Chapter 7
Upon hearing this.
Bai Lu and Hong Shuang both stopped in their tracks, they turned to look at Gu Wuyou, curious as to why she kept mentioning this name today.
Hong Shuang was quick-witted and impatient, she couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, why are you so curious about this Young Master Li Qinyuan today?” Logically speaking, the Miss had never seen this Young Master Li Qinyuan during her years in Langya.
Although Bai Lu didn’t say anything, she kept looking at Gu Wuyou, waiting for her answer.
Gu Wuyou pursed her lips, unsure of how to answer, some things, while they might not raise suspicion when said to others, her two maids who had been with her since childhood were always by her side.
Even if she managed to deceive them this time, what about in the future? So, after hesitating for a while, she just said, “Don’t ask me now, wait for a chance in the future, and I’ll tell you then.”
“Miss–”
Hong Shuang pouted, somewhat dissatisfied with this answer.
Bai Lu glanced at Gu Wuyou, seeing her calm face and pursed lips, knowing she wouldn’t say more, she gently pulled Hong Shuang, then turned to her and said, “You go, be careful when asking, don’t let others know that it was Miss who sent you to inquire.”
This kind of thing.
Hong Shuang was always good at it.
She nodded and said, “I understand.”
Gu Wuyou added, “Make sure to ask clearly, and be thorough.” Such a concerned attitude raised suspicions from the two maids, and Gu Wuyou also knew that she was not behaving properly at the moment, but she couldn’t help it, she was too eager to know about the General.
Bai Lu and Hong Shuang exchanged a glance, full of doubts, but knowing that no one would give them answers, they didn’t say anything.
Finding an excuse, Hong Shuang turned to the kitchen, ostensibly to see what dishes were prepared for today, but in reality to inquire about Li Qinyuan’s affairs for Gu Wuyou.
Bai Lu accompanied Gu Wuyou back to her old residence.
Gu Wuyou’s old residence in the Gu family was called Zhaixing Tower, located to the east, it was one of the best places in the Duke’s residence, with many precious flowers planted in the courtyard, as well as swings and artificial hills. The two-storey tower, standing in the overlook position, could see the entire Duke’s residence beneath it, and even the corner tower of the imperial palace in the distance.
Duke had always cherished the daughter, Gu Wuyou, left behind by his concubine.
Even though this daughter didn’t like him and stayed in Langya all year round, he habitually sent all the good things here.
This Zhaixing Tower, rather than being Gu Wuyou’s bedroom, was more like a treasure trove, where every item inside was priceless, even the tattered curtain that had been exposed to the elements all day long was made of inch-by-inch gold brocade from the southern Jiangnan region.
The maids and older servants in the front had already received their orders, and now they were all standing in the courtyard, kneeling down when they saw Gu Wuyou approaching.
The leading nanny, surnamed Meng, was a dowry to Gu Wuyou’s mother, she had been looking after the house for Gu Wuyou all those years, and she was the most excited one to see Gu Wuyou. When the people got closer, she knelt down and choked, “Your servant respectfully welcomes the young lady back to the residence.”
“Maid, quickly get up.” Gu Wuyou helped the person up and then asked the others to get up too.
“Miss, why have you lost so much weight?” Aunt Meng, after getting up, couldn’t help but tear up when she saw Gu Wuyou’s current appearance.
Bai Lu quickly smiled and said, “It’s cold outside, let the Miss go inside first.” This interrupted Aunt Meng’s words and allowed Gu Wuyou, whose face was frozen, to enter the house.
The maids closed the curtains.
Aunt Meng and Bai Lu accompanied Gu Wuyou into the house.
A fire was burning in the room, and as soon as they entered, a wave of hot wind hit them. Bai Lu helped Gu Wuyou take off the fox fur she had been wrapped in all the way while saying, “Everything is good in Langya, except for the lack of dragon fire. Even if charcoal is burned in the house all day, it’s still unbearable.”
After that, she smiled at Gu Wuyou and said, “Now the Miss doesn’t need to wear so many clothes all day.”
Gu Wuyou smiled and continued to look around her old residence. In fact, she had visited this house not long ago, and it didn’t seem much different from her memory, except for a few missing paintings of generals on the walls.
Seeing her staring at the house, Aunt Meng reassured her, “Miss, rest assured, this house has not lost anything.”
In fact, no one dared to enter Gu Wuyou’s room in the Gu family.
Everyone knew her temper. If something was really missing, this little ancestor would cause a scene once she returned. Even the seventh Miss from the third room, although coveting the treasures in the house, dared not come over.
“But…” Aunt Meng looked at Gu Wuyou and said softly, “The Duke occasionally comes here.” She said this very cautiously, fearing that her young lady would be upset again.
But fortunately, Gu Wuyou didn’t get upset. In fact, she even asked softly, “How is his… health?”
Aunt Meng was stunned, “Who?”
It took her a moment to react, her face full of shock as she stammered, “Good, he’s good.”
Bai Lu noticed that Gu Wuyou was different from before. She saw Aunt Meng’s astonished expression and said with a smile, “Go and get some water brought in, please.”
Gu Wuyou liked cleanliness and even bathed daily in winter. In the past, when she was in Langya, the servants were afraid she would catch a cold, so it took a lot of time each time.
Back in the days when her husband was young, now back in the capital.
The house was warm, making it easier to handle things.
“Okay, I’ll have someone prepare it,” Aunt Meng said, somewhat coming back to her senses, suppressing her lingering shock and turned to give orders outside.
After bathing, Gu Wuyou wore a single-layer outfit, leaning on the couch while Bai Lu helped her dry her hair. Hong Shuang had not yet returned, and she seemed a bit distracted.
Bai Lu, sitting behind her, didn’t notice and spoke gently, “Miss, since you’re going to stay for a long time this time, it’s not good to avoid your family as before. You can’t keep avoiding conflicts with them… But most importantly, it’s the Duke.”
“He is your father and has always cared for you since you were young.”
“The bond between father and daughter, although connected by blood, can still be broken. In the past, when you came back once a year, it was fine to be distant, but now that you’re staying every day, if you continue like before, even the best relationship will be difficult…” Bai Lu hesitated a bit before saying firmly, “Maintained.”
She watched Gu Wuyou’s reaction carefully while saying these things, relieved when she saw the young lady remaining calm and not getting angry or upset.
Gu Wuyou had been thinking about Li Qinyuan’s matter.
Hearing these words, she listened attentively. She knew Bai Lu was saying it for her own good and replied, “I understand.”
“In the future…” She paused before gently saying, “I will treat him well.”
It wasn’t for the sake of benefits or worrying about being unhappy at the Duke’s house. The person she wanted to treat well was him. She didn’t want to watch that man lead a gloomy life and pass away before her eyes.
She hoped he would be healthy and live a long life.
When she thought of that man, Gu Wuyou became lost in thought again. It wasn’t until Hong Shuang pushed the curtain open and entered that she snapped out of it and asked, “What’s the matter?” As she spoke, sitting up straight, there was a look of anxiety between her eyebrows.
“I’m so thirsty,” Hong Shuang’s face was flushed from the cold. She took the water Gu Wuyou handed her and drank a big gulp. Once her throat was moistened, she looked at her, furrowing her brows strangely and asked, “Miss, why are you so interested in inquiring about that profligate’s matters?”
Seeing Gu Wuyou’s dumbfounded expression, she knew she wouldn’t get any results, so she repeated everything she had inquired about.
“I originally thought it would take some effort to find out, but I didn’t expect that by just casually asking someone, I would know what kind of person he is,” Hong Shuang pouted and said gloomily, “That Li Qilang is a notorious playboy in the capital, lacking the demeanor of a noble family’s offspring, only knowing how to fight and cause trouble. Oh, right, he also studied at the Lu Ming Study Hall where the Third Young Master stayed, but his academic performance is really poor. I heard he ranks last every year.”
“If he didn’t have his family background, he would probably have been advised to drop out long ago.”
Hong Shuang couldn’t understand why the young miss cared so much about such an unambitious playboy! It felt like there was a claw scratching her heart, but she knew the young miss wouldn’t provide any explanation, so she could only pout and stand aside.
Gu Wuyou didn’t know what the two maids were thinking. She was truly stunned. “Fighting, causing trouble,” “playboy,” “poor academic performance”… Was this really her General? How could it be possible? Her General was supposed to be dignified and serious, even though young, he should have been a gentle and respectful offspring of a noble family.
Or someone highly praised by elders.
How, how could he be like this?
Since waking up, Gu Wuyou had always been clear-headed and rational, but for the first time, she felt like this world was somewhat magical. She blinked, sat blankly on the bed, and didn’t speak for a long time.
Seeing her like this, Hong Shuang was a bit worried. She was about to speak when a voice came from outside, “Miss, the Duke invites you to dine.”
