"Little Nian'an is so heartless. You didn't even wait for Brother Gu," came a voice.
A young man on a horse trotted over through the snow. He was dashing, yet there was a playful smile on his face.
Chu Nian'an pursed her lips slightly. "Gu Xiao, why are you back?"
The young man dismounted in a flamboyant manner. Although his movements seemed large and forceful, his toes barely touched the ground as he landed with a graceful somersault, then stood still with a wink and a smile.
The snow around his feet didn't even splash. Ning Yuwan immediately knew that he was a master with profound internal strength.
"After five years in Xiaoshan, the Marquis of Wuan still hasn't tamed your wildness. You're still as fond of showing off as ever!"
"I'm just showing off my new skills to you and Cousin."
If it weren't for his somewhat handsome features, Gu Xiao would look like a simple-minded country bumpkin with his tanned skin and white teeth.
Moreover, he was dressed in an ordinary black robe, making it hard to believe that he was once the most charming young noble in the capital.
Chu Nian'an was momentarily stunned, and memories of his fair complexion and white teeth from the past flashed through her mind.
But his personality was still as bad as ever.
She glared at him first, then ran back. "Why did you come dressed like this?"
Gu Xiao squinted and smiled. "I just arrived in the capital today. I heard you were out enjoying the snow, so I came to join in the fun."
He hadn't even had time to change his clothes. He sniffed his sleeves slightly. "Thank goodness. It's not dirty!"
Chu Nian'an was almost scared back by his actions, but she endured her disgust and motioned for him to board the boat. "Fortunately, there's a place to wash up on the boat. Clean yourself up before you see your cousin's wife. Don't scare her with your dirty clothes!"
Gu Xiao was pulled forward by his wrist. As he passed Yan Zhao, he greeted him warmly. "Cousin, long time no see."
"Humph!"
There was a soft chuckle from Yan Zhao. The coldness on his face seemed to melt away the moment the young man appeared.
"Back?"
"Back."
There was an unusual closeness in their eyes, but the next moment, Gu Xiao's gaze fell on Ning Yuwan.
He frowned slightly and sized her up, then turned his head without saying a word.
Ning Yuwan lowered her eyes and silently pondered. If she wasn't mistaken, there was disgust and contempt in Gu Xiao's eyes.
Gu Xiao?
Ning Yuwan muttered to herself in her heart. What a crazy little brat!
"Wanwan, let's board the boat too."
Yan Zhao seemed not to notice Gu Xiao's little move. He put his arm around Ning Yuwan's shoulder and walked forward.
He didn't forget to introduce Gu Xiao to Ning Yuwan. "Gu Xiao is now nineteen years old. He's the only son of my little aunt, Wen Qi, and grew up in the capital. His father is the Marquis of Wuan, who guards Xiaoshan. Five years ago, Gu Xiao was sent to Xiaoshan to learn martial arts because he was too playful. He just came back."
When Yan Zhao mentioned Gu Xiao, there was a constant smile on his lips. It seemed that their relationship was even closer than that between him and Chu Heyao.
Little aunt?
Wen Qi?
Ning Yuwan thought carefully. No wonder Chu Nian'an also called her "cousin's wife" when referring to Gu Xiao.
The three of them were indeed cousins.
It's just that Chu Nian'an's biological mother was Concubine An, so the relationship was a bit more distant.
Chu Heyao, Yan Zhao, and Gu Xiao were the closest cousins.
It's a pity that Chu Heyao was scolded by the emperor and sent to Xiaoshan. He hasn't returned yet.
And no one in the capital knows his current situation in Xiaoshan.
"Gu Xiao has been an unruly boy since childhood. Now that he's learned some skills, he's even more wild. If he says something rude, don't blame him, my lady."
Yan Zhao held Ning Yuwan's fingers tightly, full of affection. "I'll ask him to apologize to you later."
So...
He saw it.
Ning Yuwan pursed her red lips, smiling faintly. "My lord, what are you saying? I'm not a petty person."
There was a hint of mischief in her eyes.
But Yan Zhao always knew when to stop. It was enough to say a few good words for Gu Xiao. There was no need to really make his wife unhappy.
Inside the cabin, Gu Xiao, who was changing clothes and washing up, drooped his eyebrows and twirled the red string on his wrist. There was a hint of cunning in his peach blossom eyes.
Outside the cabin, after the noble guests had boarded first, the others began to board one by one.
There were so many people that there was more than one large boat. In the end, they boarded two boats, one named "Anping" and the other "Anning".
Both cabins were luxuriously decorated, like large pavilions.
The first floor was a large hall for people to play and have fun, and the second floor was a luxurious compartment for sitting and resting.
Unexpectedly, almost all the acquaintances gathered together.
Ning Yuwan casually boarded the "Anping", but a group of people followed her.
Needless to say, Yan Zhao never left her side.
Pei Yunlu was a cold and aloof person. She couldn't get along with those who flattered others.
Naturally, she also chose the "Anping".
Chu Nian'an originally boarded the "Anning", but when she saw Ning Yuwan and Yan Zhao on the "Anping", she immediately changed boats.
The lake at the foot of Fangshan was called "Fairy Lake". It was said to be named so because its terrain resembled a graceful fairy.
Fairy Lake was as vast as the sea. Although Fangshan was close at hand, it would take an hour to reach the shore.
Of course, one of the reasons was that there were princes and princesses on the boat. Their identities were so noble that they had to slow down the speed deliberately.
An hour was neither long nor short. Chu Nian'an naturally didn't want to be separated from Ning Yuwan.
An Xingzhi had an ulterior motive. She wanted to get closer to Chu Nian'an and reconcile with her during this outing, so she also followed.
As a prince, Chu Heye always had followers wherever he went.
But since Yan Zhao and the others were on this boat, he couldn't help but suspect that he might be plotted against.
In addition, An Xingzhi was also on this boat, so he simply waited haughtily for her to explain.
One was a princess and the other was a prince. Naturally, there were some discerning people following them.
Suddenly, the contrast between the two crowded boats was obvious.
"What are you all following for? Go to the other boat."
Chu Nian'an frowned unhappily. Under her cold and angry gaze, some people with thin skins finally changed boats.
Only a few thick-skinned people pretended not to hear.
Just as the large boat was about to set sail, Gu Xiao quickly finished washing up, only to find that he was not in the same place as Chu Nian'an and the others.
He walked to the deck and looked across from afar. The ropes had already been untied. It was too late for him to change boats now.
But Gu Xiao was never one to follow the rules. He leaped into the air and bounced a few times before landing on the boat.
Chu Nian'an was startled. The red gem hairpin in her hair shook violently. "Gu Xiao, do you have to draw attention to yourself?"
Gu Xiao spread his hands. "There's no you or Cousin on that boat. I'd be bored to death."
He had been away from the capital for five years. Time flew by. All his childhood playmates had grown up and had their own new circles. It was hard for him to fit in.
Thinking of the hardships he must have endured in Xiaoshan for the past five years, Chu Nian'an couldn't bear to scold him anymore. She motioned for him to come over. "Just in time. You haven't met your cousin's wife yet. Come quickly!"
Gu Xiao never expected that the first thing she would say was about etiquette. He already had some negative feelings towards Ning Yuwan in his heart, and now he disliked her even more.
He was sure that it was Ning Yuwan who was dissatisfied and deliberately taught Chu Nian'an to make him address people properly.
What a malicious intention!