Chapter 441: Do Not Provoke Her
Shen Xihe never would have thought that after setting off with Xiao Huayong at the crack of dawn, they would encounter Gu Qingshu and Yu Sangning at the entrance of the temporary palace, limping, supporting each other, and leaning on two maids.
She was rather surprised that the two of them hadn't sent someone back to the temporary palace for help, but had instead stubbornly walked all the way back.
After a brief glance at them, Shen Xihe's carriage went straight inside. She returned to her own courtyard, had a simple meal, washed up, and fell into bed to catch up on sleep. Gu Qingshu and the other girl were not so lucky. As delicate noble young ladies who had walked such a long distance for three or four shichen , the soles of their feet were covered in blood blisters. They had to call for an imperial physician to lance them one by one and apply healing medicine.
Yu Sangning could still grit her teeth and endure it, but Gu Qingshu's tears fell ceaselessly. When the healing medicine was applied, the stinging pain finally made her break down and cry out loud. Yu Sangning was taken away by her family. After the morning court session, Xiao Changqing, having heard of the matter, came back and went to visit Gu Qingshu personally.
"Brother-in-law, Zhaoning County Princess has gone too far!" Feelings of grievance, pain, exhaustion, and lingering fear surged up all at once. The moment Gu Qingshu saw Xiao Changqing, she could no longer hold back the indignation and resentment in her heart.
Xiao Changqing frowned slightly. "Weren't you and Second Miss Yu going to the temple in town to offer incense and pray for blessings? How did you end up in such a sorry state? And what does this have to do with Zhaoning County Princess?"
"Zhaoning County Princess also went to town. On the way back, I don't know what grudge she has with A'Ning, but she wrecked my carriage and, to intimidate A'Ning, almost sent us plunging off a cliff..." Gu Qingshu told Xiao Changqing everything from beginning to end.
Even now, she still didn't know about the grudge between Yu Sangning and Shen Xihe. But that was a conflict between them; on what grounds did Shen Xihe make her suffer this undeserved disaster?
Xiao Changqing looked at the tear-streaked, aggrieved Gu Qingshu, letting her cry for a good while without saying a word.
No comfort, no backing, no coaxing.
Gu Qingshu lifted her head to look at Xiao Changqing, whose dark eyes were calm but held not a trace of warmth or ripple. Her heart seized, and her breath caught. For a moment, she couldn't even cry anymore.
Only when Gu Qingshu stopped crying did Xiao Changqing speak. "Second Miss Yu is a deep schemer. She is not of the same path as you. I told you long ago to stay away from her. But since it's rare for you to have a confidante, I did not interfere. After Qingqing passed, there is a layer of distance between you and me, and it is not my place to restrain you.
"Zhaoning County Princess has a magnanimity that rivals any man's; she would never haggle over trivial matters. Second Miss Yu must have done something unforgivable for Zhaoning County Princess to mete out a light punishment. As for you being implicated, it must be because you secretly helped Second Miss Yu and committed a transgression without realizing it."
Gu Qingshu's misty almond eyes widened. She stared at Xiao Changqing in disbelief.
Xiao Changqing was actually defending another young lady!
For so many years, he had always sided with his own, regardless of who was right. He was an extremely protective person. Besides her elder sister, no one could break his style of conduct, yet now he was actually taking Shen Xihe's side!
His words were filled with praise and understanding for Shen Xihe, which Gu Qingshu found difficult to accept and process for a moment. "Brother-in-law, she harmed me to this extent, and you won't stand up for me?"
"Stand up for you?" Xiao Changqing let out a soft, derisive laugh. "Do you know who she is?"
Gu Qingshu opened her mouth but said nothing, biting her lip, unwilling to yield.
"When Changling and Yangling made trouble for her, the matter was brought before His Majesty. Even His Majesty forced Yangling to bow her head and apologize to her," Xiao Changqing said coolly. "Do you think I am more capable than His Majesty, or that you are more noble than a princess?"
These words were direct and sharp, making Gu Qingshu feel rather humiliated. Her hands hidden in her sleeves clenched involuntarily, and she lowered her head in silence.
Xiao Changqing shook his head almost imperceptibly. "You had best forget what happened today. Do not go and provoke Zhaoning County Princess. Otherwise, even I cannot protect you."
After speaking, Xiao Changqing stood up and left.
His only connection to Gu Qingshu was that thin thread of kinship with Gu Qingzhi. If Gu Qingshu had been Gu Qingzhi's full-blooded sister, he might have shown more tenderness and affection. But they were only paternal half-sisters, and with little resemblance in their features, she did not stir his protective instincts.
He had failed to save the person he had tried to rescue back then, leading to the loss of his beloved. Gu Qingshu was the only one he had managed to save, but her survival could not hold Gu Qingzhi back. He had wanted to arrange for Gu Qingshu to be far away, far from the chaos, troubles, and dangers of the capital. That would have been the extent of his obligation, the last effort he could make for his deceased wife.
But as fate would have it, she had returned.
He would protect her to some extent within his capabilities. But if she took this as a license to act willfully and recklessly, then she could not blame him for being heartless.
After leaving Gu Qingshu's courtyard, Xiao Changqing sent someone to find out exactly what Yu Sangning had done.
The death of the young master of the Mu family had already been reported to the authorities. After an investigation, the case was closed, as it was clearly a suicide by poison. Xiao Changqing quickly learned of this. He reviewed the case file and also felt there were no suspicious points about the suicide, but he found it somewhat strange that it coincided with the time Yu Sangning and Gu Qingshu went to town.
He then summoned the Shadow Guard assigned to Gu Qingshu and finally learned what Yu Sangning had done.
"Investigate Second Miss Yu more thoroughly."
Shen Xihe had a solitary nature. She was by no means a chivalrous person, nor was she one to meddle in others' affairs. This matter alone would absolutely not have been enough to make Shen Xihe act against Yu Sangning. At most, she would have simply kept her distance from Yu Sangning in the future.
Unaware of Xiao Changqing's private actions, Shen Xihe had a wonderful sleep. When she awoke, Xiao Huayong was already sitting in her bedchamber. Separated by a screen, Shen Xihe could see his tall figure leaning back on a long couch with a small table, holding a teacup in one hand and flipping through a book with the other.
If an unknowing person were to see this scene, they would likely mistake them for a married couple!
Shen Xihe's good mood instantly vanished. The sound of her getting up alerted Zhenzhu and Biyu, who hurried forward to attend to her. Xiao Huayong heard it but did not turn his head, continuing to read his book. This was probably the last shred of gentlemanly conduct he could cling to.
"Your Highness, you are so reckless and make no effort to avoid suspicion. If word of this were to spread, do you know what the consequences would be?" Shen Xihe asked accusatorily as soon as she came out, fully dressed.
Xiao Huayong closed the book and looked up at her, his deep, ocean-like eyes swirling with amusement. "Only you and I know of this matter, Youyou. Your people are all tight-lipped. No one else will ever know."
If that weren't the case, he wouldn't dare to be so audacious. He wasn't afraid of people using this to attack him, but he didn't want anyone to slander her.
"Burying your head in the sand," Shen Xihe said coldly. "Your Highness knows full well this will bring condemnation upon me. Why do you still insist on doing as you please?"
Xiao Huayong propped his cheek on one hand, tilting his head as he looked at Shen Xihe, his smile taking on a playful edge. "Naturally, it is to help Youyou get used to the way we will interact after our wedding."
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel