It was true that she was tired of swimming and didn’t want to go back into the water. However, it wasn’t entirely true that she seduced Ji Wujing to avoid swimming.
When Gu Jianli was still naive and ignorant, she had once thrown a fearful tantrum. Even now, that small fear of the unknown still existed. But the fact that the two of them had not consummated their marriage weighed heavily on her heart, like an unfulfilled duty or a lingering concern. Other couples would consummate their marriages and have children, but she had skipped that step, and it felt wrong to her. She wanted to set things right, so she seized this opportunity, feeling anxious yet mustering the courage to seduce Ji Wujing.
So, it was like that.
Her palm was hot and painful, and her actions made Gu Jianli’s body tremble slightly. She sneaked a glance at Ji Wujing, and after just one look, she awkwardly averted her gaze.
Ji Wujing raised his eyes and glanced at her, saying, “If you want to look, just look openly.”
Gu Jianli gave a soft, coquettish hum.
After a while, Gu Jianli blinked, propped herself up with one hand, and sat up. She quietly sat opposite Ji Wujing, looking at him openly.
Ji Wujing had only spoken casually, not expecting Gu Jianli to actually stare at him like that.
He looked at her oddly and asked, “Want to try?”
Gu Jianli’s face suddenly turned red, and she inexplicably remembered the scenes she had seen in a little booklet before. She turned her face away, shifting her gaze, but soon stubbornly looked back at him, staring unblinkingly.
Ji Wujing’s movements slowed down. Being watched like this felt very strange. He frowned and glared at Gu Jianli, speaking in an annoyed tone, “What are you staring at?”
Gu Jianli pursed her lips and said softly, “If I look at it enough, maybe I won’t find it ugly anymore…”
Ji Wujing nearly choked on her words and gave her head a light slap. Gu Jianli let out an “Ow” and rubbed her head with her other hand.
Ji Wujing was both amused and exasperated by her. He pulled her other hand and began using it. His simple actions took on a slight variation, repeatedly rubbing her soft palm until it turned red, making her cheeks flush as well.
On the way back, Ji Wujing took out two cloaks he had prepared in advance. He wrapped one around Gu Jianli, carefully tying the straps.
Gu Jianli tilted her head, gathering her long hair to one side and wringing out the water.
After donning his own cloak, Ji Wujing looked at Gu Jianli again and pulled up the hood for her. The hood was large, almost covering her eyes.
“My veil is missing,” Gu Jianli said.
“It’s dark now, no one can see.” Ji Wujing said, taking her hand.
Unwilling to give up, Gu Jianli looked back, searching.
“Gu Jianli.” Ji Wujing called her.
“Yes?” Gu Jianli turned her head, slightly tilting her face up, holding the edges of the hood with both hands, lifting it slightly to look at Ji Wujing.
Under the night sky, the countless stars couldn’t compare to her captivating eyes. Ji Wujing gently pinched her cheek, then took her hand and, while walking, said slowly, “You really aren’t like your father at all. Your father had some sensible ideas. Stop always thinking about rules and regulations; you’re a person, not a chicken or a pig to be kept in a pen.”
“What are you talking about?” Gu Jianli didn’t quite understand what he was referring to.
“Too lazy to explain,” Ji Wujing said casually.
Gu Jianli furrowed her brows and continued walking. After a while, she slowly let out an “Oh.”
Ji Wujing’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
When Gu Jianli and Ji Wujing returned to their room, they saw Ji Xinglou and Ji Xinglan sitting on the floor playing string games. Ji Xinglan had a serious expression on her little face, while Ji Xinglou looked impatient, likely dragged into the game by his younger sister.
Seeing Gu Jianli and Ji Wujing enter, Ji Xinglou quickly untangled the red string from his hands as if he had been pardoned.
“Brother, what are you doing?” Ji Xinglan looked at her brother with a teary expression. She was just about to figure out how to play!
Ji Xinglou pinched his sister’s cheeks, forcing her to turn her head, and said, “Your mother is back. Go play with her!”
Ji Xinglan’s previously scrunched-up face lit up with a bright smile upon seeing Gu Jianli. She pushed her brother away, propped herself up, and ran towards Gu Jianli with outstretched arms.
“Mommy, hug! Hug Lanlan!”
Gu Jianli took off her hood, squatted down, and embraced the soft little girl. Remembering she had promised Ji Xinglan to play string games with her today, she quickly apologized, “Mommy and your daddy had something to do and forgot about the string game. It’s Mommy’s fault.”
Ji Xinglan shook her head vigorously, her babyish voice saying, “Mommy’s matters are important. Lanlan can play anytime. And brother will play with Lanlan!”
Ji Xinglan turned to look at Ji Xinglou, who was still sitting on the floor. Thinking of something, she frowned and said, “Brother, you said it wrong. It’s not my mommy, it’s our mommy.”
Ji Xinglou snorted and rolled his eyes.
Gu Jianli couldn’t help but laugh, finding Ji Xinglou’s mannerisms strikingly similar to Ji Wujing’s. She turned to look at Ji Wujing to see the original version.
Ji Wujing saw through her thoughts and, speechless, looked away, ignoring her.
He bent down, picked up Ji Xinglan from Gu Jianli’s arms, and placed her aside. He then called for the servants to prepare dinner and led Gu Jianli into the inner room to change into clean clothes.
The meal was a cheerful affair. After dinner, Gu Jianli played with Ji Xinglan for a while. When she was ready to rest, she noticed an invitation on the dressing table.
“August 10th? That’s soon…” Gu Jianli murmured.
She turned to look at her reflection in the bronze mirror. Attending Long Yujun’s wedding as her close friend in her current state didn’t seem appropriate. Gu Jianli was surprised that Long Yujun had invited her.
However, knowing their long-standing friendship, Gu Jianli understood that Long Yujun genuinely wanted her to attend; the invitation was not just a formality. Since the bride hoped for her presence, she naturally had to go.
Before going to sleep, Gu Jianli carefully applied scar-removing ointments she had collected from various places. She meticulously applied different ointments to different parts of her body and face, comparing their effects with patience and seriousness.
When Ji Wujing returned from his bath, he leaned lazily against the bedhead, watching Gu Jianli thoughtfully.
On the morning of August 10th, Gu Jianli rose early and selected an appropriate outfit of tea-white and pale red. She carefully drew her eyebrows and applied powder before the bronze mirror. Even though the powder couldn’t fully cover the blemishes on her face, she still applied it meticulously. Finally, she donned a pale red veil.
Ji Wujing was also planning to go.
As a close friend of Long Yujun, Gu Jianli naturally had to go directly to the Left Minister’s residence, where she would join Long Yujun’s other close friends to accompany her bridal sedan chair to the Yu family. It wouldn’t be convenient for Ji Wujing to follow Gu Jianli.
Gu Jianli shook her head. “It’s against the rules.”
Ji Wujing scoffed.
Gu Jianli shook her head again. “Today is Yujun’s big day. If we break the rules, it will cause trouble for the newlyweds.”
Ji Wujing leaned weakly against the side of the bed, his face pale and sickly. Remembering how Ji Wujing had coughed up blood the night before, Gu Jianli felt a pang of guilt seeing his unhappy expression. Softening her tone, she said, “How about you go to the Yu family first?”
Ji Wujing remained silent.
“You can go at the right time and wait at the guest seat. I’ll find you after I arrive with Yujun’s bridal sedan. Is that okay?”
Ji Wujing still didn’t respond.
Gu Jianli untied her veil on one side, leaned in to kiss the corner of Ji Wujing’s lips, and smiled with curved eyes. “If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes. Get up and change your clothes.”
Gu Jianli pulled Ji Wujing up with both hands, and Ji Wujing finally got out of bed reluctantly.
Not wanting to delay further and miss the timing, Gu Jianli instructed Ji Wujing when to leave for the Yu family, reminding him, “No knives on such a joyous day,” “Don’t argue with anyone,” and “If you find someone annoying, deal with it after the banquet.” She then left with Jixia ahead of time for the Left Minister’s residence.
From the batch of maids Ji Wujing had purchased, Gu Jianli picked four obedient and clever ones to keep by her side. However, the one she was most used to was Jixia. Whenever she went out, it was always Jixia who accompanied her. The bond they had formed through difficult times was not something easily replaced by newcomers.
Seeing Gu Jianli’s usual complexion with a hint of joy in her eyes, Jixia was worried. These official ladies, who appeared elegant and dignified, were no different from others. They gossiped as much as maids and were even better at belittling and flattering others. Gu Jianli was no longer the same as she used to be, and Jixia could already imagine the looks the official ladies would exchange. Determined, Jixia decided to stay vigilant and protect her mistress.
Although Xuanjing Sect was indeed remote, even though Gu Jianli had risen early, by the time she arrived at the Left Minister’s residence, it wasn’t very early. Long Yujun’s other close friends had already arrived. In addition to her four or five cousins and other close friends, there were also maids, filling the room adorned in red with a lively and colorful scene. After all, it was a wedding feast, and every girl had dressed up meticulously.
“Jianli, you’re here!” Long Yujun, sitting at the dressing table choosing accessories, quickly stood up to greet Gu Jianli.
Gu Jianli smiled with curved eyes, holding Long Yujun’s hand. “Don’t blame me for being late.”
“You’re not late, it’s still early.” Long Yujun grasped Gu Jianli’s hand and patted it gently.
“As long as I’m not late. Is everything ready?” Gu Jianli looked Long Yujun up and down. “Yujun, you look beautiful today, and your wedding dress is stunning.”
Long Yujun smiled happily. “You’re just in time to help me choose which pair of bracelets to wear.”
The other girls in the room were surprised to see Gu Jianli. It was expected for Gu Jianli to attend as a close friend of Long Yujun, but… wasn’t her face disfigured? Shouldn’t she be hiding at home crying?
Tang Honghui frowned, her gaze sharp as a knife as she scrutinized Gu Jianli from head to toe, wishing she could see through the veil and look at Gu Jianli’s supposedly ugly face!
