Chapter 5

Yingyue felt a pang of worry in her heart, but then she recalled the commotion in the outer hall the previous night. Perhaps the groom had overindulged in alcohol and was thus unable to consummate their marriage. It was said that men could indeed be physically incapacitated after drinking excessively...

Voices from outside the window drifted into the room, interrupting Rong Shu's drowsiness as she blinked her eyes open.

Before her lay a deeply handsome face, with long brows reaching his temples, a high nose, and lips as thin as a blade.

She knew this face intimately, and it took her a moment to regain her composure.

In that brief moment, a flood of memories surged into her mind. In one recollection, she sat on a bridal bed wearing her wedding attire, eagerly awaiting Gu Changjin to lift her veil and share the nuptial cup. In another, she was in the Sishi Garden, drinking poison given by the Empress, suffering in pain as she awaited death.

"Today is your wedding day, and there isn't much Mother can wish for except for you and Young Master Gu to be in harmony, sharing a deep love like the faithful doves. May you support each other through life's trials and grow old together."

"The wedding ceremony is now complete, and a blessed union has been forged. The groom, quickly lift the bride's veil, lest she grows impatient!"

"In truth, I know that you have always hated me."

"Innumerable mistakes were made when I first provoked you, causing her to miss three years with you. Now, I return the position of my lawful wife to her and offer my life as compensation to you. I only beg that you show mercy and let my mother safely travel to Su Prefecture, allowing her to enjoy her twilight years in peace."

...

Disordered memories pierced her mind like fine needles, one after another.

Rong Shu's head throbbed, unable to distinguish whether the person before her was real or an illusion, nor could she discern her whereabouts.

Her trembling hand reached out, but the moment her fingertips brushed against his face, her wrist was firmly grasped.

The man across from her lazily lifted his eyelids, revealing a pair of deep, pool-like eyes. Those eyes were dark and enigmatic, concealing all emotion.

It was indeed him.

"Gu Changjin..." Rong Shu murmured almost inaudibly.

The skin on her fingertips was delicate, warm, and carried a hint of a woman's sweet fragrance.

Gu Changjin disliked fragrances, especially the cloying scent typical of women. At the whiff of the subtle aroma, he released his grip, a flicker of irritation rising in his heart.

He lifted the large red quilt embroidered with entwined lotus stems and double blossoms, just about to step out of bed, when suddenly he heard a soft "Ah."

The young lady beside him, for some unknown reason, abruptly sat up, trembling violently as if she were a sieve in a storm, her expression filled with unbearable distress.

Gu Changjin furrowed his brow slightly and extended his hand, preparing to take her pulse. Having read several medical texts in his youth and frequently sustaining injuries himself, he possessed a modicum of understanding in the principles of medicine.

Perceiving his intention, the young lady quickly withdrew her hand, panting slightly as she said, "I am fine, there is no need for your lordship to trouble yourself."

Gu Changjin's outstretched hand froze mid-air.

Unperturbed, he simply nodded and withdrew his hand, proceeding to lift the curtains and step down from the bed.

Rong Shu watched him descend from the bed, then observed as he fetched his clothing from an ebony incense stand on one side, and moved around the screen towards the washroom. Only then did she allow herself a slight sigh of relief.

Looking around, the room was filled with the festive red, evoking a joyous atmosphere everywhere.

On the high table beside the wall, two large "Double Happiness" characters were prominently displayed, with candles still burning tirelessly above them. Next to the candlesticks, two copper trays covered in red silk were placed, filled with lotus seeds, red dates, and peanuts, symbolizing the wish for an early birth of a noble offspring.

Rong Shu recollected, this was the second day of her union with Gu Changjin; on the previous day, he had personally journeyed to the Marquisate to fetch her as his bride, escorting her back to the Gu household.

Was the flood of memories in her mind a dream, or had she... returned from the dead?

Rong Shu blinked slowly in confusion.

Surely it was just a dream; resurrection wasn't something that existed in this world, was it?

But if it was a dream, why didn't her heart flutter with excitement or bashfulness when she saw Gu Changjin upon opening her eyes?

Yesterday, he had occupied every corner of her thoughts. Just the mere mention of his name made her heart thump like a drum, "thud-thud-thud," incessantly.

Yet now...

Rong Shu lowered her gaze and placed a hand on her chest.

There, her heart was beating steadily and forcefully, but without any trace of joy or sorrow. It was as calm as a still pond, devoid of life.

It was as if Gu Changjin, as a person, no longer held any sway over her emotions.

She let her hand fall and called out in a hoarse voice, "Ying Que, Yingyue."

Ying Que and Yingyue, standing in the corridor, had long sensed the movement inside the room. They waited eagerly for Rong Shu's call and promptly entered when they heard her. Lighting the lamps with swift hands, they illuminated the space.

Rong Shu's headache persisted, and her throat felt painfully dry. Leaning weakly against the bedpost, she instructed Ying Que, "Fetch me a warmed honey water from the kitchen."

Observing her furrowed brows and the beads of sweat on her forehead, Ying Que hurriedly acknowledged her request and left. Meanwhile, Yingyue fetched a copper basin from an elevated table to help Rong Shu freshen up.

The moment the warm cloth touched her face, Rong Shu finally found some relief.

By the time Gu Changjin emerged from the washroom, Rong Shu had finished washing up and was now having her makeup done by Yingyue and Ying Que. In front of the ornate huanghuali wood vanity table, carved with a scene of a hundred birds paying tribute to the phoenix, stood a mirror that reflected her delicate features.

Gu Changjin, however, did not spare a glance at her delicate countenance. He merely glanced over the array of cosmetic jars and took a book, settling down on an adjacent couch.

Through the copper mirror, Rong Shu observed him. His focus was evident as he read, his eyes lowered, his fair and slender fingers gripping the book, the joints slightly curved.

In a short while, several pages had already been turned.

Listening to the soft rustling of pages, Rong Shu inferred that he was likely growing impatient.

Ying Que reached into the dressing table and took out a jade-embroidered tube, about to apply rouge on Rong Shu's cheeks. But she heard Rong Shu say, "No need for makeup, let it be. Help me change my clothes." With that, she stood up.

Looking at Rong Shu's pale face and then at Gu Changjin, who was sitting on the couch waiting, Ying Que bit her lip and nodded in agreement.

The room was small, and two large drum-shaped stone screens were barely sufficient to separate an inner and outer chamber.

When Rong Shu said she didn't want makeup, Gu Changjin closed the book he was holding. Using the opportunity of putting the book back on the table, he stepped outside the screen.