"They're simply going too far! Do they really think I, Gu Yanwu, am dead?! It's all Father's fault. Father had no idea that you've been living such a life all these years. You've suffered, Jiangyue."
Gu Yanwu's eyes were bloodshot, and his hands were trembling. He looked at Gu Jiangyue and said softly.
"I'm fine, Father."
Gu Jiangyue hadn't felt aggrieved before, but the moment she saw Gu Yanwu, her tears welled up. There was also a glint of tears in Gu Yanwu's eyes.
Gu Jiangyue asked Gu Yanwu a lot about his life in the military camp. In her previous life, because of Xie Chengrui, Gu Jiangyue never had the time to have a good chat with Gu Yanwu.
"Our mansion is being tidied up. Whenever you decide where you want to live, Father will follow your wishes."
Gu Jiangyue nodded in agreement. Then she told Gu Yanwu something about her and Xie Jiuan, and Gu Yanwu didn't continue to inquire about their marriage.
After they finished catching up, it was completely dark. Gu Jiangyue returned to her room. The night was just right, and no one bothered her. She sat by the window for a while and then went to rest. She slept soundly that night.
Early the next morning, Gu Jiangyue learned that Gu Yanwu had been summoned to the palace again. Although she was anxious, there was nothing she could do.
Gu Jiangyue originally wanted to go to Xie Jiuan to ask about the situation. On her way, however, an arrow blocked her path.
"Who's there!"
The arrow wasn't shot very fast. It was obvious at a glance that it wasn't meant to kill Gu Jiangyue. She still dodged to the side and then looked around warily.
It was dead silent all around, with only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the leaves.
Gu Jiangyue looked at the arrow curiously. Instinctively, she felt that there must be something wrong with it. Sure enough, she found a note at one end of the arrow. She took it off and read it.
"I have the last herb to save Gu Yi. Meet me at Changkong Lake at noon tomorrow."
The note was very short, but it made Gu Jiangyue's heart sink to the bottom. Since the person didn't want to talk openly, it meant there must be a conspiracy. But since it concerned Gu Yi, Gu Jiangyue decided that no matter what, she would go this time.
Gu Jiangyue didn't tell anyone about this. Instead, she quietly put away the note. She didn't know whether the person wanted others to know about it. This was the only way to save Gu Yi, so she didn't dare to be negligent.
Gu Jiangyue didn't sleep well all night. Early the next morning, she went to Changkong Lake. The weather wasn't very good today. It was drizzling, and there weren't many people around the lake.
Gu Jiangyue didn't see anyone suspicious. She held an umbrella and sat in the pavilion by the lake, waiting for the person to come for the appointment.
The raindrops fell on the lake, creating ripples. Gu Jiangyue could faintly smell the scent of the soil. She sat in the pavilion for a while. It was noon when the people gradually dispersed. Through the hazy rain, Gu Jiangyue finally saw a figure.
The figure was approaching her step by step. Gu Jiangyue stood up and got closer. Only then did she vaguely recognize the person's face.
He was wearing a bright yellow robe, with his hair tied up high in a coronet. His face was one that Gu Jiangyue had remembered for two lifetimes. The person was none other than Xie Chengrui.
Only then did Gu Jiangyue remember what Mu Xia had told her before, that Xie Chengrui had obtained a famous herb and treasured it very much. Now that she thought about it, it should be the last precious natural treasure for Gu Yi's treatment, the Jade Curved Spiritual Herb.
"Jiangyue, long time no see."
Gu Jiangyue didn't know what to do. She looked at Xie Chengrui, who was approaching her step by step, at a loss. Xie Chengrui took the initiative to speak first. He smiled extremely falsely.
Gu Jiangyue didn't want to get entangled with Xie Chengrui. She was about to leave first and then figure out a way later when Xie Chengrui reached out to stop her.
"Don't you want to say something to me? The rumors you spread have deceived quite a few people. Even I was deceived by you."
Xie Chengrui stared at Gu Jiangyue intently, as if he didn't want to miss any expression on her face.
Gu Jiangyue took a step back to keep a distance from Xie Chengrui. She knew that Xie Chengrui was talking about Gu Yanwu's matter. Gu Jiangyue let out a long sigh. She closed her eyes and said.
"What on earth do you want before you'll give me the herb?"
Gu Jiangyue was too lazy to waste words. She asked directly. Now the rain had stopped, and it was dead silent all around. Gu Jiangyue's nerves were getting more and more tense. Xie Chengrui didn't answer in a hurry. Instead, he thought for a while and then said.
"As long as you marry me and be my main concubine, the Jade Curved Spiritual Herb will be yours."
Gu Jiangyue's eyebrows furrowed involuntarily. Her voice was very cold as she asked.
"What about Mu Xia? Didn't you say you would marry her as your main concubine?"
As soon as Gu Jiangyue finished speaking, she heard Xie Chengrui scoff disdainfully. His eyes were full of contempt as he said.
"She's just a woman from a brothel. It's already good enough to give her the position of a side concubine. Main concubine? She's just daydreaming!"
Xie Chengrui was still laughing, but the next moment, a clear slap sounded on his face. Xie Chengrui was directly stunned by Gu Jiangyue's slap.
Gu Jiangyue used quite a bit of strength in this slap. This slap wasn't out of pity for Mu Xia, but to punish Xie Chengrui for his breach of promise, ingratitude, and selfishness.
"Marry me? You don't even deserve it."
Gu Jiangyue was expressionless, and her voice was extremely cold.
"You!"
Xie Chengrui finally came to his senses. He no longer looked like a gentle and humble young master. There was a red mark on his face, and his eyes were full of anger. He couldn't stand such humiliation. He raised his hand high and was about to slap Gu Jiangyue across the face.
Gu Jiangyue knew she couldn't dodge, so she simply closed her eyes. But Xie Chengrui's slap didn't land on her face. Gu Jiangyue opened her eyes hesitantly and saw a white figure shaking off Xie Chengrui's hand.
"Jiangyue, are you okay?"
A familiar voice sounded in her ear. Gu Jiangyue looked into Xie Jiuan's concerned eyes. After a moment of thought, she directly kissed Xie Jiuan on the lips.
Xie Jiuan's body stiffened. He felt Gu Jiangyue increase the intensity of the kiss. He also responded. When the two separated, Xie Chengrui beside them was already dumbfounded.
"In this lifetime, I will only marry Xie Jiuan."
Gu Jiangyue tried to control her breathing to make herself look less embarrassed. She stared at Xie Chengrui with a pair of eyes and said.
Xie Chengrui opened his mouth, as if he hadn't thought of what to say yet. Gu Jiangyue didn't look at him anymore. Instead, she pulled Xie Jiuan's hand and left.
Rejecting Xie Chengrui in front of Xie Jiuan, Gu Jiangyue only felt extremely relaxed.
"Why are you here?"
Gu Jiangyue blinked at Xie Jiuan.
"I didn't see you at the Azure Water Cloud Residence today, so I came to look for you."
Xie Jiuan's voice was a bit hoarse.
"How did you know I was here?"
Although Gu Jiangyue thought Xie Jiuan would notice something was wrong with her, she wondered how he knew where she had gone.
"As long as you're in danger, I will definitely be by your side."
A smile played on Xie Jiuan's lips. His peach blossom eyes, filled with lust, stared at Gu Jiangyue's lips. Just as Gu Jiangyue was about to say something, he directly kissed her.