Destined

Gu Jiusi remained rigid, staring at the wall all night.

He only drifted into a fitful sleep when exhaustion overwhelmed him.

Deep down, he yearned to turn around and do something, but reason reminded him that now was not the time.

It was only now that he truly understood the depth of his feelings for Liu Yu Ru, yet he knew she might not feel the same.

He was aware that no matter what he did, Liu Yu Ru would not refuse him. But her lack of refusal did not mean she was willing.

Liu Yu Ru, by nature, was bound by rules and a sense of duty. Rational and reserved, her relationship with him had always been governed more by propriety than passion. She knew he was her husband, and that would never change in this lifetime. Thus, no matter what he asked of her, whether she liked it or not, she would say she did and endure it.

But he could see that his touch frightened her. Her heart was filled with hesitation, though she forced herself to appear calm.

How could he bear to let her suffer such grievances? Nor could he tolerate such flaws in their relationship.

He and Liu Yu Ru still had a long life ahead of them. He believed that, over time, she would gradually come to love him, sincerely accept him, and they would become the most beautiful presence of love in each other’s lives—not out of familial duty or obligation, but genuine affection. But if they started now, before her feelings were certain, it would be a lifelong regret.

When Gu Jiusi woke up, the morning’s sensitivity left him uncomfortable. He quickly rose, washed up, and calmed himself. He had breakfast prepared for Liu Yu Ru and took another portion to the woodshed to see Shen Ming.

Brother Xiong had been taken away to be cared for, while Shen Ming sat in the woodshed, looking somewhat frail.

Gu Jiusi placed the breakfast in front of Shen Ming and stood up. "Have you thought it over?"

"Why didn’t you kill me?" Shen Ming asked calmly. "I heard you killed everyone from Black Wind Fortress."

"Your crimes don’t warrant death, and you saved me and my wife twice. Killing you wouldn’t be right."

"Then why not release me?" Shen Ming looked up at him. Gu Jiusi replied evenly, "I don’t trust you to roam freely. What if you talk carelessly and ruin my wife’s reputation?"

"Moreover," Gu Jiusi glanced at him, speaking mildly, "with your martial skills, I fear you might stray onto a wicked path and commit evil deeds if set loose."

"Following you isn’t committing evil deeds?" Shen Ming sneered. "You government lackeys—which of you is any good?"

"Shen Ming," Gu Jiusi looked at him quietly, "you can stay with me. If you think I’m doing wrong, you can kill me."

Shen Ming was taken aback. Gu Jiusi sat down and said lightly, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

Shen Ming remained silent for a long while before finally saying, "No more questions."

"Hmm?" Gu Jiusi glanced at him. Shen Ming said calmly, "You’re right. If you’re a corrupt official, I’ll just cut you down."

Gu Jiusi smiled without replying. He took a sip of tea and called for someone outside to untie Shen Ming.

By the time Liu Yu Ru woke up, Shen Ming had already been settled.

Liu Yu Ru had slept well. When Gu Jiusi saw her enter the courtyard, he hurriedly asked, "Why are you up already? Sleep a bit more."

"I’ve slept enough," Liu Yu Ru smiled. "Let me join you for breakfast."As she spoke, her gaze fell upon Shen Ming's face. She showed a hint of surprise, then revealed a gentle smile and nodded toward him.

Shen Ming appeared somewhat awkward. He bowed to Liu Yuru before hastily turning to leave.

Gu Jiusi glanced at him, then looked at Liu Yuru. Walking onto the corridor, he took her hand to go for a meal and casually remarked, "Shen Ming will be working under me from now on. Since you don't have anyone reliable by your side, how about I assign him to you? You can make use of him."

Hearing this, Liu Yuru looked at him suspiciously, noticing Gu Jiusi's completely calm expression without any trace of emotion.

After thinking for a moment, she nodded and said, "Alright."

Gu Jiusi halted his steps, raising his eyes to look at her. His gaze seemed somewhat aggrieved as he stared at her without speaking. Liu Yuru suppressed a laugh and continued, "I'll have him serve as my attendant, just like Yin Hong, following me every day."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi curled his lips: "Wishful thinking."

After saying this, he turned away as if displeased and entered the dining hall.

Su Wan and Jiang Rou were chatting when they saw the two enter. Just as Jiang Rou was about to speak, she watched Gu Jiusi sit down with a "clang" and begin eating rapidly.

Liu Yuru gracefully took her seat and said to Su Wan and Jiang Rou, "Mother, Mother-in-law, let's eat."

Gu Jiusi made clattering noises with the dishes on the table, making it impossible for anyone else to pick up their chopsticks. Only Liu Yuru appeared completely unaffected. Jiang Rou and Su Wan exchanged glances beside them. Seeing the two elders hesitating to eat, Liu Yuru suddenly spoke: "Gu Jiusi."

Gu Jiusi froze mid-action. Her voice was very calm, with a smile on her face. Gu Jiusi suddenly felt a chill in his heart, inexplicably recalling his experience of being locked in the woodshed.

Liu Yuru said lightly, "Eat properly."

Not daring to speak, Gu Jiusi simply straightened his posture and stopped making trouble.

After the meal, Gu Jiusi returned to their room and sat motionless on the bed. Liu Yuru went to fetch his official robe. When she brought it over, Gu Jiusi remained seated without moving. Liu Yuru said with a smile, "Husband, come change your clothes."

"Not going." Gu Jiusi lay down on the bed as if angry. "I'm sick today, don't want to go to the County Government Office!"

Hearing this, Liu Yuru laughed. She sat beside Gu Jiusi and gently fanned him with her round fan: "Where is my husband feeling unwell? Is it too hot?"

"My heart is sick!" Gu Jiusi mumbled into the bedding.

Liu Yuru suppressed a smile: "How did it get sick? Tell me about it."

"Madam Liu has taken a fancy to someone new!" Gu Jiusi lifted his head, his beautiful eyes full of grievance. "She's going to abandon the old!"

Hearing this, Liu Yuru couldn't help but laugh aloud.

Gu Jiusi snorted, turned his head away, and presented his back to Liu Yuru with an expression that clearly said "I absolutely won't talk to you, I'm just waiting for you to coax me."

Liu Yuru tapped him with her round fan, laughing: "Why are you so childish? You were testing me yourself, and now you won't let me respond?"

"I don't care," Gu Jiusi muttered. "You wanted him to be your attendant. I'm angry."

"Wasn't that just teasing you?" Liu Yuru fanned him properly, coaxing him gently. "How could I possibly have him as my attendant? I'm a married woman - if people saw, how bad would that sound?"

"You're only worried about people seeing! If no one could see, you'd have taken him as your attendant!""Gu Jiusi," Liu Yuru was caught between laughter and tears, "are you never going to stop? I haven't even asked why you felt the need to test me like this—do you not trust me?"

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi froze for a moment. Liu Yuru sighed and continued, "You've never truly believed that my relationship with him is purely innocent..."

"No, no," Gu Jiusi quickly interjected, "how could I ever doubt you!"

"Then why ask me like that?" Liu Yuru looked at him with a sorrowful expression. "There's still a knot in your heart."

"I don't, I haven't, don't talk nonsense!"

Gu Jiusi hurriedly denied all three accusations in one breath, then shuffled closer to lean against Liu Yuru, complaining pitifully, "I saw you smiling at him. Can't you just praise me a little and give me some reassurance?"

"Alright, alright," Liu Yuru thought the man before her resembled a child and quickly replied, "I'll praise you, then. You're the best, the greatest. How could Shen Ming ever compare to a single finger of yours? Why did you even bring him to me? Keep him for yourself and make sure he stays as far away from me as possible. Is that enough?"

Gu Jiusi's face clearly showed dissatisfaction, but he didn't dare push further. After grumbling a couple of times, he said, "I suppose that'll have to do."

With that, he finally straightened up and announced, "Alright, I need to go to the County Government Office."

Liu Yuru smiled and helped him into his robes. Gu Jiusi lowered his head, watching her busy herself in front of him. He felt her arms wrap around him as she fastened his belt around his waist and tied it again. He kept his gaze fixed on her, not even daring to blink, as if afraid to miss a single moment.

After she buttoned his final clasp and placed his official hat on his head, she quietly studied him for a moment before smiling and saying, "My husband is truly handsome."

"If I'm so handsome, shouldn't we do something about it?"

Gu Jiusi picked up her words without hesitation. Liu Yuru was taken aback as Gu Jiusi bent down, bringing his face close to hers.

Seeing his movement, Liu Yuru understood his intention. She pressed her lips together and gently kissed his cheek.

Gu Jiusi lifted a hand to his own lips, staring at her as he said, "This part is soft. Try it here."

"Gu Jiusi," Liu Yuru blushed instantly at his gesture. She lightly tapped him with her round fan and whispered, "Don't be shameless."

Gu Jiusi easily caught her wrist, intercepting her movement. He took a step forward, his hand resting on her waist.

His palm was large, covering most of her slender waist. Warmth seeped through from where they touched. Gu Jiusi raised his other hand and drew the curtain closed.

The room was suddenly enclosed. Gu Jiusi pressed close to her, and when she tried to retreat, the hand on her waist stopped her.

Liu Yuru's face burned crimson. She whispered, "You... what are you doing?"

"Really soft," Gu Jiusi murmured by her ear in a voice meant only for them. "Let me show you, hmm?"

Liu Yuru's heart raced wildly.

She truly didn't know how Gu Jiusi had become like this. The change had come suddenly, yet it was also expected. She had always known this day would come for them. Though she felt some fear in her heart, she didn't dare refuse.

Gu Jiusi studied her expression, then carefully lowered his head.

He pretended to be experienced, but in the end, he was just a novice. His warm, soft lips pressed against hers—gently pressing, brushing, pecking, one after another, tender and awkward.Liu Yu Ru's face was flushed, her eyes closed, and her entire body trembled like a budding peach blossom, evoking a sense of pity in anyone who saw her.

Gu Jiusi felt that the imagined sensation was indeed different from reality—the reality was more intoxicating, more enchanting.

Unconsciously, he pressed her against the pillar. He dared not do more, feeling that merely pressing his lips against hers and lingering for a moment was already bliss. Though he desired more, he dared not advance further, fearing both his own apprehension and startling her.

He kept track of the time, restraining himself. Noticing that Liu Yu Ru had been holding her breath, he finally moved his lips away, then held her tightly, pressing his body firmly against hers.

Only after he pulled away could Liu Yu Ru breathe again, and then she was enveloped by his scorching chest.

Listening to his rapid heartbeat, she whispered softly, "You... what are you doing..."

Her voice was like a kitten's, stirring a restless itch in one's heart.

"I'm going to the Magistrate Office."

Gu Jiusi's voice was slightly hoarse: "Would you like to rest a little longer?"

Hearing him speak of serious matters, Liu Yu Ru gradually calmed down: "No need. I have a lot to do at the shop, and I need to keep an eye on things."

"Mm."

Gu Jiusi responded, reluctant to let go, and continued holding her.

Liu Yu Ru dared not move.

A long time later, she finally heard Gu Jiusi say, "Yu Ru."

"Mm."

"You'll get used to it slowly."

His words seemed abrupt and unclear. Liu Yu Ru lifted her eyes to look at him from within his embrace.

Gu Jiusi lowered his gaze to her, his voice husky as he said, "Slowly get used to me, and entrust your heart to me, alright?"