Chapter 29

Gu Wan had had a habit ever since she was young. If she encountered something unpleasant and was powerless to change it, she would find a way to vent.

Sometimes, it was riding a horse through the entire night. Sometimes, it was grinding ink and practicing calligraphy. Another method was drawing a bow and shooting arrows.

So among the younger generation, Gu Wan’s calligraphy was grand and majestic, and her riding and archery were also the most outstanding.

At a distance of nearly a hundred chi, Gu Wan could shoot down a wild goose soaring through the air, piercing its eye with one arrow.

As a sound cut through the sunset, another arrow struck the bull’s-eye. Gu Wan reached toward the quiver, but all the arrows inside had already been used up. It was completely empty.

She was just about to refill the quiver when Lanxi passed by the archery range. After seeing the person inside, she hurriedly ran in.

“This subordinate has been looking for you for ages. Young General, why are you hiding here?” Lanxi said while wiping the sweat by her temple with her sleeve.

Gu Wan lifted her lashes, her gaze cold.

Lanxi realized she had misspoken and quickly corrected herself. “Oh, so Young General is practicing archery!”

Right, right, right. Her Young General’s word was law, and on the battlefield she could fight a hundred alone. How could she possibly have fallen so low as to hide?

Hearing this, Gu Wan’s expression eased slightly. She asked in a low voice, “What is it?”

“It’s from Little Prince Yi’s side.” Lanxi stepped forward and whispered by Gu Wan’s ear, “After you met him last time, he went back and immediately raided Tianxiang Tower overnight. The Sangxie remnants hidden inside were all captured in one sweep. Little Prince Yi said that if you agree, he will personally send these Sangxie people to you in three days and leave them to your disposal.”

Last time, Gu Wan had mentioned Tianxiang Tower to Zhao Shuheng. She had not expected this younger male cousin of hers to be so efficient. In such a short time, he had handled the matter cleanly.

But Zhao Shuheng’s words were very clear. He knew about Gu Wan’s years of hatred toward Sangxie and was merely selling Gu Wan a favor.

As far as Gu Wan knew, Zhao Shuheng did not easily promise favors.

Gu Wan put down the bow and instructed Lanxi, “Take a few capable people and go receive them. When Little Prince Yi personally comes, tell him [read the original at bailiantales.com]I am tangled up in military affairs and cannot leave.”

“Young General isn’t going personally? Little Prince Yi is giving you such a huge favor for nothing. He must have something to ask of you and words he wants to say to you.”

Even Lanxi could tell that Zhao Shuheng had something to ask of Gu Wan.

Tianxiang Tower was the largest pleasure house in Shengjing, with a very solid foundation. Behind it were many forces from all sides, including no lack of imperial relatives and nobles.

Zhao Shuheng’s move could be called completely unrestrained. Without any warning, he had brought people to surround it completely. Overnight, that world of pleasure and fireworks was destroyed, but he still needed a proper reason.

Among all this, Sangxie’s hidden line was naturally the best excuse. When people asked, he would naturally have to present evidence to make his actions justified. Otherwise, with one careless move, he could draw the hostility of hundreds of officials and make himself the target of everyone’s arrows.

Even His Majesty might not be easy to explain things to.

Yet he had taken such a great risk and given this evidence—which could protect his official career—to Gu Wan. How much sincerity did that show?

According to common sense, as his older female cousin, even if Gu Wan was unwilling, she would at least meet him once.

How could she accept the thing and remain unmoved?

Gu Wan said in a low voice, staring coldly at Lanxi, “Your duties are becoming more and more impressive now. Do I have to report to you whether I meet someone or not?”

Seeing the situation turn bad, Lanxi quickly excused herself. “This subordinate would not dare. This subordinate will arrange the men right away.”

She was just about to leave when Gu Wan called her back again. “Remember, when you bring those people back, make the commotion bigger.”

That night, Gu Wan did not return to her room to sleep. There was a couch in the study, so she casually settled there to rest.

This couch was not only narrow but also not very long. There was only a thin mattress on it, and it was usually used for sitting and drinking tea. When Gu Wan lay on it, not only could she not turn over freely, she even had to curl her legs.

Compared with the bed in the bedroom, it was naturally worlds apart, but Gu Wan did not mind.

Forests, grassland—when marching, where had she not slept before? Compared to ​read the original at bailiantales.com​that, these conditions were already extremely good.

It was just that she had matters on her mind, so she tossed and turned and never truly slept. As soon as she closed her eyes, what appeared in her mind was Li Yueyue’s soft, boneless appearance.

Her tear-filled eyes, her pleading voice—she had looked truly pitiful.

But when Gu Wan thought that Li Yueyue might be related to the two words Sangxie, that little bit of pity in her heart instantly vanished into smoke and ash.

Actually, to her, it did not matter who Li Yueyue was.

The daughter of a merchant, the daughter of an ordinary commoner, a village woman, or a maidservant of some noble or wealthy family—none of that mattered.

As long as her thoughts were upright and she did not harbor any beautiful but dangerous intentions that went against Great Zhou’s safety, Gu Wan could keep her by her side.

She could raise her well with good food and drink. Even if Li Yueyue grew tired of staying and wanted to return to her original family, Gu Wan could safely send her away and ensure she had food and clothing for the rest of her life.

But of all things…

However, from another angle, the coachman who had once escorted her had traces of Sangxie on him. If Li Yueyue had revealed her identity, why would it have led to him silencing her?

What if even Li Yueyue herself did not know whose blood flowed in her body?

Before her thoughts could finish, the guard on duty suddenly knocked on the door. “Young General, Miss Li is feeling unwell again!”

By the time Gu Wan stepped into the bedroom, Li Yueyue was lying on the bed. After seeing clearly who had come, she grabbed Gu Wan’s hand, her burning palm climbing over Gu Wan’s fist.

“Sister.”

The flickering candlelight reflected in the girl’s moist eyes, making even that gentle gaze seem scorching.

Gu Wan quickly ordered someone to summon Su Zhaoyun.

“Don’t call her!” Shang Rongyue wrapped her arms around Gu Wan’s waist, Read on BaiLianTalesher head pressed against the other woman. “It’s so late. I can’t bear to trouble Miss Su. There’s no need to bother her. Sister, just stay with me for a while. Just a little while. Is that all right?”

Gu Wan touched Shang Rongyue’s forehead. “You’re burning this badly, yet you still say you’re fine!”

“I don’t want to!” Shang Rongyue buried her face even deeper. Her soft tone was like a sigh and like acting spoiled. “The poison in Yueyue’s body has to be cured by Sanniang.”

Gu Wan was just about to speak when her gaze happened to sweep over the teapot beside the candle. Steam was still rising from it in circles.

After pondering for a moment, she simply followed the wish of the person in her arms. With a lift of her arm, she dismissed the others.

“No one needs to be on duty tonight. All of you withdraw.”

“Yes.”

Usually, there would definitely be people guarding outside the Young General’s door. Today, however, the Young General had specifically dismissed them. The soldiers could not make sense of it, but they did not ask any more questions.

Being spared night duty was not a bad thing either.

After everyone withdrew, only Shang Rongyue and Gu Wan remained in the room.

After hearing the door close again, Gu Wan sat down along the edge of the bed. Shang Rongyue naturally rested her head on Gu Wan’s knees, one hand covering her chest, breathing rapidly.

The girl’s ink-black hair, like silk, was unbound at this moment and spread across Gu Wan’s legs. A faint fragrance soon floated upward.

“What kind of soapberry did you use today?” Gu Wan’s fair hand rested on that black hair, stroking it back and forth gently.

“Jasmine.” Shang Rongyue answered while hooking Gu Wan’s fingertip and lightly placing the other woman’s hand against her cheek. “Does Sister like it?”

“But I still prefer begonia.” Jasmine’s fragrance was rich, unlike begonia’s elegance, which also carried a faint sweetness.

It seemed to suit her better.

“Or rose is good too.” That was also the scent usually lingering on her skin.

Shang Rongyue lowered her head. “All right. Then Yueyue will only use those two in the future.”

For some reason today, ever since they had been by the river, Shen Sanniang had suddenly become cold toward her. She had not even returned to the bedroom and had not said a single word.

Shang Rongyue had asked Ziying, but Ziying had also said she did not know.

There were guards at the door, so Shang Rongyue could only stay alone in the room, staring blankly at the flickering candlelight until midnight.

Seeing the candle burn shorter and shorter, she became more and more uneasy.

Was it truly as Su Zhaoyun had said, that Shen Sanniang was cold to her because she suspected her motives?

Then what about afterward? If this matter was not sorted out, how would Shen Sanniang treat her?

Would she drive her out? Sell her to a brothel? Or directly give her to that younger cousin?

Thinking of Shen Sanniang’s younger cousin, Shang Rongyue could not help shivering again. Last time in the pleasure house, she had clearly heard Shen Sanniang call someone “younger brother,” but when she opened her eyes, only Shen Sanniang remained. Had she heard wrong?

No matter what, she had to find Shen Sanniang first today.

But judging by the current situation, Shen Sanniang did not seem to be bothered. She could even discuss small matters with her, such as which kind of soapberry to use.

Could it really be that Shang Rongyue had overthought things?

Just as she was thinking, Gu Wan suddenly spoke. “I’m a little thirsty. May I drink a cup of tea first?”

Naturally, Shang Rongyue had no reason to stop her. She moved her head away from Gu Wan’s knees and obediently sat on the bed to wait for her.

But today, Shen Sanniang’s tea drinking seemed endless. One cup, two cups, three cups…

Whenever she poured out tea, she had to blow read the original at bailiantales.com on it first and fuss over it for quite a while before bringing it to her mouth.

Clearly, she was deliberately dragging things out.

As Shang Rongyue watched her movements, her heart gradually grew cold bit by bit.

Only after the third cup of tea was empty did Gu Wan slowly put down the teacup and ask in a low voice, “May I ask what exactly Miss Li called me here for in the middle of the night?”

She stood before the table, her tall figure completely blocking the candlelight. Shen Sanniang’s face happened to be buried in shadow.

Shang Rongyue could not see her expression clearly.

Her body sitting on the bed shrank back. She hugged her knees with both hands, but still forced herself to answer, “I just felt unwell, so…”

“So, by such a coincidence, the temperature of your body happens to be exactly the same as this pot of tea?”

Gu Wan leisurely walked to the bedside and looked down at Shang Rongyue from above. “It seems [unauthorized copy]that in the future, there will be no need to boil water to brew tea. We can just use Miss Li directly.”

Seeing that her little trick had been exposed, Shang Rongyue awkwardly turned her face away. “I only said I felt unwell. I never said the poison had flared up.”

Indeed, she had first wrapped herself in the quilt and run two small circles around the room. After her face flushed, she held the teapot against her forehead to imitate a feverish appearance.

She had originally thought the candlelight was dim, so perhaps she could pass off the fake as real. She had not expected this bandit leader to be so sharp, seeing through her disguise at a glance!

With the matter exposed, Shang Rongyue felt a little embarrassed, but she quickly hid that bit of awkwardness.

Gu Wan asked coldly, “If Miss Li has nothing else, you should rest early.”

Hearing this, Shang Rongyue no longer cared about anything else. Her body, sitting on the bed, suddenly leaned forward. Both arms wrapped around the other woman’s waist, and she clutched Gu Wan’s clothes tightly, refusing to let go.

Her chin rested against Gu Wan’s collar. Like a little cat, she looked up at the other woman with bright, blinking eyes. “I just couldn’t see Sister, and I missed you terribly, so I felt unwell.”

Missed you was such a sensitive phrase. Naturally, Gu Wan did not believe it.

They had only seen each other that morning. What was there to miss?

Seeing the suspicion in the other woman’s eyes, Shang Rongyue’s confidence weakened. She softly told the truth. “I… I don’t dare sleep alone.”

Hearing this, the strength in Gu Wan’s pulling hand abruptly lessened.

That was right. She did not dare be alone. Even on the night she had first been poisoned, despite being that exhausted, she had still hugged the candlestick and refused to close her eyes.

The same had happened last night. In the darkness, the girl had pressed close by her side and tightly held her arm without letting go. Even after falling asleep, her grip had not loosened.

Although Gu Wan could not figure out her past, she knew that after Gu Ze’s incident, Li Yueyue had truly been poisoned with an aphrodisiac; her untouched body had truly followed Gu Wan; and her fear of the dark was also real.

Since even Gu Wan herself had not figured things out, drawing conclusions too early was indeed unfair.

Her pulling hand loosened and slowly landed on the other woman’s shoulder.

After the candle that was about to burn out was extinguished, the two lay down fully clothed, side by side.

Today, each of them had her own quilt, and neither touched the other.

As the surroundings gradually became quiet, Shang Rongyue saw that the person beside her was breathing steadily. She lifted her quilt and quietly slipped under the neighboring brocade quilt, skillfully wrapping herself around the other woman’s arm.

In the darkness, Gu Wan’s body stiffened, and her eyes instantly opened. But this time, she did not struggle.

Shang Rongyue sensed that the other woman had not fallen asleep and was merely pretending to rest with her eyes closed. Yet she had not pushed Shang Rongyue away, as if her guard against her had lowered a little. Only then did Shang Rongyue quietly ask, “Why was Sanniang suddenly angry with me today?”

The air was silent for a long while.

Gu Wan had no intention of answering. She only casually comforted her. “It’s very late. Hurry and rest.”

Shang Rongyue sighed, then pressed herself a [bailiantales.com]little closer. Leaving her own embroidered pillow, she rested her head on the jade pillow Gu Wan was using.

The jade was cold and hard, uncomfortable to lie on.

But Shang Rongyue had no intention of retreating.

“When Sanniang has finished being angry, remember to tell me. When the time comes, Yueyue will ask the reason again, and then coax Sister. All right?”

The girl’s voice was sweet and soft. Every word was spoken carefully, as if she were afraid that with one careless mistake, she would make Gu Wan unhappy again.

Putting aside her background, Li Yueyue seemed to have done nothing wrong from beginning to end.

Such a delicate young lady had always lowered herself and acted meekly before Gu Wan. If Li Yueyue truly had nothing to do with Sangxie, then wasn’t Gu Wan being far too excessive this time?

As for whether she truly had any connection or not, that was not difficult. They only needed to test it.

Gu Wan turned over. With a stretch of her arm, she happened to wrap it around the girl’s body.

Such an intimate movement, yet her voice was cold and lacked some warmth.

“Do you want to learn to ride a horse?”

Going to receive the Sangxie party members would be more convenient on horseback.