Chapter 13
Lu Chenglian’s sword-like eyebrows were pressed low, his dark gaze locking onto her. “Has a cat stolen your tongue?”
Gu Xiyan felt panicked and helpless, almost to the point of tears.
She could only stammer, “I… I really do not know. Third Master should also know that I never step out of the main gate or the second gate. How would I know about matters outside…”
As she spoke these words, she gradually found her footing.
That was right. She was a woman confined to the inner quarters. What did she understand? She understood nothing!
Thus, with tears glistening in her eyes, she gently bit her lip and looked at Lu Chenglian timidly. In a very soft voice, she said, “If Third Master asks me, who else can I ask?”
Lu Chenglian felt his heart tighten suddenly.
Her appearance was too delicate and innocent. Her eyes shimmered with moisture, her face full of bewilderment. Even her voice was gentle and婉 (soft), carrying a slight tremor, like silk, drilling into one’s heart.
But thinking of the scholar outside who had come for the examinations, he only felt—
She was truly good at pretending!
Lu Chenglian snorted coldly. “Do not speak such empty nonsense. Do you not find it cloying to hear yourself?”
Gu Xiyan’s misty eyes widened in confusion. “Why does Third Master say this?”
Still pretending? Lu Chenglian gritted his teeth and threw out a cold, hard sentence: “I am too lazy to deal with you!”
Finishing his words, he abruptly turned and walked away.
Gu Xiyan was dumbfounded. She could feel his anger.
But he had just told her about her sister-in-law’s brother’s case, which was finally showing progress. She could not afford to fall out with him.
If he casually said something and the matter was not only unresolved but worsened, would she not become the culprit?
In her urgency, she quickly called out, “Third Master, please wait!”
However, Lu Chenglian paid her no mind. He did not even pause his steps, acting extremely cold and absolute.
Gu Xiyan was desperate. In her panic, she lifted her skirt and chased after him,胡乱 (haphazardly) grabbing his sleeve. “Third Master, do not be angry…”
In truth, her fingertips only lightly hooked the corner of his clothing. Yet, the man who had been walking with wind beneath his feet suddenly stopped.
Gu Xiyan finally caught him and breathed a sigh of relief. Clutching that piece of fabric, she sobbed softly and pleaded, “Third Master, this concubine has little knowledge. If I have done anything incomplete, please bear with me and do not hold it against me.”
Lu Chenglian looked coldly ahead, his face showing no expression.
Gu Xiyan grew even more afraid. She knew that opportunities were fleeting and must not be missed.
She pleaded in a low voice, “Third Master—”
Lu Chenglian felt a faint, subtle fragrance move with the wind. It was unclear whether it was the scent of flowers or a woman’s body fragrance. The scent drifted around his nose, entering his chest, making a certain part of his heart itch gently.
He lowered his eyes slightly, looking at the fingers hooking his hem.
The onion-white fingertips looked slender and weak. At this moment, they were helplessly pinching his hem, pressing until the nails turned pink.
A widowed woman, gentle and timid, careful and cautious, pulling at his hem and begging in a low voice.
Any man facing such a woman would likely turn into softness around his finger, unwilling to make things difficult for her in the slightest.
He remained silent for a moment, finally letting out a barely audible sigh. “Actually, it is not a major issue. I just wanted to remind you: if you entrust someone with a matter outside, you should see it through with that person. You must not seek help from one party and then another. You may think you are exerting effort from multiple sides, but others will feel that you look down on them, which can easily ruin the matter.”
Gu Xiyan blinked her eyes in confusion. “Which party is Third Master referring to? Who is inquiring about this matter? This concubine truly knows nothing.”
Lu Chenglian turned his head slightly, his dark eyes looking at her coolly.
Gu Xiyan felt hollow in her heart under his gaze. She knew this man was not easy to fool, so she said, “Regardless of which party it is, since this matter has been entrusted to Third Master, it is indeed inappropriate to entrust others. Perhaps my sister-in-law, unaware of the depth of the situation, asked someone to inquire. I will speak to her later. From now on, we will listen to Third Master in all matters and will not act on our own authority.”
Lu Chenglian lifted his lips in a mocking smile. “Your sister-in-law is truly useful.”
That was not called a sister-in-law; that was called a shield, always available to be placed in front of her.
Hearing his tone soften slightly, Gu Xiyan made her voice even softer. “Third Master is joking. Actually, my sister-in-law is confused. Having a true Buddha before her, she goes to worship at other temples… As for the scholar Third Master mentioned earlier, this concubine has guessed. After all, he is a scholar from a humble family, new to the capital. How would he know the depth of the ways under the Emperor’s feet?”
Speaking thus, she secretly glanced at him and found that his expression had clearly softened. He seemed quite pleased?
She suddenly realized. Men simply lacked this one sentence of flattery!
She could say it; she had a basketful!
She continued with renewed effort, “Among the young masters in the mansion, who can compare to even half of Third Master? Let alone that Chengyuan is gone. Even if he were still here, would he not have to listen to Third Master’s teachings for any matter?”
She thought this flattery was excellent, but she heard Lu Chenglian sneer, saying somewhat mockingly, “So you have figured out the way of sycophancy. You even bring up Lu Chengyuan as a scapegoat. If he knows in the underworld, will his coffin lid not shake three times?”
Hearing the mockery in his words, Gu Xiyan was somewhat puzzled. Had she said something wrong? Did he not like hearing this? Or did he dislike Lu Chengyuan?
After speaking, Lu Chenglian also showed a trace of discomfort in his expression.
However, he quickly restrained himself and said indifferently, “Enough. Let us not mention this again. I will speak to you seriously.”
Gu Xiyan looked at him blankly. “Hmm?”
Lu Chenglian said, “Pass a message to your sister-in-law later. Tell her to wait patiently. There will be news from the government soon. Apart from this, she must not act smartly and inquire recklessly, or she will ruin the matter.”
Gu Xiyan quickly said, “This concubine naturally listens to Third Master and dares not disobey in the slightest.”
Lu Chenglian said, “Mm. Then I am leaving.”
Leaving already?
Gu Xiyan quickly said, “Third Master, there is one more thing—”
Lu Chenglian looked at her and said directly, “Your brother’s matter?”
Gu Xiyan nodded repeatedly. “Yes. Without a resolution for this matter, my sister-in-law will ultimately remain uneasy.”
Her family now had nothing left except cases. One case here, another case there.
Lu Chenglian said, “The Emperor has already dispatched an imperial envoy to investigate the coastal defense station. They will also strictly investigate the sinking of the ship at the coastal defense station. Once the truth is revealed, your brother will naturally receive justice. As for compensation silver, what is due will be given.”
Gu Xiyan was pleasantly surprised. “Really?”
Lu Chenglian said, “Fake.”
Gu Xiyan was stunned, then realized something and showed some annoyance. “Third Master, you—”
Lu Chenglian said coldly, “Look how anxious you have become.”
Gu Xiyan stamped her foot, helpless. “This is naturally a huge matter for us. You certainly do not understand!”
She was somewhat annoyed, not even calling him “Third Master” anymore.
Lu Chenglian saw her face flushed with a thin red hue, charming and seductive, adding more color than peach blossoms on branches in March.
He sighed lightly. “Are you angry with me again now? Where did those flattering words go in the blink of an eye?”
Gu Xiyan found it both amusing and frustrating. She muttered in a low voice, “Fine, I am not angry. As long as Third Master can get things done, I will say whatever you want to hear.”
Hearing this, Lu Chenglian smiled. “Good. Then tell me, you—”
Who would have known that at this moment, footsteps were heard from the corridor nearby.
Gu Xiyan was suddenly startled and quickly looked over.
At the end of the corridor, a figure resembling a maid appeared. She was short, and her face was hidden in the shadows, making it difficult to see clearly.
Gu Xiyan felt a lingering fear and panic, recalling what she had just said to Lu Chenglian. Had the other person heard it?
Lu Chenglian said indifferently, “Why are you panicking? This is Taihe Hall.”
Gu Xiyan was stunned for a moment, then realized.
Taihe Hall was Princess Ruiqing’s residence, and Lu Chenglian was Princess Ruiqing’s only son. The guards and servants here were likely originally under Lu Chenglian’s command.
Thinking of how the Fifth Young Mistress had been sent away earlier, was this also intentionally arranged?
Lu Chenglian glanced lightly at the small maid. “It seems I must go pay respects to Mother.”
Gu Xiyan quickly said, “Then… Third Master, please go quickly. Do not delay.”
She was afraid. She feared the dignified Princess Ruiqing. If the Princess knew about these entanglements with her son, she would likely slap her to death!
Thinking of this, she hurriedly said, “Third Master, this concubine will take her leave first.”
Finishing her words, she panicked and tried to run.
Who would have known that after taking just one step, the man pulled her sleeve.
She was slightly startled. “Third Master?”
Lu Chenglian hummed. “Just now you were eagerly chasing me. Now you act as if avoiding a plague?”
Gu Xiyan stamped her foot, feeling aggrieved and helpless. “Have we not said everything that needed to be said?”
Lu Chenglian ground his teeth near her ear. “Finished? Are you sure everything is finished?”
His hot breath sprayed on her neck. She was flustered, wondering if there was anything else, anything else to say?
Flattering words, sweet words? She had a basketful!
But at this moment—
She secretly looked at that small maid, who was particularly sturdy, with dark skin.
With such a small maid standing there, how could she have the courage to speak further!
Sweating profusely, she asked anxiously, “Third Master, what exactly do you want?”
Lu Chenglian whispered, “I smell that you are very fragrant. What fragrance is this?”
The distance was too close. Gu Xiyan was even more panicked. “Fragrance? What fragrance?”
Lu Chenglian said, “Rose?”
Gu Xiyan immediately understood.
She had sipped a mouthful of rose dew. Perhaps the fragrance remained in her mouth?
Her heart raced, and she felt somewhat embarrassed. This was given by Ying Tong, his senior maid. Did he not know?
Or did he guess it and deliberately make her awkward?
She had no choice but to admit, “It is probably because of the rose dew. I used one or two drops.”
The corner of Lu Chenglian’s lips lifted slightly, and he smiled. “This fragrance suits you well.”
Speaking, he finally let go.
Gu Xiyan, whose sleeve had been released, quickly retreated three steps.
Maintaining some distance, her heart finally settled slightly. Looking at Lu Chenglian again, he had a faint smile on his face, looking exceptionally handsome.
She whispered, “I also quite like this scent.”
Lu Chenglian said, “You return first, so as not to be restless here.”
Gu Xiyan felt as if granted a pardon. “Mm, mm, mm!”
Finishing her words, she lifted her skirt and walked out quickly without looking back.
Lu Chenglian stood at the foot of the steps, watching her slender retreating figure. She walked truly urgently.
After watching for a while, he restrained his thoughts and looked at the small maid waiting respectfully beside him.
The small maid’s name was A Mo Le. He had saved her during his campaign in the Western Borders. She possessed immense strength and excellent martial arts skills. Due to having half Gui Nu (Ghost Slave) bloodline, her skin was as dark as ink, and her hair was slightly curly.
After several years of instruction, she had become quite familiar with the language and customs of the current dynasty. She was also fiercely loyal to him. Now, he intended to give her proper training, believing that in time, she might be put to significant use.
He said indifferently, “Speak.”
A Mo Le spoke in a slightly stiff and strange accent. “Second Master Ye received rose dew, which is why he agreed to help the Young Mistress.”
Lu Chenglian immediately frowned. “Rose dew? Are you saying rose dew?”
Thinking he did not believe her, A Mo Le hurriedly took out a white porcelain bottle and presented it to Lu Chenglian with both hands. “This is what the Young Mistress gave to Second Master Ye.”
She felt this matter was very wrong. The rose dew belonged to Third Master and should not be given to others. Therefore, she had stolen it back for Third Master.
Lu Chenglian accepted it suspiciously. He removed the wooden stopper and took a slight sniff. His face instantly turned iron-blue.
This fragrance was exactly the same as the one he had just smelled!
He gripped the white porcelain bottle so tightly he nearly crushed it.
So, the fragrance that had intoxicated him just now had actually been shared by her with some wild man outside!
The wild man’s scent was identical to hers?
Seeing her master’s expression, A Mo Le knew he was angry. She felt she had indeed done the right thing.
Happily seeking credit, she gestured and said, “So A Mo Le stole this rose dew and brought it back! Third Master’s fragrance still belongs to Third Master!”
Lu Chenglian’s face was so dark it seemed to drip water. “Silence!”