Gu Shuang heard this and her mind grew more muddled. She was too lazy to think about the confusing matters. What concerned her most now was Mu Nanfeng's attitude toward her.
"Second sister, do you think Big Brother Mu will forgive me?"
Gu Ying tilted her head and took Gu Shuang's tender little hand. "What wrong have you done that he needs to forgive you for?"
Gu Shuang bit her lip. "But—"
In anyone else's eyes, she was the one at fault, not the man.
Gu Ying laughed gently. "Little Fourth, you must remember this is not your fault. The fault lies with Mu Nanfeng and the people behind him. Don't feel bad in your heart or belittle yourself. What you should do is to tell your Big Brother Mu clearly and plainly exactly what happened last night and the final result. Let him decide your future."
Gu Shuang carefully pursed her lips. Her heart was tense.
Gu Ying said earnestly, "Do you understand?"
Gu Shuang said, "I understand."
What had happened could not be changed. She could hide it from anyone, but not from Big Brother Mu.
She had to tell him everything as it originally was and let him make the final decision.
If after they were open and candid with each other, Big Brother Mu was still willing to marry her, then the wedding could continue.
If Big Brother Mu still cared, even if they married, their future would be troubled.
She had to bravely face it head on. She could not evade or compromise.
After thinking everything through clearly, Gu Shuang raised her reddened eyes. Her tone was firmer than ever. "So, Second Sister, should I meet with him today?"
Gu Ying stroked the young girl's cheek tenderly, pondering briefly before laughing. "No need to meet today. You've just returned from outside the city. All sorts of people in Bianjing are watching you. If you meet him now, it would give them an excuse. Rest first. You should think carefully, and let him consider seriously too."
Gu Shuang's eyes grew slightly hot. She nodded to show her agreement.
After leaving the Ye house, Gu Ying and Aunt Zhao parted ways to return home.
The carriage rumbled all the way. She first sent Mrs. Lin back to Lingxi Pavilion before returning to Changfeng Pavilion.
The Heir Apparent was busy with work. He had just returned home to change clothes before hurrying out again.
Gu Ying roused her spirits to see him off.
When they reached the door, he told her not to come.
The man cupped the young girl's round cheeks and kissed the tip of her nose. "Go back and rest. I'll take care of the rest."
Gu Ying's body and mind were exhausted. Her long lashes fluttered as she raised her chin to kiss his thin lips.
Zhao Changdu's dark eyes grew deeper. His big hand wrapped around her slender waist.
The two breathed heavily, entwined for a moment before Zhao Changdu released the girl in his arms.
Gu Ying's cheeks were burning hot. Her breathing was chaotic. Her small hands braced against his chest. Her watery eyes shone with tempting brilliance.
Her tone was tender and clingy. "Ah Du, go early and come back early, okay?"
The little girl had never relied on him like this before. The man's heart softened. "No more trouble. Be good and wait for me at home."
"Mm."
After sending off the Heir Apparent, Gu Ying turned to head back.
Yanzhi rushed up, anxious. "Mistress, you've finally returned. This servant girl was so worried last night I couldn't sleep... What on earth happened?"
Gu Ying reassured the little maid before asking, "Yanzhi, where is Yin Lan?"
Yanzhi's mouth drooped sadly. "Still lying down. When she was brought back last night, I saw Big Sister's eyes were red from crying... She's always been so tough... I've never seen her cry before."
Gu Ying's bashfulness faded away, leaving only icy coldness. "Take me to see her."
When they arrived at Yin Lan's quarters, Huai An had just emerged from the room. There was distress in his expression. "Mistress?"
Gu Ying nodded. "How is Yin Lan?"
Huai An's eyes chilled. "She's fine. Luckily those two ruffians weren't too harsh. They only broke her hand. I just reset the bones for her. For torn sinews and broken bones, one hundred days of rest. She'll need time to recuperate... Please take extra care of her and have her do less work recently."
Huai An was a military man, unused to speaking indirectly. He stated plainly what he meant.
Gu Ying did not take offense. She smiled. "Don't worry. I'm more worried about her than you."
Huai An finally relaxed somewhat, laughing heartily. "Oh right, Mistress. This is the reply letter from Huang City."
Huai An took out a letter from his chest and held it up respectfully to Gu Ying with both hands.
Gu Ying was startled for a moment before taking the letter and holding it in her palm. It was just a thin slip of yellow paper, yet felt tremendously heavy.
This was the first time in her past and present lives that she had seen a reply letter from her father. Though she didn't know what her father had written, she didn't have the courage to open it.
Huai An respectfully said, "If Mistress has no other instructions, this subordinate will take his leave to meet with the Master."
"Go on."
After Huai An left, Gu Ying hesitated before collecting the letter and entering Yin Lan's quarters.
Seeing Gu Ying enter, Yin Lan struggled to get up. Gu Ying quickly went over to press her back down on the bed. "What are you getting up for? Lie down properly."
Yin Lan's cheeks still held two touches of red. Gu Ying stroked her hand and pretended not to notice, smiling. "Yin Lan, rest and recuperate. Don't worry about anything else for now. Stay in your room these days. I'll have Hai Tang come look after you."
"Mistress, I'm fine—"
"How could you be fine?" Yanzhi pouted her lips and quickly laughed. "Aiya, Big Sister should focus on healing. I, Yanzhi am still here! I will take good care of the Mistress."
Yin Lan smiled helplessly, and could only agree.
Now that she had a broken hand, she would only burden the Mistress. She might as well properly heal her injury before serving well again.
After looking in on Yin Lan, Gu Ying finally returned to her own quarters reassured.
"Yanzhi, grind some ink."
Yanzhi obediently poured water into the inkstone. Gu Ying lifted her skirts and sat down at the desk.
Yanzhi tilted her head, busy grinding the ink while asking, "Mistress, why haven't you opened the Master's letter yet?"
It was quite a rare thing.
When the young lady was illiterate, Auntie would write letters to the Master in her stead. And when the Master sent letters from the border, it was the Old Madam who read them to the young lady.
Truth be told, over all these years, the number of letters the young lady had received directly from the Master could be counted on one hand.
Gu Ying took a deep breath. Her gaze swept over the thick envelope. It looked quite thin, yet felt substantial in her hand.
Perhaps it was the timidity born of their close relation, but her fingertips trembled and she didn't dare open it directly.
"Mistress?" Yanzhi urged curiously.
Gu Ying came back to her senses, smiling wryly while her gaze hesitated. "What's the hurry? I'll open it now."
