After the Cold and Aloof Husband's Mask Falls - Chapter 31

After leaving Cui Jue, Gu Wanlan traveled through the night to the Autumn Mountain Villa.

Tianquan had only just been released by the Prince of Huai today. He was startled by Gu Wanlan’s midnight visit, fearing another crisis had erupted. Upon learning she had simply come to check on him, he exhaled in relief, moved by her concern.

“It was my own incompetence that caused you such worry, General…”

Gu Wanlan quickly helped Tianquan up. “There is no need for that. I will be leaving the capital for several days starting tomorrow, so you must be extra vigilant in handling the affairs of Autumn Mountain Villa.”

Tianquan wiped a stray tear from his eye. “Rest assured, General. I will guard the villa faithfully and shall not stray a single step. However, you have a long journey ahead of you tomorrow; in the future, you need only send word. There is no need to exhaust yourself by coming in person.”

Gu Wanlan rubbed the bridge of her nose. “It is no trouble. It is actually more convenient for me to change into my gear and depart from here tomorrow morning.”

“I see. You are truly wise, General.”

Meeting Tianquan’s admiring gaze, Gu Wanlan felt a sudden prick of guilt. She looked away and cleared her throat. “There is nothing else. Go and get some rest.”

“As you command.”

It was only when she lay down upon the bed at the villa, with drowsiness clouding her mind, that a thought finally surfaced: perhaps she had come to Autumn Mountain because of that very guilt. She wanted to see him one last time before she left.

The next morning, before the break of dawn, Gu Wanlan donned her Feiyan attire—the uniform of the Embroidered Uniform Guards—and silently departed from Autumn Mountain.

By the time she reached the city gates, the others had not yet arrived. However, Xiao Chen was already there with a squad of guards, their hair damp with the morning dew.

“Xiao Chen?” Gu Wanlan called out in surprise. He was not part of the personnel assigned to this mission.

“I came to see my brother off.” Xiao Chen opened his eyes, which betrayed a rare trace of fatigue and daze; he had clearly rushed out before fully waking up.

Gu Wanlan smiled and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. “Thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal when I return.”

This mission marked Gu Wanlan’s first time leading a team out of the capital as Commander-in-Chief. Because the task was urgent and sudden, it was also the first time these guards truly met their new leader. Having led armies in the past, Gu Wanlan had experience dealing with the “new officer” dynamic, but since Xiao Chen was willing to help her organize the ranks, she did not refuse his kindness.

Shortly after they finished speaking, Cui Qiong arrived with his entourage.

Cui Qiong did not descend from the carriage. He merely lifted the curtain and glanced at Gu Wanlan. “I leave Xiao Sun in your hands. Additionally, I have hired a traveling physician to accompany you. Lord Feiyan, please ensure the safety of the hostage Prince on his return to the Western Capital.”

Only then did Gu Wanlan learn that “Ah Sun’s” full name was Xiao Sun—sharing a surname with Xiao Chen.

Peering past Cui Qiong’s shoulder, she could vaguely see someone else sitting deep within the carriage, but the figure was hidden in the shadows and impossible to discern.

Gu Wanlan smiled. “Very well, Lord Cui.”

Once the group was assembled, Gu Wanlan checked the count and flipped onto her horse. She glanced at Xiao Sun beside her. “Xiao Sun, lead the way.”

“Hyah!” Without a word, Xiao Sun cracked his whip and galloped forward. Within moments, the dozen riders vanished through the city gates.

Xiao Chen watched them go for a long time before glancing at the luxurious carriage nearby. Ultimately, he said nothing and turned to leave.

Inside the carriage, Cui Qiong ordered the curtains lowered. He turned to Cui Jue, who was sitting upright on soft cushions. “They are gone.”

Cui Jue kept his eyes closed, his mind replaying the image of the Commander he had just seen. Taller than her. Voice thinner than hers. Even the chest appeared… more “stately” than hers.

Cui Jue knit his brows. Was it her?

If it wasn’t her, then where had she gone? Since she left him last night, his informants at the Protector Duke’s Manor had no record of her return. Could it be that he had pushed her too hard, and she had regretted the engagement and fled?

The thought made his breath hitch. Dark impulses, accompanied by fear, tangled around his heart like thorns. If only I had forced her to stay last night… If only I…

Cui Jue snapped his eyes open. He pulled out the willow branch he used to pin his hair and stabbed it ruthlessly into his left hand. In an instant, his clean palm became a bloody mess.

Cui Qiong was horrified. He lunged forward to grab Cui Jue’s hand. “Brother! What are you doing?!”

Unexpectedly, despite the violent act, Cui Jue’s expression was terrifyingly calm. “Merely self-reflection.”

Cui Qiong sat back, trembling slightly. “Daily self-reflection is a virtue, but you needn’t be so harsh on yourself.”

Cui Jue lowered his lashes, his voice ethereal. “There are some paths where I dare not take a single wrong step.”

“What?” Cui Qiong didn’t catch his words.

Cui Jue pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from the willow branch. “Nothing. Get out of the carriage.”

Cui Qiong hesitated. “Xiao Sun’s identity is suspicious; he clearly harbors great ambitions. It is too dangerous for you to investigate him personally, Brother. Besides, if this journey causes you to miss the wedding date, what then?”

Cui Jue didn’t bother pinning his hair back, letting the strands fall over his shoulders. He toyed with the willow branch and let out a light laugh. “Only I can strip away Xiao Sun’s sheep’s clothing.”

For now, this was more important than even finding Gu Wanlan. Because she… she was free.

Cui Jue exhaled slowly and closed his eyes. “Cui Qiong, leave. I wish to rest.”

Contrary to Gu Wanlan’s expectations, finding the Roulan Hostage was surprisingly smooth.

Xiao Sun hardly spoke to her outside of necessity, keeping his head down as he searched for the markers left by the hostage’s party. Only three days after leaving the capital, they followed the trail to a derelict hut in the woods and found the hostage, Sobuode, and his men.

Sobuode was in poor condition—an arrow wound to the chest and a persistent high fever. His surviving attendants claimed they hadn’t had a drop of water in two days while evading pursuers.

Strangely, Xiao Sun’s expression didn’t flicker. He merely stared down at the dying Sobuode leaning against the rickety wooden bed.

Gu Wanlan withdrew her gaze, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed over her sword. She gestured to the accompanying physician. “Doctor Chen, it’s your turn. Have a look at the Prince.” Her mission was simply to keep him alive; whether he was hungry was none of her concern.

Doctor Chen squeezed through the crowd with his medicine chest. He looked at Sobuode’s pale face and sensed trouble. After examining the wound, he reported to Gu Wanlan, “My Lord, the flesh on the Prince’s chest has begun to rot. We must clean the wound immediately.”

“Fine. Treat him here. We will resume our journey once he is out of danger.”

As the doctor began to work, Gu Wanlan prepared to organize the guards for a perimeter watch. However, she saw Doctor Chen suddenly stand up, panicking. “That’s not right… how can it not be here? Why isn’t it in the chest?”

Gu Wanlan turned back. “What happened?”

Doctor Chen looked like he was about to wail. “Some of the medicinal powders in my chest are missing! I distinctly remember packing them before we left!”

“Missing? Is it critical for the Prince’s wound?”

“Yes! That was the finest golden sore ointment! Without it, I cannot clean the wound properly!”

Doctor Chen was truly on the verge of tears. He was a simple town physician who never dared to associate with the “Asuras” of the Embroidered Uniform Guards. Three days ago, Lord Cui had hired him for a generous sum. He had no idea he would be handed over to these guards and entangled with a political hostage. The fear of being blamed for the Prince’s death overwhelmed him. “I swear it isn’t my fault! I really brought it, My Lord, please believe me—”

Gu Wanlan cut him off, rubbing her temples. “If I find you a pharmacy or a clinic, can you get what you need?”

Seeing a lifeline, the doctor nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes! Certainly!”

“Good. Zhu Hengyuan, bring me the map.”

Xiao Sun leaned in as she unfolded the map. His expression was grave. “The Prince’s condition is critical. We cannot delay; we must take him to a clinic.”

Gu Wanlan didn’t look up. “Agreed. We take him with us, or there will be too many variables.”

She quickly found a town about thirty to forty li away. However… she looked at the sky. Dark clouds were weighing down heavily, signaling an imminent torrential downpour. Given the Prince’s condition, they couldn’t ride hard. They would never make it to the city before the storm hit.

“Find me a clean place with water, fire, and strong liquor,” she told the doctor. “Can you handle the wound then?”

“Yes… with strong liquor, I can manage a crude treatment!”

“Fine! Pack up! we are heading back to the relay station we stayed at yesterday!”

Gu Wanlan barked the orders, and the guards scrambled into action. She flipped onto her horse and noticed Xiao Sun still standing there in a daze. She arched an eyebrow. “Do you have an objection?”

Xiao Sun snapped out of it with a smile. “Of course not. Your word is law, My Lord.”

“Your safety and the Prince’s are in my hands, so naturally, I make the calls. Forgive my bluntness.” Gu Wanlan smiled back and signaled the start. “Move out! Hyah!”

But the moment she turned away, her smile vanished, replaced by a cold, frozen expression.

The life-saving medicine goes missing? How… convenient.

They reached the relay station just before the storm broke.

The station had been empty yesterday, but today a luxurious carriage was parked out front. As Gu Wanlan handed her reins to the stable boy, she eyed the carriage. “New guests? From which house?”

The stable boy, terrified of the guards’ reputation, stammered, “They aren’t officials, My Lord. Just a wealthy merchant’s son. He’s fallen ill, and his family is taking him south for treatment.”

“I see. Many guards with them?”

“Not many. Only three or five servants.”

“Understood. Off with you.”

Gu Wanlan patted the boy’s shoulder and strolled over to the carriage. She tapped on its sides, checking for anything unusual. Finding nothing, she relaxed—until she looked up.

She felt a gaze, sharp and piercing, pinning her from above. A cold sweat instantly broke out across her back.

Someone is watching!