Chapter 32

Ever since Shang Rongyue injured herself from the fall, Gu Wan no longer forced her to learn horseback riding. But her doubts about the other woman’s identity had not disappeared.

Some matters could only be settled after they were tested.

Fortunately, Gu Wan’s attitude had softened a great deal and was no longer like the past few days, when she had deliberately left the other woman hanging.

It was just that Shang Rongyue was no longer like before, taking the initiative to cling to her. She only lay quietly by her side, her expression obedient, and fell lightly asleep.

Everything was as usual. During the day, Gu Wan went out; at night, she returned. After sharing candy with the other woman, they slept fully clothed.

As for Zhao Shuheng’s side, he sent someone to ask again, saying there was an important matter he wished to discuss with Gu Wan and that he wanted to meet her.

Naturally, Gu Wan refused again.

Since Zhao Shuheng was willing to first show sincerity by giving her the Sangxie villains as a gift, what he was plotting behind this must be no small matter.

Right now, he was obviously anxious.

The more anxious the other party became, the more relaxed Gu Wan was.

She not only wanted to know what kind of matter could make this younger male cousin retreat to this extent, but also wanted to know where exactly the limit of the dignified Little Prince Yi lay.

If he was clever enough, he should understand that privately meeting with the garrison army was improper for him.

The last time Gu Wan invited Zhao Shuheng to meet, she had done so as his older female cousin, not as General Gu.

But Zhao Shuheng’s current state clearly was not like that. This proved that whatever he was calculating in his heart was most likely related to the court.

Just like the fallen Zheng family—privately, it was nothing, but once brought into the open, it might implicate an entire clan.

So they still needed a proper, legitimate pretext.

Sure enough, Zhao Shuheng understood very quickly. Soon, Shen Rong, using the emperor’s decree, sent word that in a few days, Noble Consort Rong wished to go to Furong City to admire the lotus flowers. Because Gu Wan was nearby, she ordered Gu Wan to send people to accompany them and protect Her Ladyship’s safety.

On the surface, it was to soothe Noble Consort Rong’s longing for her relatives. In truth, it was nothing ​unauthorized copy​more than Zhao Shuheng borrowing Shen Rong’s identity to build a ladder for himself.

After Gu Wan put away the letter and returned to the room, she saw Shang Rongyue boredly reading the illustrated storybooks Lanxi had sent over.

Although the injury on her foot had improved a lot, Shang Rongyue had still been too lazy to move these past few days. She basically stayed in the room and, at most, opened the window for some fresh air.

It was unknown whether this was a lingering effect left behind by the poisoning.

Seeing Gu Wan return, Shang Rongyue only lifted her eyes and glanced at her. She did not move, and did not even say a word.

It seemed she was still angry over the plum candy.

Just then, today’s medicine had been delivered. Gu Wan sent Ziying away and called to the person by the bed, “Time to take your medicine.”

Rarely, there was no bargaining today. Shang Rongyue walked to the table, silently picked up the bowl, drank it all in one go, and rinsed her mouth with tea.

Throughout the entire process, she did not give Gu Wan a single glance.

Nor did she mention candy again.

Speaking of candy, ever since that day when Gu Wan said she would give all the candy to the other woman but went back on her word, Li Yueyue had spoken less and less to her.

In the past, that cherry-like little mouth had seemed coated in honey, spending the whole day pulling Gu Wan along and saying sweet words. Now, she cherished words like gold.

Just because of candy?

Wasn’t this making a mountain out of a molehill?

But Gu Wan did not argue. As usual, she left behind two pieces of plum candy, then returned to the study alone.

When she came back at night, the two pieces of plum candy were still lying safely on the table, their positions unchanged.

While Li Yueyue was in the bathing room, Ziying quietly came in to report, “Young General, this subordinate knows you suspect Miss Li’s identity, but this subordinate must say something fair. This matter has not yet been concluded. Treating her this way—aren’t you acting a little too hastily?”

In Ziying’s heart, Li Yueyue could be called her savior. If Miss Li had not risked danger to bring back the begonia, Ziying would likely have died because of those apricots long ago. Moreover, she and Li Yueyue spent day and night together, and Li Yueyue had never shown anything improper. Miss Su had also said that poison could change in countless ways, and there was not only one possible answer.

Besides, Miss Li had been perfectly fine these past few days. The poison from that filthy drug had [unauthorized copy]not flared up again. Did that not also mean that Miss Li’s “Sangxie” identity was still uncertain for the time being?

Gu Wan naturally understood these words as well. For a matter that had not yet been concluded, she was indeed acting somewhat hastily.

But whenever Sangxie was mentioned, Gu Wan could never control her thoughts. Especially when she thought that under that hazy moonlight, the person who had personally told her that she was happy because it was Gu Wan was someone whose body flowed with the blood of those who had harmed her parents…

Gu Wan rubbed her brow.

Ziying continued, “Moreover, this subordinate has seen it clearly. Ever since returning from the peach grove that day, Miss Li often sits there alone in a daze. Her expression is listless, and her appetite is not very good. Every day, she only likes sweet foods, but as for the candy, you…”

“She isn’t eating again?”

Ziying nodded.

As the sound of the bathing room door opening came from that direction, Ziying quickly stopped speaking and silently withdrew.

When Shang Rongyue entered the room, only Gu Wan was sitting by the table. Seeing her, Gu Wan rarely took the initiative to greet her. “You’re back.”

“Mm.” Shang Rongyue nodded slightly. The cotton handkerchief in her hands twisted back and bailiantales.com forth through her hair as she headed straight for the bed.

She did not continue the conversation, and she was not even willing to spare Gu Wan another look.

Gu Wan saw that Shang Rongyue’s complexion was slightly yellow and thought of what Ziying had just said. Rarely, she approached the person on the bed. “I heard from Ziying that your appetite hasn’t been very good recently?”

Shang Rongyue put down the handkerchief in her hands, not knowing what strange mood this bandit leader was in now, suddenly caring about this matter.

As for her appetite, recently, because of the medicine, Su Zhaoyun had increased the dosage. The already unbearable bitterness, combined with extremely bland dishes—even when she saw meat, it was mostly in soups and broths, thin and tasteless.

It was not very interesting.

Shang Rongyue did not like eating it, so naturally she ate less.

“If there is nothing else, I’m going to rest.” Shang Rongyue had little energy. After wiping the water droplets from her hair, she silently lay down on the innermost side of the bed.

Gu Wan saw that at her trouser leg, her ankle had already recovered. The place that had originally been swollen was now smooth, slender as before.

It seemed traveling should not be a problem.

“Don’t sleep yet. Get up first and pack the things you want to bring.” Gu Wan called to the person on the bed.

The person who had already covered herself with her little quilt and was preparing to enter dreamland was forcibly called up. Shang Rongyue was somewhat impatient. “Pack what?”

Rarely, Gu Wan pushed the entire paper packet of plum candy in front of Shang Rongyue and said softly, “The lotus flowers in Furong City have bloomed. I’ll take you to see them.”

After summer arrived, it was the season when lotus flowers bloomed.

The lotus flower was also called furong.

Furong City was a water city. The moat surrounding it was full of lotus flowers. After summer arrived, the entire city was soaked in that refreshing fragrance.

Furong City had gained its name because of this.

Every summer, many people came because of its reputation, only to see that fragrant scenery filling the eye.

Gu Wan brought Shang Rongyue, Lanxi, and Su Read on BaiLianTalesZhaoyun out, leaving only Ziying behind to watch the camp.

For convenience in traveling, all of them were dressed in men’s clothing. Shen Rong’s carriage and horses would only arrive in a few days. Before her people arrived, they had to inspect the place where Shen Rong would stay and ensure Noble Consort Rong’s safety, so they settled in Furong City a few days early.

Naturally, when Her Ladyship the Noble Consort traveled, she did not need to stay in an inn.

His Majesty had long ago ordered people to select a residence and have it cleaned in advance.

As for Gu Wan and the others, they found an inn near the residence to stay in.

At first, Shang Rongyue did not know the purpose of this trip. Gu Wan evaded the question, saying someone had hired them to protect a group of people, and after the matter was completed, there would be a considerable income.

“Something like escorting a caravan?” Shang Rongyue asked suspiciously. “You bandits also do this kind of business on the side?”

Gu Wan curled her hand into a fist and coughed lightly. It was Su Zhaoyun who came out to smooth things over. “Miss Li may not know this, but in this world, the bandit trade is not easy either. There aren’t many people on the official roads, and we haven’t had business for a long time.”

“I see.” Shang Rongyue lowered her head. No wonder she felt that Shen Sanniang had always looked gloomy recently and had even been very stingy when giving her plum candy. So it turned out money was tight.

Seeing that Shen Sanniang looked a little embarrassed, Shang Rongyue opened her mouth to comfort her. ​read the original at bailiantales.com​“It’s nothing. Eating by your own ability is still quite good.”

After arriving, Gu Wan and Lanxi first went to inspect Shen Rong’s residence, leaving Su Zhaoyun to accompany Shang Rongyue.

After Shen Rong’s “miscarriage,” she had always claimed illness to the outside world. Her temperament had also become gloomy and unhappy, no longer lively and cheerful as before. She always shut herself alone inside Xiuchun Palace.

She was also too lazy to cater to His Majesty’s favor.

Everyone believed Noble Consort Rong was grieving because she had lost the child. But Shen Rong herself knew clearly that she was only stealing half a day of leisure.

First, it could win more pity from His Majesty.

Second, she truly did not like catering to an old man whose age was comparable to her father’s.

In comparison, the happiest thing for her was whenever her older male cousin entered the palace to report. Even seeing him from afar was good.

That day was rare. Her older male cousin had taken the initiative to visit her and drink tea in her palace. She saw that his brows and eyes seemed covered by a layer of sorrow. After asking, she learned the reason.

What was so difficult about that?

He merely wanted to see Gu Wan. To her, that was a small matter.

So that day, she took the initiative to go to Chengyang Palace. After a round of flattery, she told His Majesty that she wanted to go out for a walk and happened to want to see that older female cousin of hers.

Some time ago, Gu Wan had specially come to visit her. In the emperor’s heart, Noble Consort Rong and this older female cousin could be considered very close.

Since that was the case, in order to make her happy, the emperor allowed Zhao Shuheng, this older male cousin, to accompany them as well.

They were all family. If they were together, perhaps they would have much to say.

Previously, Shen Rong had become pregnant after only being favored a few times. Among all the consorts, Shen Rong was considered young. Once her body recovered, she would definitely be able to give him another prince.

On the day of departure, Shen Rong rode in the carriage bestowed by the emperor and headed toward Furong City.

When they rested along the way, Shen Rong ordered her attendants to offer tea and snacks to the accompanying guards. As for Zhao Shuheng’s portion, naturally, she personally delivered it.

She behaved gently and politely, without the slightest impropriety in her words or actions. When the accompanying guards saw this, they all secretly praised Noble Consort Rong for treating people generously.

“Speaking of Furong City, this palace thinks of Concubine Jing. Her maternal family was originally from Furong City. What a pity that sisters from the past made the wrong choice one morning.”

Strictly speaking, if Shen Rong had not brought down Concubine Jing, Zhao Shuheng might not have been able to climb to his current high position.

Shen Rong lifted her eyes and meaningfully dipped in a small curtsy. “If not for the fact that this palace has not yet recovered, and His Majesty was considerate, there would be no need to trouble Lord Zhao to accompany this palace on such a tiring trip.”

Zhao Shuheng observed the proper courtesy. “Your Ladyship speaks too seriously. Being able to protect Your Ladyship’s safety is this humble official’s good fortune.”

Having achieved her goal, Shen Rong covered her lips with a brocade handkerchief and returned to her carriage with a smile.

She merely wanted her older male cousin to understand that she had always been thinking for him. As for this favor, he could owe it for now. Little by little, as it accumulated, when the day came for it to burst, there would be nothing she could not obtain.

After arriving in Furong City, they saw the city gates from afar. Gu Wan had already brought a group of men and horses to wait there early.

Because they were traveling incognito, Shen Rong was not appearing as Her Ladyship. She was merely pretending to be a merchant’s wife who had come to Furong City to relax.

After greeting each other, Gu Wan led the carriages and horses straight to the prepared residence.

Once they entered the room and dismissed everyone else, Shen Rong hurriedly pulled Gu Wan down to sit and ordered her maid to pour tea. “It has been so long since I last saw Older Cousin. Has Older Cousin been well?”

Shen Rong’s warmth seemed somewhat unreal, even more enthusiastic than the day Gu Wan had visited her in the palace last time.

As for whether the relationship between the two of them was truly this close, Gu Wan could not help thinking of someone.

Every time Li Yueyue looked at her with a smiling face, the joyful light in her eyes was much more real than the female cousin before her.

The sky was gradually darkening. Li Yueyue was most afraid of the dark. Gu Wan wondered what she was doing right now.

It was already late, and moreover, the journey had been tiring. After Shen Rong spoke with Gu Wan for a while, she excused herself by saying she was tired.

Just then, her personal maid brought Shen Rong a bowl of brown sugar white fungus soup. This was a nourishing dish women ate when their monthly courses came.

Gu Wan asked, “Is Your Ladyship’s body unwell?”

Logically speaking, the monthly courses of [read the original at bailiantales.com]imperial consorts were recorded in registers. Since these days were Shen Rong’s period, someone should have reported it and indicated that the trip be postponed.

After all, this was only flower viewing. Delaying it a few days would not matter.

Before Shen Rong could answer, her maid spoke first. “General may not know this, but Her Ladyship came here for another reason as well. We heard there is a physician in Furong City especially skilled at treating women. Her Ladyship also wants him to help regulate her body.”

The expression on Gu Wan’s face faded slightly. “Then Your Ladyship should rest early and gather your strength. That will be beneficial for recovery.”

She knew Shen Rong had never miscarried. This time, she did not know what Shen Rong was plotting again, so for now, she could only quietly observe.

After leaving Shen Rong’s room, Gu Wan did not return directly to the inn. Instead, she first went to the candy stall.

Fortunately, she walked quickly and managed to arrive before the owner closed up.

“Except for the milk candy, wrap up all the rest.”

“Got it!” Business had not been good today, but unexpectedly, just as he was about to close, a major customer suddenly came.

The owner was so happy he could not close his mouth.

When Gu Wan returned to the inn carrying all those candies, Shang Rongyue was sitting by the window, looking at the scenery outside.

“The night wind is cold. Be careful not to catch a chill.” After pushing the door open and entering, Gu Wan placed the bags in her arms on the small tea table beside Shang Rongyue. “They’re all yours.”

Shang Rongyue opened them and saw such a large bag filled with all kinds of candies.

Sure enough, once someone came out to earn money, they suddenly became this generous!

Shang Rongyue had just happily wanted to thank her when she smelled an unfamiliar fragrance on Shen Sanniang. It was very similar to the scent of the sachet that had fallen out after Shang Rongyue broke that box last time.

She had returned this late and had come back covered in fragrance.

No wonder she was suddenly treating Shang Rongyue so well. It was probably out of guilt.

Shang Rongyue no longer cared about candy. She pushed the bag aside and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Where did the chief go tonight?”