Chapter 11

Chapter 11

"Duke Wei, the Dragon Boat Festival is approaching. I've prepared realgar wine—would you have time for a cup?"

Gu Yu was usually aloof, so Xia Miaoji didn’t notice his low spirits. Smiling brightly, she spoke while tentatively offering him a cup of wine.

Gu Yu didn’t refuse. He took it and drained it in one swallow, then sat down by the wine table, where his cup was promptly refilled.

"How does Duke Wei find the wine?" After pouring, Xia Miaoji naturally took a seat beside him and tentatively reached to hold his arm. But when she met his gaze—whether a deliberate warning or a casual glance—her heart wavered, and she withdrew her hand, resting it obediently on the wine pot instead.

"Excellent," Gu Yu said, scanning the room.

She had lit four censers, each with a different fragrance. Though the scents mingled, they weren’t unpleasant or cloying; instead, they cleared the mind.

As for the wine, it was indeed his first time tasting it—he hadn’t encountered this type even at banquets in Southern City.

"Duke Wei, this is something I brought from Southern City. I brewed it myself three years ago." Perhaps sensing his doubt, Xia Miaoji volunteered an explanation.

Gu Yu gave a faint "Mm" and drank another cup. Suddenly, he felt a weight on his knee and looked down to see Xia Ji’s hand resting there.

"Duke Wei, drink slowly. If you drink too fast, you’ll get drunk quickly." Xia Miaoji spoke softly, her hand on Gu Yu’s knee edging upward slightly.

This time, Gu Yu didn’t push her away. Instead, he handed her the wine cup, asking for a refill.

Emboldened by this, Xia Miaoji leaned closer, so near that the fragrance from her clothes almost drifted into his wine cup. Yet again, Gu Yu did not push her away.

After three rounds of drinks, Xia Miaoji sang a Southern City ditty. Seeing Gu Yu in high spirits, she then performed a dance.

Today, she wore a vibrant pomegranate-red skirt, her lip color a vivid cherry red. Instead of adorning her hair with peonies, favored by northerners, she wore two pearl-drop hairpins, the pearls actually red beans unique to Southern City, swaying gracefully as she danced.

That vibrant red, full of life, was dazzlingly eye-catching.

Gu Yu remembered—three years ago, at the Shangsi Festival, Jiang Heng had also worn a pomegranate-red skirt. Half her body was submerged in the river, her face glistening with water. She seemed startled by his sudden emergence from the water, staring at him blankly for a moment before fleeing in panic.

He knew her appearance was no coincidence. Before that day, he hadn’t known Jiang Wan had an identical twin sister.

Shortly after he was granted the title Duke Wei, Jiang’s eldest brother had hinted at a marriage alliance, which he declined. The following year during Shangsi, Jiang Heng appeared before him.

That part of the river was secluded, turbulent, and dangerous, rarely visited by others. For several years, he had been the only one who went there for the ritual cleansing during Shangsi. That year, as he was holding his breath underwater, Jiang Heng swam toward him.

Then, her brother and several court colleagues coincidentally appeared, witnessing the scene.

Later, her brother explained that she thought he was drowning and had tried to save him.

He didn’t press the matter. After investigating Jiang Heng’s background, he learned that although she and Jiang Wan were born of the same mother, Jiang Heng hadn’t been raised in the capital but at the old family estate in Canghe. She was only brought back after her hair-pinning ceremony. As for why she wasn’t married off to him until she was eighteen, the Jiang family claimed her parents loved their daughter too much to part with her early.

But he knew very well—his marriage to Jiang Heng had long been orchestrated by the Jiang family.

They were well aware of his regrets regarding Jiang Wan. They gambled that once he saw Jiang Heng, he would seek to marry her.

He married Jiang Heng precisely because she resembled Jiang Wan so much. And after marriage, she grew even more similar.

Xia Ji also shared a resemblance. But tonight, she didn’t look like Ling Lu at all. Only that dazzling dress reminded him of that Shangsi Festival three years ago.

Xia Miaoji finished her dance and glided toward him, asking softly, "Duke Wei, how was my dance?"

Gu Yu didn’t answer. He gazed at her for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Who else is in your family?"

Xia Miaoji, noticing the flicker in his eyes, had thought he was stirred. She didn’t expect such an untimely question. Smiling awkwardly, she repeated the story she’d told him before: "Duke Wei, you’re so forgetful. As I said, I have no family, no relatives. I’m completely alone."

Gu Yu rubbed his aching forehead, realizing the wine and incense were indeed unusual.

He’d heard that Prince Zhennan would arrive in the capital in a few days. Whether it led to war or peace, a definite outcome was inevitable. Xia Ji’s attentiveness today—singing, dancing, urging him to drink—was it truly due to the approaching festival, or did she have another motive?

"Truly all alone?" Gu Yu abandoned the cup, raised the wine jar, and took a large gulp of wine, his eyes fixed on Xia Miaoji.

Xia Miaoji sighed, nodding sorrowfully. "Who wouldn’t wish for healthy parents, harmonious siblings, and a reunited family?"

A cold smile tugged at Gu Yu’s lips. Suddenly, he slammed down the jar, unsheathed his dagger, and pressed it against Xia Ji’s neck. "Why lie to me?"

"Wh-what?" Xia Miaoji was truly frightened. Gu Yu wasn’t bluffing—the blade was cold against her neck, and she could even smell blood on it.

It was said that at the Hongmen banquet of the Southern City royalty, Gu Yu used this very dagger to fight his way out with Empress Jiang, then commanded his troops to slaughter half the royal house.

"Your mother, née Jia, your two younger brothers, three sisters—aren’t they all alive and well in your ancestral home in Jingcheng? Should I invite them here for a reunion?" Gu Yu spoke calmly.

Xia Miaoji wanted to deny it, but hearing the details, she knew he wasn’t bluffing—he must have investigated thoroughly. She had underestimated his caution. Though he had conquered Southern City, she thought he was still unfamiliar with the land, and she was just an insignificant dancer of low birth, not worth his effort to investigate. She never expected…

"Duke Wei, have mercy! I depend on my looks—favor is fickle. One day in glory, the next in ruin. I feared implicating my family. Besides, my family is far in the south, I’m here alone, and we won’t have much contact going forward—it’s as if I have no family. I never meant to deceive you…" Tears fell like rain down Xia Miaoji’s face as she looked pitifully at him.

Gu Yu’s expression remained unchanged. He pointed to one of the censers and asked Xia Ji, "What incense is this?"

The incense Xia Ji burned today was indeed unusual—it had aphrodisiac properties, especially potent when combined with her wine.

"Shall I have Su Ji and He Ji summoned to ask?" Gu Yu said coldly.

Xia Miaoji knew he had already noticed. If Su and He were called over, Su Lanxun might be manageable, but given He Qiongyin’s nature, who knew what false accusations she might add? So she confessed, leaning against his knee and pleading, "I’ve long admired Duke Wei. I only wished… for your affection…"

Gu Yu still didn’t push her away. Instead, he used the dagger tip to lift her chin, looking at her as he said, "You slipped me something. Do you think anyone would believe that was your only reason?"

"Your family is in Wu Jun’s hands, aren’t they? Hasn’t he asked you to do anything?"

Xia Miaoji shook her head repeatedly. Knowing Gu Yu wouldn’t believe her, she told the truth: "I also know that Chancellor Wu will likely ask something of me in the future, but he hasn’t yet. What I did today was not at his instruction. Since I am now yours, I should be loyal only to you from now on."

Gu Yu’s eyes flickered. He said deeply, "In that case, do something for me. If you succeed, I’ll believe you, and I’ll secure your family's release from Wu Jun’s grasp."

Xia Miaoji didn’t agree immediately, hesitantly asking, "What does Duke Wei want me to do?"

"I haven’t decided yet. It will likely involve some hardship, but it won’t cost you your life. Well? Unwilling?"

Another stream of tears fell. Seeing the man unmoved, without a hint of tenderness, she had no choice but to nod in agreement.

With the matter settled, Gu Yu stood to leave. Perhaps the wine was taking effect—he stumbled as he stood. Xia Miaoji stepped forward to support him, but Gu Yu suddenly snapped, "Back away!"

Xia Miaoji didn’t dare disobey, quickly withdrawing. As Gu Yu reached the door, she mustered her courage and asked, "Duke Wei, does my vibrant attire displease you?"

She knew Empress Jiang preferred subdued garments, but she thought men liked novelty—after too much plainness, they’d grow bored. That’s why she dared to try today’s look.

Clearly, while she danced, he had watched her with some fascination.

Gu Yu didn’t pause. His gaze fixed on the still-burning lamps in the main residence, he quickened his pace.

"Duke Wei, what’s wrong?"

Just after leaving Xia Ji’s chamber, he encountered He Ji, who had been waiting there.

Xia Miaoji had spent days preparing the incense, wine, makeup, and attire. Living in the same courtyard, He Ji must have been aware. Even the commotion in the room just now—though He Ji didn’t dare listen too closely—she could tell Xia Ji’s scheme had backfired, rousing Gu Yu's anger.

"Duke, are you unwell?" He Ji grasped Gu Yu's arm, making a show of supporting him while pressing her soft form against his chest. She looked up at him, her breath, fragrant as orchids, brushing against his neck.

"Get away!" Veins bulged on Gu Yu’s forehead, his gaze heavy and intense. Though his mind screamed to push her away, his body refused to obey—instead, he gripped her wrist and yanked her inward.

This contradictory gesture seemed to embolden He Ji. Not only was she unafraid, she smiled enchantingly and boldly wrapped her arms around his waist, whispering softly, "Duke, your temper is so fierce—you’ve frightened me."

The women from Southern City, with their soft, southern accents, were like a powerful aphrodisiac.

Earlier, to lure his enemy deeper, Gu Yu had drunk heavily. Now, the combined effects of the wine and the drug surged through him, making it difficult to resist this woman.

Suddenly, he spotted a figure hiding behind the crabapple tree, a fan half-covering her face, leaving only a pair of alert, watchful eyes visible.

"Ling Lu."

Gu Yu threw He Ji off and strode toward the crabapple tree.

He Ji, unwilling to let the opportunity slip, clung to him again. But Gu Yu’s gaze remained fixed behind the tree, calling out "Ling Lu" repeatedly, hoping to draw her out.

If she appeared, He Ji would never dare to act so shamelessly.

Veins bulged on Gu Yu’s forehead and hands, his entire body burning as if a lit fuse were racing through him, desperate for release.

His eyes locked on the woman behind the tree while He Ji clung to his chest, whispering seductively. Struggling, he lurched forward, still calling for "Ling Lu."

Then, he saw the woman behind the tree turn and flee, just as she had during the Shangsi Festival when she fled in a panic after seeing him emerge from the water.

Gu Yu’s expression darkened abruptly. With a forceful push, he sent He Ji stumbling several steps back. His face grim, he strode toward the main courtyard.

Only to discover that Jiang Heng had not only abandoned him earlier but had also ordered her maids to bolt the door shut.