortable situation.
Her resentment extended to Gu Yushi as well.
Seeing Feng Wenyu finally turn around, Mu Fan happily patted his master’s arm:
“Sir, Feng Guniang is looking at us!”
Gu Yushi sensed the anger in Feng Wenyu’s gaze. Stiffening his expression, he gritted out to Mu Fan: “Be quiet.”
Zhou Chibai observed everything with keen eyes. Having seen Gu Yushi once when the Imperial Envoy first entered the city, he now recognized his identity. Feeling somewhat concerned, he glanced at his cousin and asked quietly:
“Cousin, do you know the person across from us?”
Feng Wenyu didn’t want to discuss her embarrassment.
She had to admit that, at least for now, the broken engagement remained the greatest setback of her life.
Feng Wenyu vaguely admitted: “…I know him.”
Zhou Chibai wanted to say more, but Gu Yushi was already being pulled over by Mu Fan. Seeing his cousin’s glare directed at the other man, he suddenly paused and swallowed his intended words.
His cousin probably didn’t realize she was revealing a trace of familiarity in her interaction with Gu Yushi – people rarely show emotional fluctuations around strangers.
The closer the relationship, the easier it is to feel annoyed.
Even at Zhou Residence, his cousin usually kept her emotions restrained – a reflection of blood relation closeness coupled with relational distance.
She must be quite familiar with the newcomer to unconsciously reveal her true feelings in his presence.
This realization kept Zhou Chibai silent.
The moment Gu Yushi approached Feng Wenyu, he suddenly frowned.
Feng Wenyu found this baffling, until she heard Gu Yushi’s voice: “Your sleeve is wet.”
Feng Wenyu followed his gaze and also noticed the dampness on her sleeve. It must have happened the moment she saw Gu Yushi, when her composure faltered, allowing the sleeve to brush against the lake water.
Gu Yushi’s natural, almost casual reminder left her feeling a little stifled. With a touch of displeasure, she retorted,
“What’s it to you?”
Why did he have to speak to her in that lecturing tone?
Gu Yushi was left speechless and could only silently accept her complaint.
Zhou Chibai instinctively glanced at his cousin, hesitating as if wanting to speak, but ultimately choosing to remain quiet.
Pei Yan, standing nearby, felt out of place among the group. Yet he stubbornly held onto the rabbit river lantern, unwilling to leave. Breaking the tense atmosphere, he spoke up:
“There will be acrobatics and shadow puppetry at Washa tonight. Would Feng Guniang like to go and see?”
His intentions were all too obvious. Feng Wenyu frowned almost imperceptibly. Given Madam Pei’s earlier resistance, she had no desire to invite trouble on account of Pei Yan.
Just as she hesitated over how to decline, someone lifted his gaze. His tone was brief and calm, yet sharp as a needle:
“This young master seems quite knowledgeable when it comes to amusements.”
Pei Yan frowned at the unwarranted criticism:
“Next year, I will be heading to the capital for the imperial examinations. Understanding the lives of the people is precisely what we ought to do.”
Gu Yushi’s voice carried a faint trace of mockery:
“Understanding the people through acrobatics, is that it?”
Feng Wenyu wondered why the two had suddenly locked horns. Her expression turned slightly odd—were they vying for her favor?
But the next moment, she recalled Gu Yushi’s identity as the Imperial Envoy and Madam Pei’s inexplicable attitude. Dismissing the notion that she might be the cause, she decided she wanted nothing to do with either of them. So she said:
“It seems Lord Gu and Young Master Pei have matters to discuss. My cousin and I will take our leave.”
Pei Yan immediately fell silent.
Gu Yushi frowned, feeling as though he had been unfairly judged:
“I have nothing to say to him.”
Feng Wenyu almost laughed in disbelief. She shot him an annoyed look and reminded him:
“Then please do as you wish, Lord Gu. Surely you don’t intend to join us? Or do you need me to remind you of your current position?”
She was referring to his role as the Imperial Envoy, which made it inappropriate for him to linger with them.
Though she resented Gu Yushi for breaking off their engagement, she also remembered the kindness he had shown her during their acquaintance. Moreover, he had used the broken engagement to warn the Feng family about the salt merchants. Resentful as she was, she did not wish any harm to come to him.
Yet the same words carried different meanings to different ears.
Gu Yushi thought she was referring to the fact that they were no longer betrothed and should maintain their distance.
Left with nothing to say, Gu Yushi glanced at Pei Yan and abruptly changed the subject:
“I am here on an undercover investigation and have some matters to consult with Young Master Pei. As the son of Prefect Pei, I trust you will be fully cooperative?”
He was thoroughly familiar with the officials in Yangzhou and naturally recognized Pei Yan.
Pei Yan knew every official in Yangzhou City, and the only person who would speak of an undercover investigation at this time had to be the Imperial Envoy. In an instant, Pei Yan understood Gu Yushi’s identity. Startled, he realized he had no grounds to refuse.
Feng Wenyu had no interest in dealing with either of them. Turning to Zhou Chibai, she said:
“Cousin, let’s go.”
Gu Yushi had successfully thwarted Pei Yan’s attempt to ingratiate himself and had no intention of forcing his own presence upon them.
Pei Yan was no fool; he could clearly discern Gu Yushi’s true motive for stopping him. Still young and hot-blooded, he retorted:
“Is this how Lord Gu conducts himself in officialdom as well?”
Abusing power for personal gain and eliminating dissidents.
Standing on the arched bridge, Gu Yushi looked down at Pei Yan with calm detachment, as if finding his words naively absurd. His piercing remark, laced with a chill that could freeze one to the bone even in the height of summer, struck right to the heart:
“In the court, political adversaries have always been locked in a fight to the death.”