Gu Qingxiu narrowed her eyes: “Why are you asking this?”
“I discovered that with just one kiss, you became infatuated.”
“You’re thinking too highly of yourself,” Gu Qingtong gave him a white glance.
“No.”
Gu Qingtong pushed away his groping hand.
“Qingqing, I find that your boldness is no less than Xie Yan’s.”
“You’re comparing me to him?”
“I didn’t mean anything else, actually I quite like it,” Jiang Shangheng said, hurried to soothe her.
Gu Qingtong glanced at him and turned to the inner side, muttering, “That’s more like it.”
Jiang Shangheng wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace: “Let’s sleep together.”
Gu Qingtong found the cave a bit cold, and his embrace was comfortable. She closed her eyes and softly hummed in agreement.
“Qingqing, shall we always sleep like this from now on?”
“Okay.”
“You’re so good,” Jiang Shangheng said contentedly, resting his forehead against hers.
Gu Qingtong felt joy in her heart, wrapped her arms around his waist, and gradually fell asleep.
Jiang Shangheng, excited by the beauty in his arms, was too thrilled to sleep, but afraid of waking her, he watched her charming sleeping face all night.
When Gu Qingtong awoke the next morning, she saw dark circles under his eyes: “Didn’t you sleep well?”
“No, I was just… too happy,” Jiang Shangheng said, embarrassed and went to roast meat and make cornbread.
Gu Qingtong hesitated for a moment before removing her jade bracelet and handing it to Jiang Shangheng. He inspected the bracelet, checking its weight and feel before nodding in approval.
“There’s a way we can move past this rock, but it requires some teamwork,” he said, wrapping the bracelet around his wrist.
With a firm grip on the edge of the stone, he demonstrated the technique he had used before, encouraging Gu Qingtong to follow his lead. She imitated his movements as best as she could, and together they managed to slide over the slippery rock, albeit with a few slips that caused them to laugh nervously.
Once they made it past the obstruction, they continued their trek up Floating Cloud Mountain. The sun was now fully risen, casting beams of warmth and light around them, invigorating their spirits.
As they got closer to the summit, the landscape opened up, revealing a breathtaking view of the valley below. Gu Qingtong took a moment to appreciate the scenery, her earlier fears forgotten in light of the beauty surrounding her.
Together, they shared a sense of accomplishment for overcoming the challenge of the rocky path, united by their journey and the experiences they had shared along the way.
Gu Qingtong quickly handed over the bracelet, watching him dig into the rock’s surface, creating a ring-shaped hole where the bracelet fit perfectly.
“So this is a mechanism,” Gu Qingtong had only seen descriptions of such mechanisms in TV and books, never expecting to see one in person.
Jiang Shangheng nodded, pulling her back a step. The rock gradually opened, revealing a path one zhang wide.
“Who goes there?”
Just as Gu Qingtong was about to walk in, two soldiers in silver armor and helmets blocked their way.
Jiang Shangheng, knowing Gu Qingtong wouldn’t handle this, stepped in front of her: “Jiang Shangheng from the Beijing Jiang clan, accompanying Gu Zhun’s daughter Gu Qingtong to meet General Qia Xi. Please guide us.”
The soldiers glanced at Gu Qingtong through their helmet visors, then at her jade bracelet, and nodded, cupping their fists: “Miss Gu, please follow.”
General Qia Xi’s residence was a simple mountain cave, but it was well-equipped inside. The walls were lined with camphor wood, and two large rows of books were arranged. Gu Qingtong looked at this General Qia Xi, who was already in his forties or fifties. Despite his rough appearance and a face without beard, he was as strong as a bronze wall. Fortunately, Jiang Shangheng was always by her side.
Although General Qia Xi looked crude, his attitude towards the young girl was better than how he treated Jiang Shangheng. However, when he heard that the emperor allowed someone to frame Gu Zhun, forcibly marrying a minister’s wife as a concubine and threatening her with his daughter, he was very angry.
“For over a decade, I have been calm and uninvolved in external affairs. I never expected such events to occur. My fellow student was harmed, his family destroyed, and I knew nothing. I have truly failed as a person!” General Qia Xi said, which was inconsistent with his rugged appearance. Gu Qingtong looked at him, unsure how to comfort him.
But General Qia Xi, seeing Gu Qingtong like this, said: “Don’t worry. Once I leave Floating Cloud Mountain, I will seek justice for you.”
Although many had been kind to Gu Qingtong since she crossed over, no one’s feelings were as intense as General Qia Xi’s. She nodded, deeply moved.
General Qia Xi poured her a bowl of wine: “My old brother didn’t marry until he was thirty. He married Guo Xin’er, and they had a son and a daughter. I’ve seen your older brother, who was only five at the time, but unexpectedly was harmed by the emperor, leaving only you.”
That dog emperor, I had told the former emperor long ago that he was not a good person, and now it has come true. I wonder, was he wary of Floating Cloud Mountain when he moved against my old brother?”
Gu Qingtong nodded, believing his speculation was likely correct.
General Qia Xi then touched his forehead: “If that’s the case, he must have also committed many oppressive acts against the Crown Prince. Perhaps the Crown Prince was just resisting and did not actually commit treason.”
Gu Qingtong quickly corrected his view: “General, that’s incorrect. The Crown Prince’s treason is known to everyone. Now, with the emperor bedridden and likely to pass away, the Crown Prince should succeed to the throne. The Crown Prince is benevolent and has a much nobler character and will surely become a wise ruler.”
General Qia Xi looked at her steadily for a moment, then nodded: “What you say might be right. But seeing is believing, and hearing is not. I must go out and see for myself before making a judgment.”
Gu Qingtong no longer argued with him.
The next day, General Qia Xi took Gu Qingtong to identify the soldiers in the mountain. These soldiers were emotionally cold to outsiders but pure-hearted.
They deeply understood their mission: to live for the former emperor.
Gu Qingtong didn’t know how she had offended him, but Ruan Niang just sighed without any intention of explaining. She could only board the carriage with a belly full of doubts, only to find Ji Chen and Lü Guo were already there. She had previously suspected that Ji Chen was the one who disguised herself to confuse the Prince of Rui, and now she was certain.
Ji Chen heard her warm call, and her eyes became even redder, with tears streaming down her face.
“Orange, what exactly happened?”
Ji Chen first glanced at Lü Guo, seeming somewhat hesitant, but then closed her eyes and appeared resolute: “Tong’er, I truly like him.”
“Who?”
“Shen Yuqing.”
“My master?”
“Yes,” Ji Chen said, tightly holding her hand, “Tong’er, you already have the young master of the Jiang family, so let me have Brother Yuqing.”
“Orange, I have a marriage contract with Shang Heng, and we love each other. I won’t compete with you for Young Master Yuqing. But feelings can’t be given away.”
Besides my identity as a trial bride, what makes me unworthy of him!” Ji Chen became more excited, pinching Gu Qingtong’s hand until it turned red.
“I will explain my feelings to my master. But between you two, you may need to cultivate your relationship. After all, feelings are mutual. Just because you like him doesn’t mean he should like you.”
