Chapter 20

Chapter 20

With the matter settled, as they exited the Jiang family hall, they encountered Gu Yu, who had arrived with Jiang Xing.

Jiang Zhiwang immediately shed his stern demeanor, amiably addressing Gu Yu as "my dear son-in-law." "You've gone to such lengths," he said, "and shown such devotion to Xiao Qi. How could we possibly let you face such a great risk? A Heng and Xiao Qi are twins, born of the same mother; outsiders can barely tell them apart. It would be safest for her to go."

As he spoke, Jiang Zhiwang coughed twice, signaling Jiang Heng to express her agreement to Gu Yu.

Jiang Heng glanced at her father and calmly stated, "Yes, I'll go."

"Very well, A Heng's room is ready. You should both rest early," Jiang Zhiwang said, motioning for the maids to lead them away.

This was Gu Yu's first time in Jiang Heng's bedchamber and his first time staying overnight here. Tomorrow, they would depart directly from the Jiang residence for Dali Prison, and afterward, Jiang Wan would be brought here.

As soon as Jiang Heng entered her room, she went straight into the inner chamber, carefully placing her birthday plaque and peace stone before locking them away. Only then did she emerge. Seeing Gu Yu standing at the doorway watching her, she remembered that, being in her family home, she should extend some hospitality. "Let's rest," she said.

She turned to lift the bed curtains and enter the inner chamber, but the man embraced her from behind, turning her back to face him.

His hands rested on her waist, the rough calluses on his palms rubbing against her clothing. His gaze swept from her cool, detached face, down her neck, taking in her entire form.

This was only the second time he had seen her in such a vibrant dress.

When he had left the temple that morning, she had been dressed in simple, elegant attire. What could have happened to make her wear something so bright and beautiful?

Upon reflection, what could possibly occur in a Buddhist temple? It could only have been prayers.

Gu Yu's grip on her waist tightened. Then, he bent down, swept her into his arms, and laid her directly on the bed.

Perhaps finding her dress appealing, he didn't, as he sometimes did in his haste, tear at it. Instead, he patiently untied her skirt.

Jiang Heng pressed her hand over his, saying wearily, "I'm a bit tired."

With that, she pushed his hand away. She had intended to find sleepwear to change into, but remembering the man was present, she abandoned the idea. Instead, she lay down fully clothed, facing inward with her back to him, as if truly overcome by exhaustion.

Gu Yu lay on the outer side, completely still, his eyes fixed on the woman's back.

That dress was like intoxicating wine—the more he looked, the more unbearable it became.

After a long while, Gu Yu finally reached out, pulled her over, and pinned her beneath him. Only then did he realize her eyes were clear and alert, her mind sharp—she hadn't been asleep at all this entire time.

Gu Yu's actions grew even bolder…

Half of her clothing still lay somewhat neatly on her, the bright pomegranate-flower red further accentuating her snow-white, radiant skin.

The man's fingers traced her neck, occasionally brushing against the fabric of her dress that had ridden up.

"Don't be afraid. I've made all the arrangements. In five days at most, you will be safely released from prison."

His voice was as calm and steady as usual, without the slightest… tremor.

Jiang Heng remained silent throughout, her eyes closed, refusing to look at him, biting her lip to suppress any sound.

Gu Yu sensed she seemed angry again.

"You don't want this?" He paused his movements, looking at her.

Jiang Heng was surprised he would stop mid-action to ask. She opened her eyes to look at him and nodded slightly.

"It's fine. I'll make other arrangements."

After saying this, he lifted her, rose from the bed, and carried her to the pillar.

After all, this was a young woman's bedchamber—the bed was too small and didn't feel very sturdy. He always felt somewhat constrained there…

She looked so beautiful tonight…

Only then did Jiang Heng realize that his question about her willingness wasn't about his current actions. Of course not—when had he ever asked for her consent in such matters? Hadn't he always done as he pleased, coming when he wanted, and if he didn't want to, her taking his hand to undress him was useless?

"I'm not unwilling," Jiang Heng said, not wanting to complicate things further. If her parents found out, they would scold her again for being untrustworthy and heartless.

Gu Yu slowed his movements, looking at her and asking, "What are you not unwilling to do?"

As he spoke, the night abruptly deepened.

Jiang Heng bit her lip hard, leaning heavily against the pillar.

A fine sheen of sweat had already formed on her neck, shimmering under the dim candlelight, white as snow and lustrous as jade. In the man's eyes, it made his gaze grow deeper and more intense.

As night fell, it grew heavier and deeper.

In the end, even after he had satisfied his desires, he still did not set her down. Instead, he continued to hold her, his gaze fixed intently on her—on the fine sweat covering her neck, on her disheveled yet strikingly beautiful hair, on her pomegranate-red skirt, slightly wrinkled from his touch—in short, he looked everywhere.

"You said earlier, what are you not unwilling to do?" He gently twirled a strand of hair that had fallen across her neck, his voice low and clear.

Jiang Heng lazily lifted her eyes to look at him and said, "I will take my sister's place in prison. There's no need for you to make other arrangements."

Having said that, she closed her eyes, leaning wearily against the pillar, and asked hoarsely, "May I sleep now?"

Gu Yu did not respond but finally carried her back to the bed. After a quick wipe-down, the woman fell into a deep sleep.

Gu Yu sat for a while longer, mentally rehearsing all the details of the next day's plan once again. This included when to arrange for Prince Zhennan to visit her in prison, how Jiang Heng should respond, and other aspects, rehearsing them repeatedly to ensure everything would proceed smoothly and she would be released safely on schedule.

As he pondered, for some reason, his gaze drifted to a locked box.

When Jiang Heng had entered earlier, she had been holding something and locked it inside that box.

What could it be?

They were husband and wife, and she had just returned from Guanyin Temple. What could she possibly need to hide from him, locking it away in a box?

Gu Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, his attention fully captured by that lock.

After a long while, Gu Yu closed his eyes and stopped looking at the box. It was likely just some personal feminine item she felt uncomfortable sharing with him, which was why she had locked it away discreetly.

···

Dali Prison.

Gu Yu had already dismissed all the jailers. Only the three of them remained in the cell.

Jiang Heng walked behind the screen and said straightforwardly, "Elder Sister, change clothes."

The two sisters had not grown up together. Jiang Heng had returned to the capital not long before Jiang Wan married, so they were not as close as other sisters might be. Even now, they exchanged few familiar words.

"A Heng, why is it you?" Jiang Wan glanced at Gu Yu outside the cell and saw him turn his back and walk away, presumably to give them privacy to change.

Jiang Heng’s expression remained unchanged, without a hint of complaint. As she undressed, she said, "It's safer and more appropriate for me to come."

"A Heng, Brother Gu's treatment of me is only…" Jiang Wan wanted to say something to comfort Jiang Heng but found herself at a loss for words. Gu Yu's behavior toward her was indeed unlike that toward a typical sister-in-law, and she had genuinely benefited from his help. Any attempt to downplay it now would seem hypocritical and distasteful.

"A Heng, no need to say more. I know, he originally intended to marry you." As Jiang Heng spoke, she had already removed her clothes and turned her back, waiting for Jiang Wan to hand her the clothes.

Jiang Wan noticed finger-shaped bruises on her waist, on both sides. As a married woman herself, she understood what they meant.

She didn't know much, but from the imprints of those bruises, she could tell that Gu Yu was, at the very least, not repulsed by her younger sister. Was it truly because of her?

"A Heng?" Jiang Wan, with her back turned, tilted her head slightly to prompt her.

Jiang Wan then undressed as well and handed her clothes over.

Once they were changed, Jiang Wan wanted to say a few more words of apology or comfort, but Jiang Heng had already lain down on the bed, closed her eyes, and drawled, "A Heng, hurry and go."

"Oh, I brought rouge and lipstick. Your complexion isn't too good—use some of it." Jiang Heng thought that no woman would want to lose face in front of a former lover, especially since her elder sister had once been so beautiful and so proud.

Jiang Wan smiled and thanked her. She considered telling her where her clothes and daily necessities were kept but hesitated, fearing it might upset her. So she held her tongue and sat before the mirror to apply her makeup.

"A Heng, I'll be going now." After finishing her makeup, Jiang Wan spoke to Jiang Heng, who was lying on the bed. The latter gave a lazy hum in response, then slightly opened her eyes to glance at her appearance. Suddenly, she smiled and said, "A Heng, you look so beautiful, just as you used to be."

Jiang Wan lowered her eyes with a faint smile and thanked Jiang Heng again.

The clothes Jiang Heng wore that day, the silk flowers in her hair, and the rouge and lipstick she had brought were all part of her usual attire, naturally suited her complexion.

Jiang Wan stepped out of the cell and called Gu Yu over, asking if there was anything amiss.

Gu Yu glanced at her and said there wasn't, then looked into the cell, only to see a landscape screen—his wife was nowhere in sight.

Jiang Wan understood Gu Yu's intention and called into the cell, "A Heng, shall we go now?"

She wanted to call her out to see them off, giving Gu Yu a chance to speak with her again.

Unexpectedly, from behind the screen came only a lazy hum, with no intention of coming out.

Gu Yu frowned slightly and turned to leave the cell.

After settling Jiang Wan in the carriage, he added, "Wait a moment. I have something to say to her," and turned back into the prison.

His steps were heavy as he returned, and he deliberately jingled the short knife hilt on his belt. Despite the noise, the woman remained hidden behind the screen, refusing to come out and see him. To his surprise, Gu Yu noticed that the cell door had been locked by her.

To open it again, he would have to summon the jailer.

"Ling Lu," Gu Yu called out, his voice low and stern.

"Duke Wei, your Ling Lu is waiting for you outside," the woman behind the screen drawled lazily.