After taking a sip of tea to calm her emotions, Gu Jiao looked kindly toward Ning Shaoye, who was lingering in the corner, and beckoned him over.
“What are you still doing there? Come on over.”
Ning Feizhi grimaced, covering his shoulder, and slowly shuffled closer, muttering, “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have told you.”
“Hm?” Gu Jiao glanced at him.
“Glaring at me won’t help,” he straightened his back. “Since you’re in a bad mood, I won’t pick a fight with you.”
“And you can’t deny it—my literary talent? No one in the entire imperial capital can match it. Right?”
Gu Jiao twitched the corner of her mouth. This man had never taken anything seriously in over ten years.
It was also why, despite Ning Feizhi being attractive, she had never felt even the slightest affection for him.
Yet…
She was genuinely curious which kind of girl would eventually capture the heart of this eldest young master. Just thinking about it made her… look forward to it.
Ning Feizhi gave her a suspicious look, increasingly convinced that her smile was hiding some mischievous intent.
He didn’t think too deeply, straightened his attire, opened his folding fan and fanned himself a few times to restore his noble composure, then deliberately spoke: “I came this time for one purpose.”
Gu Jiao waved her hand casually, inviting him to continue.
He drew out the words slowly: “A while ago, I worried you might take things too far, so I went to Gu Residence looking for you.”
“But at that time, your courtyard was already full of guests, so I didn’t go in.”
Gu Jiao’s hand holding the teacup stiffened, a few drops of tea spilling over. She squinted, fixing her gaze on Ning Feizhi.
“I suppose I should have disciplined the guards at Gu Residence a bit more.”
“Yes, a little discipline is in order. I didn’t have any other ideas—if it had been some ordinary thief, who knows what might have happened,” Ning Feizhi said good-naturedly in agreement.
Gu Jiao: …
He closed his fan, resting his head on the handle, and said softly, “Actually, I didn’t watch clearly. I vaguely remember it was a scene of love severed on a snowy night—quite moving, really. Not a waste of my freezing for a while.”
“Ning Feizhi,” Gu Jiao said, emphasizing each word.
“Hm?” Ning Feizhi responded leisurely, then smiled smugly. “After waiting so long, I finally got to see a little of your proper emotion.”
Finally, he slowly reached into his sleeve and produced something, placing it in front of Gu Jiao.
“After the play ended, I picked up this item. It looked nice, and it would have been a shame to throw it away.”
“I kept it for a while, but it didn’t quite suit my taste, so I brought it to you instead.”
Gu Jiao lowered her gaze, remaining silent for a long moment.
It was a delicate sandalwood plaque, though the edges were worn and its color slightly dimmed.
Her thoughts drifting, Ning Feizhi’s voice came softly: “If I gave reasons, you probably wouldn’t listen anyway. But Gu Jiao, compared to your current rational weighing of pros and cons, I still prefer the version of you who didn’t care about anything at all.”
“This item is yours. If you still want to throw it away, I won’t pick it up again.”
Having said that, Ning Feizhi leaned back casually, as if leaving it entirely up to her.
Gu Jiao’s eyes were mostly hidden by her lashes; she didn’t respond.
After a long silence, she reached out and flipped the plaque over. Two familiar names, seemingly engraved into her very soul, came into view.
Gu Jiao, Xie Chongyu.
…
The two of them remained silent for a moment. Before long, the teapot was empty.
“All right, time’s about up. If you don’t leave soon, who knows what stories outsiders will spread.”
Gu Jiao’s expression returned to normal, and she lightly gave Ning Shaoye a hint to depart.
Seeing the sky darkening, Ning Feizhi stopped teasing her, tugged at his sleeve, and stood.
As he took a step forward, he suddenly remembered something and turned to Gu Jiao.
“By the way, there was a troop movement in Linyang recently, seems they went around the Nanning border.”
“Linyang? The Mu family?” Gu Jiao was momentarily taken aback.
Ning Feizhi nodded. Just as he was about to say more, his gaze suddenly tightened.
Gu Jiao looked at him, startled, and just as she was about to speak, he abruptly turned, sweeping the book The Secret Records of Tian Yu along with the engraved plaque into the window gap with one hand, while pressing her firmly with the other.
Before she could react, his body tilted slightly, his jaw resting on her shoulder.
Even though they had known each other since childhood, they had never been this close.
Gu Jiao was puzzled, but her habitual trust kept her from moving away; she simply turned her head to look at him, eyes full of questioning.
In the quiet, light yet slightly unstable breaths reached her ears—not hers, nor Ning Feizhi’s.
At that moment, she realized something was wrong.
They had been sitting facing each other, and Ning Feizhi’s position gave him a clear view of the hall entrance.
Putting his reaction together with the situation…
The identity of the approaching person was already clear in her mind.
Her heart tightened, and she quickly began thinking of a way to get Ning Feizhi out safely.
Noticing her thoughts, Ning Feizhi blinked and whispered almost inaudibly, “I’ve disliked him for a long time. Since he won’t leave, might as well give him a little trouble—it won’t be a wasted trip.”
His voice was so soft Gu Jiao couldn’t hear clearly at first. After a moment, she belatedly understood his intention.
Her mind immediately formed a thought.
No way… right?
“Jiao Jiao, in just a month, you’ve lost so much weight. Has he treated you badly?”
Then, Ning Feizhi’s low whimper came by her ear.
Gu Jiao couldn’t help trembling.
Should she cry along, in cooperation?
The problem was, she couldn’t cry! Especially when she could see Ning Feizhi’s face—so wickedly amused at her distress.
But when Ning Shaoye played his role, she didn’t need to cooperate deliberately.
His shoulders twitched slightly. “I thought, without Xie Chongyu, the person by your side should be me… but… but…”
“Jiao Jiao, you… you haven’t forgotten me, right? The two of us are destined for each other, I—”
“Yet the emperor comes at an inopportune moment.”
A low laugh echoed from outside the hall, interrupting Ning Feizhi’s earnest confession. He shivered as if startled and then stiffly released Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao thought to herself that Ning Shaoye was truly extraordinarily gifted—he could act out the panic of being caught in an affair with flawless precision. She was already mentally planning to recommend him to the largest theater troupe in the imperial capital so that more people could enjoy his brushstroke-like artistry in performance.
But as much as she mused, she resignedly lifted her head—and sure enough, she saw Jun Heng standing at the doorway, watching her and Ning Feizhi. His face was mostly obscured by the light and shadow streaming through the door, a dance of illumination and darkness.
His complexion was no longer as pale as last night. He wore a dark purple, elegant but understated robe, with a heavy cloak draped over his shoulders. His silhouette stretched long, casting a shadow on the floor beside the door.
Inappropriately, Gu Jiao thought: What is this—pouring out your heart to an old flame only to have your husband catch you in the act?
…Though, why did it have to be Ning Feizhi!
She fully realized that Ning Feizhi truly might not fear death.
Even the offense of trespassing into the palace, which she could have perhaps smoothed over, he had audaciously transformed into a private meeting with a consort.
To prevent him from finding trouble again, she decisively spoke.
“Your Majesty, this man has entered Lu Palace without permission, showing utter disregard for our imperial laws. Such behavior cannot be tolerated! I shall send someone to notify Grand Tutor Ning to bring him back and ensure he is properly disciplined!”
Jun Heng remained silent, his aura growing even more oppressive.
“Your Majesty, today’s events are entirely my responsibility. Gu Jiao has nothing to do with this. If punishment is to be handed out, punish me alone.”
A sorrowful voice rang out, Ning Feizhi again speaking with dramatic solemnity, unafraid: “But I do not regret what I have said today. My heart belongs entirely to Gu Jiao. All the beauties of the world are for Your Majesty to choose from, yet I think only of Gu Jiao alone.”
Gu Jiao shivered.
Jun Heng, however, smiled, a faint trace of mockery in his eyes. “Entirely devoted? Ning Shaoye’s devotion—at least seventy percent of the women in the imperial capital have heard of it. Is that really so extraordinary?”
Without needing to turn his head, Gu Jiao could sense that Ning Shaoye was unusually speechless.
Jun Heng wasn’t wrong, after all—Ning Shaoye’s exploits were indeed widely known.
“Gu Jiao.”
Suddenly addressed, Gu Jiao for the first time felt a little unsteady in front of Jun Heng. She quietly pinched the culprit beside her, then earnestly smiled at Jun Heng.
“How does it feel, meeting an old friend again?” Perhaps it was her imagination, but Jun Heng’s voice sounded almost squeezed out between his teeth.
Ah, great—now this involves her again?
And although what Ning Feizhi did was improper, with Jun Heng’s temperament, shouldn’t he have merely sneered and walked away? Why did he seem… almost excited?
Seeing Ning Feizhi about to speak again, she quickly stepped forward and blocked him behind her.
This made Jun Heng’s expression even darker, as if it might drip water.
She had no choice but to smooth things over: “Ning Gongzi probably had a bit too much wine last night. He’s not fully in his senses and is speaking nonsense—”
“I am not! My heart for Gu Jiao is witnessed by heaven and earth!” Ning Feizhi immediately and without hesitation interjected.
Gu Jiao: …
Perhaps it would just be easier to advise Jun Heng to chop Ning Feizhi down.
Seeing Jun Heng’s expression darken further, she turned and shot Ning Feizhi a glare, struggling to think how to salvage the situation.
“Your Majesty,” at that moment, a figure approached slowly from behind Jun Heng.
Gu Jiao froze, then exclaimed in delight: “Father!?”
Gu Qingxing was clad in solemn, majestic court attire, standing tall with clear, composed features. He reached Jun Heng, saluted him, every movement radiating elegance and authority.
Though he was approaching forty, time seemed unusually kind to him. Standing beside Jun Heng, he could not be ignored.
He looked at Gu Jiao for a long moment, then calmly turned his gaze away.
As if not noticing the confrontation between Ning Feizhi and Jun Heng, he spoke gently: “Fei’er came with me. It was my oversight to have him wait outside, but I didn’t expect him to stumble in here by accident.”
“This child is naturally playful. He has offended Your Majesty, and I hope Your Majesty can forgive him.”
After Gu Qingxing appeared, Jun Heng quietly remained by the doorway, saying nothing further.
Gu Jiao no longer worried about Ning Feizhi’s head.
If even Gu Qingxing couldn’t save Ning Feizhi, then his fate was truly sealed.
“Fei’er, aren’t you coming over?”
Gu Qingxing’s gaze swept toward Ning Feizhi as he spoke sternly.
Gu Jiao gestured from behind, signaling Ning Feizhi to hurry over.
He finally ceased his stubbornness, strolling slowly forward, but glanced back wistfully: “Qingqing, I’ll miss you.”
Gu Jiao: “…Just go.”
Passing Jun Heng’s side, Ning Feizhi paused, tilted his head with a smile, as if about to say something else.
Jun Heng’s expression darkened, and his robe shifted slightly.
Gu Qingxing had already grabbed Ning Feizhi by the sleeve and pulled him behind himself: “With Your Majesty safe, I can finally leave at ease.”
Jun Heng turned his head, lips tightly pressed. After a long moment, he uttered a single, quiet “Hm.”
Before leaving, Gu Qingxing exchanged a glance with Gu Jiao. She relaxed and winked at him; an emotion flitted through his eyes before turning into a smile.
“It’s cold—remember to wear extra layers when you go out,” Gu Jiao said gently.
Gu Qingxing nodded lightly, then reminded her, “Take care of yourself.”
After watching him and Ning Feizhi slowly walk away, Gu Jiao had just relaxed when a low, hoarse voice spoke from behind.
“Aren’t you seeing them off?”
Gu Jiao instinctively shook her head. “No need.”
“After all, if love is long-lasting, does it matter being together every morning and evening?”
???
A chill ran down her back. Only then did she realize—Ning Feizhi was fine, but she… might still have a problem.
Was it even useful to call her father back now?
“Maybe I should go see them off?” she cleared her throat and asked cautiously.
Jun Heng’s lips curved with faint mockery. He turned, removed his cloak and set it aside, then sat at the tea table—the very seat Ning Feizhi had just occupied.
A cup of tea he hadn’t finished was still in front of him.
After standing there for a while, Gu Jiao gritted her teeth and approached.
“Your Majesty, have you taken your medicine today?” she asked with concern.
Jun Heng lowered his gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips: “Early this morning, I heard someone had entered the palace who shouldn’t have. I was eager to witness the scene—how could I have thought of taking medicine?”
I shouldn’t have tried to persuade him to take it last night! Gu Jiao scolded herself inwardly. That way, he wouldn’t have come first thing in the morning to give her trouble.
Despite this, she resignedly walked over, took a fresh cup, and replaced the one in front of Jun Heng with it: “Your Majesty, try this. It’s made from new snow on the branches this morning.”
“Oh? Such an elegant brewing method—pray tell, which gallant scholar taught you this?”