After Zhi Yuan fell silent, Gu Jiangyue tossed and turned in bed all night. Early the next morning, Gu Jiangyue was woken up by Zhi Yuan.
"Miss, miss, the Ninth Prince is going out to gather information. He sent me to ask if you'd like to go with him."
Gu Jiangyue sat up in bed. She hadn't slept well last night, and her head was still groggy. However, upon hearing Zhi Yuan's words, she didn't hesitate to reply.
"Where is he? I'll go."
Gu Jiangyue propped herself up and got out of bed. Zhi Yuan quickly went to the side to pack things and said,
"He's waiting outside the door."
Learning that Xie Jiuan was outside, Gu Jiangyue didn't dare to waste any time. She simply tied up her hair in a bun, put on a white long dress, and set off.
After meeting Xie Jiuan, Gu Jiangyue left with him. They didn't take a carriage but walked side by side on the street. Although the people in Liangzhou didn't recognize them very well, their good looks still made many people turn their heads frequently.
"Where shall we go first?"
Gu Jiangyue was walking on the street. She had just dodged someone's gaze and pretended not to see.
"Let's go to the teahouse first. There should be a lot of people there."
Xie Jiuan replied. Xie Jiuan never did anything blindly. He had already made a plan before coming.
Seeing that Xie Jiuan was confident, Gu Jiangyue didn't say anything else and just quietly followed behind him. Soon they arrived at the teahouse. Xie Jiuan casually ordered some tea and found a crowded place to sit down.
"I've only heard that the capital is infinitely beautiful, but I didn't know that the scenery in Liangzhou is also so beautiful. I wonder if you gentlemen know any interesting places. I'd like to take my wife there for a good visit."
Xie Jiuan observed for a while and finally fixed his gaze on a group of strong men beside them. The men were burly and were drinking and chatting merrily. Seeing Xie Jiuan smiling and asking them, they weren't annoyed but laughed heartily instead.
"Liangzhou is no worse than the capital. If you want to take this young lady around, the flowers in Qianzui Pavilion are the most famous."
The man sized up Gu Jiangyue beside him. There was no ill - intention in his eyes. Although he looked rough, he was actually quite considerate.
"I've heard of it. It's a good place. Coincidentally, my wife loves flowers. By the way, I've heard that there's a flower in Liangzhou called the Wood Spirit Moon Orchid. It's extremely beautiful and rare. I wonder if you know where it is. I'd like to take my wife to see its wonder."
Hearing the man talking about flowers, Xie Jiuan followed his train of thought. His tone was just sincere enough, and the occasional looks he gave Gu Jiangyue were filled with affection. The man almost believed Xie Jiuan's words without thinking.
"Although there's only one Wood Spirit Moon Orchid, it's not a very rare thing. The flower is now in the hands of the courtesan in the brothel not far away. The requirement to obtain the flower is both difficult and simple."
At this point, the man looked at Xie Jiuan and Gu Jiangyue hesitantly, as if he didn't want to tell them.
"I wonder what the requirement is. Please don't hold back, sir."
Xie Jiuan still had a calm smile on his face and quietly waited for the man's answer.
"As long as you pass her test, but no one knows what her test is because all the people who have gone there are dead."
The man leaned closer, as if afraid that others would hear. The fear in his eyes was palpable.
"In that case, it's okay if we don't see this flower."
Xie Jiuan also pretended to be a little scared. He didn't forget to reach out and gently pat Gu Jiangyue on the back to comfort her.
"It's getting late. We're not familiar with this place, so we'll go back first. Thank you, sir, for telling us."
After Xie Jiuan finished speaking, he didn't give the man time to hesitate. He pulled Gu Jiangyue beside him. The two bowed to the man and then left.
Xie Jiuan pulled Gu Jiangyue out of the teahouse all the way. Gu Jiangyue just followed Xie Jiuan. Looking at the familiar things on both sides of the street, she asked in confusion,
"Are we really going back? Aren't we going to take a look over there?"
Gu Jiangyue looked at Xie Jiuan and pointed in the direction of the brothel the man had mentioned.
A playful smile curled up on Xie Jiuan's lips. He didn't stop but continued to pull Gu Jiangyue's hand towards the inn. As he walked, he said,
"Why is my wife in such a hurry? Are you allowing me to enter the brothel this time? Besides, your current attire is not suitable for a brothel."
As Xie Jiuan said this, he looked at Gu Jiangyue's face and watched as the slightly confused look in her eyes gradually cleared.
"I see. So I'll wear men's clothes again tomorrow?"
Gu Jiangyue pretended not to hear Xie Jiuan's teasing words and deliberately asked, just wanting to quickly change the topic.
But Xie Jiuan took the opportunity to tease her further, as if he wouldn't stop until he saw Gu Jiangyue blush. He said with a big smile,
"Of course. My wife looks so good in any outfit. If I go to the brothel with you, which woman would dare approach me?"
"Stop being so glib..."
Xie Jiuan achieved his goal. Gu Jiangyue lowered her head, and her voice became softer and softer. She just let him hold her hand and walked back.
They had gained a lot today, and Gu Jiangyue was already satisfied. She hadn't slept well last night. After telling Zhi Yuan to prepare a set of clothes for her when she got back to the inn, she just fell into bed and went to sleep.
Gu Jiangyue slept soundly this time. When she woke up again, it was early morning. Today was very important, so Gu Jiangyue didn't dare to waste any time. She quickly washed up, put on men's clothes, and went out. She originally planned to go find Xie Jiuan. Their rooms were next to each other. As soon as Gu Jiangyue poked her head out of the door, she saw Xie Jiuan coming out of his room.
"Are you up?"
The two met face - to - face. Xie Jiuan greeted her first and then casually sized Gu Jiangyue up.
"Not bad. It suits you. You look good."
Then Xie Jiuan expressed his approval of Gu Jiangyue's outfit today. Gu Jiangyue looked so delicate in the green robe that she looked just like a young scholar. But being praised like this by Xie Jiuan, she felt a little embarrassed and whispered,
"If someone saw us, they might mistake the Ninth Prince for having a fondness for men."
Hearing Gu Jiangyue say this, Xie Jiuan didn't mind at all. Instead, the smile on his face grew wider. He leaned closer to Gu Jiangyue and gently kissed her on the forehead. Then he said,
"What if someone sees? As long as it's my wife, I like it all."
Gu Jiangyue's ears turned red at a visible speed. She could even feel her face burning. Her voice stuttered a little, and she just walked forward quickly, trying not to look at Xie Jiuan.
"Hurry, hurry up. It'll be too late if we're any slower."