Chapter 58: What Should I Do?

Let us speak of two matters. Having disguised herself, Jiang Lan had just stepped out of the prison of the Capital Magistrate’s office when a carriage bearing the emblem of the Gu family arrived.

Hearing that the Gu family’s carriage had come, Qin Shu hurriedly clambered off the bed in the rear quarters, paying no heed to his wife’s repeated nagging. Clutching his clothes and shoes, he dressed as he walked.

“Who’s arrived?” Qin Shu harbored a sliver of hope as he questioned his trusted aide, Liu Bu.

Liu Bu glanced up, immediately discerning the thoughts swirling in his master’s mind, but he refused to offer Qin Shu any solace.

“No need to guess—it’s that young lord himself.”

Qin Shu felt life was unbearably difficult. Only this morning, he’d been reprimanded by the second young master of the Duke of England’s manor. Though called the second young master, he was really just a boy, hardly grown, yet his words and actions were flawless.

If Xue Er had pressured him to release the heir apparent Jiang, Qin Shu could at least claim some justification, putting on a show of not fearing power and thus earning a reputation in the officialdom. But this young lord was different; he arrived with an imposing presence and unleashed a barrage of words, each reasoned and incisive, striking to the core. Finally, he pressed upon him the heavy accusation of “disheartening the virtuous,” leaving Qin Shu speechless.

If he weren’t barely thirty, he’d surely have collapsed from rage. In desperation, Qin Shu tried to earn some favor by releasing the prisoner, but the youth slapped the table and retorted, “You brought my cousin in without cause; do you now intend to send him out just as ambiguously?”

Those slender fingers seemed unthreatening, yet they unnerved everyone present, sending chills down their spines.

People outside claimed that the second young master of the Xue family was a refined gentleman, gentle as spring, wise and learned. Yet Qin Shu believed that behind the gentle facade, he was a formidable character.

Not someone to provoke, certainly not!

No sooner had he sent one troublesome guest away than another, even more formidable, arrived.

Wrapping his clothes hurriedly, Qin Shu strode swiftly with his retinue toward the outer offices.

Though the moon hung high, the commotion was considerable. Many women in the rear quarters awakened.

Several young maids and matrons watched the adults rush past the flowered archway, out of the inner courtyard, then scampered back to relay the news to their mistresses.

“Oh? Are you certain you heard correctly? It’s truly the eldest son of the Gu family?” asked a young lady clad in white nightwear, a cloak draped over her shoulders. Her voice was tinged with both surprise and delight, her brows and lips curving with joy. Her lashes resembled delicate little fans, fluttering above two dark, star-strewn eyes.

Though she had served her cousin for some time, Taohong could not help but be dazzled. Grandmother’s niece was truly beautiful—the finest lady she had ever seen. Taohong hadn’t met many noble ladies, but her grandmother often praised her, saying that even in the imperial capital of Jiankang, her cousin’s appearance ranked among the best.

Now, being assigned to serve such a mistress, Taohong was overjoyed. Facing such beauty daily, she would be happy even without meals, let alone receiving frequent rewards from her mistress, who loved to inquire about amusing stories—something Taohong herself enjoyed sharing.

Upon hearing the commotion, Taohong rushed out, and sure enough, her mistress’s eyes were alight with happiness.

“It’s true, cousin. I didn’t just overhear; I even asked Master’s attendant, Yue An, and he confirmed—it’s indeed the eldest son of the Gu family!” After reporting, Taohong began tidying up clothes and jewelry. “Cousin, if we hurry, we might still catch him.”

Yan Rui covered her lips, laughing softly as she chided, “It’s hardly proper to go out at this hour.”

“Hm?” Taohong was startled.

“It’s already past the first hour of the night, the moon is high. To go out now would be most improper. If word got out, tongues would wag, and who knows what trouble might arise.”

Taohong didn’t fully grasp the reasoning but felt her mistress made sense.

“So what should we do? Just sit here, or go back to sleep? I heard Third Miss ordered the kitchen early to prepare food for the young lord—no, for our young master.”

The second young lady of the manor, Qin Shu’s younger sister Qin Qin, loved to compete with her cousin in all things.

Though Taohong was assigned by the manor to Yan Rui, she favored her cousin deeply. Not the least bit spoiled, Yan Rui was generous and gentle, always keeping snacks for her.

“Should we prepare some food ourselves?” Taohong’s eyes sparkled, unabashedly revealing her greed with two dimples, charming as a squirrel.

Yan Rui’s expression was calm, clearly uninterested. Midnight visits were not the conduct expected of noblewomen; anyone versed in decorum would disdain such behavior.

It was truly improper, but since the young lord insisted, any attempt to advise would only invite irritation. As a guest in her cousin’s home, Yan Rui already felt burdensome. Best not to meddle; each person has their own fortune.

“No need. Let’s eat and sleep as we should.”

With that, Yan Rui shed her outer garments and shoes, lying back in bed. Seeing her little maid pouting with disappointment, cheeks puffed out, Yan Rui couldn’t help but poke her face.

Taohong’s eyes grew even wider. “Cousin, you’re bullying me~” Her aggrieved pout could have held an oil pot.

Yan Rui laughed. “Greedy little maid, the kitchen surely has nothing left at this hour. If they send night snacks, the manor will likely go all out, making several exquisite pastries. Go ahead—you’re close with the kitchen matrons, so sneaking a treat or two is harmless.”

Taohong’s eyes gleamed at first, but hearing the latter part, half her face flushed. “That’s not true! I just have good relations—not just for the sake of food~~” The last words were rather feeble.

Yan Rui didn’t press further, but gave one more instruction. “If anyone from Qin Qin’s side asks about me, just answer honestly. Don’t argue or act out of spite.”

“But last time, they started the trouble!” Taohong, flustered, cheeks red, protested.

Yan Rui took her maid’s hand, soothing her, “Why fuss over trifles? They’re not worth it. Go enjoy your snacks, and while you’re at it, see if you can learn what brought the noble guest to the magistrate’s office tonight.”

Taohong’s eyes sparkled as she nodded vigorously. “Leave it to me.”

Qin Shu hurried to the front office, only to learn from his men that the guest hadn’t entered the manor, but gone straight to the prison.

Rubbing his temples, Qin Shu smiled bitterly at Liu Bu. “I have a bad feeling—this is surely about the heir apparent.”

Liu Bu, both confidant and advisor, was young but sharp-tongued, never hesitating to shatter Qin Shu’s illusions. “Not just a feeling—it’s the obvious reality.”

He cast a look of disdain, making Qin Shu feel utterly dejected.

This advisor, though only twenty-five, was unmatched in talent and strategy. Averse to the imperial examinations, his sharp tongue had offended several superiors, but his abilities were undeniable. Qin Shu owed much of his rapid rise to magistrate to Liu Bu’s efforts.

“Yue Zhi, do you think the noble guest has come to accuse us? After seeing Second Young Master Xue, I still haven’t recovered.”

Qin Shu was deeply wronged; Liu Bu, thoroughly disdainful.

But as his advisor, Liu Bu offered a candid assessment. “The noble guest is both mentor and friend to His Majesty. Their relationship is strong, and there’s rumored ties to the Duke’s manor. Most likely, His Majesty sent him to investigate the matter involving the heir apparent.”

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Qin Shu trembled as he confided, “Yue Zhi, actually, I forgot to mention—the noble guest once saved the heir apparent.”

Liu Bu’s face darkened like ink. “Sir, if you ever conceal such matters again, I’ll pack up and leave for good!”

Qin Shu rubbed his nose, eyes evasive. “My fault, Yue Zhi. What do we do now?”

“What can you do? Do you dare challenge such a guest?” Liu Bu retorted.

“Ah, such misfortune…” Qin Shu shuffled forward, each step heavy as if weighed by lead.

Liu Bu ignored him, simply following behind.

~~~

Clad in white brocade with cloud patterns, draped in a silver fox cape, Gu Ruo, guided by the jailer, arrived at a modest cell. The jailer unlocked the chains and glanced at the man inside, who lay with casual abandon atop the bedding. Gu Ruo merely frowned.

“Please, Young Lord Gu.”

Since the cell now housed the heir apparent Jiang, the jailer had stayed late for his comfort, unexpectedly encountering the famed Young Lord Gu—a delight. Gu Ruo nodded, and his attendant, Liming, promptly produced a pouch of silver, solemnly handing it over.

“No, no, serving you is my honor,” protested the jailer.

Liming insisted, “You know the rules here. Accept it—it’s the young lord’s token of gratitude.”

Seeing this, the jailer did not refuse further, accepting the heavy pouch respectfully. “Thank you, young lord. I will ensure no one disturbs your business. Just command if you need anything.”

“Mm.” The jailer bowed and retreated, stealing a glance at Gu Ruo, sensing that he was indeed as the rumors claimed—not of this mortal realm.

Just that one look, and he dared not linger, fearing to offend a celestial.

Liming remained outside; Gu Ruo took the food box and entered alone.

Outside, the sound of chains clinking roused Chifeng, who sat up with his bedding in the corner, lazily watching Gu Ruo—or rather, the food box in his hands.

He coughed a few times, seeking to reveal that he was not Jiang Lan, the mortal, and decided to hold back, waiting in silence.

After a while, he saw Gu Ruo seated at the small table on a stool, calmly reading a book of mortal literature, paying him no attention, not even a glance.

The craving in Chifeng’s belly was unbearable; whatever delicacies lay in that food box, their aroma was tantalizing.

“Uh… since you’re here, why not eat together?” Chifeng, seeing no objection, boldly reached out.

“Smack”—his hand was struck by the book.

Chifeng withdrew, sitting back obediently.

Denied the food, Chifeng fumed internally, cursing Jiang Lan, the irresponsible mortal, up and down.

Suddenly, his heart throbbed painfully, beating faster and faster, his hand appearing doubled in his vision.

He cursed inwardly, “Damn mortal, rotten mortal, running so far!”

What to do? His heart and soul felt like they might burst. Yet across from him sat another person, and that damn mortal had told him to stay put. What now? Should he knock out both him and the attendant outside, then escape?