Chapter Nine

Jiang Jingchun was infuriated by how Song Xuan’an had completely forgotten his loyalty for the sake of a woman, even going so far as to harm a friend because of Gu Huaisheng. But he stubbornly refused to comply with her wishes—the more she told him to keep his distance, the closer he deliberately drew near. Knowing he was intentionally opposing her, she angrily twisted his arm and cursed under her breath, “Song Xuan’an, can you just stay far away? You’re so annoying.” She dared not make too much noise, afraid of drawing Gu Huaisheng’s attention. Fortunately, Gu Huaisheng merely glanced in their direction before following Madam Gu and Lord Gu to the inner chamber to offer birthday congratulations to the matriarch.

Song Xuan’an sneered, still holding a grudge over the earlier incident, and deliberately taunted her, “Didn’t you see? No one wants to pay you any mind, yet you keep shuffling up close like a stray dog.” Why pick such hurtful words? Jiang Jingchun was fuming, but with so many people around today, if a scene broke out, all her recent efforts would have been for nothing. She grabbed Chen Muqing’s hand and tried to leave, refusing to entertain Song Xuan’an any further.

Behind them, Song Xuan’an muttered, “You ungrateful wretch, who’d want to play with you?” Then he turned to leave in another direction. Seeing his relentless attitude, Jiang Jingchun couldn’t help but turn back, ready to argue again. Chen Muqing intervened quickly, pulling them apart. “Enough! Why do you have to fight over everything?”

Song Xuan’an was tall and strong, so Chen Muqing couldn’t hold him back but tried to reason with him, “She’s been through a lot lately, why mock her like this? Real friends don’t treat each other that way.” Though reluctant, Song Xuan’an gave Chen Muqing face and didn’t escalate further, muttering under his breath, “I’m not wrong.”

Seeing him calm down, Chen Muqing turned to Jiang Jingchun, whispering, “Alright, don’t stay mad at him. He just can’t help himself—you know that.” Jiang Jingchun didn’t respond, and though the argument had ceased, their expressions grew darker by the moment—resentment so visible it spoiled their appearances. Youth’s pride was like that: when friends, willing to die for each other; when at odds, just a few words could turn everything sour.

This couldn’t go on.

Chen Muqing knew the two were close. Though this incident wouldn’t ruin their friendship outright, if left unresolved, it would become a thorn in their hearts. After pondering, Chen Muqing raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t we been to the southern outskirts for a while?”

By the lakeside in the southern outskirts was a wide meadow where the three of them often played. The last time they stayed out all night, it was there they nursed their hangovers until dawn. Now, with the quarrel fresh, why not go there for a while? Surely, a bit of fun would dissolve any lingering grudges.

Chen Muqing thought so, but Jiang Jingchun hesitated. “Is it appropriate? Today is Grandmother’s birthday.”

“That’s exactly why it’s perfect! Everyone else will be busy with the celebrations, no one will pay attention to us. Later, when more guests arrive, it’ll be too crowded to notice. You can have Huayun cover for you—say you got an upset stomach and need to rest indoors for a bit. Besides, who would care about you today? Everyone’s focused on Grandmother.”

That did sound reasonable, yet Jiang Jingchun still looked hesitant.

Seeing this, Song Xuan’an crossed his arms, casting a cold glance at her. “You weren’t this timid before. If you don’t want to go, just say so.”

“Who said I don’t want to?” Jiang Jingchun hated being provoked. Hearing that, she stopped hesitating and said, “Fine, I’ll go. It’s nothing important, but we should come back early.”

***

Today’s banquet was indeed lively, with guests arriving in a steady stream. After Gu Huaisheng emerged from the inner chamber with Lord and Madam Gu, many people gathered around to exchange greetings. The Gu family’s prestige was well-known, and Lord Gu was well-liked at court. Yet, Gu Huaisheng’s cold temperament meant only a few colleagues acknowledged him with a nod.

Jiang Runchu was busy socializing nearby. Spotting Gu Huaisheng surrounded by others, he tried to approach but was intercepted by another group. He saw Madam Lou arrive with her two daughters to greet Madam Gu.

Madam Lou’s eldest daughter, Lou Yanxin, was seventeen and still unmarried. The younger daughter, Lou Yanyan, was the same one who had a recent unpleasant quarrel with Jiang Jingchun.

Though Madam Lou and Madam Gu were not close, they had met before and were not strangers. Madam Lou seized the opportunity, bringing her daughters to meet Madam Gu while Gu Huaisheng was present—a move easy to interpret.

Madam Gu had long heard of Lou Yanxin’s reputation as a talented young woman in the capital. When she was helping Gu Huaisheng consider matches, Lou Yanxin was among the candidates. Though the Lou family’s standing was lower than the Gus’, Madam Gu cared little; few families in the capital could compare to the Gus’.

She recalled Gu Huaisheng’s cheerful acceptance when she last suggested a match. If things didn’t work out, today was a good occasion to renew the acquaintance with the Lous.

She asked Gu Huaisheng to stay close and accompany the Lou ladies. However, the main hall was bustling and unsuitable for a private conversation. Madam Gu, familiar with the Jiang household, knew the main hall was crowded with guests, while the back garden was quieter. So, she invited them to move there.

The garden was beautiful, with clear, serene lake water, a rockery, and lush spring greenery blooming in fragrant splendor. Recent rains had just ceased this morning, leaving a slight scent of fresh earth in the air.

The back garden was indeed much quieter than the front hall.

As they walked, Madam Gu and Madam Lou chatted pleasantly. Lou Yanxin occasionally chimed in, often glancing at Gu Huaisheng, who, however, remained silent, responding only with a noncommittal “hmm” now and then. Clearly, the Lous had come for him, yet his gaze wandered elsewhere, as if indifferent to his surroundings.

Meanwhile, as the banquet neared its end, Jiang Jingchun and the others found an excuse to leave unnoticed amid the crowd. They slipped away from the main hall and headed toward the back garden, careful not to be seen by the servants, avoiding the front gate where guards stood watch. Most guests and servants were occupied in the main hall, so the back garden was typically deserted at this hour.

They planned to circle around the garden path to the back gate, then escape through a small dog hole in the wall, ensuring no guards would spot them. The plan was flawless, much to Jiang Jingchun’s satisfaction.

Yet, upon reaching the garden, they suddenly overheard voices and quickly hid behind the rockery, startled. The voices sounded familiar. Peeking out, they saw Gu Huaisheng and his company there, including Lou Yanyan and Lou Yanxin—the sister who was said to be very fond of Gu Huaisheng.

What were they doing here? Why say what they couldn’t in the main hall only here? A flood of mixed thoughts rushed through Jiang Jingchun’s mind.

***

Before she could dwell further, Gu Huaisheng suddenly looked toward the rockery.

When expressionless, his gaze carried a coldness that chilled the heart. Though they weren’t close, from this distance his pupils appeared unfocused, his pale eyes like a cold moon reflected in water, utterly devoid of warmth.

Jiang Jingchun saw him but wasn’t sure if he noticed them. His intimidating demeanor sent a shiver through her, leaving her momentarily unsure how to react.

Song Xuan’an was quicker to respond, reaching out to cover her eyes and pressing her head down.

Darkness enveloped her vision.

Yet Gu Huaisheng’s gaze remained fixed on that spot.

His long lashes cast shadows beneath his eyes, obscuring his true feelings. With his keen eyesight, even with the rockery as cover, he saw their movements clearly.

He saw Jiang Jingchun spying, and Song Xuan’an’s gesture to hide her.

A breeze rippled the water’s surface, reflections shimmering coldly in his eyes.

He knew the three were trying to sneak out for some fun.

But three escaping at once? It would be hard not to get caught.

Anyone who inquired would know they had sneaked out.

Yet Gu Huaisheng had no intention of covering for her.

He remembered the last time she stayed out all night with those two.

Children who stayed out all night were disobedient.

He saw no reason to shield such children.

Meanwhile, Madam Gu was growing weary. Noticing Gu Huaisheng’s persistent disinterest, her mind elsewhere, she worried further conversation with Madam Lou would collapse. So she found an excuse to send them back to the banquet.

As the group left, only mother and son remained.

Gu Huaisheng’s gaze still lingered on the now empty rockery, oblivious to the Lou family’s departure. Curious, Madam Gu looked toward the rockery but saw nothing.

“What are you looking at?” she asked.

Snapping back to reality, Gu Huaisheng shook his head. “Nothing.”

Madam Gu thought he was just daydreaming, then asked, “What do you think of the Lou ladies? I noticed one seems quite fond of you.”

“Oh, but I don’t like her,” he replied bluntly.

He wasn’t one to sugarcoat when he didn’t want to.

Madam Gu recalled that the Lou family hadn’t said anything inappropriate, so why was he so harsh?