Gu Qingtong couldn’t say she was no longer the original Gu Qingtong, she could only force back her tears: “Master, I remember everything you’ve done for me, and I’m not using you. But I truly love Jiang Shangheng. Love has no reason, just like how Orange loves you, without reason.”
“Ji Chen?” Shen Yuqing narrowed his eyes and looked at her.
“Master, Orange’s feelings for you, you surely know…”
Before Gu Qingtong could finish, Shen Yuqing interrupted: “Is it because of Ji Chen that you’ve changed your heart?”
Gu Qingtong lowered her head: “Master, just treat me as an ungrateful person and forget about me.”
“Forget about you?” Jiang Shangheng suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
“Master…” Gu Qingtong was unsettled by his laughter.
Shen Yuqing laughed for a while before stopping: “Tong’er, are you still the same Tong’er? My Tong’er has lost her pride, lost her backbone, and fallen in love with someone else. Could it be that after being beaten, your soul has been completely scattered?”
Gu Qingtong was struck at her core and was speechless.”
Seeing her silence, Shen Yuqing laughed softly, his words extremely gentle: “Tong’er, don’t worry. Even if you’ve changed, you’re still the Tong’er I love. You’ve forgotten everything, but I haven’t. Shall I help you relive the past?”
“Master,” Gu Qingtong hurriedly stopped him, “Master, I, I want to find Shangheng, please don’t…”
“Don’t what?” Shen Yuqing’s handsome face contorted, with a provocative look in the corner of his eye.
“Shangheng and Ruan Niang have gone to find my mother. If something happens…”
“If something happens, that’s perfect. If Jiang Shangheng dies, you can stay by my side with peace of mind.” When Shen Yuqing said the word “die,” he seemed to think of something and raised his hand, striking heavily on her neck.
Gu Qingtong felt a pain in her neck, her body went soft, and she collapsed in his arms, losing consciousness.
When Gu Qingtong regained consciousness, she saw only a blur of blue moving, and when she could see clearly, she realized a maid was fanning her.
“Miss, are you awake?” The maid noticed her fingers moving and her eyes opening slightly and asked carefully.
Gu Qingtong didn’t respond, but propped herself up and looked around.
She saw the furniture was made of high-quality fragrant pear wood, intricately carved, with antique porcelain, screens, and fine woven mats. The decor was exquisite and the ornaments were elegant and luxurious, yet completely unfamiliar. She painfully touched the back of her neck, which still ached: Had she been kidnapped by Shen Yuqing?
“Miss, are you thirsty or hungry?” the maid asked thoughtfully.
“Where is this?”
The maid hesitated, then lowered her eyes: “This is the residence of Shen Shushu.”
As expected, Gu Qingtong got off the bed, letting the maid help her dress: “Where is Shen Yuqing?”
“The master has gone to the palace.”
“What time is it now?”
“It’s the third quarter of the hour of the Snake.” [Around 10 AM]
Gu Qingtong had entered the palace in the evening, and now it was near noon, which meant this was the day after that incident. Shen Yuqing was definitely at court, and she needed to leave before he returned.
Gu Qingtong’s face turned pale, “Is it Shen Yuqing?”
“It should be,” Ji Chen looked at her, unsure if she was angry or scared, trembling all over, and quickly grasped her hand, “With General He Xi accompanying, our army will surely be victorious. Don’t worry.”
Shen Yuqing’s words, “Once Jiang Shangheng is dead, you can stay by my side with peace of mind,” still echoed in her ears. How could she not worry? Gu Qingtong urgently gripped Ji Chen’s hand: “Orange, help me. I must leave here.”
“
Ji Chen thought about how he might not even be able to leave himself, so how could he promise her? He could only shake his head.
Gu Qingtong shook her head: “No, I must find a way to leave myself.”
“Tong’er, just stay here quietly and wait for news about Jiang Shangheng,” Shen Yuqing appeared at the door, leaning sideways, smiling at her and emphasizing the word “news”.
Gu Qingtong stood up abruptly, her face turning pale: “I want to see my mother.”
“The Empress Dowager is too busy to see you. At my request, she has permitted you to stay in my residence for a while,” Shen Yuqing stepped forward, taking her hand, a smile on his face but a hint of coldness in his eyes.
Gu Qingtong was stunned, unexpectedly finding that even her mother had sided with him, while Jiang Shangheng was far away at the border. But Shen Yuqing had taken her away, and Xie Yan must have told him. He left with worry.
Seeing her face turn pale, Shen Yuqing sighed almost inaudibly, then quickly curved his mouth: “Tong’er, let me tell you some good news.”
Gu Qingtong just gave him a sidelong glance, saying nothing.
“About Liang Luoxian,” Shen Yuqing helped her sit by the table and poured her a cup of warm tea.
Ji Chen saw that Shen Yuqing was focusing only on talking to Gu Qingtong, feeling a bitter sourness.
At this moment, she was almost jealous of her.
Shen Yuqing noticed Ji Chen staring at him, slowly poured another cup for her, and then leisurely said: “Ji Chen arranged for Liang Mohen to catch Liang Luoxian and the cloud musician in an affair. Liang Mohen, ashamed and angry, raped her. Liang Luoxian lost her child and nearly lost her life.”
Although Liang Luoxian had harmed her multiple times and was her enemy in her previous life, Gu Qingtong felt no satisfaction hearing about her fate. She wasn’t happy at all, instead looking serious, unsure how to respond.
Shen Yuqing studied her expression and continued: “Liang Mohen raped her and was caught in the act by Lord Xie. He reported it to the palace last night. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor severely punished the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion. Lord Xie was still unsatisfied and submitted evidence of the Liang family’s crimes this morning. The Emperor was furious and dealt with the Liang family. I was delayed because of this matter.”
Gu Qingtong remembered Ji Chen’s desire to destroy the Liang family. Looking at the current situation, she had succeeded. She glanced at Ji Chen, but Ji Chen’s expression was unchanged, showing no joy.
Shen Yuqing, seeing their reactions, lightly laughed: “Don’t worry. Lord Xie’s good days are numbered. He framed Lord Gu decades ago and is now secretly communicating with Yun Qiong. One day, I will definitely strike a fatal blow and avenge you.
“
Gu Qingtong thought about the injustice Lord Gu suffered, her mother’s decade of hidden survival, and the various humiliations she and Ji Chen had endured, feeling heavy-hearted.
“Tong’er, you must know I do all this for you,” Shen Yuqing softly comforted her.
Gu Qingtong clearly saw the concern in his eyes and slightly nodded: “I know, but can you let me go?”
“No!” Shen Yuqing refused without hesitation, “If I let you go, you’ll definitely go find Jiang Shangheng. Don’t even think about it.”
Before Gu Qingtong could say more, Shen Yuqing had already swept away, leaving her with a back full of anger.
Ji Chen was also silent, and after a long time, she said: “Tong’er, I saw Liang Luoxian being thrown out of the mansion this morning. She was crying, begging Lord Xie to take her in for her mother’s sake, but he didn’t even look at her and ordered her sent to a brothel. She’s been ruined, but I’m not happy at all. Tong’er, I’m not happy at all.”
Gu Qingtong sadly squeezed her hand: “Me neither. But she brought this upon herself. Let’s not think about her anymore and focus on our own situation.”
“Tong’er, what can you do if you go out?”
Gu Qingtong thought for a while: “I don’t know for now, but I know I can’t stay here idle. I wanted to find Shangheng, but it’s not that simple.”
Ji Chen looked at her steadily: “I can’t get out either.”
“Why?”
