Chapter 21

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Chapter 21: Title

After leaving the Empress’s residence, Gu Hengbo walked alone for a long time before realizing a serious problem—she had gotten lost again, and there was not a soul around. Who could she ask for directions? Now, trying to go back was impossible. Why had her brain turned dull after entering Gu Meisheng’s body? She ended up walking in circles and returned to where she started.

Lianyang was sitting alone on the rooftop, lost in thought, when he saw a girl in a light purple dress walk by. He was slightly curious since very few people came to this place. He appreciated the peace and only came up to sit because he had nothing to do. Initially, it seemed ordinary, but after some time, he noticed she walked back and forth—she was lost.

Gu Hengbo’s face was dark enough to reflect light. She glared at the surrounding trees, refusing to believe she couldn’t find her way out.

“Miss, are you lost?” a soft voice came from behind.

“Isn’t it obvious? If I wasn’t lost, why would I be going around in circles?” Gu Hengbo turned around impatiently.

The young man before her wore white, his face like a jade ornament and his manners gentle and refined. Gu Hengbo was taken aback; he looked so familiar. Where had she seen him before?

Lianyang felt a little shy, being stared at so directly by a girl. “May I offer to show you the way, Miss?”

Gu Hengbo blinked and quickly replied, “Sure!”

Lianyang smiled slightly. “The palace layout is indeed complex and disordered, making it common to get lost.”

Even his smile felt warm to Gu Hengbo. She thought to herself.

“Ha, yes, it really is hard to navigate. So, I appreciate your help!” Gu Hengbo said joyfully.

Once they left the slightly eerie area, Gu Hengbo sighed with relief. The young man said he had more matters to attend to and could not see her out. He called over a palace servant to escort her.

Outside of the palace, Gu Hengbo spotted a carriage in the distance, with Qingfeng dozing on it like a chick pecking at rice. “Qingfeng!”

Qingfeng nearly dove off the seat, and Gu Hengbo quickly stepped forward to catch her, teasing, “You were sleeping so soundly!”

“Miss, you made it out!”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Why are you alone?” she asked, puzzled.

Gu Hengbo jumped onto the carriage. “Don’t mention it! After leaving the Empress, she didn’t say anyone would escort me. I couldn’t just say I didn’t know the way, so I really got lost!”

“How did you come out, then?”

Gu Hengbo thought of the handsome young man in white, and her eyes lit up. “Of course, I just asked someone for directions! By the way, why are you here?”

“I found it boring at the residence, so I came to see how things were.”

Gu Hengbo nodded understandingly, "Then I fell asleep in the carriage."

Qingfeng scratched her head sheepishly, "I stayed up late reading last night."

"So, how was it? Did you like the book I recommended?" Gu Hengbo asked with a raised eyebrow, looking quite smug.

As soon as she brought it up, Qingfeng got all excited, grabbing Gu Hengbo’s sleeve eagerly, "Miss, miss! Tell me, did that woman die in the end?"

Gu Hengbo stroked her chin and glanced sideways at Qingfeng, "Yes, she died."

"Ah!" Qingfeng looked up at Gu Hengbo with a pitiful expression, almost on the verge of tears.

Gu Hengbo chuckled, "Just kidding! Look how scared you got!"

Qingfeng stared at her in shock, "Miss, you’re so mean."

"Mean? Do you even know what that means, you little rascal?" Gu Hengbo squinted playfully.

Qingfeng shook her head, "No, I don’t."

Gu Hengbo leaned in closer, blowing softly into her ear and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek, "So, how’s that? Am I mean enough?"

Qingfeng was left speechless.

Gu Hengbo leaned back and burst into laughter.

Qingfeng glared at her, clearly annoyed, "Miss, this isn’t funny at all."

Gu Hengbo laughed until tears streamed down her face, "Oh, little girl, you want me to be more mischievous? How about this?" She leaned in again and planted a firm kiss on Qingfeng’s rosy lips, smacking her lips afterward, "Mmm, so sweet!"

Qingfeng’s eyes turned red, and ignoring the moving carriage, she turned to jump off. Gu Hengbo was startled and quickly pulled her back, "What are you doing?"

Qingfeng’s eyes glistened with tears, "You’re bullying me, Miss. I want to go home."

Gu Hengbo was taken aback, "Hey, don’t be like that. We’re both women, okay? What’s wrong with a kiss? It’s not like you’d get pregnant."

Qingfeng’s tears flowed even more fiercely, "My mother said that if a stranger kisses you, you’ll have a baby."

Gu Hengbo was at a loss for words, "That’s not true."

"Is too!"

Gu Hengbo reached out to wipe her tears, "You’re too grown up to be crying. If you get pregnant, I’ll just marry you, okay?"

Qingfeng blinked, "Really?"

Gu Hengbo fought the urge to roll her eyes, "Of course not! Didn’t your mother tell you that people of the same gender can’t get married?"

"She didn’t say that."

"Dear girl, you usually seem so smart and clever. How did you become an idiot on this topic? Let me tell you, women can’t marry women. And of course, a kiss won’t make you have a baby," Gu Hengbo explained patiently, patting her shoulder.

A flicker of something strange passed through Qingfeng’s eyes but vanished quickly. She nodded, saying, "I understand now."

"Now that’s better," Gu Hengbo said, satisfied.

In the Yuan Hall

"Your Highness, the Second Prince has arrived."

"Cough, quickly let him in," a beautiful woman with a pale face coughed lightly as she stood up and looked toward the screen. "My son."

As soon as Lianyang entered, he quickly moved to support the rising Empress. "Mother, you should just stay in bed," he said, glancing at the maid nearby. "Is there enough medicine left in Yuan Hall?"

"Second Prince, there’s enough for five more days," the maid replied.

Lianyang frowned. "Only five days?"

"Yes, Prince Rong sent some over recently."

"Prince Rong?" Lianyang asked, surprised.

The Empress also seemed taken aback. She turned to the maid. "Prince Rong sent someone to Yuan Hall?"

The maid, visibly nervous and seeing the Empress’s displeasure, quickly knelt down. "Your Highness, please forgive me. Actually, Prince Rong came in person that day. He instructed me not to tell you and just handed over the medicine before leaving."

The Empress sighed. "Never mind, you may rise."

Lianyang helped the Empress lie back down, his face full of concern. "Mother, have you been feeling any better lately?"

The Empress nodded. "Much better, my son. Don’t worry about me."

"Mother, once you’re feeling better, I’ll ask Father to let us take a walk outside the palace."

"We’ll see. You know I’ve been concerned about your marriage. You’re not a child anymore; it’s time to think about your future. I heard the Second Miss from the Prime Minister’s residence has just recovered from a serious illness. You saw her at Taihe Hall, didn’t you?"

Lianyang’s face turned red. "Mother, not this again. You know I don’t care for the Gu family. Besides, that day at Taihe Hall, there was an assassin; I hardly noticed anything else."

The Empress smiled. "You’re grown up now. Once your elder brother is married, it will be your turn. If you have someone in mind, I’ll speak to your father for you."

Hearing this, Lianyang’s expression darkened. "Since Gu Wan entered the palace, he hasn’t stepped foot in Yuan Hall even once. I’ll handle my own affairs, Mother. You just focus on getting better."

The Empress sighed. "My son, living in this harem, I’ve come to accept many things. Can’t you do the same? It’s a blessing just to be alive."

Lianyang snorted. "Mother, if your expectations are so low, why won’t those women leave you alone? They clearly want to see you suffer."

The Empress closed her eyes, not wanting to see the hatred in the eyes of the child she had raised. She knew better than anyone who was responsible for her illness. Prince Rong’s visit to deliver medicine wasn’t just for her sake. In the end, that person would only betray her goodwill.

"Mother, Concubine Wan didn’t come that day," Lianyang said slowly. He felt it was unfair; Gu Wan could come and go as she pleased, while his mother had no such freedom. How could his father hate her so much, just because of Gu Wan’s child? She was a gentle woman who wouldn’t even harm a small insect.

"My son, I’m tired. You should go and rest too."

"Yes, Mother, rest well. I’ll visit you again in a few days." The Empress knew what he was thinking. The Gu family was powerful, and with Gu Yuanqing’s two daughters, Gu Ran was sure to enter the palace. Since he was not favored and had no power, Gu Yuanqing naturally wouldn’t marry his daughters to him. As for Gu Meisheng, in Gu Yuanqing’s view, marrying his daughter, who was once considered foolish, to Lianyang would probably be seen as lowering her standards.