In the Zuoxiang Residence, Long Yujun was sitting at the table, carefully writing invitation cards. Two girls of the same age sat beside her: Tang Honghui, the youngest daughter of General Tang, and He Baojun, the second daughter of Assistant Minister He.
With Long Yujun’s wedding approaching, Tang Honghui and He Baojun had come to see if they could help with anything, and to chat and relieve Long Yujun’s last moments in her boudoir. As Long Yujun chatted with them, she wrote invitations to some of her close friends. She came from a prominent family, had a commendable character, treated people kindly, and had a wide circle of friends.
“Sister Yujun, why hasn’t Jianli come over? I thought she would be here today,” Tang Honghui finally asked after holding back for a long time.
Long Yujun was still writing invitations and hadn’t spoken yet when He Baojun replied first: “Ever since her family had that incident, even though the injustice against the Prince Wuxian was redressed, she hasn’t come out much to meet us. Life must not be too good for her. I heard that she broke her leg somehow and was bedridden for a long time, such a pity. Later, when her leg healed, she caught smallpox from her husband’s concubine and ended up with a face full of pockmarks. She probably doesn’t want to go out anymore.”
He Baojun shook her head with some regret and continued, “It’s such a pity about her looks, to be ruined like that.”
A hint of contempt appeared in Tang Honghui’s eyes as she spoke in a mock-serious tone, “Yes, it is a pity. The most beautiful woman in Anjing becoming pockmarked, how could it not be? If I ended up with a face full of pockmarks, I would cry my eyes out.” Her eyes gleamed, showing a hint of excitement, “The ancients said that beauty has a short life. I didn’t believe it before, but look at the double beauties of Anjing now. I used to really envy the Gu sisters for having such divine looks, but now look… One was divorced and had to run a tavern in the market to earn money. The other is even worse, having to marry her old lover’s uncle to bring him good luck. I wonder if it’s awkward for them to see each other every day. Hey, do you think… Gu Jianli’s husband is bedridden and often unconscious, unable to do anything, right? So, when Jianli sees her old lover every day, wouldn’t she secretly rekindle the relationship…”
“Hui.” Long Yujun frowned and interrupted her.
Tang Honghui took a sip of tea, slightly restraining herself, and said, “I’m only saying this because we’re close. Am I wrong? I’m not trying to be mean, just feeling sorry for the Gu sisters. I had less contact with eldest Li, but I often saw Xiao Li at various gatherings. I care about her. Her fate is unfortunate, and her marriage is even worse. If her husband was considerate, it would be different, but Ji Zhao…”
Tang Honghui covered her mouth and laughed mockingly, “I don’t even know how to describe him. It’s not easy for Jianli to survive by his side. Hey, do you think she endures humiliation to stay alive? After all, he’s a murderer who even brought home an illegitimate child…”
“Hui.” Long Yujun interrupted her for the second time. She put down her pen, looked at Tang Honghui seriously, and said, “Whether you feel pity or schadenfreude, keep it to yourself or talk about it with others. I don’t care. But in my presence, do not speak ill of the Gu sisters. I don’t like to hear it.”
Seeing Long Yujun’s expression, Tang Honghui felt a bit embarrassed. She laughed awkwardly and said, “Alright, alright, I won’t say it anymore. The bride shouldn’t get angry.”
He Baojun quickly tried to mediate, “Yujun, don’t be upset. Honghui didn’t mean it that way. Honghui, don’t say anything more.”
A maid hurriedly came in with a joyful face and reported, “Miss, the Empress’s reward has arrived! Madam asked you to quickly go and receive the decree.”
Long Yujun’s expression softened, and she smiled. She handed the invitations she had just written to the maid and instructed her to have the servants send them out, then hurried to receive the decree.
Tang Honghui and He Baojun followed behind, keeping a bit of distance.
He Baojun, with a look of envy, smiled and said, “With the Empress’s reward, Yujun’s wedding will be even more prestigious.”
Tang Honghui said indifferently, “Her husband’s family background is average, and she’s marrying down just like the Gu sisters. Who knows what the future will be like?”
He Baojun frowned, disagreeing, “On such a joyful day, why are you talking so recklessly? You just mocked the Gu sisters, and now you’re talking about Yujun too.”
Tang Honghui covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed sarcastically, “Didn’t you also laugh at Gu Jianli when she was disfigured? Who are you trying to fool?”
“You!” He Baojun angrily shook off Tang Honghui’s hand and retorted, “First it was the Gu sisters, then Yujun, and now you’re targeting me. Tang Honghui, did someone upset you elsewhere, and now you’re taking it out on us?”
After speaking, He Baojun turned and walked away.
Watching He Baojun’s retreating figure, Tang Honghui wanted to call her back but didn’t. She finally sighed softly. At that moment, she felt a bit regretful, realizing she had gone too far with her words today. These noble girls grew up together, always competing with each other. They compared everything from toys and snacks to gold and silver jewelry, and now at this age, they naturally compared their marriages. Everyone hoped to marry better.
He Baojun was right; Tang Honghui had suffered grievances regarding her marriage, harboring a great deal of frustration. This time, she had lost her composure and revealed the darkness in her heart. It seemed that by trampling others into the mud, she could convince herself that her situation wasn’t too bad, making her feel a bit better.
When Long Yujun’s invitation arrived at Gu Jianli’s place, it was received by Changsheng, who handed it to Jixia. Jixia placed it on Gu Jianli’s dressing table without immediately giving it to her, as Gu Jianli was still struggling in the hot spring pool.
Ji Wujing had already ordered that no one was allowed near the hot spring pool.
It had been an hour and a half since Ji Wujing had pushed her into the water.
Gu Jianli’s body was submerged in the water, her arms resting on the edge, her head slightly tilted and resting on her arms, panting heavily. She was utterly exhausted. Her face was pale, her limbs weak, and her left leg, which had just cramped, was still sore.
Hearing the sound of water behind her, indicating Ji Wujing’s approach, Gu Jianli immediately pleaded, “Let me rest a little longer, just a little longer.”
Ji Wujing stopped beside her, his hand sliding from her waist to her abdomen, pulling her close to him. “It’s almost dark; you’ve rested long enough. Xiao Li, being lazy is not right.”
Gu Jianli turned in his arms, hooking her wrist around his waist, leaning back slightly, and using a soft, coquettish tone, “Uncle…”
Her damp raven hair clung softly to her cheeks and slender white neck. Her fair cheeks were flushed from exhaustion, her eyes reflecting a spring-like charm in the water’s light. Despite the pockmarks on her face, they couldn’t conceal her beauty.
Water droplets slowly trickled from her collarbone into her already soaked pale blue bodice, half above and half below the water. The thin fabric clung to her body, outlining its soft curves. Her nipples were slightly protruding.
Gu Jianli wiped the water from her face with the back of her hand, which then moved down her neck, fingers playing with the fabric of her bodice. She half-closed her eyes, her voice dropping seductively, “Didn’t you say you wanted to take a bite, Uncle?”
“Hiss.” Ji Wujing’s expression was unreadable, “Gu Jianli, trying to seduce your uncle to be lazy won’t work…”
Gu Jianli silenced him with a kiss, taking his hand and placing it on her breast.
Ji Wujing’s throat bobbed, his gaze deepening as he looked at her.
Alright, maybe it does work.
Ji Wujing wrapped his other arm around her waist, leaning against the pool edge, shielding her back with his hand.
As the sky darkened and the moon and stars began to rise, their light reflected in the pool. The warm spring water gently caressed their submerged bodies.
Ji Wujing contentedly bit into her breast, just as she had offered.
Gu Jianli pushed him away hastily, her face flushed as she climbed out of the pool, sitting on the edge with her lower legs still in the water, adjusting her clothes. She turned sideways, avoiding Ji Wujing’s gaze in embarrassment.
Ji Wujing propped himself up on the edge of the pool and climbed out, sitting beside her. He gently tucked her wet hair behind her ear with his fingertips and asked, “Are you really that tired?”
Gu Jianli nodded, grumbling, “Nothing can be achieved in one fell swoop. I don’t want to get back in the water today.”
Ji Wujing simply responded with an “Oh.”
Gu Jianli turned her head to look at him, surprised. As soon as she turned, Ji Wujing’s arm slipped behind her neck, gripping her shoulder on the other side, pulling her down to lie on the stone edge of the pool.
The sky full of stars twinkled down at Gu Jianli.
Ji Wujing pointed at the bright, round moon surrounded by stars. In a slow, drawn-out tone, he asked, “Gu Jianli, do you think the moon looks like… looks like…”
“Like what?” Gu Jianli asked, her mind filled with beautiful poems from ancient times describing the moon.
Ji Wujing said, “Your butt.”
The slight smile at the corner of Gu Jianli’s mouth froze, and she stared at Ji Wujing in disbelief. For a moment, she quickly reacted, pushing him hard and sitting up, pretending she was about to jump back into the hot spring.
Ji Wujing swiftly wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her back down and pressing her beneath him. He leaned close to her ear, gently nibbling her earlobe and licking her ear canal with the tip of his tongue, saying, “Gu Jianli, Uncle actually wants to bite here more.”
His hand moved down her waist.
Gu Jianli’s body stiffened, her heart suddenly beating faster. Her hands, hanging by her sides, had nothing to grasp but her own palms, which she clenched tightly in tension.
Was it finally going to happen?
It had to happen eventually… after all, they were husband and wife.
Gu Jianli’s eyelashes fluttered as she slowly closed her eyes, waiting, accepting. Her wet clothes were disheveled, their heated bodies pressed together. Just as Gu Jianli thought everything would proceed naturally, Ji Wujing stopped, taking her hand and holding it as he usually did.
Gu Jianli slowly opened her eyes, gazing at the star-filled night sky, confusion reflecting in her glistening eyes.
Ji Wujing moved her hand with his and said nonchalantly, “I might pass the poison to you.”
Gu Jianli was stunned.
