Chapter 75: In the End, She Still Doesn’t Trust Him

Chapter 75: In the End, She Still Doesn't Trust Him

Chu Ying sat for a while, finding it boring.

Every time, it was her and Gao Wenyan chatting, while Chu Xu sat to one side quietly drinking tea.

This made Chu Ying unsure whether she should take her leave.

What if these two had nothing to say to each other?

She had heard that Chu Xu recently enjoyed spending a lot of time in the study.

So she suggested, "I painted a picture the other day. Would you be interested in seeing it?"

It wasn't that the painting was particularly special; it was just an excuse so that Chu Xu wouldn't have to socialize.

To give her brother some peace, she thought she was being considerate.

She winked at Chu Xu, but saw him slightly cold his expression.

Chu Ying was puzzled, not knowing what she had said wrong.

"Of course, I'd love to see it. What did you paint?"

Gao Wenyan couldn't help teasing, "Could it be a herd of galloping horses?"

"Stop teasing me."

"It's the new osmanthus blossoms in the courtyard."

With this, Gao Wenyan suddenly remembered something and stood up abruptly.

"I just remembered something. I won't disturb the Chancellor anymore."

As she spoke, she moved to open the secret passage but was suddenly pulled back by Chu Xu.

His fingers were as cold as always, but the grip on her wrist was gentle, yet it instantly calmed Gao Wenyan down.

Chu Ying widened her eyes, too surprised to react.

Then she heard Chu Xu say, "Xiao Wan, go back first."

"But... you..."

How could you grab a girl's hand like that?

Before she could finish, she heard another command, "Leave."

This was a sign that Chu Xu was displeased, so Chu Ying obediently shut her mouth and bid farewell to Gao Wenyan.

Before leaving, she stole another glance.

Chu Xu still hadn't let go of her.

Even if he was the Chancellor, he should still follow proper etiquette!

Tonight, she would have to talk to her brother about manners.

Chu Ying thought this to herself.

Meanwhile, Chu Xu pulled Gao Wenyan back to sit down.

He asked gently, "What's wrong?"

The softness in his tone made Gao Wenyan inexplicably feel at ease.

"The painter."

"I overlooked a painter."

That painter not only saw the twin lotuses but also painted them.

If Wang Yong found him as a witness, not only would the Gao family be implicated, but Aunt Song would also be accused of treason.

This would be very troublesome.

Her mind was in turmoil.

Had there been no nursery rhyme circulating recently because they were looking for the painter?

Had Wang Yong already found the painter?

"There's nothing to worry about."

Chu Xu handed her a cup of tea.

"Perhaps you can tell me, and I'll have Zhiyan send people to look for him together."

At the end, he added,

"You know, we're very good at finding people."

Indeed, he had even found Aunt Song's brother.

His self-praise was not without reason.

Still, Gao Wenyan hesitated.

"Let me think about it."

Hearing this, Chu Xu gave a self-mocking smile but said, "Yes, Lady, take your time to think."

He continued brewing tea, as if he did not care at all.

"Regarding that painter, I don't know much about him either."

She declined, "I need to ask my family."

"Of course."

Chu Xu turned his head away, concealing all his emotions so as not to show his disappointment too clearly.

The sunlight slanted into the room, casting long rays of light on the table.

And they sat at opposite ends.

Gao Wenyan did not look at him, but her heart was slightly shaken.

At this moment, she suddenly felt that the distance between them was great.

Yet, they had already been so close.

What was it that felt so distant?

"I'll take my leave then."

Compared to her hurried departure, Chu Xu was as quiet as a fallen autumn leaf.

Under the sunlight, silently accusing.

After entering the secret passage, Gao Wenyan walked slower instead.

In the long, dark passageway, there was no light and no one to accompany her.

She could only follow the route she had learned beforehand, walking and walking until she saw daylight.

She still did not trust Chu Xu.

Gao Wenyan had thought she trusted him, but in the critical moment, her heart betrayed her.

Walking to the end, she finally left the secret passage.

The sunlight fell on her face again, warm and a completely different temperature from his hand.

But Gao Wenyan didn't understand.

If it was an unconscious choice, why did she feel so upset?

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to shift her focus.

Now was not the time for this!

So Gao Wenyan quickened her pace and rushed home.

Madam Gao was just about to rest when she was pulled up by Gao Wenyan to inquire about the painter's whereabouts.

"How would I know?"

"Mr. Jiang comes and goes without a trace; it's all about fate!"

She asked, "Then how did you invite him to our residence?"

Madam Gao smiled at her, "That's why I say it's fate."

Thinking for a moment, she finally remembered.

"Oh, it seems your second brother told me."

Then Madam Gao invited Mr. Jiang as the matriarch of the Gao family.

Thus, Gao Wenyan hurriedly went to Blossom House.

After all this trouble, she finally gathered all the information about Mr. Jiang Liu.

He and Wen Zishu were of the same kind, loving mountains and rivers, painting as he traveled.

If he met someone with whom he shared a connection, he would stay longer.

The last person he connected with was Gao Wenting.

However, Gao Wenting said that after parting ways in the Capital, Jiang Liu had gone south to Jiangnan and had not been heard from since.

Gao Wenyan felt relieved.

Since he was so hard to find, it was actually a good thing.

Even if Wang Yong knew about Jiang Liu, he wouldn't necessarily be ahead of them.

She found Gao Wenxi at the city gate and asked him to increase manpower to search together.

"If he has already contacted Wang Yong."

She paused slightly and said, "Kill him directly."

As soon as she spoke, she involuntarily looked down at her hands.

Gao Wenyan found it ironic.

For self-preservation, she was no different from those who kill innocently.

Suddenly, Gao Wenxi tapped his head.

"Do you know the biggest difference between those who have been to war and those who haven't?"

She thought for a moment and replied uncertainly, "Experience?"

"No."

"It's the hardness of the heart."

If you show mercy and let someone you believe to be innocent go, more people might die as a result.

In times of war, there is no such thing as innocence or guilt.

There's no way to weigh whether the enemy soldiers are innocent or not.

Nor can we determine if the prince held hostage by our side is innocent or not.

"Different positions lead to casualties."

"So, all we need is victory."

Only by achieving victory can you gain the power to avoid killing innocents indiscriminately.

Otherwise, we become mere fish on their chopping block.