Zhao Changdu stood up, his gaze cold, "Best it be so."
Li Yang smiled, relaxed and carefree, "Is the commander leaving already? Why not stay for a drink?"
Zhao Changdu's gaze was cool as he glanced at him, the impatience in his eyes already somewhat unrestrained, "No need."
Before leaving, he glanced skeptically at the twin-eared, gold-plated incense burner in the room. His brows furrowed slightly.
Coming out from the attic, Huai An and Su He both came up.
Su He smiled and asked, "How was it? It seems the one behind the scenes meddling with Wang Taiyi's affairs is indeed Prince Shu."
Huai An looked expectantly, "Master, this Prince Shu even dared to covet our mistress, we have to teach him a lesson."
Zhao Changdu's expression was cold, a trace of sinister darkness lurking in his indifferent eyes, "He lit incense in the room, if Gu Ying had come today, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Huai An couldn't hold it in anymore, "This son of a bitch!"
Su He silently reminded, "Huai An, watch your words. His mother is the current Emperor's favored concubine, Concubine Xuan."
Huai An's mouth twitched as he glared viciously towards the attic, "Damn, relying on a favored concubine mother, he can act unscrupulously?"
Su He glanced at Zhao Changdu with an amused smile, "When it comes to unscrupulousness, who can compare to your master?"
Huai An raised his brows arrogantly, "Of course."
Zhao Changdu leaped onto his horse, his large hand pulling the reins, his expression calm as he said to Huai An, "Arrange some people to come over."
Huai An scratched his head, mouth hooked in a grin, "Then this subordinate will go block the door first!"
Zhao Changdu lightly hmmed, and leaped onto his horse with Su He.
The cold wind rustled, the heavy snow drifted down.
Su He said playfully, "Be careful, don't offend him too badly and cause him to resent your second miss instead."
Zhao Changdu glanced at him, "If offended, I will protect her."
The two rode their horses leisurely along the riverbank, snow fluttering about, making for a unique scenery.
Su He mocked, "You're protecting her already before even marrying her home?
Zhao Changdu was silent for a long time, boundless snow, icy winds cutting at his face. His heart seemed to be sliced open, empty and cold.
He knitted his brows, then smiled again, lightly saying, "Gu Ying is different from Huo Qiyun."
How they were different, even he couldn't say. Some people left him, betrayed him, he was hurt, licking his wounds alone, and after recovering he would gradually get used to life without that person.
But some people made him obsessed after just a few meetings, possessing some kind of trustworthy magic.
He believed that since Gu Ying had agreed to be his wife, she would not abandon him without reason.
Su He didn't know what to say.
He and Zhao Changdu could be considered bonding through battle. But at that time, Su He was only seven or eight, pitiful and wretched. When his temper flared, he was like a little lion.
He couldn't beat Zhao Changdu, who snatched his pastries.
He never could have imagined the young master of the prestigious Duke's estate would not even get a full meal when his father was away.
If not for Huo Qiyun's caring and nurturing, there would be no present day Zhao Changdu.
But Huo Qiyun...
"Let's go."
Zhao Changdu's expression was blank as he pulled the reins.
He always spoke simply and coldly. Everyone thought he was a heartless killing god.
But who knew about his unbearable past?
Su He came out of his reminiscing, helplessly knocking his own head, "Oh well, what's the use of always mentioning Huo Qiyun. Time moves forward, he should look forward too."
...
Gu Ying was still trembling with fear in the estate, thinking about Prince Shu's matter, when Ye Qingchi soon came with news.
"Prince Shu's debauchery in the attic of Wangjiang Pavilion was discovered by the Censorate, and he was caught in the act again, so, he probably needs to deal with the Censorate and the Emperor for a while, and won't have time to bother you."
Gu Ying let out a breath, but on second thought it seemed strange. Prince Shu was always discreet, how could he suddenly drop his defenses?
Ye Qingchi smiled and said, "Probably because of your fiancé?"
Gu Ying was surprised, this was the first time someone had supported her like this, "He...did what?"
Ye Qingchi said, "When I went to Wangjiang Pavilion, Zhao Changdu was already gone. But my colleagues and I checked out the attic Prince Shu had been in, and found burning passion-inducing incense inside."
Gu Ying's forehead broke out in black lines when she heard this. She actually encountered this kind of thing after rebirth...
This Prince Shu looked like a proper gentleman, and was a handsome talent. How could he also commit such a lowly deed?
Could it be all men only had that kind of urge towards women?
She was glad she didn't go to the meeting today, and was grateful Zhao Changdu had come early that night to warn her.
To think she had assumed he had dishonorable intentions...turns out he really was looking out for her...
Gu Ying felt somewhat guilty, and gave an embarrassed laugh, "I see. Don't worry brother, although I don't love Zhao Changdu, after marrying I will strive to be a perfect wife."
She had no other way to repay him, so she would fight hard against Cheng for him.
Ye Qingchi didn't really like his cousin-in-law at first, but seeing today, Zhao Changdu really lived up to his reputation. In all of Bianjing City, only he would dare oppose a favored prince for his fiancée.
That naive, carefree young master Su Huanfeng could not accomplish what Zhao Changdu had at just over twenty years old. Breaking off the engagement was the right decision.
Ye Qingchi was satisfied, lifting the hot tea his sister had brewed herself, "It seems Zhao Changdu really is quite capable."
Gu Ying's cheeks flushed, recalling a certain person's...virile prowess in bed.
"He is quite capable..."
She didn't know why she would suddenly think of this, she must be bewitched!
She quickly shook her head, and slapped her burning cheeks, "Alright brother, you should go. I...I need to medicate A Ning!"
Ye Qingchi was pushed out in confusion.
A woman's heart is like the dark side of the sea!
This girl's mood changed so quickly!
...
After that, Zhao Changdu no longer came climbing through her window at night. But in less than two days, he personally came to visit Grandmother.
To deliver the betrothal gift, go through the formal steps, find someone to match their eight characters, and pick an auspicious date.
There was only one good date in the coming year that Gu Jia and Jiang Yin had already divined. So the two couples could only arrange their wedding on the same day.
After setting the wedding date, Gu Jia's already ugly expression became even darker.
Jiang Yin sitting to the side also had extremely low air pressure.
