Volume 1 Chapter 19: Cousin's Hint
Thinking of Qingzhu Courtyard, Yan Qing couldn't help but blush.
That was her first intimate encounter with a man…
To this day, she wasn't sure whether Gu Huaizhou remembered what happened that night.
So in daily life, she tried to avoid Gu Huaizhou whenever possible, thinking that as long as she helped him with important matters to earn his gratitude, it would be enough. Yet she never expected him to get injured for her today…
Now he was even willing to walk back to the manor despite his injury, fearing it might damage her reputation.
He cared for her so much, yet she deliberately ignored him…
Yan Qing felt deeply ashamed.
"Cousin…"
Today, Gu Huaizhou had first helped her, then been harassed by Lu Wen Huan for defending the bookshop, and finally got injured because of her. By all accounts, she should express her gratitude.
Moreover, whether in her past life or this one, Gu Huaizhou had never done anything to wrong her or the Ye Family. In fact, he had always been courteous to her and her mother.
She shouldn't deliberately distance herself from him because of her rigid impressions from her past life.
Yan Qing looked at the man's handsome face and sincerely thanked him: "Thank you so much for today."
Gu Huaizhou raised his eyes to look at her.
Swallowing back the words "how will you thank me," he said gently: "Cousin, there's no need to be so polite."
Yan Qing then asked: "Are you preparing for next year's Spring Examinations, cousin?"
Gu Huaizhou nodded: "Indeed."
Yan Qing recalled that in her past life, Gu Huaizhou had indeed taken the Spring Examinations and won the top spot as the zhuangyuan.
Back then, though confined to Dong Yuan, she had sent a congratulatory gift.
Later, she heard that the newly appointed zhuangyuan had become a favorite of the emperor, with both Prince Jing and Prince Qi vying to win him over.
But her heart was withered, and she had no time to care about others.
If it weren't for Qing Luan and Lu Zhi often sharing outside news to cheer her up, she would have known nothing even after being reborn.
Yan Qing said kindly: "If you lack anything, cousin, just tell me. I'll have Qing Luan prepare it for you, so as not to delay your study time."
Gu Huaizhou replied: "Cousin, please don't take offense, but I'm not used to things prepared by others…"
"Is that so…"
Yan Qing looked disappointed.
She had wanted to use this opportunity to get closer to Gu Huaizhou and repay the favor he did for her today.
"However, there is one matter on my mind."
Gu Huaizhou said calmly: "Recently, I've been studying calligraphy with a few friends, but I haven't found a suitable brush tip. I wonder if you might have time, cousin, to accompany me to the Twelve Districts?"
"The Twelve Districts?"
Yan Qing knew of this place.
The Twelve Districts were in the outer city of Yongjing. She had heard it was a marketplace in the outer city, but because it was a mixed and chaotic area and she didn't like going out, she had never been there.
Gu Huaizhou nodded: "Though the Twelve Districts aren't as luxurious as the inner city, due to relaxed government policies, the Three Religions and Nine Schools, as well as the Five Trades and Eight Crafts, all gather there. The commerce is bustling, and goods are plentiful. We're sure to find the best brush tips there."
"Bustling commerce?"
Yan Qing's heart stirred.
Wasn't her purpose in going out today to find a place to establish herself?
Though Sanbao Lane on Chang'an Street was also lively, it mostly served the families of the inner city and the children of officials. Ordinary commoners couldn't afford the goods on Chang'an Street.
But according to Gu Huaizhou, was the Twelve Districts actually the true commercial market of Yongjing?
Gu Huaizhou softly hinted: "It's also the most well-informed place in Yongjing."
Yan Qing's eyes immediately brightened.
She suddenly grabbed Gu Huaizhou's wrist, unable to contain her excitement: "Alright, cousin, let's go to the Twelve Districts tomorrow!"
Her gentle face was brimming with excitement, vivid and genuine.
It was utterly different from the pallid lifelessness of those decades.
This was a living Qingqing.
Gu Huaizhou clenched his fist, suppressing the impulse deep within to pull her into his very bones.
He smiled gently and softly, "Alright."
A short while later, the carriage returned to Yan Manor.
As they parted, Gu Huaizhou suddenly handed a ceramic jar to Yan Qing.
Yan Qing was puzzled, "Isn't this…"
"I bought it for my cousin."
The man's deep voice melted into the night, carrying a hint of indulgence, "Plum juice from Baoshi Zhai, to quench your thirst."
Yan Qing, however, was momentarily lost in thought.
Plum juice from Baoshi Zhai had once been her favorite drink.
But Lu Qiao Nan disliked sweet and sour flavors, so Yan Qing gradually stopped drinking it.
She never expected Gu Huaizhou to still remember.
She had thought this jar of plum juice was for himself—in her memory, Gu Huaizhou seemed to enjoy plum juice too…
"Thank you, cousin."
With mixed emotions, Yan Qing accepted the plum juice and curtsied to him, "It's late now. I must take my leave. Please rest early, cousin."
She turned and left, but the man remained standing in place.
Like a stone statue, he stood there for a long time.
As if he had been gazing like this for centuries.
Beside him, his manservant Laifu was already trembling like a sieve.
The young master… toward the second young lady…
"Laifu."
On the way back to Qingzhu Courtyard, Gu Huaizhou suddenly spoke.
Laifu fell to his knees with a thud, sweating profusely, "Young master, I saw nothing and know nothing."
"Is that so."
The man chuckled softly and spoke leisurely, "Today, I guessed Qingqing would go to Chang'an Street, so I deliberately waited there. Lu Wen Huan's stick originally wouldn't have hit Qingqing—it was I who pushed you…"
Laifu kowtowed repeatedly, "Young master, I beg you, don't say any more…"
But Gu Huaizhou seemed not to hear.
He continued, "It was just a wooden stick. The physician said it was nothing serious, yet I pretended to be weak, all just to make Qingqing pity me…"
Laifu was already so frightened his legs gave way.
"Young master, please spare me. I'll kowtow to you…"
Gu Huaizhou reached out to help him up, his expression gentle, "You must repeat every word I just said to Madam Zhen, understood?"
Laifu stiffened.
Gu Huaizhou smiled indifferently, "On the night Qingqing got married, the slave girl in my room—you were the one who let her in, weren't you?"
Laifu instantly turned deathly pale.
So the young master knew everything!
"Don't be afraid. I won't blame you. Continue serving Madam Zhen. Do well, and you'll be rewarded. Fail…"
The man straightened up. In the darkness, his expression was hidden, but Laifu felt an inexplicable fear rising in his heart.
As if, in front of the young master, he was as insignificant as an ant.
His life and death rested entirely in the young master's hands.
Laifu was terrified!
Since when did the young master possess such a fearsome aura?
He stammered, "Yes…"
The man walked straight toward the courtyard.
Just as Laifu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, Gu Huaizhou's faint voice came again, "You have a younger sister, don't you? She works in Prince Qi's residence?"
All color drained from Laifu's face.
Even Madam Zhen didn't know he had a sister—how could the young master know…
"Go."
The man's figure disappeared into the courtyard.
But Laifu was already scared out of his wits. He dared not harbor any disloyal thoughts and quickly scrambled to his feet, rushing toward Cuizhen Courtyard.
In the courtyard, Gu Huaizhou raised his right hand.
A faint smile appeared on his handsome, refined face. "Today, Qingqing held my hand—that's progress."