I posted it on a different novel so I had to delete it again LMAO
Gu Jianli was preoccupied and uneasy all the way. Upon arriving at the palace hall, she paid her respects to Emperor Chang, then took a step back and respectfully lowered her head, quietly listening to the conversation between Emperor Chang and Ji Wujing.
The more she listened, the heavier her heart felt.
She could sense the care and high regard Emperor Chang had for Ji Wujing. Calculating the time, Ji Wujing had been working for Emperor Chang in the Xuanjing Sect for eleven years.
Gu Jianli felt a dull ache in her chest.
She hoped Emperor Chang wouldn’t notice her, that he mentioned her coming merely in passing, and once he finished talking with Ji Wujing, she could leave.
Or perhaps her aunt was just being overly cautious.
Gu Jianli reassured herself that things hadn’t reached such a dire state yet.
Emperor Chang and Ji Wujing only talked about him taking good care of his health and returning to the Xuanjing Sect soon. When Ji Wujing was about to step down, Emperor Chang casually glanced at Gu Jianli.
Of course, Emperor Chang knew that Ji Wujing’s wife was Gu Jingyuan’s youngest daughter.
Even though Gu Jingyuan and Li Yunyan’s two daughters often visited the Yongli Palace when they were young, Emperor Chang had only seen them a few times. He had some impression of Gu Zaili, but barely any of Gu Jianli, who in his memory was still a little girl in a light pink skirt, like a delicate flower rushing into Liyun Wan’s arms.
Looking at the young girl standing gracefully before him now, he realized she had already grown up.
Yes, she was already married.
“How is your father’s health?” Emperor Chang asked, his tone deep.
Gu Jianli respectfully replied, “Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, my father’s health is much improved.”
Emperor Chang squinted slightly, momentarily lost in thought. Looking at the bowing Gu Jianli before him, he vaguely recalled the time he had betrothed Li Yunyan to Gu Jingyuan. Li Yunyan had also bowed her head gently, graceful and courteous. Emperor Chang also remembered the reluctance and resentment he felt at the time of the marriage decree.
“Why do you keep your head down?” Emperor Chang asked.
Gu Jianli frowned slightly, but still replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, my makeup is smudged, and I dare not face you.”
Only then did Emperor Chang notice that Gu Jianli’s neatly tied hair was half wet, and even her clothes were not well-fitting.
“In my memory, you were still a little girl with a bun hairstyle. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown up so much.” Emperor Chang paused, “Raise your head.”
Gu Jianli hesitated for a moment, hoping it was just her and her aunt overthinking things. She slowly raised her head, standing quietly.
The hall suddenly fell silent.
After a long while, Emperor Chang spoke again, “I remember your sister is called Zaili, what is your name?”
“Your Majesty, my name is Jianli.”
“Jianli, Jianli…” Emperor Chang fell into thought, then nodded after a while and said, “Your father gave you a good name.”
“Your Majesty flatters me,” Gu Jianli quickly lowered her head again.
Ji Wujing gave Gu Jianli a strange look and took his leave from Emperor Chang.
Emperor Chang was silent for a moment, looking at Gu Jianli. “Your aunt has always been thinking about you. Did you visit her when you entered the palace today?”
Gu Jianli’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Emperor Chang knew about her visit to Yongli Palace to see her aunt today? She was at a loss for how to respond. Fortunately, Emperor Chang didn’t require an answer from her and continued, “Your aunt has been in low spirits recently. Why don’t you stay in the palace for a few days to keep her company?”
Gu Jianli was taken aback.
She couldn’t discern whether Emperor Chang’s real intention was purely for her to accompany Consort Li. Gu Jianli felt a bit panicked, instinctively thinking that staying in the palace was unsafe.
Her heart was in turmoil, but her face remained calm, even showing a proper and gentle smile. She replied softly, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. However, my husband’s health is not good and requires constant care. I dare not neglect my duties as a wife. Besides, I have caught a cold, and it would be inappropriate to stay in the palace. If I were to pass my cold to Her Highness, I would be guilty beyond forgiveness.”
The hall fell silent again.
Ji Wujing turned his head and coughed lightly. As he coughed, his complexion gradually turned pale.
Gu Jianli quickly supported him, asking with concern, “Are you alright?”
Ji Wujing shook his head, indicating it was nothing.
Gu Jianli hesitated for a moment and looked up at Ji Wujing. Their eyes met, and in his gaze, she saw unspoken words.
Emperor Chang snapped out of his reverie and smiled. “I was being foolish.”
He waved his hand, saying, “You may leave.”
Gu Jianli breathed a sigh of relief. She dared not show it outwardly, only exhaling quietly as she crossed the threshold.
Ji Wujing glanced at her, frowned, and looked back at the palace behind them.
On the carriage ride back, Gu Jianli was deep in thought. She wanted to visit her father first. She wanted to ask his advice and tell him what had happened today. She felt uneasy and instinctively sought her father’s protection and counsel.
Ji Wujing leaned wearily against the carriage wall, his complexion not looking good either. Seeing him like this, Gu Jianli knew he was genuinely tired today. She didn’t want to drag Ji Wujing along any longer; it was better to return home early. After much hesitation, she didn’t speak up, thinking it was already late today. She could visit her father alone tomorrow.
Ji Wujing raised his eyelids and looked at Gu Jianli, asking lazily, “Why are you looking at me?”
Gu Jianli casually replied, “Fifth Master, I’ve heard that some people sell their wives. If someone offered a high price, would you sell me?”
As soon as she finished, she laughed and said, “I’m just joking. Don’t take it seriously, Fifth Master.”
Ji Wujing scrutinized her expression and slowly said, “Depends on my mood.”
Gu Jianli smiled and nodded, pretending it was just a casual joke. She lifted the small curtain next to the carriage window and looked at the bustling scene outside.
There were few people left on the streets, but the evening glow filled the sky with its fiery colors. Gu Jianli tilted her head up to gaze at the blazing sunset, a lonely smile playing on her lips.
She was never the wife he wanted to marry, so how could she hope he would defy the emperor he served for her sake?
He was doing what was expected and right—Gu Jianli thought to herself.
When they arrived at the Guangping Marquis’ residence, Gu Jianli asked a servant to bring Ji Wujing’s wheelchair. Seeing that Ji Wujing was exhausted, she wanted to push him back.
“No need. You go back first. I’m going to see the old man,” Ji Wujing said, supporting himself as he got off the carriage.
Gu Jianli followed him out, hesitating before she spoke, “You don’t look well. Shouldn’t you rest first?”
“No.”
Gu Jianli said no more. Watching Ji Wujing head towards the main house, she walked alone to the small courtyard. Before she reached it, she covered her mouth and sneezed. She had bathed at the Western Depot today, and her hair was still damp when she came out. Now, with the cold weather, it was clear she had caught another cold.
Gu Jianli quickened her pace, hurrying back to ask Jixia to prepare some cold medicine.
She couldn’t afford to fall ill.
Inside the main hall, the Guangping Marquis was talking with his three sons around the fire. A servant reported that Ji Wujing had come, and the marquis was genuinely surprised.
In fact, it had been many years since Ji Wujing had actively sought him out. The Guangping Marquis couldn’t even remember the last time Ji Wujing had called him father.
Suppressing his curiosity, the marquis beckoned Ji Wujing into the room, “Come in, come in. It’s cold outside, come and sit by the fire.”
“I won’t sit.” Ji Wujing stood at the door without moving forward, “I’m here to tell you to deliver the betrothal gifts to Gu Jingyuan within three days. Whatever amount of betrothal gifts you spent on marrying your three sons’ wives, not a penny less.”
The Guangping Marquis hadn’t expected Ji Wujing to come for this. He was stunned for a moment before saying, “Wujing, it’s not customary to add betrothal gifts after the marriage. She’s already married…”
“Do I need to repeat myself?” Ji Wujing asked coldly.
The eldest son, Ji Wuzheng, spoke up displeased, “Wujing, is that how you speak to father?”
Ji Wujing didn’t even glance at Ji Wuzheng, completely ignoring him.
The Guangping Marquis was frustrated. What was going on in this son’s mind? Saving money on a bride was clearly a gain for the family, so why was he siding with the in-laws to ask for money?
“Wujing…”
Ji Wujing lost his patience and spoke irritably, “Can’t afford it?”
He casually pointed at his three older brothers and said coldly, “Then add up the betrothal gifts spent on their marriages.”
He curled his lips slightly, his fox-like eyes showing a hint of malice. Without waiting for the Guangping Marquis to respond, he turned and walked out.
The Guangping Marquis opened his mouth, watching Ji Wujing’s back, feeling both angry and helpless. He could only instruct the steward to follow Ji Wujing’s orders.
Because he felt guilty.
Years ago, he had been a heavy drinker and often did foolish things when drunk. One year, after getting drunk, he made a bet with the powerful Chief Eunuch of the Eastern Depot and lost two of his sons as the wager.
The fourth son, Ji Wucuo, suffered castration as punishment in the cold winter. Crying, he ran outside, his wound became infected, and he died prematurely.
The fifth son, Ji Wujing, was somewhat luckier. He escaped from the Eastern Depot before the castration and ran into the former Crown Prince, who kept him as a playmate in the Eastern Palace. Later, when the Guangping Marquis sobered up and went to the Eastern Palace to look for him, Ji Wujing refused to come home. How Ji Wujing ended up leaving the Eastern Palace, apprenticed under the former Chief Eunuch of the Western Depot, mastered martial arts, and joined the Xuanjing Sect—all these details were unknown to the Guangping Marquis. This son no longer spoke to him about these matters. For over twenty years, this son treated him as a stranger.
It was after that incident that the Guangping Marquis quit drinking. But the damage had been done, and it was irreversible.
The Guangping Marquis looked at the burning charcoal and sighed. He suddenly remembered that year, when his First Madam was on her deathbed, she had asked him to take good care of the children. Yet, less than three months after her death, he had, in a drunken stupor, caused the ruin of two of his sons. One was six, the other four…
When Ji Wujing returned to the courtyard, Gu Jianli had already prepared hot water for him. Holding his nightclothes, she walked with him to the small room and said, “I added some medicine to the water, so soak a little longer.”
Ji Wujing suddenly stopped, turned around, and placed his palm on Gu Jianli’s forehead. “You have a fever again.”
“I’ve already taken the medicine. I’ll be fine after some sleep.”
“Go to sleep. You don’t need to wait for me,” Ji Wujing said.
Although Gu Jianli nodded in agreement, she still wanted to wait for Ji Wujing, worried that he might need care. However, the sedative in the medicine took effect, and she became drowsy, falling asleep on her side on the bed without even covering herself with a blanket. When she groggily opened her eyes, Ji Wujing had already extinguished the light and was getting ready to rest.
She hastily pulled the blanket over herself and curled up facing inward. Ji Wujing lay down behind her, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace. In her sleepy state, Gu Jianli felt Ji Wujing’s hand slide over her nightclothes and rest on her stomach. Although she felt a bit awkward, she did not strongly resist. She was used to it.
That was until Ji Wujing pinched her soft peach.
Gu Jianli’s eyes shot open, her sleepiness vanished, and she was instantly wide awake.
