The Young Mistress’s Little Romance in the Duke’s Mansion 62

Chapter 62
After their intense affection, the meal had grown cold. Lu Chenglian ordered the servant women outside to reheat the dishes. Just then, the subordinates brought some seasonal Dragon Boat Festival pastries, so they were all brought in to be enjoyed together.
At this moment, Gu Xiyan’s heart was filled with sweetness, as if clear honey were about to overflow.
Raising her eyes, she saw the fried sugar cakes that had just been served. They looked crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, fragrant, sweet, and soft.
She pursed her lips and smiled. “These look delicious.”
Lu Chenglian asked, “Mn, would you like to taste?”
Gu Xiyan picked up a piece with her chopsticks and fed it directly to Lu Chenglian’s mouth. “You taste it first. It looks good.”
Lu Chenglian raised his eyebrows in surprise. Looking at her, he saw her smiling eyes, soft and lingering, insisting that he eat it.
He hesitated for a moment but finally took a bite from the chopsticks in her hand.
Gu Xiyan asked, “How is it?”
Lu Chenglian wanted to say it was too sweet and not tasty, but seeing her bright, sparkling eyes, he finally said, “It is delicious.”
Gu Xiyan smiled. “Then taste this one too.”
She took another pastry and fed him. This one, that one; you eat this, I eat that.
Lu Chenglian’s mouth was full of sweetness. He had never eaten so much sweet food in his life.
So he also fed her. They tasted bites from each other’s mouths, and the entire room was filled with a sweet, cloying atmosphere.
As they ate, Lu Chenglian suddenly said, “There is something I want to discuss with you, to see what you think.”
Gu Xiyan asked, “What?”
Lu Chenglian remained silent for a moment before saying, “Your sister-in-law’s current residence is naturally good for doing business, but if people are to live there, it is ultimately somewhat noisy and not quiet.”
Gu Xiyan looked at him疑惑ly. He had previously mentioned wanting her sister-in-law to change residences. Why was he bringing up the old topic again?
Lu Chenglian’s dark eyes looked at her. “Recently, Minister Sun of the Ministry of Rites is being assigned to an external post. He is old and will not return to the capital after leaving. His family has a courtyard house north of Anchasijie Street. It is a three-entry courtyard, not large, but quite unique. He is currently looking for a buyer. See if you like it. If you do, simply take it over.”
Gu Xiyan asked, “Huh?”
Lu Chenglian said, “Do not overthink it. I just think that house is nice. Since we have this fate, and I have promised to take care of you, there is no need to be too distant between us. Having such a courtyard house in your hands will make you feel more secure.”
Gu Xiyan was extremely surprised.
Previously, he had given her so many jewels and gold ornaments, which were already very precious. One could say that relying on those head ornaments and jewelry, she could live comfortably for the rest of her life without worry.
But now he wanted to give her a courtyard house. A three-entry courtyard was certainly not small. Moreover, it was located north of Anchasijie Street. That place was relatively close to the palace gates. When officials went to early morning court, it was very early. If one had a house in that location, one could sleep a bit longer than others. Therefore, houses on that street had always been in high demand, and the prices were naturally much higher than elsewhere.
Calculating this way, the house would likely cost over a thousand taels. That was a huge sum of money!
Lu Chenglian naturally saw her hesitation. He peeled a segment of tangerine and handed it to Gu Xiyan.
Gu Xiyan passively accepted it and took a bite, tasting nothing.
Only then did Lu Chenglian say, “As I just said, whatever you want, if I can give it to you, I naturally will. Now I sincerely want to give you this house because I think that holding the deed in your hands will make you feel more at ease. If you think I am saying this because of last night, or that I am being abrupt, then it is my fault. Just pretend I did not say it.”
Gu Xiyan asked, “Third Master, how much silver does such a house cost?”
Lu Chenglian said, “Just think about whether you want it or not. I will handle the matter of the silver properly.”
Gu Xiyan hesitated. “This… I am afraid it is too precious.”
Although giving whatever was asked for was fine, asking for small things added romance, but asking for big things seemed greedy.
Lu Chenglian said, “Since I was born, my Imperial Uncle and Imperial Grandmother have bestowed some fields and shops upon me. My mother has always sent people to manage them for me. When I grew older, I invested some surplus wealth in overseas merchant ships and established shops selling gold, silver, porcelain, and antiques. The profits are now quite substantial. This house is only worth a little over a thousand taels, which is nothing to me.”
Hearing this, Gu Xiyan secretly marveled.
She thought that the young masters of the Duke’s Residence lived on the monthly allowances given by the residence. Even if they had some extra subsidies or illicit gains, their public expenses were large, so they would not accumulate great wealth. But now it seemed that Lu Chenglian’s family wealth was very abundant. Even if Lu Chengyuan had lived until now, he would definitely not have had such a financial foundation.
Having said this, there was no point in her continuing to decline.
So she said, “Since you want to give it to me, I will accept it. But there is one thing we must agree on.”
Lu Chenglian smiled. “Are you afraid I will keep score?”
Gu Xiyan felt that his smile was extremely good-looking, making her heart sway.
She embarrassedly turned her face away and gave a light snort. “With someone like you, who knows? If you become unhappy later and insist on bringing up old accounts, I might as well not take it at all!”
Lu Chenglian looked at her helplessly, his expression reproachful. “Am I that petty?”
Gu Xiyan said, “You are!”
Hearing her say this, Lu Chenglian remained silent for a while before saying, “Then I will swear. This house, once given to you, is yours. If I ever mention it again in the future, let me suffer a life of loneliness and misery.”
Hearing this, Gu Xiyan was stunned.
Looking at his serious eyebrows and eyes, she knew he sincerely wanted to give her a house, regardless of their future.
Warmth rose in her heart, and she was truly moved.
Since Lu Chengyuan died, she had encountered too many things. Few things had gone smoothly, and she had no one to rely on. Now that he could do this, it was enough for her.
She pursed her lips and smiled lightly. “You do not need to say such things. I naturally believe you.”
Lu Chenglian said, “Good. Once the house is tidied up, perhaps you can go there for a short stay in the future when there is an opportunity.”
Hearing this, Gu Xiyan felt somewhat bewildered. She did not know what her future held. The only thing she could think of now was adopting a child. Eventually, the Duke’s Residence would divide the household. After the division, taking her adopted son, she might be able to leave the residence.
But those were very distant matters. She did not want to think about them for now, nor did she want to continue this topic.
So she casually changed the subject. “What about this separate courtyard? I find it quite quiet here.”
Lu Chenglian was obviously surprised by her sudden question. He said, “I bought this a few years ago. I would stay here occasionally during my leisure time.”
Gu Xiyan said, “I see… It is not far from Baiyun Nunnery, is it?”
Lu Chenglian said, “It is about half an hour’s journey. But do not worry. Not to mention the Duke’s Residence, even my parents do not know about this place. Outsiders rarely come here. You can stay here with peace of mind.”
Gu Xiyan said, “That is good.”
However, in her heart, she thought: A cunning rabbit has three burrows. After all, he was a master who moved about outside, with power, influence, and endless silver. He had separate courtyards here and residences there.

With someone like him, he could keep ten or eight mistresses outside, and the residence would never know.
Lu Chenglian suddenly asked again, “Have you had much contact with Ying Tong recently?”
Gu Xiyan replied, “Not much.”
Lu Chenglian asked, “She used to be somewhat arrogant. Is she better now?”
Gu Xiyan could not quite guess his meaning.
For a master like him, he should certainly understand such matters. Judging from their interactions, except for that time at the Prince of Duan’s Residence which was too quick, other times did not seem like he was ignorant.
Ying Tong was the most favored woman in his quarters. A rabbit does not eat the grass around its burrow, so he must have already taken her into his bed, simply without giving her a formal title.
In short, Ying Tong was the designated concubine, his person.
Now that they were in mutual affection, was he mentioning Ying Tong because he wanted her to get along well with Ying Tong?
Pondering this, she finally said, “Due to some past events, I had some misunderstandings with Miss Ying Tong. But she has a kind nature, and I actually like her very much.”
Lu Chenglian said, “In that case, I will let Ying Tong visit your place more often in the future.”
Gu Xiyan: “…”
She was somewhat speechless. “Better not.”
Lu Chenglian asked, “Why is it not good?”
Gu Xiyan said, “I am afraid Miss Ying Tong might guess something. If she guesses, would it not be awkward?”
Lu Chenglian said, “So what if she guesses? The people in my quarters, their lives and deaths are in my hands. Would she dare to speak nonsense?”
Gu Xiyan felt a stifling sensation in her heart. She could no longer pretend to be generous.
She gave him a resentful glance. “I do not want to.”
Lu Chenglian asked, “Why?”
Gu Xiyan said, “Why should I interact with her and let her laugh at me? Anyway, I do not want her to know!”
Lu Chenglian released her and frowned. “I originally thought that if you interacted more, for matters where I could not appear personally, I could handle them through her. Since you do not like it, then forget it.”
Gu Xiyan said, “Handle through her? I certainly do not want that!”
Her face was firm, both shy and angry. She glared at him angrily. “The fewer people who know about our affairs, the better. Otherwise, do not touch me in the future!”
Lu Chenglian looked at her like this, dumbfounded. After a long while, he said, “Then what about Amole? Do you like her?”
Gu Xiyan said, “I like her. Amole has a straightforward personality. She likes me, and I like her.”
Lu Chenglian thought about the “like” in her words and smiled. “Let us see first. If it is suitable in the future, I will simply place her by your side. This way, she can look out for you.”
Hearing this, Gu Xiyan was even more surprised. She thought that placing his maid by her side—what would that be called? In the future, when they broke up, it would be awkward for both parties.
But she did not say it.
At this moment, they were getting along well. Why bring up such mood-killing topics?
That day, the two were full of affection. In the afternoon, they went to bed early and enjoyed a bout of cloud and rain, naturally gaining satisfaction and great pleasure.
After bathing slightly, Lu Chenglian said he wanted to take her somewhere. Gu Xiyan asked in confusion, “Where to?”
Lu Chenglian said, “There is a hot spring in these mountains, not far from here.”
Gu Xiyan was surprised. She naturally liked hot springs, so she immediately followed Lu Chenglian out of the separate courtyard.
Lu Chenglian helped her onto a horse. Before long, they arrived at a place where the spring water tinkled and white steam rose. It was indeed a natural hot spring blessed land.
However, at this moment, Gu Xiyan hesitated.
Although she and Lu Chenglian had physical intimacy, they were not actually familiar or close enough. She was shy about being naked in front of him.
Lu Chenglian seemed to sense this and said, “I will not look.”
Gu Xiyan asked, “Really?”
Lu Chenglian said, “Mn.”
Speaking thus, he indeed turned his back to her.
Gu Xiyan boldly took off her clothes and slipped into the hot spring.
At this time, the full moon hung high. The mountains and forests around were quiet and secluded. Only a pool of spring water steamed with misty heat, flowing gently.
Gu Xiyan was originally somewhat nervous, but immersed in this warm soup, she gradually relaxed.
She cautiously glanced at the shore and saw Lu Chenglian standing under a pine tree, with his back to her.
She initially thought he would peek or do something else. Now thinking about it, she seemed to have misjudged him.
But he just stood there, making no move. She felt uncomfortable again.
They had already had physical intimacy. Why stand on ceremony? Bathing together was no big deal.
But at this moment, he did not take the initiative. How could she say anything?
Biting her lip, she deliberately said, “Why is there a hot spring here?”
Lu Chenglian said, “I do not know. I discovered it unintentionally.”
He paused and still explained, “Perhaps it is from the same vein as the Western Hills hot spring.”
Gu Xiyan said, “Probably.”
After saying this, he did not answer again, so the two fell silent again.
Gu Xiyan wanted to strike up a conversation again but felt very awkward. What was the point of forcing conversation?
Thinking this, she was caught off guard and slipped on the bottom.
Actually, it was just a slip, with no intention of falling. But she deliberately made a fuss, letting out an “Aiyo.”
Sure enough, Lu Chenglian immediately turned his head slightly and asked tightly, “What is wrong?”
Gu Xiyan took the opportunity to give a low cry and deliberately splashed water, pretending to struggle.
Lu Chenglian could no longer care. He suddenly turned around. In the hazy moonlight and swirling white mist, he vaguely saw a figure struggling. Not knowing the specifics, he did not think carefully. He strode into the hot spring.
Seeing that he had fallen for her trick, Gu Xiyan secretly laughed. As he stepped into the hot spring, she deliberately splashed water on him.
Lu Chenglian was unprepared and got splashed in the face. He stood there stiffly, looking at her helplessly. “What are you doing?”
At this time, the moonlight was perfect. The water vapor dispersed. Gu Xiyan saw that the man’s handsome eyebrows and eyes were moistened by the water, making him even more handsome. He added a few points of clarity and even a shocking beauty.
Gu Xiyan covered her mouth and laughed triumphantly, but her face was flushed, and her heart pounded.
Lu Chenglian kept a straight face, looking at her in the water.
Her black hair scattered down wetly. Her moist, soft white shoulders were like jade. Moreover, the rouge color on her face was red and alluring.
His eyes darkened. He reached out his hand to her and ordered in a deep voice, “Come here.”
Gu Xiyan smiled and retreated. “No way!”
Before her words fell, Lu Chenglian had suddenly approached.
In an instant, water splashed everywhere. Gu Xiyan retreated in panic, but the man grabbed her wrist, and she could no longer break free.
Gu Xiyan still struggled desperately, kicking wildly. Lu Chenglian only felt that what his palm touched was smooth as fat. That delicate, soft body was like a live fish.
His arm suddenly exerted force, holding the person firmly against his chest. He lowered his head and captured those two soft lips.
At first, Gu Xiyan resisted, pounding and hitting his shoulders randomly. Gradually, she panted, her body going soft. Her slender arms involuntarily wrapped around his neck, completely sinking into it.