The wind picked up.
The cold breeze swept aside the strands of hair on the young woman’s forehead, revealing her smooth brow, her eyes brimming with charm.
Gu Quan looked at Lian Yue, momentarily dazed, then feigned sudden realization with an “oh” and said, “As a man, I naturally fear no gossip. But you and Duke Lu share a deep bond—it’s understandable you wouldn’t want to suffer such false accusations and wish to clear your name as soon as possible.”
Lian Yue lifted her gaze to him, noticing the cold glint in his eyes as he spoke, and couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
Was he annoyed by her causing trouble?
She quickly replied, “Rumors spread easily but are hard to refute. If Marquis Gu doesn’t mind, as a mere serving concubine, I have little to fuss over.”
Only then did Gu Quan sit up straight, cross his arms, raise an eyebrow, and smile. “That’s fine then.”
Lian Yue thought to herself, He really does find me troublesome.
She then gave herself an out: “After all, the rumors were spread by Madam Wu, and she’s the one who wants me dead. Whether we clarify things or not, she wishes me harm. In the end, this is truly a minor matter.”
Gu Quan raised an eyebrow and nodded, his thoughts unreadable.
Seeing the conversation stall and the atmosphere grow stiff, Lian Yue felt increasingly uncomfortable, her throat dry. She asked, “May I have some water?”
He poured her a cup.
Gu Quan continued, “Before you arrived, A Jing and I were discussing the proposed marriage alliance between Hong Nong and Xiang City. What are your thoughts on this?”
Of course, they must not form an alliance—otherwise, she would be doomed.
The young woman glanced at Gu Quan, then at the aloof Yuan Jing, bit her lip, and rephrased her stance without changing its meaning: “As a mere serving concubine, how could I understand such matters? But my father once told me that there’s strength in numbers. I suppose we must prevent the two forces from uniting, lest it harm Marquis Gu.”
Gu Quan said, “A Jing and I share the same view.”
She hoped they truly meant it, but being unfamiliar with them, she kept her words brief.
Added to the misunderstanding that night, Lian Yue still felt awkward around Gu Quan, wishing he wouldn’t dwell on it and misconstrue her intentions.
Just then, Xuan Yao emerged carrying over a dozen bamboo slips and approached the pavilion. “My lord, I’ve found all the ‘Tales of the Strange and Bizarre’ you mentioned. Shall I give them to the lady to take back?”
Lian Yue stood up.
As Xuan Yao spoke, he moved to hand her the bamboo slips.
Gu Quan shot him a sidelong glance, seeing through his attempt to make things difficult, and scolded, “Have you no sense? So many bamboo slips—even you struggle to carry them. How could the lady manage? Have someone help her take them over.”
Xuan Yao looked displeased but dared not defy his lord. Muttering “Understood,” he turned to Lian Yue. “My lady, where should these bamboo slips be placed?”
Seeing this, Lian Yue had no choice but to bow to Gu Quan. “Marquis Gu, I shall take my leave now.”
She also bowed to Yuan Jing.
Gu Quan nodded. “You may go.”
Turning to Xuan Yao, she said, “Thank you, General Xuan. Please follow me.”
Xuan Yao replied with a nasal tone, “No need for thanks. If not for my lord’s order, I wouldn’t help you.”
Lian Yue added, “Perhaps I can carry some.”
Xuan Yao clutched the bamboo slips tightly, turning away to avoid her touch. “No need. I can manage alone.”
At the courtyard gate, Lian Yue couldn’t resist glancing back at the two figures in the pavilion.
Gu Quan sat casually, his gaze still lingering on her, his expression carrying the unrestrained ease of youth.
Across from him, Yuan Jing’s eyes were fixed elsewhere, looking at no one in particular. The cold wind lifted the hem of his robe, giving him an ethereal, immortal aura.
Lian Yue quickly turned away, though her ears twitched slightly as she eavesdropped on his conversation with Gu Quan.
Yuan Jing asked doubtfully, “Are you truly helping her without any personal motives?”
Gu Quan retorted, “A Jing, since when do you listen to rumors?”
Yuan Jing sipped his tea. “I don’t believe rumors, but I know you.”
Gu Quan’s voice carried a hint of laughter as he teased, “You’re overthinking this. Madam is deeply devoted to Duke Lu, often longing for him at night. Just two days ago, she even mistook me for Duke Lu. There’s naturally no personal affection between us.”
Lian Yue: “…”
She had just reached the doorstep and nearly stumbled upon hearing this, though she managed to steady herself. Her ears, however, flushed crimson.
He must have noticed her eavesdropping and deliberately said it for her to hear.
Mistaking someone like that…
How utterly mortifying.
Lian Yue took a deep breath, pretending she had heard nothing, and returned to the courtyard. She instructed Xuan Yao to place the bamboo slips on the desk in her room before dismissing him.
Meanwhile…
Seeing that Lian Yue had vanished from sight, Yuan Jing noticed his friend’s gaze still fixed where she had been, the smile fading from his lips.
He smiled faintly. “I said you had personal motives toward her, not that you shared a personal relationship with her.”
Gu Quan’s face stiffened briefly before resuming its cheerful expression. “It’s the same thing.”
Yuan Jing said calmly, “A Quan, don’t blame me for not warning you. She is merely a serving concubine. Don’t lose yourself in this.”
“What?” Gu Quan brushed it off. “Worried I’ll be distracted by beauty and neglect important matters?”
Hearing this, Yuan Jing said no more, though he recalled the woman’s graceful demeanor and appearance—truly worthy of being called a nation-toppling beauty.
Xiang City.
Winter rain fell, leaving the bluestone pavement in the courtyard damp. Footsteps crossed the stones and reached the corridor, leaving wet marks on the dry floor.
The Wu County Governor paced back and forth in the hallway for a moment before being spotted by the female steward who had just emerged from the doorway. “My lord?”
Sighing, he asked, “Xiu He, is Yuru inside?”
Madam Wu’s given name was Wu Yuru, and Xiu He was her personal maid who had accompanied her after marriage.
Xiu He lowered her eyes respectfully. “My lord, the young lady is in her room, but she is suffering from a headache. I was just about to fetch a physician.”
Wu County Governor: “Go ahead.”
Xiu He: “Yes.”
The Wu County Governor stood at the door, straightened his robes, exhaled deeply, and mentally prepared himself before entering the room. “Yuru, how are you feeling? I’ve just acquired a century-old ginseng. Shall I have it sent to you to nourish your health?”
“No need.” Wu Yuru was tracing her eyebrows before a mirror. Her slender hand set down the eyebrow pencil as she rose and bowed to her father. “Daughter greets Father.”
Wu County Governor said, “You’re still unwell. There’s no need for formalities.”
Seeing the coldness in his daughter’s eyes and recalling his favored concubine’s tearful complaints, he couldn’t help but say, “Yuru, I came to discuss something with you.”
Wu Yuru looked up. “What matter brings you here, Father?”
“That Yang Jian is cruel and incompetent, and even worse, he takes pleasure in tormenting women. I heard his newly wedded wife was also killed by him in a fit of madness—this is already the fourth wife he has murdered. It seems this man is not one to keep his promises. If your sister marries him, she will lose her life. Why not postpone this matter for now and consider other options?”
“Postpone it?”
“Yes, Yuru. You want to attack Wan City just because a mere serving concubine has won Lu Xun’s favor. Forgive your father for saying this, but your jealousy is too intense. Lu Xun is already dead. Even if you don’t kill her, gossip will drown her. There’s no need to launch an attack on Wan City now, especially at the cost of your sister’s life.”
“Father, do you also believe I want to attack Wan City out of sheer jealousy?” Wu Yuru sneered. “That Gu Quan is no easy opponent. He holds a grudge over his father’s death and likely suspects your involvement in the past events. When Lu Xun was alive, he could still restrain Gu Quan, but now that Lu Xun is dead and Gu Quan occupies Wan City, do you think he won’t attack Xiang City once he recovers his strength?”
She turned around, her tone calm. “I do despise that woman deeply, but I’m not so irrational as to risk everything for a lowly concubine. Yet, Father, you show no sense of crisis at all. Aren’t you worried that one day the city will fall, and your head will be displayed on the city walls?”
“Outrageous!” The Wu County Governor flung his sleeve but took a deep breath, suppressing his displeasure. He spoke gently, “Yuru, but your sister hasn’t even come of age yet. How can I bear to send her to her death?”
Upon hearing this, Wu Yuru fixed her gaze on him. “But Father, back then, you knew full well that I had caused the death of Lu Xun’s elder brother, yet you still sent me off for a political marriage. Why was I expendable, but she is not?”
The Wu County Governor said, “I admit I wronged you in that matter.”
His words said one thing, but his face showed no trace of remorse.
He continued, “Yuru, you are still young and possess a beauty like flowers and jade. Even though Lu Xun hated you so much, you managed to win his tolerance through your maneuvering. Surely you can find a way to deal with Yang Jian and preserve your life. Why not…”
“You want me to marry him?” Tears welled in Wu Yuru’s eyes. “Father, you truly have it all figured out.”
The Wu County Governor knew she would not agree, so he feigned sympathy. “If neither of you sisters is willing to marry, then let’s call off the alliance marriage. You are both my daughters, and I cannot bear to send either of you to your deaths.”
Wu Yuru remained silent.
He went on, “I know you feel that Lian Yue has humiliated you and you want her dead. Don’t worry, I have already dispatched assassins to hunt her down. Once she is dead and your anger subsides, we can set aside the plan to attack Wan City for now. How does that sound?”
“Father, are you afraid of Gu Quan? Too scared to confront him?”
The Wu County Governor avoided the question and sighed. “Alright, Yuru, you’re still unwell. Why trouble yourself with these matters? That serving concubine has caused you great humiliation, and I will surely avenge you. Just focus on resting and recovering.”
Foolish.
A faint smile tugged at Wu Yuru’s lips. “As you wish.”
The Wu County Governor said, “See, I knew it was all about jealousy toward that serving concubine. With me handling it, she won’t survive. You have nothing to worry about.”
Outside, the rain grew heavier. The Wu County Governor stepped out of the room and looked up at the misty, overcast sky.
Ruyang now has its sights set on Xiang City. Attacking Wan City at this moment would provoke Gu Quan’s displeasure, and if caught between two fronts, he would undoubtedly meet his demise. Yu Ruguo is indeed a woman—after spending a few years in Liao City as a feudal lord’s wife, she has forgotten her own limitations.
Still, she is too young and has not considered things thoroughly.
Why resort to such drastic measures when assassinating a Serving Concubine could resolve the matter? Presumably, General Gu would not hold a grudge over another man’s woman—it simply isn’t worth it.