“Mm…”
Inside the carriage, Gu Yu held her throbbing head and let out a faint groan. Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Hearing the sound, Gu Wuyou immediately put down what she was holding and asked softly, “Awake?” As she spoke, she picked up the teapot warming on the brazier, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Gu Yu. “Have some tea first to moisten your throat and wake yourself up.”
“We’re almost home.”
Hearing the words “home,” Gu Yu sobered up considerably. She wanted to speak, but her throat was burning uncomfortably. Taking the tea Gu Wuyou handed her, she took a few sips before feeling better. “How did I sleep the whole way?”
She rubbed her slightly aching head again. “I didn’t even feel drunk earlier.”
She still remembered that before leaving, she had been mocking Fu Xian for not being able to drink as well as she could. Who would have thought that the moment she got into the carriage, she would immediately fall asleep, only waking up now when they were nearly home?
“That wine has a strong aftereffect.” Gu Wuyou sighed and looked at Gu Yu with a hint of helplessness in her gaze. “I told you earlier to drink less, but you wouldn’t listen. Now you know how uncomfortable it is?”
“I… how was I supposed to know the wine had such a strong aftereffect?”
Knowing she was in the wrong, Gu Yu offered a weak defense but didn’t dare to raise her voice. It sounded more like she was mumbling to herself.
She really didn’t know what was wrong with her today. She just had to compete with that Fu Xian—fighting over skewers, competing in drinking… and now, ending up with a headache. It was all her own doing.
“Does it still hurt?” Gu Wuyou saw her leaning against the carriage wall, furrowing her brows, and felt a bit worried.
“I’m fine.”
Although Gu Yu said she was fine, she was actually still feeling terrible. She placed the teacup on the tea table, then leaned against the carriage again, rubbing her temples. She had been taken care of since childhood, so now that her own pressing wasn’t effective, coupled with the gentle swaying of the carriage, it only made her feel worse.
“Come here.” Gu Wuyou sighed lightly as she looked at her.
“Hmm?”
Gu Yu turned to look at her, not quite understanding her meaning.
Gu Wuyou took a handkerchief and placed it on her lap, patting it gently. She said to her, “There’s still some time before we arrive. Lie down, I’ll massage it for you.”
W-what?
Gu Yu suddenly didn’t feel as unwell anymore. She thought she might still be dreaming—otherwise, how could she be hearing Gu Wuyou say such things? She gently bit the tip of her tongue. Ouch.
Looking at Gu Wuyou again, she was still the same as before.
So…
This was real?
Just as she was about to refuse, she heard Gu Wuyou speak again, “If you get out of the carriage like this, who knows what Third Aunt will think when she sees you?”
Thinking of her mother’s nagging nature, Gu Yu sighed. To avoid a headache from being scolded when she got home, she hesitated a little, feeling uncertain. She glanced at Gu Wuyou again before slowly lowering her head and resting it on her lap.
In truth, she had never been this close to anyone before.
Her second sister and third brother were both much older than her, and she wasn’t very familiar with her ninth brother. As for Gu Wuyou’s past temperament, it was already good enough that they didn’t fight when they met. Even with Ah Yi, they weren’t usually this intimate.
Now, lying on Gu Wuyou’s lap—
Gu Yu couldn’t describe her feelings. Her heart was beating a little fast, and her back felt slightly stiff.
Gu Wuyou, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to her unease. Her fair, slender fingers pressed against Gu Yu’s temples and began to massage with a gentle but firm pressure.
Perhaps it was because the massage was too comfortable.
Before long, Gu Yu’s initially stiff back gradually relaxed. “Your massage…” Though she didn’t want to admit it, she still spoke the truth. “It’s quite comfortable.”
The pressure was just right, much better than the maids who usually attended to her. It felt as though Gu Wuyou had been trained in this.
Gu Wuyou smiled but didn’t say anything. She had indeed practiced before.
The Great General suffered from headaches while leading his troops in battle. At times, he would toss and turn restlessly at night. Feeling sorry for him, she secretly sought out a skilled mama to learn a few techniques.
Whenever the Great General had a headache, she would massage him for a while. Over the years, she had honed her skills.
The carriage continued to sway as it made its way toward the Duke of Ding’s residence. Gu Yu looked at Gu Wuyou. A lantern had been placed inside the carriage, illuminating her features—gentle and serene, exuding a quiet warmth that put people at ease.
This version of Gu Wuyou felt both unfamiliar and oddly inviting, making one want to draw closer.
“What’s wrong?”
Gu Wuyou noticed her staring and thought something was amiss.
“Nothing.” Gu Yu turned her head away and withdrew her gaze. Then she added, “Alright, stop massaging. I’m feeling better now.” The throbbing in her head had eased, so she sat up.
Seeing that her complexion had returned to normal, Gu Wuyou said nothing more and simply lowered her head to put away the handkerchief on her lap.
“That…”
Gu Yu avoided looking at her, lowering her head as she struggled to get the words out. “Thank you.”
It was the first time she had ever thanked someone, and surprisingly, it was the person she used to dislike the most—Gu Wuyou. How… strange. But since she had already said the hardest part, the rest naturally followed.
She lifted her face, her delicate features illuminated by the candlelight, and continued, “Also, I apologize for the things I said before.”
“Hm?” Gu Wuyou blinked, not quite understanding what she was apologizing for.
“You were right.”
Gu Yu took a deep breath and went on, “Without solid evidence, I shouldn’t have blindly followed what others said.”
After spending time together today, she had seen a completely different Li Qinyuan from the one described by others. He possessed the unrestrained spirit of youth but also the generosity and composure of someone who took care of his friends.
No wonder Jing Yubai and the others followed him so loyally.
Gu Yu didn’t feel anything as she spoke, but when she noticed Gu Wuyou watching her with a smile afterward, she grew uncomfortable and snapped, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s nothing.”
Gu Wuyou chuckled and shook her head. “We’re here.”
As soon as she spoke, the voice of the Jing family’s carriage driver came from outside, warm and respectful. “Princess Leping, Seventh Miss Gu, we have arrived.”
“Mm.”
Feeling flustered under Gu Wuyou’s gaze, Gu Yu responded and was the first to step out of the carriage. However, unlike before, she didn’t walk away immediately. Instead, she stood beside the carriage and waited for Gu Wuyou. When Gu Wuyou got down, she still didn’t look at her, keeping her eyes forward as she said, “Let’s go.”
“Alright.”
Gu Wuyou responded with a smile.
Returning so late at night, the two sisters had undoubtedly worried the maids and elderly servants at home.
Especially Gu Wuji, this ever-worried father, who was even more anxious than anyone else. According to the maid, he was sending people to the gatehouse to inquire every few moments. If they still didn’t return soon, he would probably take his personal guards and head out to find his daughter himself.
Hearing these words, Gu Wuyou felt helpless yet also a little warm at heart. In the past, she had never cared about what her father did for her, even stubbornly believing that his kindness toward her was merely an act of atonement.
She shook her head and sighed.
“I’ll go see Father first.” She decided to let him know she was back to ease his worries.
“Hmm, I’ll go with you.” Gu Yu thought for a moment before speaking from the side.
She understood her eldest uncle’s temperament. Since childhood, he had cherished Gu Wuyou like the apple of his eye. He was probably afraid that she had been bullied while she was out today, which was why he kept sending people to gather news.
After all—
Gu Yu glanced at Gu Wuyou. In the past, every time Gu Wuyou went out, things never went well.
Sure enough, Gu Wuji had not gone to bed yet. He was still dressed in casual clothes, ready to head out at any moment. When he heard Changshan announce, “The County Princess and Seventh Miss have come to pay their respects,” he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Since Gu Yu was also present as a junior, he did not rush out to greet them as he might have before.
Once the two young girls were invited in, Gu Wuji sat upright in his chair, carefully examining them both. Only after confirming that his precious daughter was unharmed did he finally relax and gently ask, “Why did you come back so late?”
“I heard from your second sister that you all went out to gather with others. Were they from the academy?”
Just as Gu Wuyou was about to answer, Gu Yu suddenly interjected, “It was with Jing Yubai, Fu Xian, and the others—families we usually associate with. Previously, Fifth Sister did them a favor, so they invited us to a meal to express their gratitude. As soon as we finished eating, we came straight back.”
She spoke hastily, as if afraid that Gu Wuyou might accidentally say something she shouldn’t.
Gu Yu didn’t even know what exactly she was so worried about. She was simply concerned that Gu Wuyou might start bringing up Li Qinyuan again. She personally had no objections toward Li Qinyuan, but…
If her eldest uncle knew how much Gu Wuyou had been helping Li Qinyuan, he would definitely overthink it.
The elders didn’t favor Li Qinyuan much, especially her mother, who constantly warned her that under no circumstances should she marry someone like him. Thinking of this, she sighed again. She really didn’t understand what was going through Gu Wuyou’s mind. That previous fiancé of hers—though who knew what he was like in private—was at least impeccable on the surface.
“Helping out?”
Gu Wuji was momentarily stunned.
Gu Yu wanted to explain further, but Gu Wuyou merely smiled and held her hand, then turned to her father and explained, “Previously, the academy falsely accused the Li family’s Seventh Young Master. I happened to hear some things and lent a hand. They were simply thanking me for that.”
After finishing her explanation, she noticed that Gu Wuji still wanted to ask more, so she quickly acted coquettishly. “Father, we were at the academy all day. We’re exhausted.”
As expected, upon hearing this, Gu Wuji immediately felt distressed for her. How could he continue questioning her? He quickly said, “Then go back and rest at once. Changshan, send the two young ladies back.”
“Yes,” Changshan responded with a smile.
“Father, you should rest early too,” Gu Wuyou added.
Although this was not the first time she had called him “Father,” Gu Wuji still looked somewhat emotional and quickly replied, “Alright, I’ll go to bed in a while.”
After escorting the two young ladies out, Changshan returned and saw the Duke sitting upright in his chair, deep in thought. After a moment of consideration, he asked, “Shall I go inquire about the academy’s situation?”
Gu Wuji didn’t speak. If this had been in the past, he would have definitely gone to investigate. He always worried that Manman wasn’t doing well, that she was being bullied or neglected.
But now—
He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “Forget it, let the children handle their own matters.” After saying this, he chuckled to himself. “Manman is doing well now.”
She had made friends, and her relationship with her family was improving.
As long as nothing serious happened, he should let her figure things out on her own. He needed to relax instead of always being on edge.
Hearing this, Changshan also smiled.
As they walked out of the main courtyard, a maid led the way ahead with a lantern.
Gu Yu glanced at the maid, who was walking a little farther ahead, and then lowered her voice. “Just now, I wasn’t trying to stop you from speaking, it’s just…” She didn’t know how to explain it. After hesitating for a long time, she still couldn’t find the right words.
But Gu Wuyou seemed to understand what she was thinking. She held Gu Yu’s hand and smiled. “I know.”
“Ah Yu—” she called her softly, “thank you.”
“Wh-why are you thanking me for no reason?” Gu Yu’s ears turned red. She wanted to shake off her hand but didn’t move, only muttering awkwardly, “It’s not like I did it for you.”