On the other side, Ye Wendao and several other young masters were still singing and laughing merrily, lost in wine and pleasure, paying him no mind. Gu Chaobei walked to the rear courtyard where the moon was bright and stars were sparse, and a breeze blew over, sobering him up considerably.

“She didn’t say anything else?” Leaning against a pillar, Gu Chaobei asked.

Zhuiyun behind him lowered his head and replied, “She didn’t say much else, though Baoshan was quite angry about it.”

“She really is composed.” Gu Chaobei sighed, “Perhaps Wendao was right after all—she simply doesn’t hold me in her heart.”

Zhuiyun was slightly surprised. This was the first time he’d seen his master take these matters to heart, and now his tone sounded somewhat… sour?

This was remarkable.

He couldn’t help but look up, only to see Gu Chaobei’s face wearing that roguish smile again: “Well, that saves trouble anyway. Have someone go back to watch over things, and try to prevent her from going to the Eastern Courtyard. Once these seven days pass, we’ll return.”

“Yes.” Zhuiyun lowered his head in acknowledgment.

Glancing at the moon in the sky, Gu Chaobei pressed his lips together, suddenly finding his heart missing that person a little. How strange—they’d only been married two days, he had so many beauties around him, yet he thought of her first.

Shaking his head, after breathing in the outdoor air for a while, the Fourth Young Master Gu turned back and buried himself in that world of revelry.

Deep in the night, the Eastern Courtyard’s door remained open. Gu Chaodong had accompanied Prime Minister Gu to the palace today and had not yet returned, so Shen Guiya waited for him in her room.

“The person won’t wake up anytime soon, Miss, rest assured.” Yushu massaged Shen Guiya’s shoulders and said, “This servant has already arranged for people to guard the door. When the eldest young master returns, we’ll catch them in the act.”

Shen Guiya laughed scornfully, admiring the newly applied nail lacquer on her fingers. These ancient people’s intelligence—how could it compare to hers? With just a simple scheme, she could ensure Shen Guiyan would never recover.

Once she removed this thorn in her side, the next step would be to firmly grasp Gu Chaodong, then find a few backup options and live happily ever after.

Touching her belly, Shen Guiya curved her lips: “Let’s wait and see. No rush.”

Yushu agreed, diligently continuing to massage her shoulders.

Under the night sky, someone hurried toward the Eastern Courtyard. Outside the Prime Minister’s residence, Prime Minister Gu and Gu Chaodong had already returned home and were just alighting from their carriage.

“Today you gained the Empress’s favor, so the imperial examination will naturally go more smoothly.” Prime Minister Gu said quietly, “Your father’s hopes all rest on you.”

Gu Chaodong lowered his head: “Your son understands.”

“Since you’ve married Guiya, you must stop thinking about Guiyan.” Prime Minister Gu said with a stern face, “You lack that fortune, and now you must respect propriety and ethics even more.”

Gu Chaodong frowned. His father had always valued him highly and had even arranged his engagement to Yan’er early on. But ever since Yan’er married Fourth Brother, Father constantly reminded him not to overstep boundaries.

If he won first place in the imperial examination, he could become Father’s right-hand man. After achieving success and fame, why couldn’t he do what he wanted? Gu Chaobei was hopeless mud that couldn’t stick to walls—should he just watch Yan’er waste her entire life on him?

Gu Chaodong felt he couldn’t do that. He loved Yan’er deeply and was determined to give her happiness.

“It’s getting late, go rest.” Prime Minister Gu waved his hand.

Gu Chaodong bowed and turned, walking toward the Eastern Courtyard.

Walking through the corridor and stepping into the Eastern Courtyard, Gu Chaodong glanced at the main room. Shen Guiya was pregnant and couldn’t share his bed, so he could only go rest in his own room.

“He’s back.” Yushu stood at the main room door looking outside, quietly reporting the situation to Shen Guiya behind her: “The eldest young master has entered the room!”

Shen Guiya stood up and walked to the door, also peering through the crack. Gu Chaodong had indeed entered that room and closed the door. After waiting a while, there was no sound at all.

Tiptoeing outside, Shen Guiya gestured to Yushu for silence, then lifted her skirt and went to eavesdrop at the wall.

There was no sound at all. Shen Guiya raised her eyebrows—this Gu Chaodong really had remarkable self-control. Seeing Shen Guiyan suddenly appear in his bed, he had no reaction?

“Crash—” A sudden sound of shattering flowerpots came from the wall in the rear courtyard. Shen Guiya jumped in fright and quickly stepped back several paces. Yushu lifted her skirt and returned to the main room, softly scolding: “What’s going on over there? Who was so clumsy they knocked over a flowerpot?”

The maids and servants in the courtyard were all guarding the door. Hearing the sound, they came over with confused expressions: “No one was in the rear courtyard?”

“If it wasn’t a person, was it a ghost?” Yushu cursed, “Hurry and go check!”

“Yes.” The servants were about to go investigate when Shen Guiya waved to Yushu, pointing at Gu Chaodong’s door.

Fool! A flowerpot was worth nothing—what was happening here was obviously most important!

Yushu suddenly understood and quickly called to the servants: “Perhaps a thief has entered our Eastern Courtyard. Quickly search everywhere.”

“Yes.”

Shen Guiya took a deep breath facing the door, then reached out and pushed it open forcefully.

“What? Is there a thief?” Gu Chaodong was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands somewhat flustered as he tucked away a poem manuscript.

Shen Guiya frowned as she entered, her gaze sharp as she looked toward the bed: “You—”

The bedding on the bed was perfectly smooth. No one was there.

The rest of her words stuck in her throat. Shen Guiya stared wide-eyed at Gu Chaodong.

“What about me?” Gu Chaodong frowned, “It’s already this late. What do you still want to discuss with me?”

Scanning the surroundings, there was no place to hide a person. Shen Guiyan had been drugged and naturally couldn’t have left on her own. Where had she gone? She had clearly seen with her own eyes someone being carried inside!

“Rest early.” Shen Guiya swallowed and forced a smile, “I’ll return to my room too.”

“Mm.” Gu Chaodong looked at her strangely, while also scanning his own room once more.

There was nothing there. Shen Guiya must be having another spell in the middle of the night.

Southern Courtyard.

Darkness stretched before her eyes. Shen Guiyan knew she was having a nightmare, but no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t wake up. Her forehead was covered in cold sweat, her brows never relaxing. If she continued sleeping like this, by the time she woke, everything might be ruined.

The embroidered bamboo sachet she’d made for Gu Chaobei wasn’t even finished yet. She’d only been married for two days, and now she would end up drowned in a pig basket. She wondered if that rogue Gu Chaobei would be sad or distressed when he returned. She’d wanted to be a good wife, but never expected she wouldn’t have the chance.

“Use the silver needles…” someone said softly.

“Sister, what’s your purpose in saving her?” a man’s voice was particularly puzzled. “Your child is gone—isn’t she also a suspect?”

“You don’t understand. You’ll know later.”

Her philtrum stung sharply, and the acupoints on her hands also hurt acutely. The darkness before her eyes slowly dispersed, and consciousness gradually returned. Shen Guiyan opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a man’s face.

“Ah!” Still not fully awake from the nightmare, she bolted upright and knocked away the man before her. Shen Guiyan gasped for breath, nervously looking around.

“Fourth Young Madam.” Xu Mengdie’s voice was gentle: “You’re awake.”

Turning her head in confusion, Shen Guiyan met her eyes and reached up to touch her forehead: “What happened…”

“Does your head hurt?” Xu Mengdie brought over medicine: “Drink this medicine and you’ll feel better.”

“Her head hurts because you hit it, doesn’t it?” Xu Zhuangzhou covered his face, saying indignantly, “I risked my life to rescue you from the Eastern Courtyard, and the first thing you do upon waking is headbutt someone.”

Shen Guiyan froze, taking the medicine bowl and turning to look at Xu Zhuangzhou: “Eastern Courtyard?”

She remembered now—hadn’t she fallen into Shen Guiya’s trap and lost consciousness in the Eastern Courtyard? How was she now at Xu Mengdie’s place?

“Fourth Young Madam, please forgive him. My younger brother is young and doesn’t know better—his words are rather offensive.” Xu Mengdie smiled at her, “But tonight we truly have him to thank. Otherwise, Mengdie is still recovering from childbirth and would have been completely unable to rescue Madam.”

Shen Guiyan remained silent for a moment. Without drinking the medicine, she asked softly, “Can you tell me what exactly happened?”

Xu Mengdie pressed her lips together: “Today when Mengdie heard that the eldest young madam was hosting a banquet to invite the fourth young madam, I felt something was amiss, so I had someone keep watch. As expected, the fourth young madam became intoxicated, and the eldest young madam wanted to place you in the eldest young master’s room. If this became known, the fourth young madam would be unable to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.”

“My younger brother Zhuangzhou happens to serve as a guard in the residence, so I asked him to help rescue the fourth young madam.”

How Shen Guiya intended to harm her—Shen Guiyan could figure it out. What was somewhat surprising was that Xu Mengdie had known in advance and rescued her at the critical moment.

Why would she expend such great effort to save her?

“Thank you.” Lowering her eyes slightly, Shen Guiyan didn’t ask. If there was something Xu Mengdie wanted, she would speak up first.

“Mengdie said before, I simply felt an immediate connection with Madam. Knowing Madam was in danger, Mengdie would certainly come to rescue you.” Xu Mengdie coughed lightly twice, lowering her head, “Mengdie has experienced the eldest young madam’s viciousness and didn’t wish for the fourth young madam to be harmed by her schemes as well. It’s late now. Since the fourth young madam has awakened, Mengdie will have someone escort you back.”

Shen Guiyan studied her for a moment. Xu Mengdie’s eyes were full of sincerity. She didn’t ask anything or demand anything, and truly had Shuang’er come to escort her back.

“Tomorrow when it’s light, I’ll come to thank you properly.” Shen Guiyan nodded slightly to her. Without lingering, she left with Shuang’er.

Xu Mengdie dragged herself to watch her leave, then lay back down on the bed.

“Sister, is she that third Miss Shen?” Xu Zhuangzhou covered his throbbing face and asked.

Xu Mengdie nodded: “Yes, that’s her—Shen Guiyan, destined for great wealth and honor.”

“Everyone outside says she was born with jade in her mouth, but isn’t she still being toyed with by that sister of hers?” Xu Zhuangzhou said dismissively, “Heaven-ordained good fortune isn’t necessarily all that great.”

“You really should read more books.” Xu Mengdie shook her head, “Accumulating strength for a spectacular debut, making a stunning impact—you probably don’t understand any of this.”

Xu Zhuangzhou scratched his head. With this brain of his, he was better off just being a guard. Reading was something that could kill a person.

The Gu residence was large. Shen Guiyan was still on the road, not yet back at her courtyard, when servants from the Northern Courtyard had already rushed out urgently to send word to Gu Chaobei.

“The fourth young madam went to the Eastern Courtyard, and it’s the middle of the night and she still hasn’t returned!”