An Xingzhi was flustered by Gu Xiao's scrutinizing gaze.
She asked in a low voice, "Young Master Gu?"
As if just noticing the wound on Gu Xiao's forehead, she said, "What happened to Young Master Gu's forehead?"
What else could it be?
He was injured, of course.
Gu Xiao thought sarcastically. She didn't notice it until now.
Recalling what An Xingzhi had said to him, "I'm always paying attention to Young Master Gu", it seemed to be the exact opposite.
There was so little attention for him in her eyes and heart.
An Xingzhi took a step forward, as if to hand over the handkerchief in her hand. But when she caught a glimpse of Chu Nian'an from the corner of her eye, she suddenly stopped.
She cared too much about Gu Xiao.
Instead, she had ignored Chu Nian'an beside them.
Especially since the two of them had come together to visit Yan Zhao and Gu Xiao, but now it seemed that it had become the main stage for An Xingzhi and Gu Xiao.
As a noble princess, Chu Nian'an had become the silent "foil" on the side.
An Xingzhi had just made up with Chu Nian'an, and of course she didn't want their relationship to turn sour again.
Especially since her attitude towards Gu Xiao had been a bit too intimate just now. If Chu Nian'an noticed something, she was afraid that the latter's "good impression" of her would diminish even more.
She didn't know that Chu Nian'an's good impression of her had already declined.
It was not only the "intimate conversation" between An Xingzhi and Gu Xiao as if there was no one else around, but also An Xingzhi's subtle guidance just now.
The seemingly considerate and gentle An Xingzhi of the past seemed to only exist in the past.
The current An Xingzhi, whether it was the bet during the drumming flower - passing game in the imperial garden or the bet during the hunting activity, had shown an astonishingly strong competitive spirit.
No one noticed that Chu Nian'an's fingers tightened silently.
Had she misjudged An Xingzhi's true intentions all these years?
"Princess, take a look. Young Master Gu's forehead is injured!"
An Xingzhi was not convenient to hand over the handkerchief, but she still led Chu Nian'an over to take a look.
Chu Nian'an had already seen the wound on Gu Xiao's forehead. But with her sensitive nose, she also smelled a faint medicinal fragrance.
"Has the wound been treated with medicine?"
Gu Xiao nodded. When he looked at Chu Nian'an, his eyes still had the same teasing look as before. "Thank you for your concern, little Nian'an."
But although An Xingzhi had also noticed, she didn't get a bit of gratitude from him.
Both Chu Nian'an and Gu Xiao were right in front of her, but An Xingzhi's heart sank for no reason, as if she was being excluded by them.
"It's good that the wound has been treated."
She patted her chest lightly to calm her worry. "Young Master Gu must take good care of your body."
However, her words were not as heart - warming as Pei Yunlu's words, "Don't let the wound get wet."
"Okay."
It was a pity that she had been too eager to guide Gu Xiao to win the first place, and had lost his heart.
Gu Xiao, whose eyes used to be full of tenderness whenever he saw An Xingzhi, finally lowered his eyes dejectedly. "I still have something to do. I won't bother little Nian'an and Miss An."
Of course, Chu Nian'an wouldn't try to keep him.
"Young Master Gu..."
But An Xingzhi called out to him hesitantly, hoping that he could understand the meaning in her eyes. Since that day in the pavilion, they had agreed to sit together every afternoon.
She hoped that Gu Xiao would still come for the appointment today.
But Gu Xiao left without even looking back, as if he hadn't heard her call.
"Xingzhi seems to be especially different towards Gu Xiao."
On the way to see Yan Zhao, the two of them had been silent.
Chu Nian'an was thinking about how she had neglected to observe An Xingzhi over the years, while the latter was wondering why Gu Xiao was so cold.
When she heard Chu Nian'an's question, An Xingzhi immediately clarified, "Xingzhi and Young Master Gu are innocent. Princess, don't make fun of Xingzhi."
Innocent?
If she really wanted to be innocent, why did her actions and words seem so ambiguous?
Chu Nian'an cooled her heart thoughtfully.
Coincidentally, they had already arrived at the South Courtyard where Yan Zhao and Ning Yuwǎn lived.
And the couple happened to be walking out.
"Cousin Zhao, Cousin - in - law."
Chu Nian'an's mood gradually improved when she saw Ning Yuwǎn. She left An Xingzhi behind and immediately walked up to Ning Yuwǎn and Yan Zhao.
"Cousin Zhao, are you feeling better?"
He had fallen into the water just two hours ago, but now he seemed to be almost fully recovered!
Yan Zhao nodded. When he and Gu Xiao woke up, they had heard about the rescue by the national master.
"So the national master is really as powerful as Father said!"
Mo Xun's last appearance was during the reign of the previous - to - last emperor of Chu. Chu Nian'an had only heard about the national master's greatness before, but had never seen the national master in person.
"Cousin - in - law, did you really see the national master enter Fang Mountain?"
Chu Nian'an asked excitedly. Fang Mountain was her territory.
Now that the national master had come, she should have a chance to meet him.
Ning Yuwǎn tucked the stray strands of hair behind Chu Nian'an's ear. "You'll have a chance."
Ning Yuwǎn always felt a strange sense of familiarity towards Mo Xun.
In the past, her spiritual power had been insufficient, which had made it difficult for her to use some of her abilities.
But after being with Yan Zhao these days, she felt that the spiritual power in her body was gradually increasing.
Even her long - unused precognition ability had recovered a little.
She raised her eyebrows and smiled: That national master would appear again soon.
"Then I'll take your good word for it, cousin - in - law."
Chu Nian'an squinted and smiled sweetly. As if remembering something, she asked again, "Cousin and cousin - in - law, where are you going?"
Yan Zhao put his arm around Ning Yuwǎn's waist. He had only woken up after taking the national master's pill.
But after getting a kiss from Ning Yuwǎn, he felt full of energy, and the urge to cough gradually stopped.
"The hunting activity isn't over yet. Of course, we're going to continue participating."
He answered Chu Nian'an's question on behalf of Ning Yuwǎn. But the latter was obviously stunned. "Although the hunting activity isn't over yet, it's almost at the end. Cousin Zhao might be too late."
When Yan Zhao fell off the cliff, Gu Xiao's horse had managed to make it back to the starting point with all its injuries.
A little maid had roughly counted. There were twenty rabbits and fifteen pheasants, a total of thirty - five.
However, it was said that there was already someone in the field who had caught more than him. It was just that the hunting was not completely over yet, and they hadn't returned.
Yan Zhao raised his eyebrows. "It's not over yet. How can we give up halfway?"
Chu Nian'an couldn't persuade him. She originally wanted Ning Yuwǎn to persuade him too.
But Ning Yuwǎn was smiling, as if she had full confidence in Yan Zhao.
In the distance, An Xingzhi pursed her lips slightly when she heard that Yan Zhao was going to continue hunting.
She was both disdainful and envious.
She disdained that Yan Zhao knew he couldn't get the first place but still insisted on going.
It must be that vicious woman, Ning Yuwǎn, who had encouraged him behind his back!
She was envious because Yan Zhao was going to continue because of a few words from Ning Yuwǎn.
But Gu Xiao, who was strong and healthy, was willing to admit defeat and didn't want to continue.
He had just thrown away the bet she had placed.
By comparing the two, she understood even more clearly why she had always liked Yan Zhao.
Just as she was about to step forward to say something, she saw Yan Zhao and Ning Yuwǎn pass by her calmly and leave.
Even Chu Nian'an didn't give her another look and just eagerly followed Ning Yuwǎn away.
"Humph!"
An Xingzhi bit her lip and stamped her foot. She only thought for a moment on the spot and then quickly followed them.
She wanted to see with her own eyes the disappointment and dejection of Yan Zhao and Ning Yuwǎn when their confident attempt to win the first place ended up in failure.
It would be best if Ning Yuwǎn was completely disappointed in Yan Zhao and the two of them had a big fight and their relationship became estranged!