Ruan Niang, who thought she was just comforting her, now seemed genuinely concerned. She stopped crying and laughingly patted her hand: “Tonger, I’m old and don’t want these things. I’m just feeling sad remembering my younger days. But you – I heard Young Master Jiang insists on fulfilling the marriage contract. You two might have a good fate.”
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Gu Qingtong inexplicably found the topic turning to her and Jiang Shangheng, pouting and twirling a strand of Ruan Niang’s black hair: “Ruan Niang is not old at all. This black hair is more lustrous than mine. The extra years haven’t left marks on your face but have added a charming grace. How are you old?”
Ruan Niang looked at her serious expression, her tears completely gone: “When did Tonger’s mouth become so sweet? If you were this obedient with Young Master Jiang, he probably wouldn’t be so troubled.”
Ruan Niang thought for a moment, pulled out a jade bracelet from her bosom, and put it on Gu Qingtong’s wrist: “This was retrieved from the Rui Prince. Keep it safe.”
Gu Qingtong looked at the white jade bracelet, surprised it had been returned: “What about the hairpin?”
“The hairpin has been sent to Consort Xin by the Rui Prince and won’t be retrieved,” Ruan Niang sighed secretly.
“Ruan Niang, why did the Rui Prince take my hairpin and want my bracelet?” Gu Qingtong found the Rui Prince’s tyranny completely unreasonable and was full of doubts.
“Everyone knows the Rui Prince wants to usurp the throne. However, the current Emperor promised the late Emperor to protect his glory for a lifetime and cannot act against him.”
“Why protect him?” Although Gu Qingtong didn’t like the current Emperor, she hated the Rui Prince even more and asked indignantly.
Ruan Niang found her question strange but explained: “When the late Emperor died, the Rui Prince was only two years old. The late Empress was a weak woman, so the late Emperor passed the throne to his brother. The late Emperor only said to protect his glory for a lifetime, but now the Rui Prince wants to reclaim the throne. The current Emperor won’t allow it but also can’t move against him, or it would invite criticism.”
Gu Qingtong nodded: “So he took my hairpin to threaten Consort Xin?”
“More or less. Although we protect you, Consort Xin is indeed under his control. She can barely protect herself and still looks out for you, which is truly difficult,” Ruan Niang continued without waiting for Gu Qingtong’s response, “Unfortunately, your current status makes it impossible for you to escape the Huahaoyuequan Pavilion. Otherwise, Consort Xin would truly want to send you far away, away from this place of right and wrong.
Leave?” Gu Qingtong was somewhat confused by the word “leave,” but thinking that traveling across the beautiful rivers and mountains might be a good choice, her eyes suddenly brightened.
“Could it be that Tong’er wants to leave?” Ruan Niang was surprised seeing her excited look, “But if you leave, you’ll find it difficult to continue your marriage with Young Master Jiang.”
“I’ve already torn up the marriage contract. What marriage is there to speak of?”
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“Although the marriage contract is torn, the marriage was arranged by your father, it was his dying wish. Tong’er, no matter how difficult, you cannot disregard your father’s last wish and go off on your own. That would be extremely unfilial.”
Gu Qingtong hadn’t expected Ruan Niang to make the situation sound so serious, so she could only remain silent.
Seeing her reaction, Ruan Niang noticed the time was getting late and she had matters to attend to, so she prepared to leave. But Gu Qingtong pulled her back: “Ruan Niang, how are Luo Xue and Luo Xiao?”
“They’re at Hong Jie’s place, being taken care of. If you’re worried, you can go and check on them.”
“Mm.” Gu Qingtong’s heart had been hanging since she hadn’t seen Luo Xue for several days. She had probably truly come to see her as her own sister.
Since she harbored ill intentions, Gu Qingtong instructed Lvguo to send Luo Xue away.
Luo Xue hadn’t expected this outcome. Although going to Xia Qingniang’s place wasn’t bad, the sisters were about to be separated, so she looked at Gu Qingtong pitifully.
Gu Qingtong saw that this sister seemed too kind and unaware that her younger sister already had her own plans. Helplessly, she patted her cheek and had Qiulu take her to Master Li Le.
However, not long after, Qiulu ran back in a panic: “Gu Qingniang, something’s wrong!”
“What happened?” Gu Qingtong stood up, “Did something happen to Luo Xue?”
“Earlier, I was taking Miss Leng to Master Li Le, but we met Master Yun on the way. He said he wanted to test Miss Leng, who had been learning for several days. I heard Master Yun was very capable, and since Master Li Le was asleep, I stayed nearby without insisting on accompanying her. But while I dozed off for a moment, both the young miss and Master Yun disappeared. I searched their residences but couldn’t find them, and then realized something was wrong.”
“How could this happen?” Gu Qingtong threw down her book and rushed out quickly, not knowing when Luo Xue had any connection with Master Yun. “Qiulu, lead the way. Lvguo, go tell Ruan Niang.”
“Yes.”
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Gu Qingtong guessed that Master Yun probably wouldn’t do anything inappropriate to Luo Xue, but taking her away without explanation was a big problem. She hurriedly ran to the place Qiulu described and found a hidden corridor rarely used by anyone.
There were no signs of struggle, and Qiulu hadn’t been awakened while dozing, so Luo Xue had probably gone willingly. But where could they have gone?
“What’s behind that small door?” Gu Qingtong walked a few steps and discovered a small door, with unfamiliar courtyards on both sides, so she asked Qiulu.
“It’s the back door of the Huahaoyueyuan Pavilion. Outside is a large lotus pond. The lotus hasn’t bloomed yet, so no one will be there. But we don’t know if Master Yun might have taken the young miss there.”
“Let’s go take a look.” Gu Qingtong quickly opened the small door. Indeed, it was a large lotus pond, about thirty zhang square. Green bamboo clusters surrounded the pond, casting shadowy areas under the sunlight.
As they rounded a wall corner, Qiulu suddenly tugged Gu Qingtong’s sleeve and whispered, pointing to a yellow figure deep in the bamboo grove: “Gu Qingniang, is that the young miss?”
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Gu Qingtong quickly walked forward, stopping Qiulu from entering, and approached closer. To her shock, Luo Xue was pinned down by Master Yun, and they were passionately kissing. She was almost speechless. Luo Xue was only eleven, while Master Yun was in his twenties, more than a decade older. More importantly, Master Yun had recently said he liked her. Was he now molesting his own disciple? But Luo Xue’s intoxicated expression suggested she was willing.
“Lü Guo, go and invite Yun Lushi. I have something to say to him.”
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Yun Lushi seemed to have anticipated that she would look for him. According to Lü Guo, she had just walked out of two long corridors when she met him.
Gu Qingtong glared at Yun Lushi, whose expression was calm: “Yun Lushi, what exactly do you want?”
“Nothing.”
“Luo Xue is still a child.”
“She’s eleven years old,” Yun Lushi said carelessly, while constantly watching Gu Qingtong’s expression.
