Gu Qingtong originally intended to go to the lakeside but, seeing him follow, changed direction and headed towards the small mountain behind the temple. A small path hidden in the green shade, she walked without feeling tired.
Here’s the edited version of the provided text, with irrelevant content removed:
However, Jiang Shangheng following her seemed strange.
When they reached the pavilion halfway up the mountain, Gu Qingtong finally couldn’t help but ask: “Young Master Jiang, why are you following me?”
Jiang Shangheng suddenly grabbed her hand, holding it in his palm: “Qingqing, I will strive forward. Once I have a foothold in the imperial court, I will seek the emperor’s pardon for you.”
Gu Qingqing realized that the current etiquette customs were quite different from what she had read in books. It seemed that in the past, courtesans were simply brought back like women turning away from prostitution, but now they needed the emperor’s pardon. Not to mention how difficult it was to obtain the emperor’s pardon. Moreover, she was quite satisfied with her current life, peaceful and stable. She withdrew her hand from his palm and shook her head: “Young Master Jiang, you need not trouble yourself. I don’t care about those things.”
“But I care. I will always want to marry you. I will find a way to rescue you from that cage.”
“Young Master Jiang,” Gu Qingtong interrupted him, “I asked you before whether you have feelings for me. Although you did not answer, I am very clear.”
Here’s the edited version of the article with irrelevant content removed:
Between us, there is no romantic love. In my view, emotions are more important than marriage. A marriage without feelings is merely a shackle, but with feelings, even a lifetime without marriage can be happy.”
Jiang Shangheng seemed shocked by her remarks, his eyes wide open.
“Young Master Jiang, these are my thoughts,” Gu Qingtong moved her ankle, as if she could walk, stood up, and called for Lüguo before leaving.
“Qingqing,” Jiang Shangheng still had words he wanted to say, but his mouth was uncooperative, and he could only anxiously grab her hand.
“Young Master Jiang?” Gu Qingtong looked sideways at his hand.
“Qingqing, it’s not what you think.”
“What is not what I think?”
“Brother Heng!” Jiang Xiuluan, after inquiring with the old nun at the temple, learned that her cousin had come behind the mountain. As she rushed forward, she discovered that the girl was wearing a jade bracelet from the Flower and Moon Pavilion: “Brother Heng, you…”
“Luaner, go back to the temple. I have something to say to her,” Jiang Shangheng frowned and tried to send her away.
Jiang Xiuluan refused: “Brother Heng, if I’m not mistaken, she is from the Flower and Moon Pavilion.”
Here’s the edited version of the article
Here’s the edited version of the article with irrelevant content removed:
Her face burned painfully, and with Jiang Shangheng’s strong grip, she stopped struggling and buried her face in his shoulder, crying silently.
She had never been a fragile person, but since arriving here, her heart had been constantly on edge, carefully dealing with everyone. Even though Han Yuan and Ruan Niang doted on her, she always felt they loved the original Gu Qingtong, not her. Regarding her identity, she had no choice but to force herself to accept it.
Now, Jiang Xiuluan’s beating and scolding made her realize the lowliness of her status, that she could not even retort when unjustly insulted, feeling truly frustrated and miserable.
Jiang Shangheng said he was taking her to see a doctor but brought her to a suburban villa.
Gu Qingtong, filled with grievance, paid no attention to what he was doing and found herself in the villa. Jiang Shangheng left Lüguo outside, carried her in, personally retrieved a medicine box and ice, and began to apply medicine to her face.
“Qingqing, stop crying. If you continue, the medicine won’t work.”
“So what if I want to cry? Am I not allowed to cry when I feel wronged?” Gu Qingtong pushed away his medicating hand.
Jiang Shangheng was helpless, put down the medicine, and pressed her head to his shoulder: “Cry if you want. I’ll apply medicine after you’re done.”
Here’s the edited version of the article with irrelevant content removed:
Gu Qingtong broke free from his embrace, looking at him with teary eyes.
Jiang Shangheng smiled wryly, touching her forehead: “You’re not crying just because Luaner slapped you. There must be another reason. Tell me who has wronged you.”
“Who says I’ve been wronged!” At this moment, Gu Qingtong was like a firecracker, ready to argue with everything he said.
Jiang Shangheng could only remain silent, carefully wiping her tears.
Gu Qingtong watched his hands washing in the water and suddenly slapped the water, splashing a large spray: “You think I’m dirty!”
Jiang Shangheng was splashed with water all over his face, and his expression immediately darkened.
Gu Qingtong knew she was being unreasonable and fell silent, holding back her tears.
“I find you dirty?” Jiang Shangheng suddenly leaned close, and Gu Qingtong was scared and wanted to retreat, but he caught her hands and brought them to his chest, kissing her lips.
Gu Qingtong’s face was slightly flushed, with teardrops hanging on her eyelashes, but her eyes were wide open, looking at Jiang Shangheng in disbelief.
Jiang Shangheng noticed she was stunned, reached out to press down her eyes to close them, and took the opportunity to explore her lips, gently brushing against her tongue tip, gradually conveying his feelings.
Here’s the edited version of the article, with irrelevant content removed for clarity and coherence:
Could she hope for love in this unknown time and space? Her happiness?
“Qingqing, I’m sorry for making you suffer before. I’ll quickly free you from that cage and never let you be bullied again, believe me.”
Gu Qingtong was silent for a moment, her lips moving but saying nothing.
“Qingqing, what do you want to say?”
“Can I love? Can I love you?” Gu Qingtong looked directly into his eyes, seeming to ask him, but more like asking herself.
Jiang Shangheng was stunned, then smiled: “Love? I never understood it, never hoped for it. But now, I look forward to you loving me, and of course you can love me.”
“Will you love me too?” Gu Qingtong spoke, turning her head away. She was a little afraid, worried about giving her heart without receiving equal return. She didn’t like getting hurt.
“I will.” Jiang Shangheng turned her head back, answering decisively.
“Young Master Jiang, I’m actually very timid, very afraid.”
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
“Although I have a foster father and mother in this world, I always feel alone, always feel helpless.”
“Don’t be afraid, I’ll be here from now on.”
If this couldn’t reassure Gu Qingtong, no one could. She smiled and leaned into his embrace: “Okay.”
“I’m very happy.”
“What are you happy about?”
“You’ve told me your true feelings, no longer resist me, and plan to love me.”
“Okay.”
“Qingqing, I won’t let you down.”
“Okay.”
Here’s the edited version of the article with irrelevant content removed:
Gu Qingtong nodded, lifted her skirt, and was about to enter when Jiang Shangheng ran up to her. She stopped and looked at him: “What’s wrong?”
“Wait for me.”
Gu Qingtong smiled slightly: “I will.”
Jiang Shangheng hesitated, then said: “From now on, don’t get too close to that Yu Qing gentleman.”
“Ah?” Gu Qingtong was surprised.
Jiang Shangheng seemed annoyed at his own jealousy, slapped his forehead, and quickly got into his carriage, urging the driver to leave.
Gu Qingtong stood by the door watching him depart, thinking about his serious warning. The previous Gu Qingtong might have had something with Yu Qing gentleman, but she absolutely did not.
