Chapter 44 Greed, Anger, and Obsession

Chapter 44: Greed, Wrath, and Delusion

"Yun Shu!"

Yan Xuerui's delicate brows furrowed, a rare display of anger.

"The Crown Prince is not a suitable match."

"If the Crown Prince isn't a suitable match, then has Aunt found me a good family instead?"

At the mention of this, Yun Shu was filled with grievances. Her aunt had been arranging matches for both her and cousin Minglan simultaneously. For cousin Minglan, she sought daughters from prominent noble families, yet for Yun Shu, she only considered impoverished families of low status. Grandmother always said Aunt had her best interests at heart and told her to follow Aunt's arrangements in everything. If she didn't strive for herself, would she truly wait for Aunt to marry her off to just anyone?

That day, she lost her handkerchief and, in her panic, became disoriented in the back garden. There, she chanced upon a fair and handsome young gentleman dressed in bright yellow brocade. His tone was gentle, and he instructed someone to escort her back to her courtyard.

Only later did she realize that the five-clawed golden dragon embroidered on the gentleman's attire symbolized royal status. Upon inquiry, she learned he was none other than the current Crown Prince!

He had been so gentle with her and even thoughtfully arranged for her safe return. Surely the Crown Prince must harbor feelings for her.

Yun Shu spoke with unwavering, stubborn confidence, leaving Yan Xuerui frustrated and helpless. The Crown Prince was kind and affectionate, and out of respect for his mentor's household, he always treated the women of the Marquis' residence with courtesy. How could Yun Shu have misunderstood to this extent?

"Aunt, I beg you. If I rise to prominence in the future, I will never forget your kindness in helping me advance."

The young girl's face was pretty, her dark eyes flashing with untamed ambition. Yan Xuerui looked at Yun Shu for a long moment, and a thought suddenly arose in her heart:

Could she truly persuade her?

She closed her eyes and said, "Do you know that both the Crown Princess and concubine positions in the Eastern Palace are already filled? If you go there, you will only be a nameless, status-less concubine."

"So what?"

Yun Shu looked stubborn. "I am young. Who can say what my future holds?"

Aunt herself had been promoted from concubine to principal wife, hadn't she? Zhou Yunshu thought this but, learning from last time, didn't dare voice it.

A concubine of the Crown Prince would, at worst, become a consort in the future. She had inquired: the Crown Princess had no sons. If she could bear a son, that would truly be...

Yun Shu suppressed the trembling in her heart and stepped forward eagerly to offer tea to Yan Xuerui.

"Aunt, I beg you."

"If I enter the Eastern Palace and live poorly, that would be due to my lack of capability. I would accept it and never implicate the Marquis' residence. But if I am fortunate enough to win the Crown Prince's favor, I would never forget this great debt of gratitude."

Yan Xuerui lowered her eyes and did not accept the teacup.

She said slowly, "My relationship with your mother was not harmonious."

The smile on Yun Shu's face suddenly stiffened; she didn't know what Yan Xuerui was hinting at.

Yan Xuerui looked at her and continued, "The few families I selected for you were all carefully chosen. Whether you believe it or not, it was truly for your own good."

Her gaze was straightforward, directly piercing through Zhou Yunshu's superficial arrogance, making the resentful Zhou Yunshu awkwardly avert her eyes, not daring to meet her gaze.

"I did this not because you are my niece. It was because your grandmother, my mother, asked me to."

"My final advice to you is this: the Eastern Palace is deep water. With your temperament, you will inevitably suffer hardships in the future!"

"Do you understand?"

Zhou Yunshu had been at the Marquis' residence for over a month and had met Yan Xuerui a few times. She had always thought her aunt was gentle as water, seemingly never angry. Human nature fears the wicked and bullies the soft, and in front of Yan Xuerui, she had always been willful.

But now, the smile had faded from Yan Xuerui's jade-like cheeks. With a slight frown, the spring-like warmth in her eyes turned to frost, and her eyelashes cast butterfly-wing shadows under her eyes, carving out a sharpness on her beautiful face.

It made Yun Shu not dare to act recklessly.

"Bi He, see the guest out."

Yan Xuerui said coldly. Her jade-like face was frosty, startling even Bi He, who had served her for a long time. Bi He quickly escorted Yun Shu out. After they left, a light laugh suddenly came from behind the shadowy bead curtain.

"Rui'er is quite imposing."

Gu Yan lounged on the soft couch, one long leg propped up. His moon-white wide sleeves draped lazily over his knees, and his fingers casually held a copy of "Essentials of Military Strategy." His eyes were deep, carrying an air of casual arrogance.

Lately, Senior Tutor Gu had been idle at home, living quite leisurely.

Hearing this, Yan Xuerui stiffened. She slowly let out a breath, lifted the bead curtain, and sat down beside Gu Yan.

"Marquis."

Yan Xuerui looked at him with confused eyes and asked, "Did I do wrong?"

"Yes."

Gu Yan didn't mince words.

He pointed out bluntly, "Either repay your natal family's upbringing by letting your niece have her wish, so the Yan family might think better of you."

"Those are not suitable matches at all."

Yan Xuerui couldn't help saying, "The Crown Prince is even worse."

Gu Yan leisurely turned a page of his book and said, "Or, make a clean break and find a family that suits your preferences. It's just a dowry; the Marquis' residence can afford it."

"Yun Shu is ambitious and stubborn. She definitely won't agree."

"Does it matter?"

Gu Yan retorted. His voice was gentle, but his words were domineering: "By seniority, you are her elder. By obligation, they are the ones who came to you for help. Why does it matter whether she's willing or not?"

Yan Xuerui was speechless for a moment, then said reproachfully, "After all, Mother asked me. She is my niece. This isn't appropriate."

The Yan family had protected her and let her live carefree for so many years. Even if she didn't care about Yun Shu, she had to think of her mother.

"This is where you're wrong, Rui'er. You are too greedy."

Gu Yan put down his book and sighed. "You can't bear to sever family ties, yet you cling to your conscience, afraid she will suffer in the future. Hesitating and looking around only nurtures people's ambitions, making it hard to manage."

It was the same with the matter of Su Huaimo last time. She was always like this, trying to find a solution that satisfies everyone.

But where in this world are things so perfect? Most people are lucky to achieve just one thing.

Yan Xuerui widened her beautiful eyes, but upon careful thought, though the truth was hard to hear, wasn't this exactly the case?

Yun Shu's temperament had shown signs from their first meeting. Clearly unsuited for a high marriage, yet possessing such ambition. Lately, Yan Xuerui had been searching for respectable young men for her, thinking that if they took a liking to each other, it would be the best of both worlds.

But this was just her wishful thinking and self-deception.

Yan Xuerui sighed and turned to look at Gu Yan.

"What does the Marquis think is the solution to this situation?"

Without even realizing it herself, her tone carried a hint of reliance as she spoke. Yet she sat with such reserve, perched at the farthest edge of the divan from Gu Yan, as if ready to leave at any moment.

Gu Yan’s eyes darkened slightly. With a rustle, the pages of his book scattered to the floor. Before Yan Xuerui could react, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist, a steely arm tightening around her waist, and the world spun as she was pulled against the man’s solid chest.

Gu Yan said with a cold snort, "Such trivial matters are hardly worth your concern."

He had invited the Yan family to the capital solely to clarify her background. Zhou Yunshu’s ambitions, Yan Xuefang’s petty schemes—these domestic trivialities did not escape Gu Yan’s notice, yet they were hardly worth a second glance.

He paused abruptly. "A few days ago, I ran into... your younger sister outside my study."

Gu Yan picked up a strand of her hair, twirling it around his finger.

"My study is heavily guarded. No one is allowed within half a step except you."

Yan Xuerui’s thoughts were still preoccupied with Yunshu, and she missed his implication.

"Mmm, that’s proper for such a secure place."

She replied vaguely, her slender fingers gently pressing against Gu Yan’s forearm in a light push.

"Not so rough—you're hurting me."

"Does His Lordship mean that I should choose one of the options?"

Yan Xuerui fell into thought, seriously considering Gu Yan’s words. She completely failed to notice the growing storminess in his gaze or the tension in his sharp jawline.

Did she even have a heart? Who was it that had impersonated her to exchange love letters with him? Had she forgotten all of it?

How could she... how dare she be so indifferent!

...

"Your Lordship?"

Finally, Yan Xuerui sensed that something was off with Gu Yan’s mood. Not daring to struggle, she gently twined her fingers with his.

"What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

Gu Yan came back to himself and suddenly let out a self-mocking laugh.

Just moments ago, he had accused her of greed, but now, faced with it himself, he realized that craving, resentment, and obsession were simply human nature. No mortal could escape them.

He closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, his gaze was clear, sharp, and resolute.

He was not greedy.

Gu Yan said, "I’ll take care of the Yan family matter."

How would he handle it? Yan Xuerui knew his methods all too well. But Yunshu’s marriage had been a burden for her for too long. After all, she was only a niece with whom she shared little affection. She still had three children of her own to care for, and there was also Cousin Zhixu...

She was truly tired.

Her thick eyelashes fluttered as Yan Xuerui lowered her gaze. "In that case, thank you, my lord."

Gu Yan was right—she would inevitably lose either way. Either she could cling to her conscience as an aunt, forcefully marrying Yunshu off to a worthy but poor scholar. Yunshu would not thank her for it, and the entire Yan family would resent her. Or she could simply give Yunshu what she wanted, but if Yunshu suffered in the future...

But if it was something handled by Gu Yan, how was that her concern?

Yan Xuerui lay pressed against Gu Yan’s solid chest. His arm still held her tightly, the grip painful, but within that pain, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

She thought that perhaps, deep down, she was not a good person. She knew exactly what should be done, yet she neither wanted to bear the ill reputation nor the weight of her conscience. So she simply pushed the matter onto Gu Yan and hid behind him.

It was a relief.

"And how will you thank me?"

Gu Yan’s voice was low as his large hand moved to her waist and gave a light tug. Her silk belt slipped off silently.

Yan Xuerui shifted restlessly, her hands weakly pressing against Gu Yan’s chest.

"Mr. Gao said that this isn't... the right time for bed."

Her eyes darted around, avoiding his gaze. As a normal woman, having gone so long without, she was not without desire. But she had a sharp intuition—today, Gu Yan’s mood was not right.

Had she really said something wrong earlier?

Yan Xuerui replayed the conversation but found no mistake.

Gu Yan casually pulled off her outer robe and tossed it to the floor. In broad daylight, outside the bed, without the privacy of bed curtains to obscure them, Yan Xuerui shyly curled up.

"Don’t—"

At least not here. The divan was small and cramped, barely enough for one person to lie down.

"It's a narrow couch. You'd better hold on to me."

As if reading her thoughts, Gu Yan grew even more bold. His thin lips brushed against her temple as he whispered a warning, "If you fall, and the maids come in and see—"

Instantly, her fair arms, which had been pressed against his chest, wrapped around his neck. "Gu Yan, you... don't you dare say it."

As she wished, Gu Yan did not speak.

He only demonstrated.

***

Red gauze curtains, warm and hazy, with aloeswood incense drifting through carved wooden panels. Yan Xuerui curled up under crimson satin coverlets, a thin sheen of sweat dampening her dark hairline. A few stray strands clung to her cheeks, and her slender wrists hung limply.

Indeed, her intuition had been right. Gu Yan today was like he'd taken some potency tonic—as if making up for lost time.

Only now did she realize how naive she had been, once hoping for an affectionate partnership with him. Her modest needs were nothing in comparison to his.

Perhaps it was better to practice restraint.

Thankfully, there was Mr. Gao’s advice. She would stir him up less in the future—better not to.

Yan Xuerui drifted in a daze. Slowly, she opened her eyes. When she had closed them, it was daytime; now, she had no idea what time it was. The room was brightly lit by candles, the scent of musk and orchids still lingering in the air. She lay on the bed, the curtains around it tinged with lingering intimacy.

"Bi... Bi He."

Her voice was hoarse as she called out. Her entire body ached; she lacked even the strength to move a finger, let alone get up.

A moment later, Bi He briskly lifted the bead curtain and entered. "Madam, you’re awake!"

"You’ve been asleep for a long time. It’s already the hour of zi."

The hour of zi—deep into the night.

Yan Xuerui cleared her throat. Bi He hurriedly brought a cup to her lips to drink. "His Lordship is not here. But he instructed that you must take medicine after waking. It’s to settle your spirit and restore your energy. Drink it and then rest some more."

As she spoke, a younger maid behind her entered with a tray. On it was an exquisite porcelain bowl filled with dark, thick, bitter liquid that faintly gave off a metallic scent.