Liu Yu Ru sprinted all the way to the flower boat. As soon as she reached the shore where it was docked, she saw guards posted everywhere, seemingly already conducting inspections. Liu Yu Ru wiped her tears and stepped forward, sniffled, and forced herself to appear calm as she said, "Sir, I... I..."
She couldn't get the words out. She tried to calm herself, to steady her nerves, but the words simply wouldn't come. Only tears fell incessantly, making her appear fragile and pitiful.
Seeing her like this, the guard's heart softened instantly. He quickly asked, "Madam, is something the matter?"
Liu Yu Ru took out the token Gu Jiusi had given her from her bosom. Clenching her fist tightly, she used the pain to steady herself. After a long moment, she took a deep breath and finally choked out, "I... I need to see Lord Gu."
Whether he was alive or dead, she had to see him.
The guard took the token and promptly arranged for someone to escort her inside.
At that moment, the entire flower boat was swarming with soldiers, as if a fierce struggle had just taken place. Liu Yu Ru was led to the inner cabin, where she saw a body lying on the floor, covered with a white cloth, isolated and alone in the cabin.
No one else was around. At the sight of the corpse, Liu Yu Ru staggered backward, nearly collapsing. A maid who had followed her quickly steadied her and reminded her, "Be careful, Madam."
Liu Yu Ru trembled slightly, covering her mouth with a handkerchief to keep herself from breaking down completely.
The maid held her, puzzled by her intense reaction, and said hurriedly, "Madam, if you're feeling unwell, let me help you stand by the door."
"N-no need," Liu Yu Ru gasped, moving toward the man on the floor. She slowly knelt down and asked hoarsely, "Was... was his passing painful?"
"Not at all," the maid replied immediately. "By the time he was brought down, he was already cold."
Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru felt as if a heavy stone had settled on her heart.
She wanted to lift the cloth covering him but didn't dare. Kneeling beside the body, she said in a raspy voice, "Leave me. I want to sit here alone for a while."
"Madam Gu..."
The maid hesitated. Liu Yu Ru, tears streaming down her face, suddenly shouted, "I said get out!"
Startled, the maid quickly bowed and retreated.
As soon as the maid left, Liu Yu Ru collapsed entirely. She knelt beside the corpse, quietly wiping her tears.
"You've got it easy now..." she sobbed. "You left everything to me. How many times did I warn you to be careful? You never listened, always thought you were the smartest, the most capable in the world..."
Liu Yu Ru went on and on, unable to stop. Tears fell like raindrops, seeming to be her only solace.
At that moment, Gu Jiusi had just returned from the lower deck. He had been interrogating the captured culprits below. Upon hearing that Liu Yu Ru had arrived, he had initially turned to go up to the main cabin, but his clothes were stained with blood, so he had to change and wash his hands first. By the time he reached the door, he heard Liu Yu Ru weeping inside.
He paused, listening as she continued to cry and scold inside, "If you were going to die, why didn't you die sooner? Now that you're gone, what am I supposed to do?"Gu Jiusi was utterly baffled. He bent down, poked a hole in the paper-covered window, and watched Liu Yuru crying inside. She wept with deep emotion and immense grievance. Between sobs, she suddenly raised her hand and slapped the corpse twice, shouting angrily, "Gu Jiusi, get up right now!"
The slaps were so forceful that Gu Jiusi winced just watching, instinctively shrinking back. He roughly understood the situation and thought he should go in and clarify that he wasn't dead. Yet, for some reason, curiosity got the better of him—he wondered what Liu Yuru would do if he were truly dead.
In the end, curiosity overpowered reason, and he decided to keep watching.
Liu Yuru sat in the room. After hitting the corpse, she fell still again, staring quietly at it for a long time. Then, in a hoarse voice, she murmured, "Forget it. Since you're gone, why should I hold a grudge?"
As she spoke, her trembling hand slowly reached for the white cloth covering the corpse's face. In a low, raspy tone, she said, "Rest assured, I'll make Luo Zishang join you in the afterlife. You..."
Before she could finish, she lifted the cloth and stared blankly at the stranger lying on the ground, completely stunned.
Just then, Jiang He's voice came from outside, teasing, "Well, well, little Jiusi, what are you doing crouching here with your butt in the air?"
Gu Jiusi, who had been completely absorbed, was caught off guard when Jiang He smacked his rear with a fan. He jumped up, gasping sharply, "Why did you hit me?"
No sooner had he spoken than he froze, realizing that Liu Yuru must have heard everything.
He turned around to see the door swing open with a bang. Liu Yuru stood in the doorway, gripping the doorframe, her cold gaze fixed on Gu Jiusi, who was still clutching his butt.
Her makeup was smeared from crying, her face icy, and her eyes seemed to glint with frost as she stared relentlessly at Gu Jiusi.
Gu Jiusi remained frozen in his butt-clutching pose, watching the clearly furious Liu Yuru. His clever mind raced frantically. After a long pause, he managed to force a smile that was uglier than a cry. "Yuru, you're here..."
"How long have you been listening?"
Liu Yuru went straight to the point.
How could Gu Jiusi dare tell the truth? He feigned ignorance, saying, "Listening to what? I just got to the door..."
"He's been listening for almost a quarter of an hour," Jiang He chimed in immediately from the side. "I've been standing behind him for about that long."
"Jiang He!"
Gu Jiusi glared angrily at Jiang He, who was clearly enjoying the drama. Leaning against a pillar and tapping his shoulder with his fan, Jiang He said cheerfully, "What? Can't a man speak the truth?"
"You..."
"Gu Jiusi."
Liu Yuru's cold voice cut through. Gu Jiusi immediately turned back to her, plastering on a smile as he stepped forward ingratiatingly. "Yuru, what's wrong? Is there anything you want? Anything you'd like to do?"
Liu Yuru stretched out her hand, staring at Gu Jiusi. He didn't understand until he heard her say, "Your hand."
Gu Jiusi extended his hand. Liu Yuru took it, pushed up his sleeve, and examined the smooth, unmarked skin. She then checked his other hand. Finally, she reached for his chest. Alarmed, Gu Jiusi quickly covered his clothes with one hand and grabbed her mischievous hand with the other, whispering, "There are too many people here. Let's... undress at home."
"You..." Tears welled up in Liu Yuru's eyes again. "Are you really alright?"Gu Jiusi was momentarily stunned before realizing that Liu Yu Ru was utterly terrified. His heart swelled with warmth and joy, mixed with a pang of heartache. He quickly reassured her, "It's alright. I hadn't even finished applying my makeup when Lord Yang suddenly told me to hold off, worried I might not have the stamina to last the entire performance. He sent a substitute first. While I was still getting ready, the substitute went on stage and... was gone."
As he spoke, a cold glint flashed in Gu Jiusi's eyes, but he immediately remembered Liu Yu Ru's presence and, fearing he might frighten her, swiftly pulled her into his embrace. Holding her close, he gently stroked her back and hair, soothing her in a comforting tone, "You were scared, weren't you?" Don't be afraid. I'm perfectly fine."
"Is everything handled now?" Liu Yu Ru clutched the fabric of his chest tightly.
Gu Jiusi thought she must be extremely frightened and promptly replied, "The interrogations and arrests are all done. I've already sent people to dismantle their hideout. Yu Ru, you must be exhausted. Let's go home."
Liu Yu Ru nodded with a sob. Gu Jiusi looked up at Jiang He, who was gazing at the moon on the horizon. Meeting Gu Jiusi's gaze, Jiang He understood after a moment and immediately said, "What does this have to do with me? I have a beauty waiting. Farewell."
"Uncle!" Gu Jiusi called out to stop him. After a pause, he lamented, "My mother said..."
"Shut up," Jiang He cut him off abruptly, then added, "You go back. I'll handle it."
Gu Jiusi nodded gratefully and said, "Thank you, Uncle. I knew you'd always have my back."
"Get lost!"
With that "get lost," Gu Jiusi cheerfully escorted Liu Yu Ru off the boat and into a carriage waiting on the shore.
Liu Yu Ru seemed genuinely shaken, clinging to him the entire journey. Gu Jiusi's masculine pride swelled to unprecedented heights—he had never seen her so delicate and dependent. He spent the ride comforting and reassuring her, trying to ease her worries.
"Really, I swear to you, all of this was within my expectations."
"You're lying," Liu Yu Ru wept. "If it was within your expectations, how could the substitute have died? Are you the type to let someone die for nothing? If it hadn't been him today, it would have been you!"
"No... that's not it," Gu Jiusi hurriedly explained. "With my skills, how could I have been hit by a hidden arrow? The substitute was truly an accident. At that time, I had just heard about the trouble on your end and sent people over. I thought Luo Zishang wouldn't have extra manpower here and wouldn't strike at the very beginning."
"But he did strike, didn't he?"
"For him to dare ambush me with just ten men—his audacity and skill were unexpected."
"Then tell me," Liu Yu Ru sat up straight, wiping her tears, "if the substitute was an accident, what about the incident with me and Ye Yun? You're not going to say you calculated even me into your plans, are you?"
"Well..." Gu Jiusi struggled to speak. "That... was also an accident..."
"Wasn't it all within your expectations?" Liu Yu Ru retorted immediately, her tear-filled eyes fixed on him. "Your expectations include this many accidents?"
"That's why I had Shen Ming and Ye Shi'an follow you, and my uncle was definitely tailing you too. With him around, nothing would happen to you. Yu Ru, I made all the necessary arrangements."
Gu Jiusi vowed earnestly.
Just then, the carriage arrived at the Gu residence. Liu Yu Ru didn't argue further. She sniffled and descended with Gu Jiusi, who supported her as they entered the house together.Liu Yu Ru seemed to have cried herself to exhaustion. Upon entering the room, she sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard without saying a word. Gu Jiusi hurriedly bustled about, instructing someone to fetch water. When Liu Yu Ru saw Yin Hong enter, she beckoned her over and whispered, "Bring me the washboard."
Yin Hong was momentarily puzzled, unsure of the meaning, but she went to fetch it nonetheless.
By the time Yin Hong returned with the washboard, Liu Yu Ru had already washed her face and removed her makeup. Dressed only in a thin inner garment, she leaned against the headboard with an utterly despondent expression. Gu Jiusi stood nearby, anxiously wringing a towel in his hands and occasionally stealing glances at her.
Liu Yu Ru gestured to the space in front of her, and Yin Hong placed the washboard there. With a wave of Liu Yu Ru's hand, Yin Hong withdrew.
After the door closed, only Liu Yu Ru and Gu Jiusi remained in the room. Gu Jiusi stared at the washboard, somewhat confused. "Yu Ru, what is this board for?"
Leaning against the headboard, Liu Yu Ru replied in a sorrowful voice, "Today, I thought my husband had perished, and my heart nearly followed. Does my husband know the bitterness in Yu Ru's heart?"
"I... I know," Gu Jiusi stammered, sensing something amiss. Liu Yu Ru sat up straight, sniffled, and looked at Gu Jiusi. "But Yu Ru has come to understand something. When we married, I thought that although my husband is clever, his temperament is too flamboyant and his actions lack caution. I should have reminded you constantly. Later, you made me feel so at ease that I didn't interfere much. But after today, I see that my husband still acts too recklessly. Reflect well tonight, so you can sleep soundly on the road tomorrow."
Gu Jiusi understood. He looked at the washboard and felt a phantom pain in his knees.
Liu Yu Ru gazed at him gently. "Does my husband wish to come up and sleep?"
"No," Gu Jiusi said mournfully. "My wife is right. I was too reckless and frightened you. I shall kneel on this board to reflect deeply on my faults. I am grateful for my wife's reminder."
With that, Gu Jiusi promptly knelt on the washboard, assuming a solemn expression as he looked at Liu Yu Ru. "My wife, is this kneeling posture handsome enough? Should I move forward two steps? I could block the light for you."
Author's Note: Gu Jiusi: My wife's methods of punishing me are becoming increasingly subtle.
[Mini Theater]
One day, a group of officials knelt outside the imperial study, begging Fan Xuan to amend an edict. Gu Jiusi alone knelt steadfastly throughout. While the other ministers grew weary, he remained erect and unwavering.
When Fan Xuan emerged, he saw Gu Jiusi kneeling with proud posture, straight as a sword planted in the earth, looking exceedingly dashing.
Fan Xuan: "Why does my minister kneel so handsomely?"
Gu Jiusi: "If I kneel handsomely, I can kneel for less time. What if kneeling ugly ruins my wife's mood?"
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