Destined

Liu Yu Ru watched him acting foolishly, and her heart instantly softened.

"You're drunk," she said with a laugh. "We've long been married."

"No," Gu Jiusi shook his head. "Not married. Doesn't count."

He had no strength, leaning entirely on Liu Yu Ru, repeatedly denying: "That was... that was forced by the old man. We're not married."

Liu Yu Ru sighed.

When the two of them got married back then, who wasn't forced by circumstances?

When she herself was bowing during the wedding ceremony, she was still thinking, if only this were just a nightmare, and when she woke up, she could still properly be Miss Liu, then marry Ye Shi'an whom she had been waiting for in her heart, just as she wished.

Fortunately, through a strange twist of fate, she ended up marrying the person before her.

She didn't know if marrying Ye Shi'an would have been better, but thinking about it, with the Ye Family's rules, she would probably just be confined to the inner chambers, dutifully bearing children and managing the household for her husband. Compared to now being with Gu Jiusi, although there were many ups and downs, somehow she didn't have even the slightest regret.

Snuggling with Gu Jiusi, she said softly: "Whether it was forced or not, we're married now, and I'm going to be with you for life."

"I don't want..."

Gu Jiusi's voice was somewhat slurred. Liu Yu Ru was taken aback, feeling a bitterness in her heart.

After all this time, could he still be thinking about those words from back then, that they would eventually go their separate ways?

Just as Liu Yu Ru's heart was in turmoil, she heard Gu Jiusi say: "I want to marry you."

He murmured: "I want to start over... I want to personally bring the betrothal gifts to your door, carry you into the wedding sedan, bow with you during the ceremony, lift your veil, drink the wedding wine... we can't miss any of the auspicious rituals... I want to be with you for this lifetime, the next lifetime, and the lifetime after that."

Gu Jiusi intertwined his fingers with hers. He rested his forehead against hers, his voice pausing. After saying this long string of words, he seemed somewhat tired. After stopping to rest for a moment, he continued: "Yu Ru."

"I'll cherish you," he said seriously. "I'll cherish you, spoil you, and always treat you well. Don't leave me."

"I won't leave you." Liu Yu Ru's heart melted completely. She whispered, "Don't worry."

"I'll treat you well," he repeated, "so you'll know what it truly means to be treated well."

Liu Yu Ru couldn't help but laugh as she listened. As the carriage slowly moved along, she listened to Gu Jiusi's grand plans for how he would treat her well.

She helped him into the house, attended to him as he got into bed, wiped him down, and only then did she rest herself.

Gu Jiusi was still muttering incessantly at this point. When Liu Yu Ru got into bed, Gu Jiusi pulled her close. He seemed sleepy, but still insisted on saying: "I know... you're not someone who should be confined to the inner chambers. Your heart is too big for that... You'll go to many places, earn lots of money. You don't like being Madam Gu..."

Liu Yu Ru was taken aback. Just as she was about to deny it, she heard Gu Jiusi say: "I don't mind..."

"I can be Husband Liu. You can do whatever you want. If you want to make money, I'll help you earn it... If you want to go out, I'll have people escort you... Yu Ru," he held her hand, seeming somewhat sad, "I'm not Gu Jiusi anymore," he said hoarsely, "but you must remain Liu Yu Ru."

Liu Yu Ru listened quietly, suddenly feeling a pang of sorrow in her heart.

She could hear the sob in his voice, and understood perfectly well what he meant.Gu Jiusi had once dreamed of becoming a chivalrous hero of righteousness and benevolence, riding through blooming flowers and living with unbridled pride in Yangzhou for eighteen years. Now, whether it was national calamity or family vendetta, he was forced to mature swiftly. He never complained of hardship, nor did he ever voice unwillingness. If his family needed him to shoulder responsibility, he stood up and bore it. Yet deep in his heart, he always cherished the audacity of his youth.

Since he could no longer live that way, he wanted her to.

When he said he would cherish and love her, he meant to give her a world of her own, where she could freely do everything she desired without having to endure or yield.

Wasn’t this precisely because it was what he himself wanted most?

Liu Yuru felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. Gazing at the face before her, caught between youth and manhood, she couldn’t help but hold him tighter.

“Jiusi,” she spoke, her voice hoarse, “you will always be my Gu Jiusi.”

Gu Jiusi held her hand, seemingly drowsy. His breath carried the scent of wine, and Liu Yuru heard the gentle patter of rain outside. Watching him, she leaned in and softly pressed her lips to his.

Gu Jiusi opened his eyes hazily and saw the girl before him, her eyelashes trembling slightly. He couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality. He murmured softly, “Yuru…”

As he spoke, his tongue lightly brushed against her lips, sending a shiver through both of them. Liu Yuru froze.

Neither moved, and Gu Jiusi seemed equally startled. After a moment, Liu Yuru instinctively tried to pull back, but the moment she moved, Gu Jiusi wrapped his arm around her waist.

The sensation in that instant left him stunned, mingled with an inexplicable fascination. Only then did he realize such an experience existed.

Holding her, he slowly tightened his embrace, increasing his grip. He lowered his head to nuzzle against her, whispering her name over and over, “Yuru.”

Liu Yuru melted at his calls, only then feeling his lips press against hers. He seemed to tremble, and she remained rigid as Gu Jiusi lingered on her lips before tentatively probing with his tongue.

His mind was both clear and muddled. The taste of wine, carried by his tongue, seeped into Liu Yuru’s mouth—the flavor of alcohol, a faint hint of sweetness, and the moist, soft sensation left both youths dizzy.

Unable to resist, Gu Jiusi rolled over, pressing her beneath him.

Outside, the night rain fell upon the blooming crabapple flowers, swaying gently in the drizzle. Their delicate branches and leaves seemed fragile yet exuded endless charm in the wind and rain.

Gu Jiusi looked into Liu Yuru’s eyes, which seemed to glisten with moisture as she shot him a glance tinged with feigned reproach. He couldn’t help but smile.

“With just one look from you,” he said, his voice raspy, “I’d willingly descend into the deepest hell.”

“I don’t want you to go to hell,” Liu Yuru wrapped her arms around his neck, her face flushed, and whispered, “I want you to stay by my side.”

Gu Jiusi felt dazed. Gazing down at her, he choked up for a moment before finally saying, “Alright.”

In that moment, even in his drunken, muddled state, he knew with absolute clarity.

In this lifetime, if he were to lose Liu Yuru, he could never desire anyone else.

Having encountered such a girl, where could he ever find another as wonderful? And even if he found someone as wonderful, where could he find a heart like hers?

He lowered his head and captured her lips.His movements were gentle and meticulous, for there were many words he couldn't speak aloud, not knowing how to express them. He only felt that through every touch, every kiss, every embrace, his unspoken feelings seemed to be silently conveyed.

They tossed and turned until late into the night, only falling into a drowsy sleep after the rain had stopped.

When Gu Jiusi woke the next morning, he saw the bed in complete disarray, with Liu Yu Ru sleeping beside him, her clothes still in disarray.

Gu Jiusi's mind went blank for a moment. Startled, he jerked backward and tumbled right off the bed.

Liu Yu Ru drowsily opened her eyes, propping herself up as her clothes slipped down, revealing her slender, pale shoulders.

Gu Jiusi's gaze involuntarily fell upon them. Liu Yu Ru yawned and asked, "Why did you fall off the bed, my lord?"

"I... I..."

Gu Jiusi restrained himself from running away. Outside, Munan and Yin Hong heard the commotion and knew they were awake, preparing to enter. Gu Jiusi shouted, "Don't anyone come in!"

His words stunned everyone, and Liu Yu Ru became more alert.

Gu Jiusi stared at Liu Yu Ru, scrutinizing her for a moment before confirming that although her clothes were messy, they were still on.

Fragments of memories flashed through his mind. His face flushed, and after confirming several times, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. He turned away, struggling to speak: "I... I..."

"My lord was drunk last night," Liu Yu Ru said softly, guessing what Gu Jiusi wanted to say. She lowered her head, her face reddening.

Gu Jiusi quickly nodded. "Yes, yes, I was drunk."

After that, they fell into silence, neither speaking.

Gu Jiusi watched Liu Yu Ru sitting on the bed, propping herself up, seemingly embarrassed. Her face remained flushed as she gazed out the window. After a long while, Gu Jiusi gradually calmed down and suddenly felt that perhaps this wasn't so bad after all.

Liquid courage had merely given him the push to take one step forward.

He cleared his throat lightly, stood up from the floor, and looked at Liu Yu Ru. "You... you're not angry, are you?"

Liu Yu Ru shook her head, still looking down. Gu Jiusi tried hard to recall what he had said the night before. He sat down beside her and murmured, "I'm glad you're not angry... We're husband and wife, after all. Many things are bound to happen sooner or later."

Liu Yu Ru gave a soft acknowledgment, her face burning red.

Gu Jiusi gritted his teeth, turned around, and pulled Liu Yu Ru into his arms.

Liu Yu Ru swallowed a gasp, afraid of being heard by those outside. Gu Jiusi held her, feeling her shyness intensify, which steadied him somewhat. He spoke slowly, "I was reckless last night, but the words I spoke were sincere. The things I did... were what I wanted to do."

"Mm."

Liu Yu Ru whispered, her face still flushed, "I know."

"Yu Ru," he held her earnestly, "Although we're married, I don't want us to be together just because we're married. Let's take our time. If I rush or offend you, and you feel uncomfortable, tell me. I'll change, alright?"

"How could you offend me?" Liu Yu Ru murmured. "Whatever my lord wishes to do, just do it."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi chuckled softly. "If I do, and you're unhappy inside, you'll hold it against me. You've always been a little liar—do you think I don't know that?"

"I'm not..."Liu Yu Ru hastily denied it, and Gu Jiusi chuckled but didn't refute her further, responding, "Alright, alright, you're not a little liar. You just don't know what you want yourself, is that it?"

"I..."

"Yu Ru," Gu Jiusi held her and said seriously, "Don't explain or say more. Some things are hard to put into words—it's enough that we understand in our hearts."

Liu Yu Ru fell silent, and Gu Jiusi continued calmly, "I know about your past. You might deceive yourself for a while, but not for a lifetime. I'm not in a hurry. Let's just live our lives well. You'll always be Madam Gu, and with every step we take forward, our bond will grow stronger. Is that alright?"

Liu Yu Ru didn't say much either, simply nodding. Gu Jiusi smoothed her hair and then called for someone to enter with a smile.

The others glanced at the young couple, pursed their lips in amusement, and said nothing, merely letting them freshen up.

As Liu Yu Ru caught sight of Gu Jiusi putting on his Official Robe in the mirror, she lowered her gaze. Just as he was about to leave, she suddenly called out, "Jiu Si."

Gu Jiusi halted his steps, and then heard Liu Yu Ru say, "I'll go buy grain for you."

Gu Jiusi was taken aback. She stood up, looking at him with a determined expression. "You don't need to gather the Youzhou debt again. Give me the money you have now, and I'll use it as capital. When I return, I'll bring back an extra three hundred thousand dan of grain for sure."

Gu Jiusi stared at her in astonishment, but Liu Yu Ru smiled.

"Didn't you say you wanted me to be Liu Yu Ru?" she said calmly. "If it weren't for thinking about propriety and you, the truth is, Liu Yu Ru at her core is exactly this kind of person."

Someone who loves money and thrives on challenges, dares to stake eight million on a military pledge, willingly travels thousands of miles for love and her own ambitions, and fears neither storms nor hardships.