Chapter 3: Gao Wenyan Meets Chancellor Chu

Chapter 3: Gao Wenyan Meets Chancellor Chu

The current chancellor is known for two things: his youth and his pettiness.

It is said that an official was exiled within days just because he criticized him in court.

Thus, people whispered behind closed doors: "Better to die clinging to a branch than to provoke Chu the Thirteenth."

And ironically, this Chu the Thirteenth is notoriously at odds with General Gao.

Could it be him? The one hiding behind Lin Qian.

"Gao Wenyan of the Gao family greets Chancellor Chu."

A hand with distinct knuckles slowly lifted the curtain, and Gao Wenyan quickly lowered her head, feigning respect.

Chu Xu's gaze rested quietly on her for a moment before he spoke in a hoarse voice, "Rise."

Gao Wenyan stole a glance and saw that his face was pale, confirming his poor health.

"My subordinates were careless and did not report your arrival. We were unaware that the Chancellor would pass by here, thus failing to welcome you properly."

He laughed softly and said, "You truly are nothing like your father."

Gao Wenyan knew exactly what he meant.

Her father was famously straightforward and would never show such courtesy to Chu Xu.

If this were in her past life, she might have set aside these formalities too, but at this critical juncture, it was best to offend as few as possible.

"Wenyan does not understand."

Seeing her feign ignorance, Chu Xu did not press further, only tilting his head in thought for a moment.

"Since you feel it was a breach of etiquette, make amends by escorting me back to my residence."

"I've heard that the children of the Gao family are all skilled. With your escort, I can rest assured."

This sudden turn of events left Gao Wenyan stunned for a moment.

Just stepping out this time had led to such a change?

On second thought, she understood why Chu Xu avoided entering the Gao residence.

Her father had just returned home, and if Chu Xu followed right after, it would cause quite a stir in court.

"Please."

Chu Xu looked over, smiling slightly and gesturing with his hand.

So be it; accompanying him wouldn't hurt. Gao Wenyan swiftly mounted her horse.

Perhaps due to Chu Xu's poor health, the carriage moved very slowly, so she also slowed down, keeping pace with the carriage.

It was late summer, and the weather wasn't particularly hot. Occasionally, the wind blew through the curtain, revealing Chu Xu's figure in her peripheral vision.

He held a scroll in his hand but stared off into the distance, lost in thought.

Gao Wenyan calculated that the general's residence was in the southwest corner of the Capital, while the government residence was in the east.

Where was Chu Xu originally headed to pass by the general's residence?

Perhaps to avoid linking himself with the general's residence, Chu Xu's subordinates took quiet routes, avoiding crowded areas, extending the journey from fifteen minutes to the length of an incense stick.

The government residence was not as grand as Gao Wenyan had imagined; from the outside, it appeared modest.

Despite being in the eastern part of the Capital, it stood apart from the city's bustle, separated by a single wall.

She later realized that this wall mirrored Chu Xu's personality.

No matter how close he was to those around him, he always maintained a wall between them, just one step away, preventing anyone from getting any closer.

"The government residence has arrived, Chancellor."

Chu Xu lifted the curtain, glancing at the residence indifferently, and said calmly, "Thank you, lady."

"As it should be. Then Wenyan will take her leave."

Gao Wenyan turned to leave, hoping to avoid being seen by nosy onlookers.

Perhaps her eyes deceived her, but she seemed to catch a glimpse of Chu Xu smiling before the curtain fell.

She rode swiftly, almost reaching the Blossom House, when she suddenly remembered something: she had forgotten to return the horse!

Gao Wenyan had practiced martial arts since childhood and occasionally rode horses when going out, so she momentarily forgot this one belonged to the government residence.

Just as she was about to turn back, Gao Wenting, with his keen eyes, had already spotted her.

He excitedly leaned out of a second-story window, waving at her and announcing, "My little sister is here!"

She had no choice but to stop.

At the thought of seeing Lin Qian soon, Gao Wenyan's blood boiled, wishing to tear him apart.

There were about seven or eight people in the private room. Gao Wenyan glanced around briefly; most were well-known young masters from prominent families in the Capital, but Lin Qian was not among them.

Upon her arrival, everyone shifted to make room for her next to Gao Wenting.

"The children of the Gao family truly live up to their reputation. Seeing the lady ride in just now, she indeed exudes remarkable grace."

Gao Wenyan had no mood for pleasantries and kept a cold face, not bothering to respond.

These people were merely her second brother's drinking buddies, who would scatter faster than anyone else when real trouble arose.

Ironically, her second brother had many friends, but who could have thought that he would be labeled as "trying to curry favor with the capital city's nobles, harboring improper intentions"?

Gao Wenting noticed her listless expression and, after sitting for a while longer, found an excuse to leave with her.

"You usually don't enjoy these gatherings. Why did you come this time?"

After some thought, he guessed cleverly, "Were you looking for Lin Qian? Unfortunately, Brother Qian was supposed to come today, but something came up at the last minute."

Gao Wenyan's expression darkened even more as she asked, "Did he say what it was about?"

"Why are you so angry? Surely you don't think he went off to seek pleasure elsewhere?"

Gao Wenting was somewhat surprised but then comforted her.

"Relax, since he likes you, he wouldn't do such things."

"If he did, I wouldn't let him off easily!"

Lin Qian's affection for her was well-known throughout the capital.

If one liked someone, they should be open about it, which was one of the reasons Gao Wenyan agreed in her previous life, believing him to be at least a straightforward person.

In her view, liking or not liking someone was just a matter of words; there was no need to hide it.

Her elder brother, Gao Wenxi, was the type who couldn't express himself and kept his feelings hidden, always watching from afar.

As an observer, she found it frustrating.

However, after experiencing her past life, Gao Wenyan seemed to understand something.

Even someone like Lin Qian, whose affection was known to all, could still turn his back without hesitation.

"I have something else to do. Second Brother, you should go back and stay away from these people."

Gao Wenting sensed her disgust but assumed she was just in a bad mood today.

"Where are you going? Father just got back today. Don't cause any trouble and drag me into it."

She couldn't help but retort, "You're the one who shouldn't cause trouble and drag me into it."

Without giving him a chance to reply, Gao Wenyan gently touched her horse's flank and rode off.