After the Cold and Aloof Husband's Mask Falls - Chapter 29

After tending to Ah Sun’s wounds, Gu Wanlan dispatched her guards to deliver him to Cui Qiong’s estate. The manor guards were startled to see a strange man in Gu Wanlan’s courtyard, but knowing better than to ask questions, they bowed their heads and led him away.

Gu Wanlan knew her actions were somewhat scandalous, but since she couldn’t reveal her true identity to Ah Sun, she had no choice but to use the Protector Duke’s resources.

To her surprise, she was summoned early the next morning by a stern-faced Qi Rong, who had just recovered from her illness. Standing beside her was Gu Lehuan, looking equally disapproving. The atmosphere felt like a courtroom trial. Gu Wanlan sat upright and swallowed hard.

“Why has the Madam summoned me so early?”

“Who was that man last night?”

Gu Wanlan pressed a hand to her forehead. She knew this was coming. “An old friend from my time in Rouran. Because of his sensitive identity, I didn’t dare keep him in the manor. I had him sent to Lord Cui’s estate overnight.”

Gu Lehuan looked suspicious. “Lord Cui?”

“Yes, Lord Cui Qiong,” Gu Wanlan nodded. “He was already investigating the incident in the forest yesterday, so it was only logical. Besides, Cui Jue mentioned it to me—Cui Qiong and he have a prior acquaintance!”

Qi Rong and Gu Lehuan exchanged a look. Qi Rong coughed lightly, her expression softening. “I see. You did the right thing. It seems I was being narrow-minded.”

Gu Wanlan guessed their thoughts. Finding a man in her room late at night had made them worry—partly for her safety, but mostly that Cui Jue was being cheated on before he even married into the family. They seemed more concerned about poor Cui Jue being bullied.

Gu Wanlan looked at Lehuan in disbelief. “It’s only been a day. I understand the Madam, but how did you get won over by Cui Jue so quickly?”

“I wasn’t won over! I just think my future brother-in-law is a decent man. If your heart belonged to someone else, he would be too pitiful.” Lehuan stuck her tongue out.

Gu Wanlan was speechless. “And if his heart belongs to someone else in the future—”

“Impossible!” Lehuan blurted out before her sister could finish.

“Ha? You have that much faith in him?”

“Sister, you don’t know… back in the forest, he—” Lehuan stopped herself. In the woods, Cui Jue had clearly used himself as bait to lead the assassins away just for Gu Wanlan’s sake. Such a deep affection was better for her sister to discover and peel back layer by layer; it wouldn’t be right to spoil it.

Lehuan changed the subject quickly. “Since he saved me, I have to put in a good word for him. But don’t worry, if you two ever fight, I’ll definitely be on your side!”

Gu Wanlan burst out laughing. “Fine. If I ever lose an argument with him, I’ll count on your sharp tongue to win it back for me.”

Qi Rong watched the sisters with a smile. “I’ve spoken to your father about Cui Jue. He is quite satisfied. However, as this is a marriage, your father wishes to meet him properly to discuss the arrangements, even if his parents aren’t around.”

Just as they were speaking of him, a servant arrived with a visiting card from Cui Jue. Gu Wanlan stood up to leave. “Since he’s here, I’ll go see what he needs.”

“No,” the maid interrupted, her face flushed. She looked past Gu Wanlan at Qi Rong. “Master Cui is here to see the Madam, not the young mistress.”

Gu Wanlan raised an eyebrow. She assumed he was there to finish the painting project from the day before. “In that case, I’ll return to my courtyard. I have things to attend to.”

While the meeting took place, Gu Wanlan received a secret message from Xiao Chen. She had expected this; if Ah Sun’s story was true, it involved the Rouran hostage.

She dressed simply and took a carriage with Tianxuan to Songyan Pavilion. Once in their private room, she met Xiao Chen. He stared at her noble lady attire for a moment before seeing the bundle Tianxuan carried. He stood up immediately. “I shall go fetch some tea.”

“Thank you.” Gu Wanlan didn’t waste time. She reached for the bundle. “Tianxuan, give it to me. Help me change.”

As the doors closed, Xiao Chen stole one last glance, catching sight of the nape of her neck as she pinned up her hair. He looked away instantly, his heart racing. For a moment, seeing her in her noble attire in a private room felt like his scandalous dreams coming to life. He cursed under his breath and downed two jars of cold water in the kitchen to calm himself.

When he returned, Gu Wanlan was gone. In her place stood the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, her hair in a high ponytail and her face covered by a half-mask—Flying Kite.

“Greetings, Commander!” Xiao Chen bowed solemnly.

“Only you and the Emperor know my identity,” Gu Wanlan said, her voice now altered—sharper and higher than her natural tone. “If the Duke’s Manor becomes inconvenient, I may need to use this place.”

“Understood. I will give the orders. Now, let us go meet our guest from Rouran.”

They arrived at the Cui Manor. Cui Qiong had been woken up in the middle of the night and was still feeling groggy. He watched the mysterious Commander “Flying Kite” with curiosity. To him, she was just a woman acting as the Emperor’s hidden blade—useful, but unlikely to affect the grander political stage.

They entered the room where Ah Sun was being held. He had bathed and changed into clean clothes, looking much more refreshed.

“Has his identity been confirmed?” Gu Wanlan asked, her hand brushing her iron ring.

Cui Qiong smiled. “He carries the transit documents and Rouran tokens. But with the Commander’s far-reaching eyes, why not check yourself?”

Hearing a woman’s voice, Ah Sun looked up. “A woman? I didn’t know Great Xia allowed women to hold office.”

“Commander Flying Kite is a special case,” Xiao Chen replied.

“I see.” Ah Sun looked at her with interest. “Then let it be her. On behalf of the Rouran hostage, I hope the Commander can escort our Prince safely to the capital. He is about eight days’ journey away.”

Gu Wanlan wasn’t surprised. Her role was specifically to monitor the hostage. Having Ah Sun choose her actually made her job easier. She calculated the risks; as long as she was careful, her identity would remain safe.

“No problem,” she agreed.

However, three hours later, Gu Wanlan realized there was a huge problem.

When she returned home and finished her duties, she learned that Cui Jue’s visit hadn’t been about a painting at all. He had brought an elder with him to formally set a wedding date with Qi Rong.

And that wedding date, by some cruel twist of fate, was exactly eight days from now!