Seeing that Ye Muyan had calmed down, the guard continued speaking.
“Miss Han also heard the common people praising His Highness just now. The incident in Ji County—His Highness’s grace and bearing are still talked about among the people to this day. Hearing this, Miss Han will surely feel closer to His Highness!”
Hearing this, Ye Muyan recalled the famine in Ji County.
He had never cared about such matters; to him, all people were like ants, their lives and deaths irrelevant to him.
But that night, Qingqing had fallen asleep with tears in her eyes.
His Qingqing had been sad for a long time, worried that the people would not have enough to eat. She had barely touched her dinner that evening.
Although Gu Qinghan had secretly provided relief from her family’s granary, she dared not act openly before the emperor’s orders were issued. Thinking of how many people would live in fear and starve to death, Gu Qinghan simply could not eat.
When Ye Muyan came to see her, he happened to hear her confiding her worries to Chun Tao, speaking for quite some time.
He saw Gu Qinghan’s nose tinged red. Even after Chun Tao left the room, she still looked aggrieved, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with tears that fell one after another. Finally, with tears still staining her face, she fell into a deep sleep.
But she did not know that after she fell asleep, Ye Muyan approached her bedside and kissed away her tears.
The next day, news spread in the court of Ye Muyan’s brilliance and valor. The capital was filled with praise, the matter in Ji County was swiftly resolved, the displaced people were settled, and peace was restored to the capital.
Because of this, Gu Qinghan’s heart was greatly eased, and she returned to her usual cheerful self.
Ye Muyan sighed softly.
If Qingqing truly harbored resentment toward Xiao Yinghuai, then…
Gu Residence, Gu Xu’s courtyard.
Gu Qinghan and Xiao Yinghuai sat on opposite sides of the stone table in the courtyard, watching the physician and maidservants come and go.
Xiao Yinghuai gazed affectionately at Gu Qinghan, while she remained expressionless, holding a cup of tea as if ready to splash it in his face at any moment.
“Han’er, today…” “Xiao Yinghuai, how did you become so ugly after going out for a while?”
Gu Qinghan showed no courtesy. As soon as she spoke, Chun Tao and Rong Ming nearly burst into laughter.
Xiao Yinghuai, having traveled continuously for days, had stubble covering his face, and dust clung to his cheeks.
He had intended to use this to feign exhaustion from his journey, all for the sake of seeing Gu Qinghan sooner, but he never expected her to say such a thing.
For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
Just then, the physician hurried out and reported to Gu Qinghan, “The young lady inside has awakened, but…”
“Speak,” Gu Qinghan raised an eyebrow. “What is the cause?”
“This young lady seems to have been exposed to some kind of fragrant drug. When the maidservant undressed her earlier, a sachet fell from her bosom—it has aphrodisiac effects.”
“I suspect this young lady may have inhaled too much of the fragrance.”
“Oh? Why would my cousin carry such a dreadful thing? Xiao Yinghuai, let’s go together to see how my cousin is doing.”
Seeing this, Chun Tao handed the physician a bag of silver ingots and said with a smile, “Thank you for your trouble. This matter concerns the reputation of the Gu family. We hope you can keep it confidential.”
The physician quickly indicated that he understood, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and hurried away.
These noble households, for all their outward glamour, hide so much filth within.
He’d better return quickly. This Miss Gu is truly generous—today, he could enjoy a good drink.
Gu Xu had already awakened. Hearing the physician’s words, she guessed that the fragrance might have dispersed, causing her to inadvertently fall victim to the scheme.
After so much scheming, I ended up shooting myself in the foot.
Thinking back to those gazes at the time, Gu Xu could hardly breathe.
She gritted her teeth and tightened her grip on the thin quilt covering her.
At that moment, Gu Qinghan and Xiao Yinghuai walked in.
Gu Qinghan wore a concerned expression, even wiping away nonexistent tears from the corner of her eye with a handkerchief: “How did you end up in such a state, cousin? It’s truly pitiful.”
Seeing this, Xiao Yinghuai wanted to embrace her and offer gentle comfort, but she deftly dodged and sat down by the bed.
Just as he tried to move closer, Chun Tao and Rong Ming blocked his path.
Seeing Xiao Yinghuai’s actions, Gu Xu sneered mockingly.
“I’ve actually been in love with His Highness for a long time. Today, we simply couldn’t control ourselves, which led to this disaster,” Gu Xu fabricated a lie, glossing over the truth.
“So that’s how it is. Congratulations, sister!” Gu Qinghan pretended to be curious. “But what about that man from the Western Regions…”
Gu Xu’s expression nearly faltered, her voice trembling slightly: “That was His Highness wanting to buy rare treasures from the Western Regions for me. He specially found a local to help me choose.”
“Oh? Where are those precious items? I’d love to see them too~”
Gu Xu opened and closed her mouth several times but couldn’t say anything.
Xiao Yinghuai spoke up: “Qinghan, you’ve had quite a fright today. You should go back and rest early. I’ll take care of your cousin.”
Seeing Gu Qinghan glance over again, he quickly added: “She is your cousin. From now on, we’re all family.”
After seeing Gu Qinghan off, Xiao Yinghuai’s expression darkened rapidly.
He said viciously: “What have you done?”