After Shang Shiyan spoke, Gu Peice said meaningfully: “I heard that after the cliff fall, the eldest Miss Shang carried the Second Miss and the Crown Prince up from the bottom, only for the two of them to abandon her in the wilderness without a care. To think Marquis Huainan handles family affairs this way—truly eye-opening.”
Shang Changhe’s mouth twitched. “Your Highness, this must be a misunderstanding. Rou’er didn’t know her sister was at the bottom of the cliff. Otherwise, how could she… Besides, Ah Yan returned safely afterward.”
“Of course she returned safely. If not for me bringing her back, she would have died at the bottom of that cliff!”
Shang Changhe: “…”
What? It was Prince Lin’an who brought Shiyan back! Why hadn’t Shiyan said a word of this to him?
“It seems Marquis Shang cannot keep things balanced.” Gu Peice’s eyes darkened. “I enjoy meddling most of all. Jinyun, bring two bowls of water.”
Shang Shiyan was momentarily stunned, not understanding his intent.
Soon, when Jinyun returned with the bowls, she saw her father standing with arms outstretched, a bowl of water in each hand—and then she understood.
Gu Peice sat lazily in a chair brought by the servants, leaning back. “Jinyun, watch closely. Whichever bowl of water tilts, strike that hand.”
To Shang Changhe, this was naked humiliation! His face flushed red with shame and anger.
When Shang Shiyan’s two elder brothers learned that Gu Peice was disciplining their father, they rushed out to plead for mercy, hoping the Prince would spare him.
But then Jinyun brought out four more bowls.
For the next half hour, the Marquis’ main courtyard was in uproar.
Unfortunately, Shang Yunrou did not witness this spectacle. She hid in her own quarters, terrified that Gu Peice might turn his anger on her. She didn’t even dare step outside, let alone plead for her father or brothers.
“Jinyun, keep watch.” Gu Peice rose, and Shen Zuizhi quickly welcomed him into the main hall.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for standing up for Ah Yan.” Shen Zuizhi’s gaze was complicated. She knew the Prince had vented Ah Yan’s grievances, but feared that life in the Marquis’ household would only become harder for her afterward.
“Minister Shen is a founding hero of the realm, yet his daughter is treated so poorly by this declining Marquis’ household.” Gu Peice cast her a sidelong glance, reminding her that the power behind her family was far greater than anything the Marquis’ clan could threaten.
Shen Zuizhi lowered her eyes briefly. “Your Highness has saved Ah Yan many times. Both sentiment and propriety demand that we express our gratitude.” She took a brocade box from a maid.
Gu Peice glanced at it. “I have no need for gifts.”
Shen Zuizhi’s hand froze—awkward whether to give it or not. But she quickly steadied herself. “The Shen family will remember Your Highness’s kindness.”
If ever the Prince needed the Shen family’s support, she would give it wholeheartedly.
“It grows late. Would Your Highness stay for dinner?” Outside, night was falling. Shen Zuizhi wished to keep him, though others in the household were eager for him to leave.
Gu Peice stood. “I came today only to make things clear. There is no need to come again with thanks. It was a small effort.”
“Jinyun, we’re leaving.” He walked out of the hall.
Shen Zuizhi urged her daughter, “Quickly, go see the Prince off.”
Shang Shiyan hurried after him.
Leaving the Marquis’ residence, she tried to match his stride. “Your Highness, today you helped me again! I will remember this kindness and never let you down…”
“Do not come to me again.” Gu Peice suddenly stopped, turning back. His dark, fathomless eyes fixed on her, cold and indifferent.
Shang Shiyan was bewildered. He had just defended her—why was he angry now?
He mounted his horse, his back proud and aloof, and rode away.
Shang Shiyan stood frozen, unable to recover for a long while.
Why was Gu Peice angry?
When she returned to the courtyard, Shang Changhe and her two brothers, Shang Jing and Shang Yunzong, were being helped inside by the servants.
Shang Changhe’s expression was unspeakably ugly. His hands were weak, barely able to steady himself against the wall.
Shang Shiyan couldn’t be bothered with them. After all, it was Shang Changhe’s own foolishness—insisting on lying to defend Shang Yunrou in front of Gu Peice!
After mother and daughter ate dinner together, Shang Shiyan returned to Yaoguang Courtyard to rest. No sooner had she entered her room than heavy rain began to fall outside. Thunder rumbled, lightning split the sky, illuminating the courtyard in flashes.
Hubo and Zhenzhu came inside. “Miss, the rain is heavy tonight. Sleep early, don’t catch a chill.”
Shang Shiyan lay down on her bed, still wondering why Gu Peice had been angry.
Amid the thunder, a shrill cry suddenly rang out—
“Miss! Miss!”
“Please forgive your servant!”
“It was all my fault! I shouldn’t have spoken recklessly. I beg you, don’t cast me aside…”
Hubo went out to look. “It’s Qiuyue. She’s kneeling in the rain, begging for forgiveness.”
Zhenzhu peered outside. A flash of lightning lit Qiuyue’s face, revealing a horrifying scar of blood. Zhenzhu screamed in fright. “Ah!”
With all the commotion, Shang Shiyan got out of bed, threw on a robe, and stepped under the eaves.
“Miss! Please forgive me, I truly didn’t mean it…” Qiuyue pleaded again.
Shang Shiyan gazed at her coolly from a distance. “Gag her and throw her into Shang Yunrou’s courtyard.”
It was obvious whose handiwork this was.
The servants obeyed at once, dragging Qiuyue away.
The courtyard fell quiet again, and Shang Shiyan returned to bed. She tossed and turned, suddenly realizing—
Could Gu Peice be angry because he thought inviting him into the residence was just a ploy to use him to defend her? Following that thought, everything seemed to make sense. She had said it was to repay kindness, but when Gu Peice entered the residence, he happened to witness her being wronged. Since he had seen it, he couldn’t simply stand by, so he defended her and punished Shang Changhe.
But when she spoke out against her father today, it wasn’t to use Gu Peice—it was simply that she couldn’t hold back, and wanted to question him!
The more she thought about it, the harder it was to sleep. She tugged at her hair, wondering how she could explain herself to Gu Peice.
Suddenly, memories of her past life surfaced—
Because she had avoided Gu Peice, she had angered him. Yet even when angry, he still considered her in everything. Shang Shiyan had felt guilty, so she went to him, reached out, and hugged him. At once, Gu Peice pulled her into his arms.
If that worked before, perhaps it would again. She could only wait until the next time they met at the riding grounds to try.