Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Not far from Yan Hui’s courtyard, rapid footsteps pattered behind them, stopping abruptly as they reached Jiang Heng and Gu Yu.

“My Lord, My Lady.” Xiao Sheng greeted them with deferential grace, truly embodying the role of a diligent maid.

Jiang Heng turned to look at her, noticing Yan Hui had followed her out, now standing just beyond the courtyard gate.

Gu Yu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a short distance from Jiang Heng. Xiao Sheng boldly lifted her head, her gaze fixed directly on Jiang Heng, while Yan Hui, standing a little behind Xiao Sheng, also stared intently at Jiang Heng.

The four stood in silent tableau for a long while.

Finally, Jiang Heng averted her eyes and turned to depart. Gu Yu followed suit.

“My Lord, Military Advisor Xiao just said he wants me to serve him,” Xiao Sheng suddenly announced loudly to Gu Yu’s retreating back.

Jiang Heng and Gu Yu both paused. A moment later, Gu Yu turned back, his gaze sweeping past Xiao Sheng to land directly on Yan Hui. “Military Advisor Xiao, is this true?”

“Absolutely true. I told him I’d have to ask you first, and he wasn’t happy about it,” Xiao Sheng declared with an air of feigned candor, though her pointed glance towards Jiang Heng was unmistakable.

Gu Yu ignored Xiao Sheng’s words, taking a subtle step forward to shield Jiang Heng, completely obscuring her from view. This blocked Xiao Sheng’s scrutinizing gaze and intercepted Yan Hui’s as well. He fixed his eyes on Yan Hui, awaiting his reply.

If Yan Hui denied it, it would mean Xiao Sheng was brazenly lying, deceiving her master, and slandering a noble. Given her current status as a servant, Gu Yu could punish her accordingly.

He couldn’t allow her to remain with Gu Yu any longer. He needed to keep her here and find an opportune moment to send her back.

“Yes,” Yan Hui affirmed gravely, acknowledging the truth of Xiao Sheng’s words.

His gaze attempted to penetrate beyond Gu Yu, but he couldn't discern the woman’s reaction behind him. Was she still turned away? Or had she turned to face him with resentment?

Gu Yu had blocked her entirely.

“In that case,” Gu Yu’s gaze shifted from Yan Hui to Xiao Sheng, “you may stay.”

Gu Yu turned back, positioning himself directly behind Jiang Heng, and whispered softly, for her ears alone, “Let’s go. That girl is watching you.”

If she turned around now, the girl might see her tear-streaked face, her reddened eyes. Perhaps that girl would even tilt her chin up, looking at her in triumph.

Jiang Heng took a step forward, striving to maintain her usual composed gait.

Gu Yu never stepped ahead of her or walked beside her. Instead, he followed calmly behind, effectively shielding her from the two pairs of eyes watching from behind.

Jiang Heng didn’t know how she got back. It felt like an eternity had passed before she realized she was in her own room. The sky had completely darkened, and the room was pitch black, with no lamps lit.

Gu Yu sat beside her in silence, fanning himself absently with a folding fan.

“I want to sleep. Please leave.”

Though she hadn’t done anything, Jiang Heng felt utterly drained, too weary even to speak.

“I did have ulterior motives. If you resent me, there’s no need to hold back,” Gu Yu said calmly.

Jiang Heng let out a bitter laugh.

She lacked the energy to blame him right now. All she desired was a moment of quiet solitude.

“Duke Wei, if you truly care for me, please leave.”

Gu Yu fell silent for a moment before rising and departing.

Jiang Heng stared blankly out the window, unable to suppress the thought: Would her brother sneak in to find her?

That girl had spoken such words. Her brother, being kind-hearted, would naturally go along with her to protect her. But surely he knew it would upset her, right?

He should come to explain things to her, shouldn’t he?

Jiang Heng sat by the desk the entire night, her clothes drenched in sweat, but Yan Hui never appeared.

All night long, the girl’s petulant, flirtatious words echoed in her ears.

That girl, called “Ah Sheng,” also called Yan Hui “brother.”

So, it turned out he was no longer her brother alone.

Thirteen—the age when first love blossoms—was when she had met Yan Hui. Yan Hui, with his gentle nature and jade-like elegance—what girl wouldn’t be captivated?

That Ah Sheng, at the age of first love, just like her former self, had fallen hopelessly for Yan Hui.

And Yan Hui? What did he think when he called her “Ah Sheng” over and over, when he heard her calling him “brother” again and again?

He clearly cared deeply for his Ah Sheng, indulging her whims and dealing with the fallout for her without regard for the consequences.

Even when that Ah Sheng accused her, saying she wasn’t good enough, accusing her of living on and marrying in splendor while his fate was unknown, he hadn’t stopped her or scolded her once.

Perhaps, deep down, he had resented her too, in his heart.

And that Ah Sheng treated him so well—risking her life to come here and persuade him, even willing to die with him.

How could her brother not be attached to such a girl? How could he not protect her diligently?

The words she had once used to persuade her brother to elope with her now seemed like a joke.

What right did she have to compare herself to that Ah Sheng?

As Ah Sheng had said, in what way was she superior?

She shouldn’t persuade him anymore. She wouldn’t persuade him anymore.

Jiang Heng braced herself on the desk to stand up, but her vision suddenly darkened. She staggered, her body devoid of strength, and collapsed.

The sound of her fall was soft, but the door swung open almost immediately. A strong arm lifted her and carried her to the bed.

Her vision was blurry, and she couldn’t make out the person, but the scent was all too familiar.

It was Gu Yu.

All this time, it had been Gu Yu who stayed by her side.

...

Jiang Heng fell ill. The physician said it was due to heatstroke, but despite several days of medication and acupuncture, there was no improvement.

“Is the lady troubled in spirit?” the physician asked.

Yongzhou was hot and humid. To prevent soldiers from the north from falling ill due to the climate, the army always kept herbs on hand to clear heat and replenish energy, and they were careful with their diet. It had always been effective, but unexpectedly, it had no effect on Jiang Heng.

Gu Yu nodded slightly and asked, “Are there any other effective methods?”

The physician sighed and shook his head, "A sickness of the heart needs a cure for the heart. This can't go on; the lady needs to come to terms with things herself."

Gu Yu frowned. If she could just get over it, she wouldn't have been ill for days.

After a moment of thought, Gu Yu handled pressing matters and deliberately cleared his schedule for the entire day, taking Jiang Heng to Lotus Mountain.

Lotus Mountain wasn't particularly high, but Jiang Heng was still unwell, weak and easily fatigued. Walking was a struggle, let alone climbing a mountain. She glanced at the lush green peak, then at the man, at a loss for words.

"Duke Wei, you go up by yourself," Jiang Heng said softly, waving a round fan as she sat on a bluestone at the foot of the mountain. "I'll wait here for you."

Gu Yu shot her a brief glance and suddenly said, "There's a snake at your feet."

Jiang Heng instinctively sprang up, grabbing the man's arm and pressing close to him, scanning fearfully and alertly the area around the bluestone she had just been sitting on, searching for any trace of a snake.

The corners of Gu Yu's lips quirked up as he grasped her wrist and led her up the mountain.

The weather today wasn't too hot, with no sun, making it suitable for hiking. However, Jiang Heng was truly exhausted, her steps heavy, so she let the man half-dragging, half-carrying her, not bothering to exert any strength herself.

Gu Yu, on the other hand, was surprisingly patient, never once complaining about the woman slowing him down. After carrying and supporting her for a while, likely feeling they were moving too slowly, he suddenly lifted her by the waist, flinging her over his shoulder like he was uprooting a willow, and carried her on his back.

Jiang Heng was truly startled. Once she regained her composure, she pinched the man's arm hard.

"Hold on tight," Gu Yu seemed unfazed by the pain, merely bouncing her up slightly, which made her instinctively cling tighter to his shoulders.

Even with her on his back, he mounted the summit with swift, steady steps, soon reaching the mountaintop.

Jiang Heng gazed at the scene before her, momentarily forgetting she was still on the man's back.

The clear river stretched like a ribbon, flowing vigorously toward the sea, radiating a serene but powerful majesty.

Her thoughts, without her realizing, grew clear and serene.

Gu Yu set her down and stood side by side with her.

The wind at the summit was much stronger, making the woman's turquoise skirt flutter in the breeze, tangling with the man's grass-white robe.

He said nothing, simply staying by her side, watching the scenery below.

"Duke Wei," Jiang Heng called.

"My courtesy name is Cheng Zhou," Gu Yu said.

Jiang Heng paused but still insisted on calling him "Duke Wei." "You're exploiting my vulnerability."

Jiang Heng had to admit that during these gloomy days, Gu Yu's companionship and care had been truly effective.

Just as one takes medicine when ill, Gu Yu was now just what the doctor ordered, greatly aiding her recovery. She wouldn't refuse it instinctively, but she would never fall in love with taking medicine.

"As military strategists say, strike while the iron is hot. Whether it's taking advantage of the situation, exploiting a weakness, or even seizing an opportunity amid chaos, as long as the goal is achieved, it's acceptable."

Gu Yu looked at her, observing her brow, finally relaxed somewhat in the fierce mountain wind, and said calmly, "Jiang Heng, he doesn't only have you; you can have more than just him."

Jiang Heng also turned her gaze to meet his.

What did he mean?

The man suddenly reached out and embraced her, looking down into her eyes. "I'm in no hurry. You can take your time forgetting him. In the meantime, I can be here for you too."

Jiang Heng blinked.

After a long moment, she looked at him and smiled, "What if I simply can't forget?"

The man's gaze suddenly turned cold, his brow starting to furrow then smoothing again.

"No, you won't," he said calmly and confidently, as if fighting a battle he was certain to win.

Jiang Heng watched him for a moment, then suddenly chuckled, pushed him away, and sat down on a nearby smooth stone. Slowly, she said, "Duke Wei, I am afraid of snakes. You can drive them away for me, so I will need you."

"Just like," she said, twirling the round fan in her hand, "this fan. I need it when I’m hot, but when the weather turns cool, I no longer need it."

"Just like when I’m sick, I need medicine. But once I recover, I will never take it again."

She gazed into the distance. "But some people are different. Even if they can’t drive away snakes for you, can’t be your fan, or be your medicine, you still can’t forget them..."

The man beside her remained silent for a long while before slowly saying, "What you can’t forget is not what he can no longer do for you, but what he once did for you."

"You have known him for over ten years. He once drove away snakes for you, acted as your fan, and cured your illnesses. Day after day, year after year, he put down deep roots in your heart."

"When he can no longer drive away snakes for you, no longer be your fan, no longer cure your illnesses, day after day, year after year, those roots will naturally decay."