Everyone froze. Shen Guiya was even more surprised as she turned to glance at Han Jiangxue.
Han Jiangxue stood ramrod straight, her lips somewhat pale, yet she looked at Gu Chaodong with great determination: “These past few days, your honored wife has been coming to find this humble woman. This humble woman and your honored wife got along very well, so I introduced her to my husband.”
Gu Chaodong frowned: “Why?”
Han Shi didn’t explain in detail, only glancing at Yuwen Changqing.
Gu Chaodong understood. Could it be that Ya’er was trying to cultivate connections for him, so she befriended Han Shi and thereby came to know Lord Houde and General Yuwen?
Then why was Shen Guiya crying now?
Shen Guiya also realized Han Jiangxue was covering for them. She immediately wiped her tears and stood up: “Husband, why did you bring so many people?”
“If I hadn’t come, were you planning not to return at all?” Gu Chaodong’s expression still wasn’t good.
Shen Guiya’s eyes widened: “How could this humble wife not return? We just talked late into the evening. Thinking that husband has been in a poor mood recently and fearing punishment for returning late, I said I would go back to Yuwen Manor…”
What eloquence! Shen Guiyan couldn’t help but applaud her in her heart. This adaptability, this expression—simply eight levels higher than the previous Shen Guiya.
Instantly, everyone in the room who had come to spectate became people making a big fuss over nothing.
Gu Chaodong’s heart still harbored doubts. Thinking of Doctor Liu’s booklet, then glancing at the smiling Shen Guiyan beside him, he remained furious: “If that’s the case, then return to the manor with me now. I still have matters to ask you.”
Her wrist was seized tightly by him. Shen Guiya was somewhat alarmed and instinctively glanced at Yuwen Changqing. Among those present, the one whose words carried the most weight should be Yuwen Changqing.
But looking over, she discovered he was actually talking with Gu Chaobei.
“This subordinate will begin serving under General Yuwen tomorrow. I hope General Yuwen will be understanding.”
“I’ve heard you’re habitually idle. Though the Commander position isn’t high, it’s not so easy to fill either.” Yuwen Changqing said with a stern face: “There are many rules you’ll need to learn slowly.”
“This subordinate understands.”
Speaking so seriously, he didn’t even glance in her direction once.
Shen Guiya gritted her teeth and could only reluctantly follow Gu Chaodong outside. Yuwen Houde also stopped looking at her, instead staring fixedly at Han Jiangxue.
“Is Eldest Brother heading back?” Gu Chaobei asked with a smile.
Gu Chaodong didn’t answer him, pulling Shen Guiya along at a rapid pace. The group of servants all followed back to Gu Manor.
“Ah, I was getting a bit sleepy, but coming out has driven it all away.” Gu Chaobei stretched lazily and held Shen Guiyan languidly: “I wonder if the General has any interest in drinking and chatting with this subordinate? After all, sleep is difficult.”
Yuwen Changqing said with a stern face: “Very well. This General also finds sleep difficult.”
“Should I come too?” Shen Guiyan pointed at herself and asked softly.
Gu Chaobei nodded: “Sure.”
“Then would this humble woman accompanying you also be acceptable?” Han Jiangxue stood beside Yuwen Changqing.
Everyone froze slightly. Yuwen Houde beside them quickly came forward to grasp Han Jiangxue’s hand: “Wife, it’s so late…”
“Late?” Han Shi turned back, looking at him calmly.
Yuwen Houde’s hand stiffened, loosening slightly.
“If cousin’s wife wishes to go, naturally that’s acceptable. With the Fourth Young Madam Gu present, there’s no fear of gossip.” Yuwen Changqing smiled: “As for cousin, you look very tired. Better return to the manor first to rest.”
“General…” Yuwen Houde looked at Han Jiangxue somewhat frantically, his hand tightening again.
Shen Guiyan looked at Han Shi’s expression and stepped forward to take her arm, imperceptibly pushing Yuwen Houde aside: “This is the first time seeing Madam Yuwen. We’ll surely have much to discuss.”
She had originally thought this was General Yuwen’s wife, but just now discovered it was this Yuwen Houde’s.
Han Jiangxue had a gentle countenance, quite beautiful, yet that Yuwen Houde had a detestable appearance and was mixed up with Shen Guiya. Shen Guiyan shook her head inwardly—a fresh flower stuck in cow dung.
Having drawn Han Jiangxue over like this, Gu Chaobei also understood what his wife was thinking and quickly greeted Yuwen Changqing: “General, please.”
The four of them walked down together. Yuwen Houde remained alone in place. He wanted to chase after them, but attendants behind him came forward: “My lord, the General has ordered us to escort you back to the manor.”
Helpless, Yuwen Houde could only watch as they took Han Jiangxue away.
The four left Youyuan Inn. Seeing that everything around was closed for the night, they simply turned back to the inn to buy several jars of wine and several pounds of beef, then went to the Song Pavilion on the adjacent street.
Drinking wine while singing songs—how fleeting is human life.
This was an empty pavilion that provided shelter for travelers during the day and was unoccupied at night. Inside were stone tables and benches, just enough for four people.
All along the way, Gu Chaobei and Yuwen Changqing spoke in official tones. If Shen Guiyan hadn’t learned of their behind-the-scenes relationship, she would truly think they were complete strangers, with Yuwen Changqing harboring some hostility toward Gu Chaobei.
Back when he saved the Emperor in the palace hall, Gu Chaobei stood with the Fifth Prince and used the Fifth Prince’s sword to repel the enemy. In the hearts of the Empress’s faction, Gu Chaobei had probably long been classified as a Fifth Prince partisan. As an important figure in the Empress’s faction, Yuwen Changqing’s current attitude toward Gu Chaobei was perfectly normal.
Earlier she thought Shen Guiya had performed well, but she hadn’t expected there were two masters here.
Han Jiangxue didn’t speak the whole way. After they sat down and began drinking, she suddenly grabbed a wine jar. She could barely hold it steady but still drank down a large mouthful.
Then the tears came out.
Gu Chaobei and Yuwen Changqing exchanged glances. Yuwen Changqing said: “Fourth Young Madam, why don’t you keep cousin’s wife company here while Gu Commander and I take a walk nearby.”
“All right.” Shen Guiyan agreed.
The night was still. As soon as these two walked away, Han Jiangxue collapsed on the table sobbing. Shen Guiyan looked at her with some sighing and reached out to gently pat her back.
Though today’s matter had been smoothed over, she always observed carefully. Things others wouldn’t notice, she would see. Not only did she see Han Jiangxue block the knotted rope by the window, but she also saw the smooth legs Shen Guiya inadvertently revealed.
It seemed she wore nothing under that robe.
Han Jiangxue, anxious to protect her husband, helped cover for them together. But when Shen Guiya followed Gu Chaodong back, once her clothing was undone, the truth would surely come to light.
What a pity for this woman with such devoted heart—it seemed she had been betrayed by her own husband.
“Why? She was so good to me. I kept thinking of her, proactively telling her how to bribe my husband. Why would she do such shameless things?”
Han Jiangxue seemed finally unable to bear it, crying loudly: “I trusted him so much. He also said he would only love me for his entire life. Even though he has concubines, I endured it. Why did it have to be Shen Guiya?”
Shen Guiyan stroked her back repeatedly without making a sound.
“Don’t you also find it laughable?” Han Jiangxue raised her head, her eyes completely red as she looked at her: “Don’t you also habitually seduce other people’s husbands? You’re truly blood sisters!”
Shen Guiyan froze, not expecting to be implicated, somewhat stunned: “Whose husband did I seduce?”
“Hmph, right now I’d rather you went and seduced him, to let her taste what it’s like to have her husband stolen by her own sister.” Han Jiangxue didn’t answer her, instead pushing away her hand.
Shen Guiyan was bewildered for a moment, then said with amusement: “Did Shen Guiya tell you I seduced her husband?”
Gossip was truly fearsome—the cold arrows shot from behind really couldn’t be blocked.
Han Jiangxue glanced at her and said huffily: “Don’t deny it. You two sisters are cut from the same cloth!”
And to think she… had been so good to Shen Guiya.
Shen Guiyan sighed but wasn’t angry, only saying: “It’s good for you to vent. However, I don’t like bearing the stigma for things I haven’t done. I’ve never seduced anyone’s husband. Having my own husband, how could any other husband catch my eye?”
Han Jiangxue took another drink, sobbing incessantly, fumbling in her bosom and pulling out a sword tassel: “I made this for so long, planning to give it to him. But that day when he returned, there was already one on his sword. He said he casually bought it outside…”
“Haha… I’m such a fool…”
Shen Guiyan listened quietly without disturbing her.
Han Jiangxue haltingly recounted everything about her past with Yuwen Houde, repeating: “I thought we would continue being this good for a lifetime.”
What could last a lifetime? Shen Guiyan gently shook her head.
Gradually, Han Jiangxue’s voice ceased. Shen Guiyan shook her, removed her own cloak and draped it over her, then stood to look around for the other two.
Gu Chaobei and Yuwen Changqing were talking beneath a large tree to the side.
“Still alive?”
“Alive. The Empress has dispatched a large number of people to guard him. Aside from me and Academician Fu, no one else can get close.”
“This is troublesome.” Gu Chaobei frowned: “If he regains consciousness, won’t all those people of mine have died in vain?”
“Think of a solution.” Yuwen Changqing smiled: “Don’t you always have the most ideas in that head of yours?”
Shen Guiyan walked over and said softly: “It’s time to send Madam Yuwen back.”
Yuwen Changqing was about to put on a stern face and pretend, but Gu Chaobei nodded very casually: “Mm, all right.”
Freezing slightly, Yuwen Changqing turned to glance at Gu Chaobei. The latter patted his shoulder: “In front of her, you don’t need to be so tense. She knows everything.”
Knows everything? Yuwen Changqing gasped: “You…”
“Don’t worry, you can trust her.” After Gu Chaobei said this in a low voice, he stepped forward to hold Shen Guiyan and turned back toward the pavilion.
Can trust her? When it concerned the lives of tens of thousands, how long had Gu Chaobei even been married to Shen Guiyan, yet he felt she could be trusted? Yuwen Changqing followed behind, unable to process this, staring blankly at the hairpin swaying on Shen Guiyan’s head.
As soon as Gu Chaodong brought Shen Guiya back to the manor, he discovered Madam Gu was actually sitting in the Eastern Courtyard waiting.
“Mother?” Gu Chaodong froze slightly.
Madam Gu’s expression was extremely unpleasant. Though the injuries on her body hadn’t yet healed, she sat ramrod straight and waved her hand angrily: “Drag that vile woman in here for me!”