In Haitang Courtyard, Su Xiyue was chatting with her mother Xu Shi, flaunting her achievements through subtle remarks. Xu Tanxin, sitting nearby, listened with burning envy.
She chimed in occasionally, “Cousin is truly remarkable, even outshining Su Qingwan!”
Such words delighted Su Xiyue.
Though she couldn’t reveal to others that the current Gu Yunci was actually Gu Yunrui, it didn’t diminish her pride.
“My husband became Vice Minister of War at such a young age, with boundless prospects ahead. What does Su Qingwan, now a widow, have to compare with me?”
Xu Tanxin forced a smile, but jealousy simmered in her eyes.
Although her cousin was a daughter of the Su family, she wasn’t much superior to herself. Why did she get to marry into a marquis’ household, with a husband soon to hold high office?
She was clearly more beautiful than her cousin.
After offering a few more compliments, Xu Tanxin excused herself for a stroll. As she stepped out, she marveled at the meticulously crafted scenery of Haitang Courtyard, each step revealing new elegance, and couldn’t help but feel deep yearning.
She had thought the Su Estate was luxurious enough, but this single courtyard in Zhongyong Hou Estate surpassed it in opulence.
It was said that Linglong Yuan was even more magnificent than Haitang Courtyard—how splendid must that be?
Resentful of her cousin’s good fortune, Xu Tanxin wandered despondently until she reached a flower wall, where she overheard a conversation.
“I heard the Marquis’ Wife is selecting a bedroom concubine for the Second Young Master. I wonder if I’ll be chosen.”
“Stop daydreaming. The Second Young Mistress doesn’t allow him to take concubines.”
“Isn’t the Second Young Mistress too jealous? Isn’t she afraid the Second Young Master will grow tired of her? Well, I don’t care—opportunities favor those who are prepared.”
The voices gradually faded as the two maidservants shifted to trivial gossip. Startled, Xu Tanxin quickly turned and left, fearing discovery.
Once at a safe distance, she pressed her handkerchief to her chest, her heart racing.
They were right—opportunities favor the prepared! Besides, she bore some resemblance to her cousin, surely giving her a better chance than those maidservants…
In the afternoon, the weather turned foul as a sudden downpour poured.
Qiyi returned to report, “Miss, Xu Shi and Xu Tanxin are staying overnight at the Hou Manor due to the heavy rain. The Second Young Mistress is delighted and has ordered the kitchen to prepare a grand feast in Haitang Courtyard. She just sent someone to invite you.”
Qinxin snorted beside her, “She knows full well you won’t go, yet she flaunts it like this. She’ll throw her back out with all that preening!”
Su Qingwan set down her account book, a faint smile curling her lips. “Of course I’ll go.”
Only by her presence would Su Xiyue’s attention remain fixed on her, allowing Xu Tanxin the opening to make her move—and incidentally provoking Gu Yunrui.
“Tell the kitchen to prepare some strong liquor. The rainy weather is chilly; a drink will warm everyone up.”
She would provide them with perfect timing and conditions—whether they succeeded would depend on their own efforts.
When Gu Yunrui returned from his duties, his clothes slightly damp from the rain, he frowned slightly and went straight to his study in the front courtyard to change.
A servant came to inform him, “Second Young Master, the Second Young Mistress’s mother and cousin have arrived. They’re staying overnight due to the rain and have prepared a feast in Haitang Courtyard, awaiting your presence.”
Gu Yunrui didn’t really want to go over, but as if guided by some supernatural force, he asked, “Is my mother and sister-in-law going?”
The servant replied, “The Marquis’ Wife said she doesn’t want to eat much tonight, but the Heir’s Wife said she would come.”
Gu Yunrui suddenly changed his mind. He knew Qing Wan was the most soft-hearted and kind. It was only because of the previous misunderstanding that she had come to detest him so much.
After all, he was the only one in her heart.
If he could find the right opportunity to make her believe he was truly Gu Yunrui, then everything would be resolved.
Gu Yunrui immediately called his servant to help him change into a sapphire-blue brocade robe with a belt inlaid with jade. After some thought, he hung an embroidered pouch patterned with asparagus fern at his waist.
That was something Qing Wan had personally embroidered for him after their engagement.
When Gu Yunrui returned to Haitang Courtyard, he saw Chong Jiu standing at the entrance. Raindrops soaked the umbrella he held, falling one by one to the ground and splashing up specks of mud.
Gu Yunrui said coldly, “This is Haitang Courtyard. As an unrelated man, you cannot trespass here.”
Chong Jiu looked at him with a complicated gaze, “Second Young Master, do you think Haitang Courtyard is better, or Linglong Yuan?”
Gu Yunrui frowned, not understanding why this person was asking such a question, but his intuition told him he didn’t like this man. He said coldly, “Regardless of which is better, it’s not something a mere guard should concern himself with. Don’t think that just because you have Doctor Murong’s support, you can do as you please!”
Chong Jiu let out a soft laugh.
When Gu Yunrui looked up again, he found the other’s face expressionless. That soft laugh seemed to have been his imagination.
As he stepped inside, he told himself again that this guard was of low status and ordinary appearance – Qing Wan would certainly not be interested in him. Originally, Gu Yunrui had been certain that Qing Wan’s heart still belonged only to him.
But when he thought of Murong Jin, who had the Divine Doctor as his master and backing, he felt somewhat less confident.
Would Qing Wan think he was dead and transfer her affections to that Murong Jin?
At this moment, Gu Yunrui entered the main hall. Su Xiyue was overjoyed and quickly ran over, throwing herself into his arms like a young swallow returning to its nest, “Husband, you’re back.”
She had been worried that Gu Yunrui wouldn’t be willing to come and show her this face.
Su Xiyue paid no mind to her mother and sisters being present – she was deliberately showing off how much her husband doted on her. But Gu Yunrui felt somewhat embarrassed, especially when he saw Su Qingwan sitting properly to the side.
Su Qingwan was wearing a sky-blue silk dress with loose hem, over which she wore a white embroidered beizi. The hairpin in her bun was simple yet exquisite with kingfisher feather inlay. Her eyebrows and eyes were as calm as still water. Just by sitting there properly, she gave people an immense sense of peace and tranquility.
Gu Yunrui instinctively pushed Su Xiyue away. Under her slightly stunned gaze, he said, “Your mother and the others are still here. Don’t mess around.”
Su Xiyue breathed a sigh of relief and pulled him to sit down. Coincidentally, Gu Yunrui ended up sitting directly opposite Su Qingwan.
Su Qingwan knew he kept looking over frequently, and she knew he would certainly bring up knowing Murong Jin. But she deliberately avoided meeting his gaze, instead instructing Qiyi, “Go tell Chong Jiu that if the rain gets too heavy, he should return to Linglong Yuan first. There’s no need to wait here.”
Qiyi nodded and immediately went out.
Gu Yunrui heard it clearly, his tone tinged with sourness, “Sister-in-law, you seem to value this personal guard quite a lot.”
Su Qingwan did not deny it.
Beside them, Xu Shi chimed in, “Qingwan, you are a widow now. Isn’t it inappropriate to have a man as your personal guard? The Hou Manor already has plenty of guards, doesn’t it?”
Su Qingwan smiled faintly. “Aunt, you may not be aware, but although there are many guards in the manor, there’s no guarantee that none of them are traitors. Didn’t that flower thief manage to sneak in before? It was only thanks to this personal guard that the consequences were averted. In fact, I had intended to dismiss him, but after the incident with the flower thief, I realized his importance and decided to keep him.”
Hearing this, Gu Yunrui instinctively tightened his grip on the wine cup.
The conversation among them continued, filled with invisible tension. Only Xu Tanxin stole cautious glances at the second young master of the Gu family.
He was handsome, elegant, and now the only firstborn son of the Hou Manor, with a future full of promise.
Xu Tanxin’s heart fluttered incessantly. She knew full well that her cousin would never agree to her becoming her cousin’s husband’s concubine, but what if the deed was already done?
Surely, her aunt and cousin would have to consent then!
The meal proceeded with everyone harboring their own ulterior motives. Gu Yunrui kept glancing at Su Qingwan from time to time, and Su Xiyue, seated beside him, grew increasingly frustrated and even felt a stomachache from anger.
Noticing this, Xu Shi occasionally interjected with seemingly concerned remarks, though her true intention was to provoke Su Qingwan. However, Su Qingwan deftly deflected each attempt.
Because Su Qingwan paid her no mind and remained unmoved even when she subtly revealed the sachet, and with Su Xiyue constantly causing trouble, Gu Yunrui’s mood soured. He drank several more cups of wine and eventually became thoroughly intoxicated.
As the dinner drew to a close, Su Qingwan said, “It’s getting late, and the rain is falling harder. I shall take my leave.”
With a slight nod, she rose and departed.
Outside, the rain showed no sign of letting up. The sky was dark, making it difficult to discern whether night had fallen or if it was merely the gloom of the storm.
Lanterns along the path swayed gently in the wind.
Qinxin led the way with a lantern, while Qiyi carefully supported Su Qingwan. “Miss, watch your step,” she cautioned.
After walking for a quarter of an hour, the group reached the entrance of Haitang Courtyard, where a figure stood waiting. The person wore a bamboo hat and held a brightly lit lantern.
Su Qingwan asked, “Chong Jiu, didn’t I tell you to return first?”
Chong Jiu replied, “I had nothing else to do, so I thought I’d wait for you.”
To Chong Jiu, Su Qingwan’s visit to Haitang Courtyard seemed even more perilous than venturing outside.
Knowing how stubborn he was, Su Qingwan did not argue and simply nodded. The group then headed together toward Linglong Yuan.
However, the further they walked, the more water accumulated on the path, soaking the hems of their shoes.
Qinxin noticed this and exclaimed with concern, “Miss, let me carry you on my back. Otherwise, your skirt will be completely drenched.”
No one had anticipated that the rain would intensify, and the puddles would grow deeper.
As soon as she spoke, Qinxin realized her mistake—Su Qingwan was already over five months pregnant and could not be carried on anyone’s back.
“I’ll carry you,” Chong Jiu suddenly offered.
The three women were startled.
This was highly improper.
Just as Su Qingwan was about to refuse, Chong Jiu added, “No one will see us. Besides, the rain is getting heavier, and you mustn’t catch a chill or fall ill.”
Compared to falling ill, rules might not be as important anymore, especially since she was pregnant and absolutely must not get sick.
Su Qingwan made a prompt decision, adapting to the exigency of the situation, and nodded.
But the moment Chong Jiu lifted her into his arms, Su Qingwan suddenly felt enveloped in a wave of warmth. Listening to his steady heartbeat, for some reason, her own heartbeat faltered for an instant.
Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Chong Jiu’s collar!