Looking at Ji Wujing’s cold face, Gu Jianli reflected seriously. Maybe she should have informed him in advance? She hadn’t expected Ji Wujing to mind this. She explained softly, “I forgot to tell you yesterday, and you weren’t awake yet when I left this morning, so I didn’t mention it.”
After a pause, she added, “I’ll let you know in advance next time.”
“Next time…” Ji Wujing repeated the words from Gu Jianli’s sentence.
Gu Jianli wasn’t sure if it was just her illusion, but she felt that Ji Wujing’s expression softened a bit.
She took another step forward, standing in front of Ji Wujing, and reached out to touch his hand. As expected, his hand was very cold. She asked, “How did you get here? Was it cold on the way?”
She touched Ji Wujing’s sleeve and complained, “You’re dressed too thinly.”
Noticing Gu Jianli’s furrowed brow, Ji Wujing’s expression softened a bit more.
“Why did you come over so suddenly? Is something wrong?” Gu Jianli asked.
“Couldn’t sleep,” Ji Wujing said matter-of-factly.
Gu Jianli was a bit stunned. Couldn’t sleep? What kind of reason was that? If he couldn’t sleep, he just shouldn’t sleep? Did he think he’d sleep better here?
At the door, Madam Tao called, “Jianli, why are you talking outside? Bring him in!”
Gu Jianli responded and said to Ji Wujing, “Come in. Did you skip lunch? We’re just about to eat at home.”
Gu Jianli turned around and had just taken two steps when she realized Ji Wujing wasn’t following. She looked back at him in confusion.
“No strength to walk,” Ji Wujing said weakly.
Gu Jianli sighed lightly, went back to his side, and supported him. She complained inwardly about Ji Wujing’s poor health and his reckless outings.
Inside the hall, Gu Jingyuan watched his youngest daughter carefully support Ji Wujing, his face darkening.
Seeing his beloved daughter attentively care for someone else made him unhappy. Especially since that person was Ji Wujing, it made him even more unhappy. Very unhappy.
At lunch, there was no fish on the table. When Ji Wujing arrived, the meal was already prepared, and since they didn’t know he would come, no extra fish was made.
Ji Wujing ate only a couple of bites before putting down his chopsticks.
Gu Jianli whispered to him, “I’ll make fish for you tonight when we get home.”
Gu Jingyuan heard this and coughed, saying sternly, “Have you forgotten the rule of not talking during meals?”
Gu Jianli lowered her head and ate quietly, not daring to speak again.
Ji Wujing lazily remarked, “So many rules.”
Gu Jingyuan glared at him and said irritably, “Don’t think just because you added some betrothal gifts, you’re something special. You’ve been here again in just a few days? If someone didn’t know better, they’d think you were moving in here!”
“Don’t say that. I find staying here quite comfortable. You provide food and shelter, and being a live-in son-in-law doesn’t sound too bad,” Ji Wujing joked with a roguish grin.
Gu Jingyuan felt a tightness in his chest. He remembered how Gu Jianli had once cried on his knee, and he forcibly suppressed his urge to scold Ji Wujing harshly.
Just seeing Ji Wujing made him lose his appetite, so he angrily put down his chopsticks and got up from the table.
Madam Tao hurriedly stood up and followed him, preparing a separate portion to bring to him.
Gu Chuan looked at one and then the other, just about to speak, but Gu Jianli added some food to his plate and said, “Just eat your meal.”
“Oh…” Gu Chuan had no choice but to suppress his confusion.
After quickly finishing her meal, Gu Jianli helped Ji Wujing to her room.
Ji Wujing sat on the bed and patted the space next to him, saying, “Come up and sleep with me.”
Gu Jianli hesitated. She had planned to discuss something important with her father today.
“I need to see my father for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”
Ji Wujing remained expressionless and silent.
“Really, I’ll be back shortly. You should rest and take a nap. Once you wake up, we’ll go home.”
Ji Wujing thought for a moment, then lay down on his side and closed his eyes to sleep.
Gu Jianli covered him with a blanket before heading to Gu Jingyuan’s study. Gu Jingyuan was still sulking. His anger stemmed from his concern for his daughter, so even though he was fuming inside, he tried to suppress his anger when facing Gu Jianli.
Since it was rare for Gu Jianli to come home, she decided to tell her father what she had planned. Given his current situation, it was always good for him to know more about what was happening in the palace.
She said, “Father, are you aware of what happened to the Second Prince? When I entered the palace the day before yesterday, I happened to witness it.”
“I know. He has been exiled to the borderlands and will leave tomorrow.”
“But from what I saw, it seemed like the Second Prince was drugged and framed.”
Gu Jingyuan nodded. “It was likely the work of the Fourth Prince or the Fifth Prince. We’re still investigating.”
“If there was foul play, why is he still being exiled to the borderlands?” Gu Jianli was puzzled.
Gu Jingyuan smiled and said, “Being framed shows his incompetence. Moreover, regardless of the reason, attacking Emperor Chang is a serious crime. Besides… exile to the borderlands might not be a bad thing.”
Gu Jianli vaguely understood. She suddenly remembered the Sun family’s girl who had cried while covering her face and asked her father about her.
“She was given in marriage to the Second Prince and will go with him to the borderlands,” Gu Jingyuan said.
Gu Jianli was slightly stunned.
She suddenly realized that marriage for women often didn’t go as they wished. Silently, she hoped that the Sun family girl would have a better future.
Gu Jingyuan looked at his daughter and asked, “You came back this time mainly because of your aunt, right?”
“Yes, but not entirely,” Gu Jianli carefully observed Gu Jingyuan’s expression and cautiously asked, “Father, do you know about the Emperor’s feelings for mother…”
Gu Jingyuan nodded and replied wearily, “Even if I didn’t know before, I certainly understand now.”
As expected, her father knew everything.
For a moment, Gu Jianli didn’t know what to say. After a long pause, she hesitated and said, “Father, my aunt… she told me not to go to the palace anymore, not to appear before the Emperor. But later, by chance, I still saw the Emperor. He praised my name…”
Gu Jianli spoke cautiously, as it was just a suspicion. She asked, “Father, do I really resemble my mother?”
Gu Jingyuan stared at Gu Jianli’s face for a long while and then silently nodded. He understood that Emperor Chang praised Gu Jianli’s name precisely because she resembled her mother.
Seeing Jianli was like seeing Li Yunyan.
Gu Jianli put this thought aside and asked about something more concerning: “Father, earlier this year, I often heard that you were released from prison because of the Empress Dowager’s birthday and the New Year, and that after the first month, there might be more punishment… I know you must have your plans. But I am still very worried…”
Gu Jianli’s brows furrowed deeply, and her bright eyes were filled with concern.
Gu Jingyuan had always been a stern father, never discussing his own matters with his children. In the past, asking too many questions would have been overstepping boundaries. And even if asked, he wouldn’t have told his children.
But now, with such a serious matter at hand, Gu Jianli felt that she was no longer a child and decided to ask.
Gu Jingyuan was silent for a long time before he finally said, “Jianli, prepare yourself. In about ten days, we will leave the capital.”
“What?” Gu Jianli was shocked. She was born and raised in Yong’an City and had never stepped outside Anjing. Gu Jingyuan’s sudden mention of leaving took her by surprise.
Gu Jingyuan looked directly at Gu Jianli and said solemnly, “Jianli, I won’t hide it from you. Whether for self-preservation or planning another path, it is no longer suitable for me to stay in the capital.”
“Then… then will Sister’s tavern close? Is everyone leaving?” Gu Jianli felt a bit flustered.
“Jianli, your sister’s primary purpose for opening the tavern wasn’t to make money.”
Gu Jianli paused and suddenly understood many things.
Gu Jingyuan stood up and walked over to Gu Jianli, looking at his youngest daughter with concern. He said, “I understand everything you told me last time. You are kind-hearted and want to stay by Ji Zhao’s side to accompany him through his final days. But the future is unpredictable. If I make any moves elsewhere, staying in the capital will be dangerous for you. At that time, not only will Emperor Chang be a threat, but the other princes might also use you to threaten me. Moreover, if that day comes, Ji Zhao will also be implicated. Thus, your kind intention to repay him would be in vain.”
Her father’s words struck Gu Jianli’s heart with each syllable. Although she had speculated about her father’s plans, she hadn’t expected this day to come so soon. Hearing it directly from him left her shocked and uncertain about what to do.
Gu Jianli instinctively said, “I-I need to ask him…”
“Ask who? Ji Zhao?” Gu Jingyuan was both amused and exasperated. “Are you already ready to follow your husband so soon after marriage?”
“No…” Gu Jianli shook her head. “Even if I have to leave, I need to tell him. I…”
Gu Jingyuan could see that Gu Jianli was confused. He said, “There’s no rush. We will leave the capital in about ten days. You can take your time to think about it and make a decision even at the last moment. Jianli, you are not a child anymore. I won’t order you around. It’s your choice. But you need to consider if your kindness is worth putting yourself in danger. If you and Ji Zhao were a properly married couple, I would support you standing by him through thick and thin. But your marriage is a farce, and you have no feelings for each other. Ji Zhao may not even appreciate your care and company. If he gets implicated because of you, will he not resent you?”
Gu Jianli listened intently to her father’s words and slowly nodded after a long silence. “I understand, Father…”
Gu Jingyuan sighed. “Go back.”
Gu Jianli nodded, furrowing her brows as she turned to leave. She returned to her room and gently lifted the bed curtain to see Ji Wujing asleep. She sat by the bed, gazing at the sleeping Ji Wujing, deep in thought.
Despite Ji Wujing’s erratic and capricious nature, she wasn’t foolish. Regardless of his intentions or methods, Gu Jianli could feel his kindness toward her. Even though she didn’t like the marriage and had no feelings for Ji Wujing, she wanted to try her best to be a good wife and care for him in his final days.
However, now…
“Why are you staring at me again?” Ji Wujing lazily opened his eyes. “Am I that good-looking?”
Gu Jianli was startled, her shoulders trembling slightly. She looked at Ji Wujing reproachfully. She had prepared several ways to discuss things with him, but now, because of Ji Wujing’s remark, she could only sum it up in one sentence:
“My father is taking me out of the capital. Staying here is dangerous for me and could implicate you.”
Ji Wujing took a moment to process this before he responded with an “Oh.” He pulled Gu Jianli onto the bed and rolled with her to the inner side. Burying his face in her neck, he took a sniff and lazily said, “I’ll go too.”
