After the Cold and Aloof Husband's Mask Falls - Chapter 28

By the time Gu Wanlan and her party returned to Autumn Mountain, night had fallen completely. Due to the city-wide curfew in Xijing, she prepared to leave immediately after seeing Cui Jue off.

Perhaps the frantic escape through the dense forest had exhausted the frail painter’s spirit; as he stepped down from the carriage, his body swayed unsteadily. Gu Wanlan, quick as a flash, reached out to steady him. Her brows furrowed. “Can you manage on your own?”

Cui Jue lowered his eyes. “It is no matter. I only need a bit of rest.”

“But your face looks terrible.”

Cui Jue looked up and offered a faint smile. “An old ailment. I likely caught a chill in the forest.”

“Fine. Remember to take your medicine when you get inside.”

“I will. Next time, I shall not let you venture into danger for my sake, Lady Gu.”

In the night wind, the usually refined and upright gentleman appeared quite disheveled. His hem was stained with mud, and his hair, tied back loosely, was coming undone. The willow twig he used as a hairpin was on the verge of slipping out. Yet, his eyes seemed to hold the light of shattered stars as he gazed at her.

Gu Wanlan chuckled softly. She held his shoulder, stood on her tiptoes, and gently pushed the willow twig back into his topknot. “A minor problem. I did it because I wanted to.”

She let go an instant later and stepped back, nodding with satisfaction. “Your hair was about to fall apart. This is much better.”

The girl’s warmth vanished as quickly as it had come. Cui Jue’s hand curled within his sleeve, but he made no move to stop her. As she turned to leave, he called out once more.

“Lady Gu.”

“Yes? What is it?”

The moon rose just then, casting half of Cui Jue’s figure into the shadows of the courtyard gate. He looked up, his gaze somewhat bold under the cover of the dark. “I have heard that Rouran will be sending a hostage to the capital soon. Though I do not know the hostage’s temperament, the Rouran people hate the Protector Duke to the bone. You must be careful, Lady Gu.”

Hearing about the Rouran hostage from Cui Jue’s mouth so suddenly, Gu Wanlan nearly thought she had exposed a secret. But she quickly realized he was simply worried about her as the Duke’s daughter. She smiled. “Did Cui Qiong tell you that? Don’t worry, the Protector Duke’s Manor has received the news as well. We will be cautious and give those Rouran people no leverage.”

“Is that so? That is good then.”

Cui Jue watched her carriage depart with a smile. Once she was out of sight, he turned back into the courtyard, his mood noticeably lighter.

Back in the forest, he had sensed something peculiar in her attitude toward Ah Sun. He suspected she didn’t know the man’s true identity, so he had tested her just now.

As expected, Gu Wanlan was unaware of Xiao Sun’s real background. She didn’t know he was a former Rouran Prince, nor that he was the very hostage about to enter the capital.

This is getting interesting.

Gu Wanlan returned to the manor just before the curfew. She changed into clean clothes and hurried to see Gu Lehuan and Qi Rong.

Lehuan stood up as soon as she saw her sister. Her eyes were red. “Mother woke up briefly and asked for you, but she was too tired and fell back asleep. The physician says she is fine. How is Master Cui?”

“He’s fine.” Gu Wanlan was about to say more when a loud growl came from her stomach, echoing through the quiet room. She rubbed her nose awkwardly. “Since the Madam is fine, I’ll head back.”

Lehuan snapped out of her worry and grabbed a food container from the table. “Sister, I had the servants prepare your favorite pastries. Eat something first while I tell the kitchen to warm the soup.”

Only when the scent of the pastries hit her did Gu Wanlan realize how hungry she was after a day of fighting. She discarded her etiquette and began eating voraciously. In the warm room, she soon grew drowsy.

When she finally woke, it was late at night. She was covered with Lehuan’s cloak. Lehuan herself had fallen asleep in a chair, cradling a small jar of soup. Gu Wanlan stood up quietly, retrieved the soup from her sister’s arms, and carried the sleeping girl to a nearby couch, tucking her in.

Outside, she ran into a maid on night watch. The girl looked terrified of her, likely due to some rumors. “Eldest Miss! Miss Lehuan told me not to disturb you, so…”

Gu Wanlan ignored the girl’s trembling. She looked back and pressed a finger to her lips. “Shh. They are both sound asleep. Look after them well. Tell Lehuan’s servants she’s staying here for the night.”

“Y-yes, Miss!”

Walking back through the moonlight, Gu Wanlan found herself wide awake. The night air was cool, and the shadows of the trees danced on the ground. She walked for a while, then stopped abruptly. Without turning around, she sighed. “Come out.”

A figure emerged from the shadows. It was Xiao Sun, his heterochromatic eyes burning as he stared at her.

“Gu Wanlan, you are as sharp as ever. Does your little lover know how formidable you are? I’ve heard the men of Great Xia are quite narrow-minded.”

Gu Wanlan rolled her eyes and turned to face him. “Whether he knows or not is none of your business. But if you’re curious, I don’t mind giving you a demonstration.”

“How cold. I am currently a wounded, frail patient.”

“A patient?” Gu Wanlan laughed, then her expression turned grim as she suddenly struck out with a palm!

Xiao Sun dodged instinctively. The force of the wind whipped his hair back. He looked shocked. “Are you playing for keeps?!”

Gu Wanlan struck again, her voice cold. “If you could escape Cui Qiong’s men, you are no ordinary person. Who are you?! What is your motive for sneaking into Great Xia?”

Within seconds, they had exchanged a hundred blows. Xiao Sun was stunned. He knew she was a martial prodigy who had fought her way to being the “king” of the slave children. He had trained every day for years just so he wouldn’t lose to her when they met again, but…

As she pressed the attack, Xiao Sun realized they would attract the guards. He purposely dropped his guard and took a direct hit to the chest. He stumbled back against a tree and spat out a mouthful of blood. He wiped his lip, his voice mocking. “Truly heartless.”

Gu Wanlan approached and gripped his chin. Before he could react, she forced a pill down his throat.

“Cough! What did you give me?!” He coughed until his eyes turned red.

Gu Wanlan crossed her arms. “A poison for interrogations. You’d better start telling the truth.”

Xiao Sun leaned against the tree, a weak smile on his face. “Donkey-hide glue… ginseng… do you Xia people use such things as poison?”

He suddenly leaned his weight onto her, burying his head near her neck. He whispered, “Gu Wanlan, admit it. You feel guilty. You can’t let me go.”

Gu Wanlan flinched, then grabbed him by the throat. “Who are you?! Why are you in the capital?!”

Xiao Sun chuckled. “You’re so smart. You’ve already guessed, haven’t you?”

“You are the Rouran hostage—”

“I am a member of the hostage’s party,” he corrected, lowering his lashes. “We were ambushed on the road. I led the assassins away and got separated from the group.”

“This is a state matter. Are you willing to enter the Palace and explain this in detail?”

“Of course. If I hadn’t wanted to see you one last time, I would be in the Palace by now.”

Gu Wanlan hesitated, then slowly released her grip. She had suspected he might be the hostage, Sobu-de. He was a noble child she had saved years ago, and his features—deep-set eyes but the phoenix-eye shape of a Xia person—matched the Prince’s lineage. However, his mismatched eyes were too distinct; if the Prince had them, it would be common knowledge.

“Is your word true?” she asked.

“Does my willingness to go to the Palace not prove my sincerity?”

“Fine.”

“Where shall I sleep tonight then?”

“I will have someone take you to the Cui Manor.”

“Why the Cui Manor?!” Xiao Sun was stunned. He thought her cautious nature would lead her to keep him at her own manor for the night.

“If you don’t like the Cui Manor, I can send you to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. At this critical juncture between our nations, the Protector Duke’s Manor cannot harbor a Rouran man, nor will we act as your guarantor—even if you were once my friend.”

Xiao Sun’s face darkened completely. “Gu Wanlan, I thought you were different from them.”

“Different how?”

“Nothing.” He gave a self-mocking laugh. They were all the same—judging friend from foe solely by bloodline.

“Gu Wanlan!” he called out as she turned. “That lover of yours… what is he like? Can he ride or shoot?”

Gu Wanlan smiled. “I don’t think so. He’s in poor health.”

“Does he have a title?”

“He’s a painter.”

“Will you… marry him?”

“Our wedding date is set. I’ll invite you for a drink then.”

Xiao Sun’s body stiffened. A surge of violent rage rose in his chest. She was the one who once said her future husband must be a hero who could bend a bow and ride a stallion. She said he must be a warrior who could match her blow for blow. She had lied to him completely.

“A painter with a weak body? Will he even be able to… perform?” Xiao Sun draped an arm over her shoulder with a grin. Gu Wanlan elbowed him in the ribs. “Watch yourself. He is a proper gentleman.”

Xiao Sun rubbed his chin, a chilling smile hidden in the darkness. “Fine. I’ll listen to you. Next time I meet this Cui Jue, I shall make sure to introduce myself properly.”