Chapter 129: Rebuff

Chapter 129: Rebuff

Xin You's head throbbed from Dai Ze's shout, and then she met He Qingxiao's gaze.

His eyes held a faint hint of confusion, which quickly turned to understanding as he glanced at Dai Ze.

Xin You felt extremely embarrassed.

Was it that Lord He was specifically here to counter her?

Putting on an air of nonchalance, Xin You walked over: "Lord He, is there some misunderstanding here?"

Misunderstanding—

He Qingxiao repeated the word in his mind, realizing: Miss Kou didn't want him to take the Count Gu Chang's heir away.

Why?

Recalling Xin You's unusual interest in the Count Gu Chang's residence, He Qingxiao gave Dai Ze a deep look.

Dai Ze threatened fiercely, "I warn you, let me go right now, or you'll regret it!"

Xin You: "—" Confirmed, this one was truly foolish.

"I don't know if I'll regret it, but if Lord Dai interferes with the Jinlin Guard's operations, perhaps I should report this to His Majesty."

"You—!" Hearing about reporting to the Emperor, Dai Ze's bravado deflated.

His buttocks had just healed; he certainly didn't want to appear before the Emperor anytime soon.

This despicable man, relying on someone else's power!

After cursing He Qingxiao in his mind, Dai Ze fell silent.

Seeing him become docile, He Qingxiao asked calmly, "Why did you ride recklessly through the streets, Young Master Dai?"

Dai Ze glanced at Xin You subconsciously, his face darkening, "My money pouch was left at Qingsong Bookstore, I was in a hurry to get it back, is that not allowed?"

"That's no reason to gallop through a crowded street for a few silver coins. What if someone got hurt?"

Dai Ze pouted.

So what if someone got hurt? It would just be a matter of paying compensation; why did this person have to meddle.

The Jinlin Guard is indeed a dog.

Realizing that He Qingxiao wasn't like those who usually indulged him, Dai Ze decided not to provoke trouble and softened his tone, "I didn't mean to bump into you."

"Let's put it this way, if this incident doesn't affect the case, I'm not willing to make things difficult for Lord Dai. If there are any troubles later, I'll have to ask Lord Dai to come along."

He Qingxiao nodded to his subordinates, and two Jinlin Guards released their grip.

Dai Ze rubbed his sore arm, barely restraining the urge to curse aloud.

Was this a close call?

The annoying dog should leave quickly; he still needed to discuss things with Miss Kou.

He Qingxiao thought the same.

He came to Qingsong Bookstore thinking the Count Gu Chang's heir was causing trouble, but it turned out to be quite different from what he expected.

What was Miss Kou up to?

Both were waiting for the other to leave, neither moved, and the book hall fell into an awkward silence.

Xin You clenched her fists, "Young Master Dai, since you've found your money pouch, shouldn't you head home?"

"Oh, right, I should go." Dai Ze patted his forehead, glared at He Qingxiao, and strode out.

With his departure, the atmosphere in the bookstore suddenly relaxed, but Xin You began to worry about how to deal with Lord He's questions.

He would surely ask why she approached the Count Gu Chang's heir and what her intentions were regarding the Count Gu Chang's residence.

Xin You knew these were questions she couldn't answer.

He Qingxiao took a step forward, "Miss Kou."

"Oh, would Lord He like to go to the guest room for a cup of tea?"

"No, I have matters to attend to."

This response made Xin You pause.

Wasn't he going to question her?

He Qingxiao saw the confusion in Xin You's eyes, his own filled with various emotions, "A young master from a powerful family like the Count Gu Chang may seem simple, but he lacks judgment. Once he causes mischief, the damage can be significant. Miss Kou must be cautious when dealing with him."

Xin You nodded slightly.

"Then I shall take my leave." He Qingxiao smiled, turned, and left.

In a moment, the bookstore became empty, and Liu Zhou peered through the door frame, puzzled, "Is Lord He so busy lately that he doesn't even come to read books anymore?"

Xin You stepped out, silently watching the figure that grew smaller and smaller in the distance.

Since they talked about Aunt Gui, Lord He seemed to have become somewhat strange.

After returning home, Dai Ze was summoned by Lady Count Gu Chang.

"Mother, what do you need me for?"

Count Gu Chang's wife examined her son, relieved to see he had no injuries: "Why did you suddenly ride out like that?"

Dai Ze used the same excuse he gave He Qingxiao: "I found my money pouch missing."

Count Gu Chang's wife frowned: "How much could it have been? Don't be so reckless in the future. What if you got hurt?"

"I understand." Dai Ze, growing impatient, asked with a quick turn of his eyes, "Mother, did anyone from our family go on a long trip in April or May?"

"What makes you ask that?"

Dai Ze, accustomed to causing trouble, lied easily: "I read a travelogue about various places, and it was quite interesting. I just wanted to ask someone who has been there."

Count Gu Chang's wife was shocked: "Ze'er, you actually read a book?"

Is this still her son who used to feel nauseous just being near the school?

"It's a travelogue, just a travelogue," Dai Ze emphasized firmly. "A travelogue isn't really a book."

Count Gu Chang's wife was reluctantly convinced by this reasoning and smiled: "Our family has many properties across different regions, and people often go to check on them. Your question caught me off guard, but I'll ask the steward in charge later."

Dai Ze waved his hand dismissively: "It was just a casual question. If Mother doesn't know, then never mind. It's not worth asking someone specifically."

Count Gu Chang's wife, used to her son's whims, said: "Go wash up and change your clothes. You're all sweaty from running around. Don't catch a cold."

After Dai Ze left, Count Gu Chang's wife grew increasingly suspicious.

If she remembered correctly, her son had brought home some storybooks a few days ago, and now he was reading travelogues. In a few more days, would he start reading the Four Books and Five Classics?

Could it be that he was possessed after being beaten?

Count Gu Chang's wife summoned one of the servants who had accompanied Dai Ze today and questioned him about the day's events.

The servant, carefully chosen by Count Gu Chang's wife to be close to her son, dared not hide anything from the mistress of the household.

"Both times, he went to Qingsong Bookstore to see Miss Kou?" Count Gu Chang's wife understood immediately.

It wasn't possession; it was his old habit of womanizing.

This wouldn't do.

In the past, dealing with ordinary women only required some money. But Miss Kou was not only the niece of the Deputy Director of the Imperial Horse Department but also favored by Princess Royale Zhaoyang. If he truly offended her, they might have to marry her.

That night, Count Gu Chang's wife mentioned the matter to Count Gu Chang.

Count Gu Chang's brows furrowed deeply: "You are right to be concerned. Her Highness dislikes Miss Kou. We don't need to make her unhappy."

Originally, he thought Miss Kou was acceptable, but if Her Highness disliked her, it didn't matter.

Count Gu Chang's wife felt a surge of anger at these words.

She was the one choosing a daughter-in-law, not the Empress. In the heart of the Count, no one was as important as his sister, the Empress.

"Ze'er is lawless. Since we have no intention of bringing Miss Kou into our family, you should quickly find a suitable match for him to avoid any trouble."

With Count Gu Chang's approval, Count Gu Chang's wife began to arrange tea meetings with several ladies she favored. However, without exception, as soon as she mentioned Dai Ze, they changed the subject.