But she was ten years younger than him, and they had never interacted before. Talking about offending and hurting her was simply out of the question.
He heaved a long sigh, and frowned.
Perhaps realizing that he had frightened her, they were going to become husband and wife in the future. If he scared his future wife now, I'm afraid life would be difficult in the future.
He softened his tone and hooked the corner of his mouth, "I was too forward just now. From now on, without your permission, I won't touch a hair on you."
Gu Ying stubbornly bit her lip, tears wet her eyes, her face full of distrust.
Zhao Changdu's lips slightly hooked as he squatted down regardless of her wishes and picked her up in his arms.
Earlier, he had thought to be a gentleman and not neglect propriety. If she really had a lover, he would stop pestering her.
But now, he just wanted the trembling beauty in his arms to belong to him as soon as possible.
After so many years, it was rare for a woman to interest him again. This was not easy, she wanted to escape, to shy away? She'd have to ask if he agreed.
He put Gu Ying on the bed.
Gu Ying didn't hesitate to shrink under the quilt for a moment, her pair of dark wet big eyes now revealing childlike innocence and pity, looking at him pitifully, "If the Prince comes over again, I will call for help."
Her voice was a little hoarse, and her chest heaved slightly due to her uneven breathing.
Zhao Changdu sat down by the bed, listening to her low voice, his eyes falling on her flushed lips, and chuckled lightly, "Don't be afraid, I won't do anything to you."
What do you mean you won't do anything, this was already happening, what more could happen.
Gu Ying glared at him stubbornly and aggrievedly, with tears streaming down the back of her hand. She was ashamed and annoyed, "Leave."
Zhao Changdu had only come to ask her about Gu Jia and Jiang Yin. He didn't expect to lose control like this in the end.
"Cough cough." He coughed into his fist, speaking stiffly, "Since I've treated you like this today, I will take responsibility for you. For the engagement, I won't slight you either."
Gu Ying's eyes were filled with tears. She sat on the bed hugging her knees without saying a word, clutching the thick quilt tightly until her knuckles turned white.
Zhao Changdu knew she was an inexperienced young lady from a boudoir, and very young. She was naturally repulsed and afraid of these things.
It was precisely because of her fear and inexperience that he felt a little happy in his heart. At least it showed that although she knew about those things, she hadn't been with another man yet.
The Gu family's reputation was probably already ruined because of Gu Jia and Jiang Yin's affair.
For the Gu family's girls, it would surely be difficult to find a good marriage in the future.
If Gu Shuang really liked Fu Xunzhi, that would be easy to say.
But what about Gu Ying?
The Su family would definitely not allow a woman with such a bad reputation to marry into the Marquis's mansion. In the end, the only one who would get hurt was her.
"Don't cry." He stretched out his finger and wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes. He found it quite interesting to watch her cry. "Anyway, you will only be my woman in the future, this is inevitable, what's there to cry about?"
Gu Ying bit her lip and glared at him resentfully, "Do you know, I don't like you. Even if I marry you, the best result between us is mutual respect. The worst result would be we become a bitter couple."
Zhao Changdu was stunned for a moment, his face turned cold, "Between husband and wife, liking each other is not important. What's important is compatibility. It doesn't matter if there are no feelings at the beginning. Feelings will grow over time. I will treat you well, and you will know I can be a good husband."
Gu Ying sighed helplessly, "Your Highness, it's not as simple as you think between men and women..."
Hearing this, the man immediately lowered his eyes, "You don't need to say more. I've made my decision and I won't change it. Go back to the manor and wait."
Gu Ying's heart sank.
Watching the man's departing figure, she felt cold all over, even her hands and feet went soft.
Yin Lan was the first to rush into the tent, while Yin Zhu and Yanzhi went to light the candles.
In the dim candlelight, Yin Lan noticed the tear stains on her young lady's face, as well as the marks on her lips...
"My lady, did the Prince..."
Gu Ying came to her senses, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, "I'm fine."
And said no more.
The few maids looked at each other, not daring to ask further.
That night, Gu Ying went to bed early.
Outside the Gu family's tent, it had been noisy all night until finally Mrs. Liu sent gifts around to rescue Gu Jia and Jiang Yin.
When Gu Ying was asleep, she vaguely heard Gu Jia crying, and Mrs. Liu cursing intermittently.
She didn't know what had happened to Jiang Yin.
But she didn't want to care about his affairs anymore. Anyway, after this incident, he would never get a good official position again. He would most likely be sent to a remote place in the southwest to be an official.
Gu Jia was his future wife, so of course she would have to go with him too.
Thinking this, she laughed out loud in her sleep. But not long after, she dreamed of a devilishly handsome face getting close to her ear, biting her ear, and breathing heavily that he was going to marry her.
She was so frightened that she woke up with a start, staring blankly at the hazy tent with sleepy eyes.
Making sure Zhao Changdu was not there, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Yanzhi hurried to her bedside, patting her shoulder and said, "My lady, you're finally awake. We were about to pack up and return to the city. Did you have a nightmare? I heard you kept saying 'no, no'."
Having just woken up, Gu Ying recalled the debauchery in her dream and her face flushed red. The tent was very warm.
She looked puzzled at the brazier in the middle.
Yin Lan quickly laughed and said, "It was our Madam who ordered it. She said the weather was cold and snowy, so naturally we had to use the best silver thread charcoal for my lady."
Gu Ying felt warm inside, "Auntie still dotes on me."
Yin Lan said, "Madam has only had the young master all these years. She has always wanted a daughter but was unable to. So she has long treated my lady as her own daughter."
Gu Ying smiled and nodded. Although she had many dreams, she felt refreshed after waking up.
Many families outside had already started heading back home.
She got up, washed, dressed, and was about to go to Mrs. Liu first to ask about things and watch the excitement. But Zhou Mama sent maids from all over to pass on the message that the young ladies should rest in place today and could go straight back to the city when it was time, no need to pay respects.
What, now that things were settled, were they afraid people would go and see Gu Jia's ugly state?
Gu Ying sneered, there would be plenty of opportunities to beat the fallen dog later. She might as well quietly read.
When it was evening and most of the nobles had left, her carriage finally set off.
After a bumpy journey, they finally arrived back at the Dongping Earl Manor.
As soon as she entered the door, Li Mama from Gu Old Madam's side came to summon her with a cold face.
