“You won’t believe it. Young Master Yu Qing, with Ruan Yun’s help, supported the Crown Prince and resolved the issue with him. The condition is to have me.”
“This…”
“I can’t remain passive, so I sought marriage. But you saw the Crown Prince and Consort Xin’s attitude. Even with my merits, they dare not agree because Shen Yuqing has been patient for over twenty years, and he’s far stronger than me now.”
“His strength is because of Ruan Niang. I remember he said he once had people follow me, but you easily shook them off. This shows his people aren’t stronger than yours, only that Ruan Niang stands with him. Ruan Niang has Cloud Void power, naturally incomparable to you.”
“Qingqing, for this, I borrowed more people from your adoptive father. But he hesitates out of consideration for Ruan Niang’s feelings, so I’m constrained.”
“I understand,” Gu Qingxiu comforted him, embracing him. “So, what should I do?”
“Qingqing…” Jiang Shangheng was very hesitant, his face turning red.
“What? Something unspeakable?”
“Qingqing, I want… you.”
Gu Qingxiu’s eyes widened, her mouth agape, looking at him in disbelief.
“Qingqing, I want to make this a done deal. Shen Yuqing can’t compete with me for you anymore.”
“Shangheng…” Gu Qingxiu was caught completely unprepared.
Seeing her hesitation, Jiang Shangheng urged: “Qingqing, I will definitely marry you. I want to marry you so much that I’m resorting to this.”
Gu Qingxiu rolled up her sleeve, looking at the chastity mark: “Would removing this solve everything?”
“Qingqing…”
“Is there another way to remove it?”
“Qingqing…” Jiang Shangheng called helplessly, saying nothing.
“Shangheng, I’m not unwilling, just not ready.”
“Qingqing, I understand your concerns. But I want you to bear my child. Then, neither Shen Yuqing, nor my mother, the Crown Prince, or Consort Xin can stop us.”
Hearing “child,” Gu Qingxiu was even more shocked. Jiang Shangheng had even thought about children. She looked down at herself, barely sixteen, and he wanted her to have a child?
Seeing her seemingly frightened, Jiang Shangheng helplessly sighed and released her: “Qingqing, I understand.”
Gu Qingxiu silently pulled her clothes, watching the light on his face flicker, seeming disappointed but more like self-reproach.
Indeed, Jiang Shangheng punched the doorframe: “I’m useless, actually thinking of such a despicable method!”
Gu Qingxiu saw his fist turning red and lovingly held it: “Shangheng, I know you’re just a young master, and not as ruthless as my master. But my heart is yours. My mother feels deeply guilty and won’t disregard my feelings.”
“Consort Xin…” Jiang Shangheng started to speak but stopped, instead giving a faint smile.
I’ll go to the small kitchen and prepare something for you.
Gu Qingtong watched him open the door and leave, stunned for a moment before following him to the small kitchen, leaning against the doorframe to observe him. There were no servants here, so they had to cook for themselves. She never expected Jiang Shangheng, a privileged young master, to be able to cook, and moreover, to do so with such skillful and elegant movements.
There was such a man who was willing to rise up for her, cook for her, think of various noble “despicable” methods, and even go against his mother, all because he loved her.
She still remembered how they looked when they first met.
They were not love at first sight, nor could it be considered a gradual love. She didn’t know when he started liking her. Perhaps it was in a glance, or during a playful moment. But his raised eyebrows, his pursed lips, and his hearty laughter – these details were all in her heart, and it was these details that created a unique him.
Her man was outstanding, but in her heart, he was irreplaceable and one of a kind.
During dinner, Jiang Shangheng was attentive yet didn’t mention anything else, laughing as if nothing had happened.
After dinner, Jiang Shangheng took her for a walk up the mountain.
The mountain path was empty and quiet, the summer night wind rustling through the rows of maple trees. Not far on the slope, there were towering trees, dense and lush. The houses below were hidden among the trees, seeming to exist yet not quite.
The scenery of Nandu City was fully in view, its magnificent atmosphere breathtaking; though for Gu Qingtong, no matter how prosperous, it did not belong to her.
The one truly belonging to her was the man beside her. Thinking this, she silently held Jiang Shangheng’s hand.
“Are you tired?” Jiang Shangheng felt the soft, warm hand in his and turned his face.
Gu Qingtong shook her head, pulling him to a stop: “I just want to hold your hand and stand by your side.”
“Qingqing,” Jiang Shangheng gently caressed her cheek and kissed her forehead.
“Shangheng, I think your method is not bad, perhaps we could…
Jiang Shangheng pressed a finger to her lips: “Qingqing, no need. I was too anxious to come up with such an unworthy plan. We still have other ways.”
“Shangheng, I’m actually willing…” Gu Qingtong squeezed his fingers, her face blushing.
Jiang Shangheng buried his head and kissed her lips: “Qingqing, I love you, so I won’t hurt you like that.”
Gu Qingtong softly responded to him, finally leaning in his embrace, overlooking Nandu City’s flickering lights. The brightest was naturally the imperial palace, which now was inextricably linked to her.
Jiang Shangheng was silent, looking back at Gu Qingtong’s calm face after a long time, excitedly said: “Qingqing, I have a plan.”
“What plan?”
Jiang Shangheng’s unease was instantly replaced by excitement and confidence, leaning close to whisper in her ear.
Gu Qingtong also became happy, but still worried: “This strategy seems quite risky.”
“I must try, no matter the risk.” Jiang Shangheng paused, “Qingqing, do you want to go back?”
Gu Qingtong thought for a moment: “Better not to go back. With Ruan Niang treating me like this, wouldn’t I be walking into a trap? But what exactly is Ruan Niang doing?”
Jiang Shangheng also frowned and shook his head: “Not sure yet. It’s because I don’t know that I feel constrained. Moreover, your adoptive father knows but won’t tell me, which makes it even more puzzling.”
“You seem to have a close relationship with my adoptive father?”
“He does everything for you.”
“For me?”
“Your adoptive father sees you as his own daughter and does everything for you. But because Ruan Niang once showed him kindness, he can’t be ungrateful.”
“The relationship between my adoptive father and Ruan Niang is so complicated that I can’t see clearly anymore.”
“Your adoptive father came from Yunqiong as a hostage delivering local specialties, but he met your mother and fell in love with her. At that time, the Emperor was also infatuated with Consort Xin and secretly plotted against your adoptive father. Ruan Niang took the blame, saying she met privately through Consort Xin’s help. Though they were noble in Yunqiong, they were not favored by the Yunqiong Emperor, making such an incident quite awkward. Coincidentally, there was a change of power in Yunqiong, with enemies taking the throne. If they returned, it would mean certain death. So they stayed in Yuanzhao. Through various events, your Gu family declined, you ended up in Huahaoyuequan Pavilion, and your adoptive father and Ruan Niang eventually came to be by your side.”
“Then why did Ruan Niang previously have three men who were either married or engaged?”
“Those were the Emperor’s secret schemes.”
