After the Cold and Aloof Husband's Mask Falls - Chapter 58

When Cui Jue was “invited” onto the carriage, he had only recently stepped out of Jinyi Hall.

The last time Gu Wanlan took Gu Lehuang shopping, she had conveniently purchased many clothes for him as well. Consequently, on this day, having finished his tasks, he thought to visit those same shops. If the timing were right, he might even be able to stop by the Princess Xihe estate afterward to pick up Gu Wanlan so they could return home together.

However, after entering the shop, although the styles were manifold and dazzling, Cui Jue felt that not a single set of garments was quite sufficient to complement Gu Wanlan. Ultimately, while he bought those clothes, he also personally sketched a design and commissioned the shop to tailor a new set according to his drawings.

Because of this, by the time he emerged from Jinyi Hall, dusk had already arrived.

Surveying the group of men who had gradually surrounded him—clearly with ill intent—Cui Jue showed no panic. He merely let out a somewhat helpless sigh. “Why must it be at a time like this?”

He cast a regretful glance at the bundle of clothes held in his hand.

He had wanted to deliver these personally into Gu Wanlan’s hands and watch her try on each outfit he had chosen; that was why he had declined the shopkeeper’s offer to deliver them directly to the Protector State Duke’s Estate.

He hadn’t expected to encounter such an incident.

Passersby, seeing a situation that looked like a brewing vendetta, hurried away. Cui Jue reached out and caught an old man by the collar, tossing the bundle of items into the man’s arms. “They’re yours.”

Fortunately, he hadn’t truly taken a fancy to these particular sets anyway.

Suddenly receiving a large bundle of goods, the old man looked shocked. He was about to say something, but seeing the large thugs closing in, he didn’t dare linger. He clutched the items and fled as if his feet were greased.

“Let’s go. Is it that one?”

With his hands now empty, Cui Jue proactively stepped toward the carriage parked at the mouth of the alley.

The thugs were collectively stunned, exchanging bewildered glances. They hadn’t expected someone being kidnapped for the first time to remain so calm and composed—no, not just calm; it was as if he wasn’t the target of their kidnapping at all, but rather their boss.

But wasn’t the man they were supposed to kidnap just a mediocre painter?

The leader, a man with a thick black beard, gave a grand wave of his hand, signaling his subordinates to follow. Once he reached Cui Jue’s side, he took a moment to psych himself up, trying to regain the intimidating aura of a bandit.

The Black-Beard gave a predatory grin and produced a handkerchief. “You seem like a decent fellow, but don’t blame us. If you must blame someone, blame yourself for offending the wrong person—”

Cui Jue sighed and proactively took the handkerchief, placing it beneath his nose and sniffing lightly. “Mhm. My constitution is a bit weak; I’ll be troubling you in a moment.”

After saying this, Cui Jue closed his eyes and allowed himself to collapse.

Because he had consumed far too much medicine since childhood, ordinary knockout drugs had long since lost their effectiveness on Cui Jue. He remained fully conscious throughout the journey, aware of his hands being bound with rope and being carried off the carriage to be tossed into a damp room.

Since Cui Jue took complete control of the Cui family, few people had dared to stretch their hands toward him. He had lived a peaceful life for several years under the identity of a painter. Therefore, he was truly curious as to who the mastermind behind such a high-profile kidnapping could be.

Would it be Xiao Sun, who could no longer restrain himself, or perhaps one of those restless scions of the great families?

He sat quietly, leaning against the corner of this dilapidated woodshed, waiting for the arrival of the mastermind.

With a creak, the old wooden door was pushed open from the outside.

“The person is tied up inside. As you ordered, he’s been fed the knockout drug.”

“Good.”

A woman’s voice?

Cui Jue’s eyelashes fluttered; he was somewhat surprised.

Upon receiving news that the plan was a success, Yong’an couldn’t wait to slip out of the Princess Xihe estate.

A few days ago, she had accidentally overheard her mother and father discussing their intention to betroth her to the Hostage from Roulan. Yong’an was instantly enraged. Who was she? She was a highly favored County Princess of the realm! And that Hostage—though he was called Roulan royalty—everyone knew he was just a stray dog who had been driven out of Roulan after failing to seize the throne! He was worthy of her?!

To her shock, her mother, who usually doted on her, had directly slapped her after hearing her protest, stating that marriage was a matter for parents to decide.

She refused to submit.

Later, news arrived that Xiao Sun had been lingering outside the Protector State Duke’s Estate in the middle of the night just to beg for a meeting with Gu Wanlan. In an instant, rumors regarding Xiao Sun and Gu Wanlan spread like wildfire. Some said Gu Wanlan had already explained that Xiao Sun had merely lost his palace waist-tag and went to the estate to find it. But many more were saying that back when Gu Wanlan was wandering the Roulan prairies, she and the Hostage—who was raised in a sheepfold—must have shared a bond of life and death. It was only due to the whims of fate that when they met again, Gu Wanlan was already a married woman; even if the Hostage’s heart remained unchanged, she could only treat him as a stranger.

Yong’an was overjoyed upon hearing this. She thought that once her mother knew Xiao Sun had a true love, she would give up the idea of the marriage. Yet, her mother had merely given her a faint glance before saying coldly, “So what? He cannot possibly marry Gu Wanlan.”

Yong’an felt her mother had gone mad.

She didn’t understand why her mother was so intent on marrying her to Xiao Sun, but she knew that if she didn’t resist, the rest of her life would be spent in loneliness on those distant prairies ten thousand miles away.

If the only reason Xiao Sun couldn’t marry Gu Wanlan was because she was already wed, then they just needed to be separated.

Furthermore, she had probed Gu Wanlan at the Plum Blossom Banquet.

Gu Wanlan didn’t seem to have much sincere affection for her current husband. Most likely, Gu Wanlan had only sought an easy-to-control man to be her live-in husband to protect her family property.

Now, by sending people to abduct Cui Jue, she was helping Gu Wanlan rid herself of this husband so she could be with her true love without reservation.

Yong’an took a breath and stepped into the woodshed under the moonlight.

However, once she saw the scene inside, her expression froze.

The woodshed was dilapidated, cramped, dark, and damp. Yet the gentleman sitting in the corner with his hands bound was like a piece of jade shimmering with a faint white light, drawing all the surrounding radiance to him. Even the stingy moonlight of tonight seemed to favor him, shining upon his profile and highlighting his high bridge and jade-like face.

Yong’an’s hand on the wooden door tightened instantly.

This live-in husband of Gu Wanlan’s actually looked somewhat like Cui Li.

No! It should be said that Cui Li only possessed a fraction of this man’s charm. How could she have fought so fiercely with Gu Baozhu over a mere Cui Li back then?!

Yong’an’s heart hammered like a drum, and she felt the blood in her body turn scalding hot.

If she had been worried before coming here about falling into another abyss while trying to escape Xiao Sun, those worries were tossed to the back of her mind the moment she saw Cui Jue.

She watched the bound and unconscious Cui Jue in the corner, softened her breathing, and walked toward him step by step.

This is a method that is good for everyone, she repeated silently to herself.

If she were to be found in a compromised state with Cui Jue, Xiao Sun would surely make a scene of it and use the opportunity to force Gu Wanlan into a divorce. Seeing a chance to marry Gu Wanlan, Xiao Sun would certainly not agree to her mother’s plan, and she wouldn’t be forced to marry him. Xiao Sun would then have a chance to rekindle his old flame with Gu Wanlan. As for Gu Wanlan, even if the rumors were false and she no longer liked Xiao Sun, she could still use this to exit a marriage bound by interest and gain her freedom.

This plan was good for everyone.

Yong’an’s breathing grew faster and faster. Soon, she knelt down before Cui Jue and, with trembling hands, began to untie the silk laces at her waist.

Gu Wanlan received the news of Cui Jue’s disappearance during the evening meal.

Ever since the day Cui Jue confessed his relationship with Cui Qiong, he no longer hid his outings. Usually, no matter what he was doing, he would return before dinner; he never made Gu Wanlan wait for him.

But today, after waiting for nearly fifteen minutes, there was still no sign of him. Gu Wanlan began to have a foreboding feeling.

She was about to send someone to the Cui estate to inquire when the gatekeeper brought word that an old man had arrived with a large bundle of items, saying he had urgent business with Gu Wanlan.

The old man hadn’t intended to meddle in those vendettas, but as he fled with the items, he felt they grew heavier and hotter in his arms. Seeing no one following him, he found a secluded spot and opened the bundle. Inside were sets of exquisite women’s clothing, clearly chosen with great care by that young gentleman.

Such an affectionate and righteous gentleman, yet now…

Thinking that it was just a small effort, the old man gritted his teeth, bundled the items back up, and ran back to that street. He took the clothes and asked at every shop on that street until he finally discovered Cui Jue’s identity and found the Protector State Duke’s Estate.

By the time the old man finished his story, he was panting like a bull.

Gu Wanlan’s face darkened instantly.

She ordered the gatekeeper to take the old man inside to rest while hurriedly instructing the estate’s Head Deng to lead men to search for leads based on the old man’s story.

After quickly arranging everything and seeing the now-empty hall, Gu Wanlan felt a surge of fear only after the fact.

She pinched her palm to force herself to stay calm.

She didn’t understand. Cui Jue never argued with anyone and had never offended anyone. Why would someone target him?

Thinking of it this way, the only possibility was that his work for Cui Qiong had been discovered. Someone was coming for Cui Qiong, and Cui Jue was likely dragged into it as a consequence. If that were the case, Cui Jue might live, but he would certainly suffer in their hands—physical torture was inevitable.

At the thought that every moment she was late meant another moment of suffering for Cui Jue, Gu Wanlan could no longer restrain herself. She rushed out of the estate, led out her horse, and flipped onto its back, heading straight for the Cui estate.

If it concerned Cui Qiong, he would surely have more leads than she did.

“What?! Cui Qiong isn’t here?”

“Correct, Master Cui is not in the estate today.”

“Then do you know where he is currently?”

“Apologies.”

How could it be that I can’t find Cui Qiong at a time like this?!

“Then what about Cui Jue? Is there anyone else in your estate who recognizes this person?”

Gu Wanlan was desperate.

The gatekeeper shook his head with a confused expression. “What does Eldest Young Miss Gu mean? Isn’t Cui Jue your husband? What relationship does he have with the Cui estate?”

Gu Wanlan choked, her expression dazed as she stumbled back two steps.

That’s right.

How could she have forgotten? Cui Jue was a person who did not exist within the Cui family.

This was a fact she had known for a long time, but only today did she realize that if Cui Jue went missing, she actually only knew one person—Cui Qiong—who was related to him.

Because she hadn’t wanted to cross that line with him, she knew nothing of his past or his present, aside from that one man, Cui Qiong.

Gu Wanlan bit her lip hard, her palm beginning to bleed from where she gripped it.

No.

There shouldn’t be only one!

Thinking of something, she grabbed the gatekeeper and said sharply, “I want to see your Cui family’s Old Master! He must be in the estate; I want to see him!”

The gatekeeper was startled by the sudden, terrifying expression on Gu Wanlan’s face. He struggled and said, “Eldest Young Miss Gu, please spare this lowly one. Though the Old Master is in the estate, he isn’t someone just anyone can see. If you wish to see him, you must first submit a formal request—”

To hell with formal requests!

His grandson has been missing for so long, and this old man who abandoned him still wants a formal request?!

At this moment, Gu Wanlan was beyond furious. Looking at the vermilion doors shut tight before her, a surge of violence rose in her heart. She rolled up her sleeves, intending to smash the gates of the Cui estate, when someone tapped her shoulder from behind, and a sigh reached her ears.

“It’s not the Cui family.”

Gu Wanlan turned around in a daze and saw a hesitant Xiao Chen.

“It’s the Princess Xihe estate.”

In an instant, all color drained from Gu Wanlan’s face. A overwhelming sense of dizziness washed over her, nearly suffocating her.

Oh.

So, it wasn’t because of Cui Qiong.

It was because of her.