Gu Zhao had not expected to run into her here. Though what happened last night was only a dream, it had felt so vivid that upon suddenly seeing her in person, fragments of it uncontrollably resurfaced in his mind.
Just thinking about it made him feel a trace of heat. This restlessness had lingered with him since last night, following him through the entire day.
It was now the Wei hour—two hours remained before the You hour.
Two more hours before it would all be proper and justified.
His throat felt dry and slightly itchy. Suppressing the discomfort, Gu Zhao studied her.
Perhaps because she was to serve tea later, the household had finally provided her with decent attire. Today, she wore a jade hairpin, a white fox-fur cloak, and beneath it, a pale green jacket and skirt. Her face bore light makeup—her brows drawn, powder applied, lips tinted.
Though still simple, there was now a touch of brightness befitting a young woman. Compared to that day, she appeared even more graceful and elegant.
In her hands, she held two jade hairpins: one a gold-inlaid jade plum blossom hairpin set with rubies, the other a gold-inlaid jade butterfly hairpin adorned with pearls.
Both hairpins clashed somewhat with her current attire, yet in Gu Zhao’s eyes, the brilliance of gold and jade actually complemented her natural radiance. She ought to dress more vividly.
Gu Zhao coughed lightly to suppress the itch in his throat and said:
“The plum blossom one is better.”
Startled by a sudden voice behind her, Zhu Qingyu turned around and was even more surprised to see the Gu family’s heir.
Was Vice Minister Gu speaking to her?
Why?
They weren’t familiar.
She glanced around. At that moment, aside from herself and the Gu heir, there were no other customers in the jewelry shop.
She looked at the shopkeeper behind the counter, who returned her gaze with wide, innocent eyes.
Gu Zhao stepped closer. Up close, his tall frame seemed even more imposing, his shadow stretching long under the light like a mountain pressing down.
Zhu Qingyu, though tall for a woman, suddenly felt small under that shadow. Feeling the pressure, she instinctively stepped back twice, moving out from under it into the light.
How tall was he? Over 1.9 meters?
Even in modern times, she had rarely seen such a tall man.
Gu Zhao stopped, glanced at the hairpins in her hand, then looked at her, his expression gentle as if waiting for her response.
With such a clear and direct gaze, Zhu Qingyu was certain now—he really was speaking to her.
He had been looking at the jewelry in her hand and said the plum blossom one was better. Most likely, he had taken a liking to it.
Zhu Qingyu had come to the jewelry shop during this rare free moment to fulfill a request from Zhang Shen’s third younger sister—to bring back some fashionable accessories from the capital.
She and Zhang Shen had already agreed to leave for Yangzhou the next day.
In truth, Zhu Qingyu knew nothing about jewelry. She came from a family of physicians, with seven generations devoted to medicine. Since childhood, she had followed her parents on house calls, where wearing excessive adornments was discouraged. She didn’t even have pierced ears.
Being asked to choose accessories for a young lady was quite a challenge.
Still, while she might not know what was good, she knew what was expensive. Judging from the third sister’s usual taste, she liked gold.
Zhang Shen was wealthy—buying some jewelry for his own sister was no issue.
So Zhu Qingyu had gone to the bustling Vermilion Bird Street, entering the most lavish-looking shops and selecting a variety of items.
As for the two gold-inlaid jade hairpins in her hand, she didn’t particularly like them, nor did she feel attached. There was no need to risk offending a royal relative over such things.
If he liked them, she would simply give them up.
Thus, with respectful courtesy, Zhu Qingyu placed both hairpins back onto the counter—the very one he had just praised—and gave him a formal bow.
“You are right, sir.”
Feeling she had fulfilled proper etiquette, she wasted no more words. Lifting her skirt, she turned and ran.
In one fluid motion, she rushed out of the shop, boarded the Zhang family’s modest carriage, and disappeared in moments to the sound of hoofbeats.
A faint fragrance lingered in the shop from her passing—something like flowers, yet also like fresh greenery.
Left behind, Gu Zhao looked at the empty street outside, then at the now-quiet shop, and finally met eyes with the shopkeeper, who was still forcing a polite smile despite the disrupted business.
Had he frightened her away with just one sentence?
Wasn’t she quite bold that day?
Why was she suddenly so shy today?
Her voice had been pleasant, though—clear and melodious.
Forget it. It wasn’t as if she could run away. He would deal with her tonight.
The more speechless he felt, the busier his mind became. Gu Zhao coughed lightly and said to the weary shopkeeper:
“Shopkeeper, wrap up these two hairpins for me. What else did she look at? Show me everything.”
After buying the jewelry and returning to the residence, his attendant had already prepared for his bath and change of clothes.
Once he had bathed, changed, and even dried his hair, everything was in order, and there was still half an hour before the You hour.
Not wanting to deal with official matters, Gu Zhao picked up a book to pass the time. Yet for some reason, though the words were before his eyes, none of them entered his mind.
Seeing that his master hadn’t turned a page for a long time, the attendant asked:
“Young Master, shall we go to Wanxiang Courtyard now?”
Since this was not a formal marriage but merely taking in a concubine, there were few strict rules. It was his residence, his courtyard, his arrangement—he could go whenever he wished.
Gu Zhao finally turned a page and replied calmly:
“At the You hour.”
It was best to wait until she was prepared. Going too early might catch her still dressing, and he might frighten her again.
When about a quarter of an hour remained before the You hour, Gu Zhao finally stood up. He personally carried a red-gold filigree box inlaid with rubies and headed toward the inner courtyard.
In the capital’s winter, it was already dark by the You hour.
Seeing him carry something himself, the attendant reached out to take it, but when Gu Zhao made no move to hand it over, he withdrew and instead led the way with a lantern.
After nearly a quarter hour’s walk, they arrived at the gate of Wanxiang Courtyard.
The maids and servants bowed as he entered, and someone ran ahead to announce his arrival.
An elderly maid came out to greet him, lifting the heavy curtain and ushering him inside.
The room was especially warm today, with the charcoal fire burning strongly.
After removing his cloak, Gu Zhao still held the box and walked into the inner chamber.
Behind the screen, the silhouette of a woman sitting by the bed could be seen faintly.
A barely noticeable smile appeared on his face as he walked around the screen.
Hearing his approach, the woman turned her head.
But before the smile could reach his eyes, it vanished.
Looking at the completely unfamiliar face before him, Gu Zhao’s expression remained calm, but his voice carried a chill as he asked:
“Who are you?”