“Mm, knowing you like wood hibiscus, I planted a circle around the garden. But wood hibiscus only blooms in August, and the gardeners have just pruned, so the garden looks a bit bare.”
Gu Qingtong looked to the side of the garden and indeed saw two rows of trees, completely leafless. She needed to be more cautious.
“You can come and look anytime. But let’s go inside first. I have something to show you.”
“Mm.” Gu Qingtong lowered her head, lifting her skirt and entering.
Han Yue’an first took out a sandalwood box from a drawer, opened it, sighed, and handed it to her.
Gu Qingtong took it in surprise, opening it to find a high-quality circular jade pendant, but missing half. She didn’t understand his meaning and waited for him to speak.
Han Yue’an remained silent, taking out a red paper from another drawer and sighing again: “Take a look.”
Gu Qingtong put down the sandalwood box and opened the red paper. The writing was messy, but she could vaguely make out phrases like “betrothal”, “Gu family’s legitimate daughter”, “Jiang family’s eldest son”: “Adoptive father, this…
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“This was sent by the Jiang family’s young master a few days ago.”
“He sent this? What does it mean?” Gu Qingtong remembered that Jiang Shangheng had indeed come to see Han Yue’an a few days ago.
“An arranged husband? Turns out he’s climbed to a higher branch.” Gu Qingtong gave a cold laugh and tore up the marriage contract in her hand.
Han Yue’an saw the red paper torn to pieces and looked at her in surprise: “Tong Tong?”
“Foster father, I don’t need to fake my death, nor do I need their sympathy. I’m doing well now. Although I don’t have parents, I have foster father who loves me, and that’s the same. Besides, it’s easier to be alone. Why suffer through the trivial daily life and demean myself?”
“Do you really plan to never marry?”
“Is marriage a good thing? I look at those young masters and ladies who speak sweetly before marriage, but afterwards they’re just hypocritical. Men spend their time drinking and carousing outside, while women cry miserably at home, having to deal with concubines and serve their in-laws. Which part of that isn’t miserable? Even if I went to another country with that illegitimate son, would I really have a good life? Unlikely that it would be better than staying with foster father.”
Han Yue’an listened silently, tapping his knuckles on the table: “You have a point. Tong Tong, is this really what you think?”
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“Can the Jiang family guarantee that their illegitimate son will treat me well forever and be content to drift without support?”
“Fine, I’ll convey your thoughts to the Jiang family.”
“Tong Tong, what you say is right. By my side, at least I’ll protect you completely, and no one would dare to touch you. Although your life might not compare to a noble residence, it’s still better than an ordinary family.”
“Yes, Tong Tong doesn’t want to leave foster father.” Compared to leaving with a strange illegitimate son, she’d rather stay with Han Yue’an. Gu Qingtong never had a strong desire to marry, so she looked aggrieved.
Han Yue’an looked at her, remembering when he first saw her, and now she’d grown into a young woman. He could give her everything except marriage. Since she didn’t want the marriage contract, he’d just destroy it.
Gu Qingtong lowered her head for a while without hearing him speak. Then she saw him open a drawer and take out a red wooden box: “This is your mother’s white jade bracelet. It was too eye-catching when you wore it before. Now I’m giving it to you. Wear it as a memento.”
“Yes.” Gu Qingtong took the box, opened it, and slipped the jade bracelet onto her wrist, which complemented her skin tone. This simple white jade bracelet suggested she was an elegant woman.
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“Go back,” Han Yue’an waved his hand.
“Yes.” Gu Qingtong bowed and was about to leave but was called back at the door.
“Tong Tong, take more people with you when you go out. I’ll dispatch some hidden guards to follow you. Don’t be afraid.”
Gu Qingtong was stunned, presumably still concerned about the incident with Fan Xifeng, and nodded in thanks.
The shopkeeper saw a troubled look in her eyes and stretched out a finger: “Five hundred taels.”
“Is this king’s calligraphy only worth five hundred taels?”
Gu Qingtong was about to signal to Lüguo when a tall man stepped in, walking to Gu Qingtong’s side, blocking the light outside and casting a shadow.
“Your Highness?” The shopkeeper was stunned, then immediately knelt down, “This humble one pays respects to Your Highness, may Your Highness live ten thousand years.”
Gu Qingtong realized this was the Rui Prince Yuan Zherui the shopkeeper had mentioned, and hurriedly paid her respects: “This commoner woman Gu Qingtong greets Your Highness…”
“Gu Qingtong?” Yuan Zherui frowned upon hearing her name but supported her.
Gu Qingtong was surprised to have her arm grasped by him and looked up.
“It’s you?” Yuan Zherui looked at her more clearly as she raised her head.
At the same time, Gu Qingtong also saw the man’s appearance clearly. He had an innate noble aura, handsome and heroic, wearing a purple robe, with a jade-like face and golden crown, highlighting his high status.
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His eyes seemed to penetrate one’s heart, wise yet with a somewhat terrifying charm.
Gu Qingtong knew her father was a former prime minister, so these princes and noble gentlemen recognizing her was nothing special. She simply lowered her eyes and remained silent.
“Return all of my calligraphy and paintings. If a single piece leaks out, you can forget about keeping your head,” Yuan Zherui shouted sternly.
The shopkeeper, though reluctant, valued his life more and tremblingly retrieved the paintings.
Yuan Zherui’s face was dark as he ordered his men to collect them, then specifically picked out the painting Gu Qingtong had been looking at: “Miss Gu, since you like it, this painting is a gift to you. Though it has some flaws, please don’t mind.”
“How could this commoner woman dislike a gift from Your Highness?”
“No matter. When I have time, I’ll paint your favorite wood peony for you.”
“…” Gu Qingtong was surprised he knew she liked wood peonies and stared at him, speechless.
Yuan Zherui laughed: “Don’t worry. Since I’m giving you a painting, I’ll naturally want something from you in return.”
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Gu Qingtong immediately realized this high-ranking prince wouldn’t give her something for no reason and hurriedly lowered her head: “This lowly woman fears she has nothing Your Highness would want.”
“How can that be?” Yuan Zherui suddenly leaned close, breathing into her ear, “You have many things I want.”
“What?” The unfamiliar male breath at her ear, both provocative and oppressive, made Gu Qingtong uncomfortable, and she stepped back.
Yuan Zherui pressed closer, suddenly turning his wrist to remove the jade hairpin from her hair: “How about giving this hairpin to me?”
“Your Highness, this is a memento from my mother, please…”
“A memento?” Yuan Zherui looked at her sideways, with an investigative expression.
Gu Qingtong turned and left with Lüguo and Luoxue. However, as she walked, she appeared relaxed on the surface, but her heart was troubled. She wondered what the Rui Prince was thinking, forcibly taking her hairpin and seemingly intent on plucking her like a flower.
