After the Cold and Aloof Husband's Mask Falls - Chapter 30

Inside the inner chamber, warmed by silver charcoal, Gu Wanlan felt her scalp go numb under Qi Rong’s gaze. She asked tentatively, “So it’s settled? Truly in eight days?”

Qi Rong stood and began rummaging through a storage chest. “Yes. The Protector Duke happened to wake up just now and met with Cui Jue’s elder. They settled on the date together. Since time is short, preparations have already begun.”

Finding several books at the bottom of the chest, Qi Rong handed them over. “Even though Cui Jue is the one marrying into our family, the boy is clearly sincere. He thought of everything in advance. So, do not spend all your time running about lately. Even if you don’t embroider your wedding dress, you should at least make a sachet or an undergarment to show some effort.”

Gu Wanlan took the books without looking at them and clutched them to her chest. “…Fine. I’ll try. I’m going back to my room to ‘study’ them now.”

As she reached the door, she suddenly remembered something. “Cui Jue’s elder? Who came today?”

Qi Rong sighed. “His maternal grand-aunt. I didn’t realize Cui Jue was such a tragic child; his parents died when he was young, and he was raised by her.”

Both parents dead?

But Gu Wanlan had just run into the old Lord Cui at the Cui Manor that very morning and exchanged pleasantries. Could she have been talking to a ghost?

So much for his ‘sincerity,’ Gu Wanlan thought, curling her lip. Then, her body stiffened.

Why did she care if Cui Jue was lying or hiding something? She bit her lip. This was not a good sign. In this marriage contract, she was destined to be a liar from start to finish. If that was the case, how could she demand sincerity from others? If he truly gave her his heart, she would be the one playing with his feelings.

It was better this way. No change was needed.

After taking her leave from Qi Rong, Gu Wanlan returned to her courtyard. Tianxuan had clearly heard the rumors; she met her mistress with a worried face. “Miss, with the wedding so close, your original plan…”

“Remains unchanged. I leave the capital at dawn. If anyone looks for me, say I am behind closed doors embroidering and cannot be disturbed.”

Tianxuan blinked. “What about Master Cui?”

“I will do my best to return the day before the wedding.”

Tianxuan sighed. “Then I’ll go prepare the hot water so you can sleep—”

“No need.” Gu Wanlan stopped her and began swiftly removing the pins from her hair. “I’m going out tonight. Give me the prepared bundle. I’ll leave directly tomorrow morning without coming back.”

Tianxuan looked angry. “This is too rushed! Can’t His Majesty let you rest for a moment?”

Gu Wanlan, now changed into her night-traveling clothes, took the bundle with a slight flush. “It isn’t the Emperor’s order. I heard Tianquan was released today, so I have to go see him.”

Avoiding the night patrols, Gu Wanlan traveled to Autumn Mountain. Reaching the base of the mountain, she couldn’t help but look toward Cui Jue’s courtyard.

Since I’m already here, I might as well stop by. If she truly missed the wedding date and left him waiting alone, then…

Before she could finish the thought, her feet were already moving toward the dark, locked courtyard. But before she stepped inside, her senses flared. Lust for blood.

Gu Wanlan held her breath and vanished into the shadows of a tree. A moment later, several guards in black landed exactly where she had been standing, searching the area.

She was stunned. She hadn’t expected Cui Jue’s courtyard to be guarded by men whose skill rivaled the Imperial Palace guards! The quiet villa was now a crouching beast in the dark.

Watching for a gap in the patrol, Gu Wanlan leaped onto the roof. She pried a tile loose and dropped silently into Cui Jue’s room. Behind the bed curtains, Cui Jue’s eyes snapped open instantly.

Earlier that morning, his arrogant mother had discovered his intent to marry into the Gu family and had come to the mountain to berate him. He had let her in, listening calmly as she screamed that he was a stain on her life and a disgrace to the Cui name.

In his past life, he might have felt shame, fearing his six-fingered hand brought calamity. Now, he felt nothing. He simply waited for her to finish and handed her a cup of tea for her throat. Eventually, the Cui Manor sent people to take her away, promising him they would not interfere with his marriage.

The arrival of the Cui family reminded him of one thing: he could live as a ghost with no parents, but for a wedding, the world—and the Gu family—would care. Thus, he had asked his maternal grand-aunt to represent him. He had been busy until late at night. He didn’t expect a “gentleman of the rafters” to visit so soon after he fell asleep.

Cui Jue reached for a bracelet he kept by his side. A thin slit in the metal revealed a faint, ghostly blue light—a poisoned hidden weapon. He watched the intruder’s shadow.

The figure didn’t search the desk. Instead, it walked straight to his bed.

Is he here to kill me first? Cui Jue’s body tensed. He waited for the curtain to be pulled back so he could deliver a killing blow.

Sshhh—

The curtain was lifted. A faint, elegant fragrance drifted in.

Cui Jue froze. His eyelashes trembled in the dark. How could it be her? She didn’t often wear perfume, but her room’s incense clung to her. He had memorized it the day of the recognition banquet. He slowed his breathing, pretending to roll over in his sleep toward the outside.

Gu Wanlan didn’t know why she had done this. She had scaled the wall to investigate his secrets, yet she found herself standing by his bed. In the moonlight, she looked at his handsome face and whispered, “How can you even look this good while sleeping?”

She felt a bit annoyed. She crouched down and poked his cheek. “You’re something else. A painter whose home is guarded better than the Palace. Well, we both have secrets. Let’s call it even and just live in mutual respect hereafter.”

She sighed and turned to leave, but a hand suddenly shot out and grabbed her. She spun around, but Cui Jue’s eyes were still closed. He seemed to be having a nightmare, sweat beading on his forehead as he mumbled.

Gu Wanlan leaned in closer.

“Run… run… they are coming to kill us…”

His voice was broken. Gu Wanlan realized he was likely reliving the trauma from the forest the day before. She sighed again. She always had a soft spot for beautiful people. She let him hold her hand and stood by the bed for a long time until his breathing steadied and he finally drifted into a deep sleep.

Once she vanished, Cui Jue opened his eyes. There was no trace of sleep in them.

“Eleven, come in.” His voice was slightly raspy.

A dark shadow flipped through the window. “Master! I saw a shadow outside—”

Cui Jue waved him off. “Let her go. You are not her match.”

Eleven lowered his head, guessing the intruder’s identity. Cui Jue walked to the window and stared at the moon. “Any news from Ji Lin?”

“His man was released by the Prince of Huai today. They must have made a deal.”

Cui Jue frowned. It couldn’t just be that. If it were, she wouldn’t have come here tonight. “And Rouran?”

“The Rouran hostage was ambushed. The new Commander, Flying Kite, has been sent to escort him to the capital.”

Flying Kite was a variable that hadn’t existed in his previous life. “Was it Xiao Sun who sent the message?”

“Yes. He leaves tomorrow with the Embroidered Uniform Guard to find the hostage.”

“Tomorrow? How coincidental.” Cui Jue smirked. Everything made sense now. She was likely leaving tomorrow with Xiao Sun, and she had come here tonight out of guilt, knowing she might not return by the wedding date.

“Coincidental?” Eleven asked.

Cui Jue turned, his sleeve fluttering as he looked at his subordinate. “Indeed. Because your master is also going on a trip tomorrow.”