Chapter 53 But I Want the Lady to Trust Me

Chapter 53 But I Want the Lady to Trust Me

Gao Wenyan found a comfortable branch to lie on, carefully contemplating her next move.

As twilight fell, the sound of hooves echoed through the forest.

Her heart stirred, and Gao Wenyan sat up straight.

Her chest pounded rapidly as she turned her eyes, trying to identify the sound.

A carriage approached, accompanied by over ten guards, moving very slowly.

She had a faint premonition, which was confirmed as the carriage came into view.

Gao Wenyan couldn't help but smile.

She knew she would meet him today.

Putting on her veil, she sat in the tree, swinging her legs, waiting for the carriage to approach.

Zhi Xing spotted her first and ordered the group to halt.

The curtain was lifted, and Chu Xu poked his head out. The moment he saw her, his eyes filled with a warm smile.

"Go ask why the lady is here."

Hearing this, Zhi Xing realized it was Gao Wenyan.

After ordering all the guards to turn around, Gao Wenyan secretly climbed into the carriage.

Lifting her veil, she revealed a serene face, smiling slightly yet appearing indifferent.

Chu Xu propped his head up, half-smiling at her, and said, "I heard the lady lost her horse."

"Indeed so."

"So you waited here?"

Gao Wenyan stretched lazily.

"Exactly."

His gaze roamed across her face inch by inch, and Chu Xu asked, "All coincidence, then? Nothing else?"

"Not entirely."

Gao Wenyan smiled openly. "I just met Lin Qian."

She leaned against the cushion, her expression lively, inadvertently revealing a hint of mischief.

"You went to settle accounts with him?"

"I let him go."

Suddenly lifting her eyes, Chu Xu saw her still smiling carefree, puzzled.

"Why?"

Gao Wenyan's gaze drifted to his fingers.

He was playing with a fan, an idle pastime, but his beautiful hands made her watch intently.

"Why?"

She repeated casually.

"Perhaps because he truly likes me."

Gao Wenyan chuckled, her eyes gleaming with a playful malice.

Of course, it was just a casual lie to deceive him.

Of course, there were inconsistencies about Lin Qian that she hadn't resolved, which was why she spared his life.

She was never one to act on emotions.

Still, Chu Xu was displeased and lightly mocked, "The lady doesn't easily trust others, yet you're so certain of his feelings."

It was indeed ironic; if not for her past life, Gao Wenyan wouldn't be so sure.

After betraying the Gao family, there was no need to pretend anymore, yet Lin Qian's gaze remained passionate, unchanged from before, only adding a touch of guilt and shame.

Then, Gao Wenyan knew Lin Qian genuinely liked her.

Lin Qian's ambition was real, his betrayal was real, and his affection for her was also real.

But Chu Xu could never know this.

So she dismissed it, saying, "Isn't that what they say in the capital?"

"What the capital says, do you believe it?"

Hearing his icy tone, Gao Wenyan frowned.

"Why shouldn't I?"

"The capital always said your sachet had a story, and it turned out to be true."

Chu Xu couldn't help but sneer.

"It's clearly not what they say in the capital. You're twisting the facts."

Gao Wenyan responded with a dry laugh.

"The Chancellor is being stubborn like a duck."

Thus, neither was willing to give in.

Gao Wenyan grew angry and turned her face away, muttering, "I should have known better than to wait."

Just moments ago, Gao Wenxi had warned her to maintain her composure, but she had once again overstepped and ended up feeling humiliated.

Her complaint reached Chu Xu's ears loud and clear, causing him to pause, a wave of regret washing over him.

Gao Wenyan wore a cold expression, sullenly gazing out the window, contemplating finding an opportunity to leave the carriage.

Suddenly, a chill ran through her hand, and from the corner of her eye, she saw a pair of fair hands covering hers.

Looking over, she found Chu Xu staring out the window as if nothing had happened.

Ignoring the redness creeping into her ears, she pursed her lips, careful not to let a smile slip.

When Zhi Xing came to invite them to disembark, Gao Wenyan hastily withdrew her hand from under her robe and adjusted her veil before stepping down from the carriage.

They had arrived at the government residence.

She was about to climb the wall when Chu Xu stopped her.

"Follow me, Lady."

Chu Xu led her back to the pavilion, and the others tactfully retreated.

Lifting her veil, Chu Xu carefully demonstrated how to open the secret passage.

The bookshelf slowly moved aside, revealing a hidden tunnel.

"Go three lefts, one right, fifty meters ahead, then two rights and one left, and you'll reach the Vanity House."

He repeated the directions, asking, "Do you remember, Lady?"

Gao Wenyan looked at him in surprise.

How could Chu Xu be willing to share such a crucial secret?

But Chu Xu smiled, "Lady thinks too much."

"This passage can only be opened from the inside. If you want to enter from the Vanity House, there must be someone here to assist you."

A faint smile played on his lips as he continued, "If you wish to come, there's a round hole in the pillar by the door. Toss in a few copper coins, two long, one short, one long."

"Then I will know it's you."

Her heart fluttered, and she asked, "Aren't you afraid I might harm you?"

"Yes," Chu Xu nodded honestly.

"But I want Lady to trust me more."

With that, he lit a lamp and led Gao Wenyan through the secret passage.

Chu Xu understood Gao Wenyan, so he personally accompanied her on this journey.

The passage was intricate and complex; even without Chu Xu's warning, Gao Wenyan knew that a single wrong turn could lead to deadly traps.

"That Vanity House, is it yours?"

"Not officially."

So privately, it was.

The two major taverns in the capital, Blossom House was favored by scholars and poets, while Vanity House was loved by officials and nobles.

Gao Wenyan pressed, "And the Blossom House...?"

Before she finished, Chu Xu chuckled lightly.

"Lady thinks too highly of me."

In truth, if he said it was his, she wouldn't be surprised.

"Chancellor, your family truly has vast assets."

Gao Wenyan couldn't help but marvel at the extent of the government residence's holdings.

Chu Xu shrugged indifferently, "Perhaps, but these matters are usually handled by Zhi Yan."

She was speechless, indeed, appearances can be deceiving; Zhi Yan, though not a warrior, was a skilled financier.

The Gao family had their spies, and Chu Xu had his private assets. Indeed, everyone was more prosperous behind closed doors.