After the Cold and Aloof Husband's Mask Falls - Chapter 11

Gu Wanlan jolted awake from her dream, only to realize it was already the middle of the night. Having declined the assignment of personal maidservants, her room was empty and silent.

She pressed her palm to her forehead, climbed groatily out of bed, and poured herself a cup of cold tea. As the icy liquid slid down her throat, her mind cleared, and she began to reflect on that absurd dream.

In the dream, the court-appointed monitor was not Cui Qiong, and she faced no risk of her identity being exposed. Consequently, she had remained at Changping Pass after the war instead of returning to the capital. If the dream had ended there, it could be dismissed as mere wishful thinking. But the addition of Cui Jue coming to “visit a friend” made the whole thing utterly preposterous.

Could it be that I’ve started ‘dreaming at night of what I think of by day’ regarding him?

A sudden wave of goosebumps broke out across her skin. Gu Wanlan shook her head and rubbed her arms vigorously. While Cui Jue was undeniably handsome—even breathtaking—he appeared far too frail for her taste. Her preference had always leaned toward spirited men who could gallop on horseback and draw a bow.

However…

A face suddenly flashed through her mind. It was the face of a youth covered in blood and grime, making his naturally heterochromatic eyes appear even more bewitching. He had glared at her like a cornered wolf pup whose claws had been pulled, his voice rasping with fury.

“Gu Wanlan! You despicable Great Xia person!”

“Gu Wanlan! You dare to run?!”

“Gu Wanlan! You are a liar! You have no heart!”

Whether she liked someone or not had never been a priority for her. Gu Wanlan rose, walked to her desk, and picked up the hand-warmer Cui Jue had lent her. She used a silk cloth to wipe it down, carefully and meticulously.

Achieving her goals was the only thing that mattered.

Early the next morning, shortly after breakfast, the Second Madam sent a nanny to fetch Gu Wanlan to select some capable maidservants. Gu Wanlan headed out with the hand-warmer in her arms. On her way, she encountered Qi Rong, the First Madam, who had hurried over upon hearing the news.

Qi Rong felt she owed her daughter a great debt. She wanted to do something for her, yet lately, it was her daughter who stood before them, shielding them from the storm. The mother found herself unsure of how to face her daughter, only daring to ask Gu Lehuan for news of Gu Wanlan in private.

Knowing that the Second Madam had brought a labor broker into the manor, Qi Rong hurried over, hoping to help. She didn’t dare get too close, fearing she might annoy her daughter. Keeping a half-arm’s distance, she spoke cautiously.

“Wanlan, do you have anyone specific in mind? If not, Mother can help you screen them.”

Gu Wanlan’s primary goal was to bring Tianxuan into her service through official channels; she didn’t care about the others. She smiled at Qi Rong. “Then I shall trouble the Madam.”

Qi Rong’s face lit up with joy. “It’s no trouble at all! Mother will surely pick the most suitable people for you.”

Qi Rong took her task seriously. She interrogated every candidate, from their family background to their health. She eventually selected three maidservants and four cleaning nannies for Gu Wanlan.

Seeing that Qi Rong’s throat was dry from the constant questioning yet she still intended to continue, Gu Wanlan stepped forward and handed her a cup of tea. She gave a soft laugh. “Enough, enough. Madam, this is more than enough.”

Qi Rong showed a rare flash of maternal stubbornness. “How could this be enough? You are the legitimate daughter of the Protector Duke! You must have more than what any ordinary young lady possesses!”

Gu Wanlan burst out laughing. “Then perhaps when I go out in the future, Madam should find two burly men to clear the path for me, and ten beautiful maids on each side to see me off?”

Qi Rong thought for a moment and shook her head solemnly. “Burly men will not do; they would ruin my daughter’s refined aura. We should find two handsome young gentlemen instead.”

Gu Wanlan laughed until tears came to her eyes. “Very well. If I ever wish to make a grand exit, I shall trouble Madam to prepare such a display for me.”

“But for now…” Gu Wanlan’s eyes swept through the crowd and pointed at Tianxuan. “Let’s add her as well. She looks pleasing to the eye.”

Qi Rong couldn’t argue with her, and knowing that too many people in the courtyard might be difficult to manage, she finally agreed.

The Second Madam had remained silent, her expression listless. Once the selection was finished, she stepped forward and handed over several invitation cards. “Wanlan, the manor is preparing a grand Recognition Banquet for you. The Old Matron should have mentioned it. If you have any friends in Xijing, you may invite them to attend.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Second Aunt.” Gu Wanlan took the cards. Noticing the dark circles under the woman’s eyes, she added leisurely, “While you must manage the household affairs, you should also take care to rest.”

The Second Madam shivered. She looked at Gu Wanlan, stammered for a moment, then lowered her pale face. “I am fine. Since we are finished here, I shall take the labor broker to sign the contracts.”

Gu Wanlan narrowed her eyes as she watched the woman practically flee.

“Wanlan, these newcomers still need training. I will take them to learn the rules of the manor,” Qi Rong said.

Gu Wanlan, clutching her hand-warmer, looked a bit hesitant. “Actually, I want to go out for a stroll later. Perhaps Madam could leave this one girl for me to use?” She pointed to Tianxuan again.

Qi Rong agreed immediately. After instructing Tianxuan to take good care of her daughter, she led the others away.

Once they left the manor and were away from prying eyes, Tianxuan breathed a sigh of relief. “General, your mother seems so gentle, but her questioning was terrifying. I almost slipped up.”

“Miss, where are we going today?”

Gu Wanlan pondered for a moment. “First, to the most expensive stationery shop nearby.”

At the foot of Mount Qiu.

The courtyard was simple, with only a single willow tree. The doors to the house were wide open, and the faint, elegant scent of ink drifted out.

Cui Jue stood at his desk, his hair cascading loosely over his shoulders. He wore only a thin white inner robe. He lifted his brush, finishing a painting.

It was a depiction of a deserted pond at night. In the painting, a girl leaned against the edge of the pond, her face flushed, her clothes disarrayed, and her eyes filled with a misty, spring-like longing. She looked like a spirit hidden in the moonlight.

Cui Jue studied it for a long while. Frowning as if something were amiss, he took up his brush again and added a touch of vivid crimson to the girl’s full lips.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Is Young Master Cui home? I’ve come to return the hand-warmer.” A familiar voice rang out.

Cui Jue set down the brush and glanced at the girl in the painting once more. A faint smile touched his lips, though his voice remained as cool and clear as bamboo. “Come in. The gate is unlatched.”

When Gu Wanlan entered carrying several large bundles, she saw Cui Jue stepping out while fastening his cloak. She froze for a moment. “Ah… did I disturb your sleep?”

“No. I was painting just now and felt a bit warm,” Cui Jue said, shaking his head. Seeing that she had come alone without a maid, his expression clouded for a split second before he stepped forward to swing the courtyard gate wide open.

Gu Wanlan felt a twinge of disappointment. She had intentionally left Tianxuan behind to create an ambiguous, private atmosphere, yet this man was completely oblivious to the mood!

Cui Jue turned, his gaze falling on the bundles in her hands. He paused. “What is this?”

Gu Wanlan shoved the bundles into his arms and laughed. “A thank-you gift! I heard you are a painter, so I bought some brushes and ink! I thought you might find them useful.”

“Stationery from Songyan Hall is far too expensive. I cannot accept this.”

Songyan Hall? She had simply found the most expensive-looking shop; she hadn’t paid attention to the name, though it did sound familiar. However, Gu Wanlan didn’t overthink it. This was exactly the reaction she wanted.

She puffed out her cheeks with feigned annoyance. “Then what should I do? If you don’t take them, I certainly can’t use them!” As if struck by a thought, her expression darkened. She bit her lip, looking uneasy. “You saw everything the other day… you know my identity.”

Cui Jue’s gaze lingered on her reddened lips for a moment before he looked away, his voice crisp. “Yes. Gu Wanlan, legitimate daughter of the Protector Duke.”

Gu Wanlan looked up sharply, her eyes rimmed with red. “Then you know I’ve only just returned home. I’ve spent the last decade wandering outside. I know nothing of brushes and ink. I only bought the best I could find to give to you. Are you trying to humiliate me by returning them?”

Faced with her barrage of questions, Cui Jue was stunned. He set the bundles down and turned to walk back into the house.

Gu Wanlan froze, worrying she had overacted. She hurried after him. “Why are you running away! I know, you—”

“Wipe your eyes.” Cui Jue turned back, handing her a silk handkerchief. He let out a sigh. “It has nothing to do with you. I simply felt that I was unworthy of such a precious… sentiment.”

He looked at her with a complex expression, swallowing the word “gift” he had originally intended to use.

Gu Wanlan, oblivious to his deeper meaning, brightened once she saw he was willing to accept. “How could that be? I am the one giving them to you, so of course I think you are worthy!”

“Is that so?” Cui Jue chuckled softly, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“Of course!” Gu Wanlan seized the opportunity. “If you truly feel you don’t deserve it, you could always do me another favor!”

“What favor?”

“Well, since you are a painter, why don’t you paint a portrait of me?” she laughed.

A portrait?

Cui Jue lowered his lashes. He suddenly thought of the painting he had just finished. Dark emotions grew like wild weeds in his heart. That “Portrait of a Beauty” was currently lying open on his desk. If she took ten more steps forward, she would see it with a single glance.

“You trust my skills that much? Have you even seen my work?” Cui Jue laughed, picking up the stationery again and walking further into the room.

Gu Wanlan followed him. “If even Cui Qiong trusts you, you must be excellent! It’s perfect—you can paint a portrait of me at my Recognition Banquet!”

“Recognition Banquet?” Cui Jue stopped in his tracks.

Gu Wanlan pulled an invitation from her robes and handed it to him with a joyous smile. “Yes! The family is holding a banquet for me. My Second Aunt said I could invite friends, so I thought of you!”

As she spoke, her peripheral vision caught the desk behind him. A painting was indeed spread out there, but most of it was obscured by his body. She could only see a glimpse of a crescent moon.

“Is that what you were just painting? It looks beautiful!” Excited, she leaned over to get a better look.