After the Cold and Aloof Husband's Mask Falls - Chapter 7

Back when Cui Qiong served as the army monitor at Changping Pass, Gu Wanlan had investigated his background thoroughly. Yet, she had never heard mention of him having a concubine-born elder brother.

Sensing the doubt in her eyes, Tianshu lowered his head and whispered behind his hand, “This Cui Jue has only recently emerged in public. Word is that he and Cui Qiong have been close since childhood. Because Cui Qiong was sickly as a boy, Cui Jue proactively left home to live in a Daoist temple, claiming he wished to pray for his brother’s health.”

“Such brotherly devotion?” Gu Wanlan arched an eyebrow, crossing her arms with a look of pure skepticism. “They say Cui Qiong is the frail one, but to me, this Cui Jue looks more like a permanent fixture at a pharmacy.”

Tianshu scratched his head. “To be honest, I also suspect there is more to the story. However, it is certain they are close; Cui Qiong has been spotted frequently visiting Cui Jue’s estate on Mount Qiu.”

“This is troublesome.” Gu Wanlan pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on.

Since the man was an intimate associate of that “Cui Dog,” she couldn’t move against him easily without risking the fire spreading to herself. Catching Tianshu’s concerned gaze, she felt a sudden lump in her throat. How could she explain the truth? Was she supposed to admit she suspected she had “defiled” the man and was now looking for a way to shut him up?

“His… Cui Jue’s whereabouts half a month ago—did you find anything?” Gu Wanlan shifted the subject, guiltily avoiding Tianshu’s eyes.

Tianshu shook his head. “Cui Jue’s situation is unique. He is a painter; he often goes half a month without stepping out the door when he is working. It just so happens that half a month ago, he took a commission from a wealthy merchant. Officially, he was at home painting, but the reality is difficult to verify.”

“Fine, I understand. Go back and tell Tianxuan that, barring any accidents, I will have the Second Madam go out to purchase new maidservants the day after tomorrow. Have Tianxuan prepare to slip in among them.”

“Understood. You must be careful, General. I will keep watch over the Mount Qiu villa for you. I know you will return safely!”

Thinking of the Tiger Tally hidden in her robes, Gu Wanlan’s eyes flickered. She patted Tianshu’s shoulder to reassure him. “I may have to stay here a while longer. But rest easy, once I obtain—”

Her ears twitched. She stepped forward silently, blocking the sunlight filtering through the trees. “Wait. Someone is coming. I’ll stall them; you leave through the back!”

“Yes, General.” Tianshu didn’t dare linger. He was publicly known as one of Ji Lin’s men; if he were caught here, there would be no explaining it away.

Gu Wanlan crouched down and rummaged through the grass for a moment. Soon, the surprised voice of Gu Lehuan came from behind her. “Sister?”

Gu Wanlan stood up, casually clutching a wooden hairpin she had tossed into the grass. She brushed the dirt from her skirt and smiled. “I was just looking for something.”

“I thought you and the Duke had a disagreement, and you were out here…” Gu Lehuan bit her lip, her face full of concern.

“Ha, how could that be? It was nothing.” Gu Wanlan toyed with the hairpin and gave a casual reply. A sudden, awkward silence fell between them.

Great, Gu Wanlan thought. I’m terrible at small talk with people I barely know. She desperately wanted to leave, but to give Tianshu time to escape, she forced herself to keep the conversation going. “Haha, by the way, you look quite lovely in that outfit today.”

To her surprise, the young girl’s face flushed a deep crimson.

“If… if Sister likes it, I have more fabric in my room…” Gu Lehuan looked up, seemingly summoning her courage. “Sister, would you like to come to my quarters and sit for a while?”

Sitting before the dressing mirror in Gu Lehuan’s room, Gu Wanlan was still a bit dazed. She wasn’t sure how “stalling for time” had turned into getting a full makeover.

She reflected on her life—but then, who could refuse the invitation of a sweet, soft girl? Gu Lehuan was genuinely adorable. At sixteen, she still had a bit of “baby fat” on her cheeks and a fondness for fluffy accessories. She looked exactly like a little white rabbit.

Seeing Gu Lehuan excitedly bringing over another string of pearl flowers, Gu Wanlan reached out to stop her. “That’s… that’s enough! Any more and my head won’t be able to carry the weight.”

Gu Lehuan stopped, a bit disappointed, but laughed at Gu Wanlan’s pleading expression. “So, it turns out even Sister has things she fears.”

Gu Wanlan lowered her head, rubbing her nose awkwardly. “It’s not fear, it’s just… I’m not used to this. Later—”

Before she could finish, Gu Lehuan suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. Gu Wanlan nearly fell off her chair in shock. “Gu… Gu Lehuan?”

Gu Lehuan held on tighter, her voice muffled against Gu Wanlan’s shoulder. “Sister, you are so incredible. Thank goodness you were there yesterday, or I wouldn’t have known what to do…”

Hearing the tremor in the girl’s voice, Gu Wanlan sighed softly. She let the girl hold her and patted her back like one would comfort a child. “It’s over now. Nothing will happen to you again.”

“Mm.” Gu Lehuan suppressed her emotions and pulled back, looking at Gu Wanlan nervously. “Sister, is there perhaps anything I can do to help you? Anything at all.”

The attempt to please was painfully obvious. Gu Wanlan understood the feeling; the girl was desperate to prove she was useful. Gu Wanlan pulled out the pearl flowers and intended to offer a few words of praise to soothe her, but then her eyes fell upon a painting of High Mountains and Tall Pines on the wall. Another idea flashed in her mind.

She checked to see that the servants were at a distance, then beckoned Gu Lehuan closer. “Actually, I do have a problem. I wanted to ask your advice.”

Gu Lehuan brightened instantly. She leaned in, covering her mouth with her hand, her eyes sparkling. “Please, Sister, tell me!”

“Well… I have a ‘friend’ who has a bit of a problem. She accidentally got involved with a man. His identity is complicated, so she can’t just get rid of him, but she also doesn’t want him telling anyone about their… involvement. She’s quite distressed.”

Gu Lehuan looked thoughtful. “Hmm. How is the relationship between your friend and this man?”

“Not… not very well-acquainted?”

“If she can’t get rid of him, then she should just make him ‘one of her own,'” Gu Lehuan said. “If he becomes family—tied to the same boat—he naturally won’t speak of such things to outsiders.”

Gu Wanlan’s eyes lit up. “That makes perfect sense! Why didn’t I think of that?”

Gu Lehuan stood on her tiptoes and, while Gu Wanlan wasn’t looking, gently smoothed a stray lock of her sister’s hair. “I’m so glad I could help.”

“You helped a great deal!” Gu Wanlan was excited now. If she could turn Cui Jue into “one of her own,” he would be trapped on her ship. Even if he wanted to betray her for his brother later, she would have enough leverage to hold over him in the meantime.

Furthermore, if she took him as a matrilocal husband (a man who marries into the woman’s family), she could legitimately protect her father’s title and take command of the army.

After thanking Gu Lehuan, Gu Wanlan hurried away to plot the details.

Once she was gone, the maid Tingqi entered nervously, pulling a letter from her sleeve. “Miss, a letter from Young Master Wang. He invites you to the theater the day after tomorrow.”

“I’m not going. Burn it,” Gu Lehuan said, humming a tune as she began to undress.

Tingqi was stunned. “Miss, why the sudden change of clothes? Let me help—”

“Don’t touch me!” Gu Lehuan snapped, slapping the maid’s hand away.

Tingqi lowered her head, terrified. Her mistress had always been strong-willed; few noble ladies would dare to scheme for their own marriage, yet Gu Lehuan had spent months “luring” the second son of the prestigious Wang family. Now, she seemed to have lost all interest.

Gu Lehuan carefully folded the clothes she had worn while hugging Gu Wanlan and locked them in a chest. As she picked out a new set, she saw the letter was still there. Her face twisted in disgust. “I told you to burn it.”

“But Miss, you worked so hard to get Master Wang to agree…”

“How do you think Master Wang compares to my sister?” Gu Lehuan asked.

Tingqi blinked. “Master Wang is the second son of the scholarly Wang clan. If you marry him, no one will dare gossip about you again.”

“Heh,” Gu Lehuan sneered. “Wang Yue may have a good name, but he is a fool. He isn’t fit to hold a candle to my sister. If it weren’t for my Second Aunt pushing me into a corner, I wouldn’t have stooped to such a tactic.”

She walked to her desk and picked out her favorite stationery. “Forget them. Come and grind the ink for me. My sister’s business is more important.”

“What are you writing, Miss?”

“A surprise for my sister,” Gu Lehuan said with a sweet smile. She wasn’t a warrior, but in the “art of the heart,” she was an expert.

She was certain her sister’s “friend” would find this very useful indeed.