Gu Jianli took a small step back and smiled faintly, saying, “Since Yujun is getting married, of course, I have to come.”
Lin Shaotang lamented, “I came to the Yu family early in the morning. If I had known you were going to send off my cousin, I would have come along with her family…”
He stared blankly into Gu Jianli’s eyes and said, “That way, I could have seen the princess more often…”
These words were somewhat inappropriate, yet Lin Shaotang’s eyes were so pure and free of any ulterior motives, displaying an open and honest sincerity.
Gu Jianli lowered her eyes and subtly pressed the veil on her cheek with her fingertip, reminding Lin Shaotang that she was no longer the Twin Beauty of Anjing she once was. She said, “My family is waiting for me, so I’ll go ahead.”
Lin Shaotang watched Gu Jianli turn away with reluctance in his heart. He looked in the direction she was heading and saw Ji Wujing with a weary expression.
Family…
“Princess!” Lin Shaotang suddenly called out to Gu Jianli.
Gu Jianli paused and turned slightly to look at him, asking, “Does Young Master Lin have any other matters?”
Lin Shaotang smiled a little sheepishly. After hesitating for a moment, he finally said, “The Twin Beauty of Anjing will always be the Twin Beauty of Anjing. Whether you wear a veil or not, your elegance in my heart will never diminish!”
These words were even more inappropriate. But because of his clean and sincere eyes, it was hard to dislike him. In her difficult times, Gu Jianli had seen many vile behaviors, even attempts to use force. Compared to those, she forgave Lin Shaotang’s rashness. He intentionally or unintentionally chose to speak to her in the presence of others, making people laugh at his foolishness.
However, she still needed to keep her distance. Gu Jianli said helplessly, “Young Master Lin, drink less during the banquet. Don’t speak nonsense when you’re drunk.”
With that, Gu Jianli turned and left again.
“I-I haven’t finished yet…” Lin Shaotang craned his neck, reluctantly watching her back. He wanted to say… if Ji Wujing dared to dislike her for not being as beautiful as before, then they should separate. He wouldn’t mind!
Unfortunately, he didn’t have the chance to say it… Maybe he wasted too much time talking nonsense earlier, or he spoke too slowly, delaying the princess’s time!
Lin Shaotang felt a bit disappointed.
But soon, his eyes brightened with hope again.
“What did she just say? Drink less? Is she concerned about me…” Lin Shaotang grinned, showing his small tiger teeth, and dimples deepened on his cheeks.
From a distance, Ji Wujing watched Lin Shaotang’s foolish grin with a meaningful look. When Gu Jianli approached, Ji Wujing asked slowly, “Gu Jianli, why are you dawdling?”
“I wasn’t dawdling.” Gu Jianli’s voice was gentle and soft, making it hard to get angry.
She sat down, picked up a teapot, and wanted to pour Ji Wujing a cup of cool tea to calm his temper. As she lifted the teapot, her sleeve slipped down, revealing her wrist covered with pockmarks. Gu Jianli’s eyes flickered, and she pulled her sleeve back up before pouring the tea.
Ji Wujing noticed her small movement and asked, “When are we going home?”
“When the auspicious time comes, we’ll set off the firecrackers and start the banquet. Then we’ll leave, not staying for the feast.” Gu Jianli glanced at the pastries and fruits on the table and chose a plate to place in front of Ji Wujing. “The main banquet hasn’t started yet. You should eat some snacks first, or you’ll leave hungry later.”
Ji Wujing glanced at her impatiently and looked away.
Gu Jianli personally picked up a piece of crabapple pastry and brought it to Ji Wujing’s lips, gently coaxing, “This looks delicious. Since I can’t eat it, can you eat a piece for me and pretend I ate it too?”
Ji Wujing half-closed his eyes, speechless as he looked at Gu Jianli.
Gu Jianli’s eyes curved into a smile as she lightly brushed the crabapple pastry against Ji Wujing’s lips. Ji Wujing glanced at Lin Shaotang, who was still standing in the distance, his eyes flashing with anger. Without a word, he opened his mouth and took a bite of the crabapple pastry Gu Jianli offered, chewing it forcefully.
“It tastes great, have another piece.” Gu Jianli handed Ji Wujing another one.
The guests couldn’t help but glance over at their table, stunned by the scene. Wasn’t Ji Wujing supposed to be a ruthless killer? How could he let Gu Jianli feed him by hand? Even newlyweds wouldn’t act so intimately in public!
In the heat of summer, the guests were seated in a courtyard shaded by drooping willows. Several tables were separated by carved screens depicting lotus flowers. Men and women sat at separate tables, with a few older women sitting with their male family members.
Ever since Ji Wujing arrived, there had been a constant buzz of whispers among the guests. Now, seeing the intimate behavior between Gu Jianli and Ji Wujing, they finally understood he was here to accompany his wife…
The discussions grew more animated.
“This Gu Jianli is impressive, taming even someone like Fifth Master Ji.”
“I find it frightening. Feeding Fifth Master Ji? What if he gets annoyed and bites off her fingers?”
“I’m surprised too. Why would Fifth Master Ji come to socialize? Turns out he’s here to accompany Gu Jianli? Wait… Is he playing the role of a protector or just can’t bear to leave his young wife?”
“I don’t get it… If it were before, Gu Jianli’s beauty alone would captivate anyone, but hasn’t she been disfigured by smallpox? Can those pockmarks even be healed?”
“Of course not. Didn’t you see her wearing a veil? She’s only here because of her good relationship with the Prime Minister’s daughter.”
Tang Honghui listened to the discussions at the neighboring table. She picked up a wine cup and walked toward Gu Jianli.
“Honghui!” He Baojun called out, quickly getting up to follow. Cheng Meiya and Yue Bilian also stood up to follow.
Yue Bilian frowned and complained, “What’s wrong with Honghui today? Why is she targeting Jianli?”
He Baojun lowered her voice and explained to them as they walked, “Recently, the Tang family and the Marquis of Guangping’s residence discussed a marriage proposal. Honghui and Third Brother Ji’s horoscopes matched, but it turned out the proposal was entirely Madam Ji’s idea, and Third Brother Ji knew nothing about it. When Third Brother Ji found out, he immediately rejected the proposal. Luckily, not many people knew about it, so it didn’t affect Honghui’s chances of marrying someone else. But Honghui must be very upset.”
Cheng Meiya and Yue Bilian exchanged a glance, understanding the situation.
Cheng Meiya shook her head disapprovingly, “No matter what, today is Yujun’s big day. Honghui is being too unreasonable.”
Tang Honghui walked to Gu Jianli and Ji Wujing’s table, smiling broadly, and said loudly, “It’s been half a year since I’ve seen the princess, and I’m really happy to see you today. I heard that surviving smallpox means a long life. Honghui toasts the princess, celebrating her survival, and hopes to share in her good fortune.”
Tang Honghui handed one of the two wine cups in her hands to Gu Jianli.
The chatter among the guests stopped, and they all turned to look.
Ji Xuanke spoke sternly, “Miss Tang, the princess appreciates your kind intentions, but our princess does not drink alcohol.”
Tang Honghui was not surprised. She placed the wine cup on the table, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Gu Jianli, saying, “It was my oversight. In that case, I’ll drink wine while the princess drinks tea to honor me.”
Ji Wujing propped his chin on his hand, observing Tang Honghui. Having been bored for so long in the noisy guest seating, he now found some interest in scrutinizing Tang Honghui.
He Baojun, Cheng Meiya, and Yue Bilian hurried over. Cheng Meiya took the cup of tea from Tang Honghui’s hand, smiling, “I’ll drink this tea on behalf of the princess. Honghui, you must let me.”
Without waiting for Tang Honghui to respond, she drank it in one gulp.
He Baojun and Yue Bilian each took one of Tang Honghui’s arms, chatting and pulling her away.
Tang Honghui pushed their hands away and took a step towards Gu Jianli, feigning a twisted ankle and lunging towards her, hand reaching for Gu Jianli’s veil before she even got close.
Ji Xuanke, prepared for this, stepped forward and bumped Tang Honghui away with her shoulder, preventing her from touching a single hair on Gu Jianli. Tang Honghui staggered and nearly fell face-first to the ground.
Gu Jianli chuckled softly and spoke gently, “Miss Tang, if you want to see my face, there’s no need to go to such trouble.”
Gu Jianli brought her hands behind her head, untied the veil, and let the red veil fall, revealing her face.
Countless pairs of eyes fixed on Gu Jianli, and the garden fell silent, without a sound.
Tang Honghui stared blankly at Gu Jianli’s face, seeing that it was indeed ruined as she had expected. She should have been happy, but facing Gu Jianli’s calm gaze, she felt no joy at all. No, what she wanted to see was not Gu Jianli’s ruined face, but her humiliated expression!
However, Gu Jianli was still the same Gu Jianli, standing tall with a graceful smile on her face, her eyes bright and clear, her pride and elegance undiminished.
Tang Honghui suddenly felt a strange sense of shame.
Lin Shaotang’s eyes sparkled, his heart pounding with joy as he exclaimed, “An eternal beauty, a sight for sore eyes!”
Ji Wujing, who had been watching the show, glanced at Lin Shaotang. Remembering what Gu Jianli had said before they left home, he turned away with a dark expression, impatiently asking, “When will this wedding feast be over?”
So it can end, and he can start killing.
Gu Jianli changed her mind, not wanting to stay for the feast. She looked at Ji Wujing and said, “Let’s go home now.”
Long Yujun’s maid ran over to ask what had happened. Gu Jianli told the maid to inform Long Yujun that she had to leave early and would catch up with her another day. She also instructed the maid not to bother Long Yujun on this joyous day.
Ji Wujing, dressed in blood-red robes, and Gu Jianli, in a flowing light-red dress, walked away. Her dress hem fluttered in the breeze, brushing against Ji Wujing’s clothes. From afar, they looked like a perfect couple in a painting, if one ignored Ji Wujing’s malevolent deeds and Gu Jianli’s disfigured face.
Ji Xuanke, who had just arrived, watched their retreating figures at the courtyard gate and then looked away. Suddenly, he heard gasps and looked back, seeing Ji Wujing’s bent knuckles caressing Gu Jianli’s cheek. Then, ignoring all decorum, he bent down and placed a light kiss on her ruined cheek.
Gu Jianli playfully pushed Ji Wujing away, taking a step back from the path onto the muddy ground, dirtying her dress hem. She lifted her dress, frowning at her mud-stained shoes.
Ji Wujing tapped her forehead disdainfully but then knelt before her, wiping the mud off her shoes.
In that moment, Ji Xuanke felt a sudden, sharp pain in his heart.
