Volume 1 Chapter 11: A Favor
Nanny Liu had just returned to the courtyard after seeing off the physician. Hearing this, she asked in surprise, "How did Second Miss know that Young Master Gu is still waiting outside? He said he has something to discuss with you, Second Miss. You should go quickly."
Yan Qing’s eyelashes fluttered.
Gu Huaizhou was indeed still there.
Could it be that he remembered everything from last night?
At the thought of this possibility, Yan Qing felt uneasy all over, and her cheeks flushed hot.
After a long moment, she suppressed the panic in her heart, pursed her lips, and instructed, "Take good care of Mother. I will come again tomorrow."
With that, she left Xiruo Courtyard with Lu Zhi and Qing Luan.
The moon was now high in the sky, a clear, bright full moon hanging above the clouds, just as it had been when she returned to the mansion the previous night.
And there was Gu Huaizhou, appearing before her eyes.
He stood under the moonlight, his demeanor gentle and serene, even more tender than the moonlight itself.
Yan Qing looked up and met his clear, bright eyes.
Their gazes locked.
Her heart skipped a beat.
No wonder Madam Zhen had gone to such lengths to ruin Gu Huaizhou. In the entire capital, few could match his looks and temperament—gentle and refined, elegant and noble, like jade and snow.
Even Lu Qiao Nan could not compare.
If not for Gu Huaizhou being alone, with no family background or connections, he would have long been sought after by noble ladies in Yongjing.
It was no wonder Yan Yue was so infatuated with him.
Madam Zhen’s scheme against Gu Huaizhou was because of her third sister, Yan Yue.
Yan Yue and Yan Hao were twins, conceived after Madam Zhen arrived in the capital, only half a year younger than Young Master Xun.
Yan Yue had been infatuated with Gu Huaizhou since childhood. At her coming-of-age ceremony, she even publicly declared that she would only marry Cousin Gu, earning her half a month of confinement from Madam Zhen. Yet, after her release, she not only failed to restrain herself but grew even bolder.
She had sneaked into Qingzhu Courtyard multiple times…
If not for Madam Zhen and Yan Junyuan catching her, Yan Yue’s reputation would have been ruined long ago.
Thus, Madam Zhen harbored deep hatred for Gu Huaizhou.
She believed it was Gu Huaizhou who shamelessly seduced her youngest daughter…
How could a mere orphan be worthy of a young lady from the Shangshu Mansion?
This was the reason behind the incident in Qingzhu Courtyard the previous night.
As long as Gu Huaizhou was caught in an affair, Madam Zhen could rightfully expel him from the Yan residence.
In her previous life, Gu Huaizhou was framed and caught in the act, forcing him to marry Yang Xuan, the daughter of the Prime Minister’s concubine.
After their marriage, the couple moved out of the Yan residence and established their own household.
This severed Yan Yue’s infatuation.
And rid them of Gu Huaizhou, the thorn in their side.
It was a win-win situation.
Or rather, a triple victory, because last night, Yan Tan had successfully climbed into Lu Qiao Nan’s bed.
In her previous life, the day of her wedding had been Madam Zhen’s happiest day.
But in this life…
It was likely the most difficult day for her to swallow.
At this thought, Yan Qing couldn’t help but curl her lips slightly.
"Cousin Qing, what has made you so happy?"
The gentle voice carried by the night breeze reached her ears. Yan Qing’s expression stiffened, and she immediately pressed her lips together.
She stepped forward and curtsied. "Cousin Gu."
Although Gu Huaizhou was handsome, he had no family background, no wealth, no scholarly achievements, and was dependent on others.
His status was truly lowly.
Noble sons in the capital disdained associating with him.
Talented young ladies feared being entangled with him.
Thus, even after living in the capital for over a decade, he remained isolated and unrecognized.
Many didn’t even know of his existence.
Yet, who could have imagined that this seemingly insignificant person was actually the son of the current emperor, hidden within their Yan residence?
Yan Qing stopped five steps away from Gu Huaizhou and asked softly, "May I ask why Cousin Gu sought me out?"
Gu Huaizhou looked behind her.
Yan Qing’s heart skipped a beat.
Could they really investigate last night's incident…
She panicked momentarily, but quickly forced herself to speak calmly: "Qing Luan, Lu Zhi, you two return to Qingyi Courtyard first."
No matter what, she couldn't offend Gu Huaizhou.
Qing Luan and Lu Zhi didn't understand why.
But Cousin Gu was always gentle and courteous, and they were within the manor, so likely nothing would happen.
The two maids responded and withdrew.
Yan Qing took a deep breath, raised her eyes to look at Gu Huaizhou, and explained: "Cousin, last night…"
"Last night, Qingzhu Courtyard had intruders!"
Gu Huaizhou looked at her with a serious expression: "Cousin Qing, could we speak privately?"
Yan Qing: "Ah?"
Gu Huaizhou glanced around, seemingly afraid someone might overhear.
He pulled Yan Qing into the shadows and whispered: "Cousin Qing, this morning when I woke up, I found an extra person in my room, and it was a woman…"
Yan Qing's eyes widened abruptly.
Yang Xuan!
Last night she hurriedly ran out of Qingzhu Courtyard, but she had forgotten Yang Xuan!
Gu Huaizhou stared at her slightly parted lips, his gaze deepening, but his voice remained gentle and steady: "I truly don't know how this happened, nor when that woman entered. Men and women should not be intimate, Cousin Qing, could you help me…"
"No, hurry, let's go!"
Yan Qing grabbed Gu Huaizhou's hand instead.
She pulled him, rushing hurriedly towards Qingzhu Courtyard.
She had forgotten such a huge trouble!
Last night, Madam Zhen was worried about Yan Tan and left the manor. Today during the day, she was busy arranging Yan Tan's entry into Wu'an Marquis Manor, so she hadn't had time to catch Gu Huaizhou's illicit affair.
But now, having regained her senses, she would surely send someone to Qingzhu Courtyard to check the situation.
If Madam Zhen caught Yang Xuan, wouldn't her efforts yesterday be wasted?
Yan Qing silently berated herself for being careless.
She didn't notice at all that her hand, which had grabbed Gu Huaizhou's sleeve, had somehow fallen into the man's palm, tightly clasped with his.
Upon reaching Qingzhu Courtyard, she suddenly realized it seemed improper.
Yan Qing hurriedly withdrew her hand, feeling awkward: "Cousin Gu, sorry, earlier…"
"It's fine, Cousin was just acting urgently earlier."
Gu Huaizhou disappointedly withdrew his hand.
Yan Qing felt extremely embarrassed.
Perhaps last night's events were too wild, making her unable to remain calm and composed when facing Gu Huaizhou, even rashly forgetting propriety!
She distractedly glanced around, stammering: "Cousin, Yang… where is that woman?"
Gu Huaizhou pointed towards the bedroom.
Yan Qing's face flushed instantly.
He hadn't moved Yang Xuan elsewhere?
As if knowing what she was thinking, Gu Huaizhou gently explained: "It would be improper."
Yan Qing's mind buzzed.
Thinking of their clasped hands earlier, she felt so ashamed she wished to hide, even her ears seemed scorched.
Gu Huaizhou knew to adhere to propriety, yet she…
Gu Huaizhou timely reminded: "Cousin Qing, it seems someone is coming."
Yan Qing turned and vaguely saw another matron from Madam Zhen's side approaching. Her heart suddenly tightened.
"Cousin, you go intercept Nanny Li first."
Without caring about anything else, Yan Qing lifted her skirt hem and dashed into that room that made her heart race.