MFMH C73

Chapter 73 – Returning to the Residence

Su Qingze looked toward Gu Changfeng. Gu Changfeng’s eyes were dark and heavy, his cold, resolute face seemed as though it had been covered with a layer of frost.

“You’ve finally come.” Shen Yanbei leisurely sprinkled cumin over the roasted shrimp and said to a servant, “Go tell them that Changfeng is visiting a friend. Have them wait.”

His wife had lived in the capital for so many years; surely there were plenty of people in Yongjing who recognized him. These past days, he and his wife had wandered the streets and alleys, showing their faces openly. Word would naturally spread, and sooner or later it would reach the ears of the Lady of the Duke of Zhen’s household. Moreover, since Gu Qingyao had failed in Qingzhou when she ordered the Prince’s guards to murder his wife, she must be living in fear and would definitely send word to the Lady of the Duke of Zhen.

Back then, they had already suspected that Gu Qingyao’s attempt to harm his wife years ago had involved the Lady of the Duke of Zhen. Sure enough, this woman was so arrogant that before they could even confront her, she hurriedly came knocking at their door.

The servant looked to Su Qingze for instruction. Su Qingze waved his hand: “Do as Brother Shen says.” After speaking, he looked at the two of them with worried eyes, “Brother Gu, you have to return to the Duke of Zhen’s residence. Then what about Brother Shen?”

Shen Yanbei gave a self-mocking smile, his eyes tinged with helplessness: “What else can I do? Changfeng, as the eldest son of the Duke of Zhen’s household, has status. I’m just a weak scholar with no power and no influence…”

The words sounded pitiful enough that Su Qingze nearly believed him, even considering whether he should ask Zhao Yu for help. But Shen Yanbei’s tone shifted, his expression suddenly solemn: “I can only follow the proper rituals of three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts, bring an eight-carried bridal sedan chair, and marry him home again!”

Su Qingze’s mouth twitched: “Heh heh…”

Gu Changfeng lowered his lashes, hiding the restless flicker in his eyes.

Su Qingze thought Shen Yanbei was joking, but only Gu Changfeng knew that Shen Yanbei was deadly serious.

He could still recall the words the young man had muttered when drunk—and this had been his deepest obsession even before regaining his memories.

Shen Yanbei smiled faintly as he grilled meat and vegetables for Gu Changfeng: “No rush, eat slowly. Once you’re full, then go.”

“Mm.” Gu Changfeng responded softly, his brows tightly furrowed. In truth, he did not wish to return to the Duke of Zhen’s residence, nor did he want to leave Shen Yanbei. Yet if he didn’t return, it would mean relinquishing his position as the eldest son of the Duke’s household. The heir’s seat would fall into the hands of that illegitimate younger half-brother he had never met!

That brother was a posthumous child.

After hearing of Gu Changfeng’s misfortune, Gu Qingyao’s mother had fainted from shock. When the imperial physician took her pulse, he declared that her condition wasn’t dangerous, but that she must avoid stimulation—for she was pregnant! Half a year after Gu Changfeng’s father’s death, she gave birth to a boy. That very day, the Emperor had mentioned to him that Gu Qingyao’s mother had memorialized the throne, requesting that her son—the second young master of the Duke of Zhen’s household—be named heir.

Everyone said the Lady of the Duke of Zhen was truly blessed. Even though the Duke had died in battle for the country, he still left her with a son as solace. Yet Gu Changfeng felt the entire matter was far too coincidental, as if it had been meticulously arranged in advance.

He had to return to uncover the truth.

Seeing the man frown with dark thoughts clouding his face, Shen Yanbei asked gently: “What’s wrong?”

Gu Changfeng raised his eyes. The youth’s gaze was filled with concern, easing the heaviness in his chest. He shook his head: “It’s nothing.”

Of course, Shen Yanbei did not believe he was truly fine. Once they finished eating and the evening was upon them, he accompanied Gu Changfeng out. When they reached a corner, Shen Yanbei suddenly turned and blocked his path.

Knowing the man had something to say, Gu Changfeng simply gazed at him quietly with those pitch-black eyes.

Shen Yanbei pointed to his own lips, smiling lightly: “When you do wrong, you must accept punishment.”

The long-unheard words stunned Gu Changfeng. He wondered what wrong he had committed.

“You lied just now.” Shen Yanbei’s lips curved as he laid it bare.

“I…” Gu Changfeng finally realized. His cold, stern face flushed faintly red, and under Shen Yanbei’s burning gaze, he slowly pressed his lips against that warmth…

His wife’s rare initiative was something Shen Yanbei naturally would not let slip away. He cupped his face and deepened the kiss, only releasing him when their breaths were both disordered, reluctant though he was.

With their foreheads resting together, Shen Yanbei whispered: “Promise me, be careful in all things. Don’t clash with her directly. Don’t ever give her an opportunity to seize on anything!” His wife was too honest. Without seeing her, he could already imagine that the Lady of the Duke of Zhen was formidable. He could not feel at ease.

Gu Changfeng nodded gravely. Shen Yanbei placed a tender kiss at the corner of his lips, reluctant to let go: “…Remember to think of me.”

Gu Changfeng’s hands clenched at his sides. Fine threads of sweetness coiled around his heart: “Alright.”

“Go, then.” Shen Yanbei released him.

Gu Changfeng cast him a deep look before turning and striding out.

Shen Yanbei watched until the tall figure slowly merged with the night before frowning bitterly.

Now, he was doomed to a sleepless night.

“Eldest Young Master?” The Duke of Zhen’s servants, who had grown impatient outside, quickly approached when they saw someone emerge.

The man was tall and powerfully built, his features chiseled and stern—indeed, their familiar Eldest Young Master. Relieved, the servants complained: “Eldest Young Master, you’ve finally come out! It’s already nightfall. Going back this late will surely earn you the Lady’s scolding!”

Gu Changfeng gave them a cold glance and strode ahead.

The servant was cowed by that icy gaze, his words choking back down his throat. The man’s entire presence radiated frost, keeping all at arm’s length. The servants exchanged uneasy looks before reluctantly following.

The Duke of Zhen’s residence blazed with light.

A noblewoman reclined languidly on a chaise lounge, draped in a splendid purple silk gown embroidered in gold thread with lavish peonies. Her mature grace radiated from her entire being. A submissive maid knelt at her side, massaging her legs with just the right force.

In the room, smoke curled up from a bronze incense burner, filling the air with cloying sweetness.

As sand sifted steadily down in an hourglass, the noblewoman covered a yawn with her lacquered nails. Her willow brows furrowed as she said with distaste: “Why hasn’t he come back yet? Has he found himself some bastard lover and forgotten his identity?”

At this time of night, she was usually already abed with her maids attending her. Yet tonight she had been delayed.

A month ago, her daughter—the Princess Consort of Prince Jinyang—had written, saying that wretch wasn’t dead after all and was living with some penniless scholar. Fearing vengeance for her past attempt to kill him, she asked what she should do. The noblewoman had written back, chiding her daughter harshly.

What was there to do?

That wretch was fatherless and motherless, dependent on her protection. Wasn’t it child’s play for her to control him?

Family scandals should not be made public. Knowing his character, she was certain he would never expose the matter, so she paid it no mind.

But when servants of the residence recently spotted someone in the streets who looked very much like that wretch and saw him being intimate with a scholar, she guessed it must be him. Thus, she summoned him back, lest he shame the household outside.

Yet what she hadn’t expected was that an entire hour had passed and he still hadn’t been brought back!

“Truly ungrateful!” the noblewoman muttered darkly, just about to send someone to hasten things. A maid hurried in, bowing her head: “Madam, he has been brought back.”

The noblewoman snorted coldly and commanded: “Let him in.”

“Yes.” The maid withdrew. The next moment, Gu Changfeng strode over the high threshold into the hall.

“Madam.” Gu Changfeng glanced at the noblewoman and bowed his head. The woman before him was just as stunning as in his memories, and just as cold and disdainful.

“Kneel.” The noblewoman ordered without expression.

Gu Changfeng’s fists clenched hard within his sleeves, his back held rigidly straight.

When he remained motionless, the woman’s face chilled. She sat up, waving aside the maid who had been massaging her: “So, Eldest Young Master, mingling with coarse and vulgar people in the markets has made you forget propriety? You dare show no respect to your elders and defy me?”

“He is not vulgar!” Gu Changfeng’s voice was deep and firm.

The noblewoman’s brows arched. She strode forward, bearing down on him: “Then what is he? Your paramour, or your husband?”

“He is my—” Gu Changfeng gritted his teeth.

The noblewoman cut him off sharply: “Eldest Young Master, a union without matchmaker and rites is but fornication! To preserve the Duke’s household’s reputation, I must act on behalf of the late Duke and enforce family law!”

“And if he has truly sullied you with such disgraceful relations, I will have him seized and handed over to the authorities!”

Anger surged in Gu Changfeng’s chest, but recalling Shen Yanbei’s warning, he swallowed it down. After a long moment, he finally spoke: “He is my savior!”

“Savior?” The noblewoman raised her brows in surprise.

“Yes, he is my savior.” And more—he is the light in my life. Gu Changfeng met her gaze steadily: “When I was pushed off the cliff by Gu Qingyao’s plot, it was he who saved me.” He gave me hope to live again!

At his words, the noblewoman’s face soured. She rebuked: “Eldest Young Master, medicine cannot be taken carelessly, nor words spoken recklessly. Qingyao is your sister. How could she ever try to harm you?”

Gu Changfeng remained silent.

The woman’s voice turned sharp: “Eldest Young Master, do you slander Qingyao only because you resent her marriage to Prince Jinyang?”

Gu Changfeng’s face blanched.

He had never even met Prince Jinyang back then, but somehow rumors had spread that he admired the prince and often spied on him. Because of that, many of Prince Jinyang’s admirers spat curses at him, leaving him unable to defend himself.

Seeing his pale face, the noblewoman sneered inwardly. Coldly she said: “Enough, Eldest Young Master. Go offer incense to your father and then settle down. For the next few days, you are not to leave your chambers. Reflect on your mistakes.”

Gu Qingyao’s attempted murder brushed aside just like that? Gu Changfeng’s fists clenched until his knuckles whitened.

A maid stepped forward, her tone frosty: “Eldest Young Master, please.”

In this household, everyone moved at this woman’s command. Now that she had a son, she was even more arrogant. Gu Changfeng drew in a deep breath and silently followed the maid to pay respects before his father’s memorial.

As he left, the noblewoman lifted her chin proudly, her disdain deepening. Thinking of her daughter’s panicked letter, she spoke irritably: “Just a brutish oaf with a hideous face. What is there to fear?”

Gu Qingyao lacked her mother’s experience and had indeed panicked at the time, but after being enlightened by her mother’s reply, she too set her fears aside.

Yet while this matter was put to rest, others were not—especially those involving Prince Jinyang.

“Princess Consort, tonight… tonight His Highness stayed in Lady Su’s chambers.” A personal maid reported cautiously.

Crash! A white jade cup shattered against the floor, fragments scattering. Gu Qingyao clutched her kerchief tightly, her beautiful eyes blazing with jealousy.

“Why isn’t she dead yet?”

The maids in the room knelt at once, terrified into silence. The personal maid stammered: “H-His Highness ordered the physician to use the finest medicine. Lady Su has been recuperating these past few days and is nearly well again, so…”

Gu Qingyao hissed through her teeth: “Fine! Let’s see how long she lasts!” Her chest rose and fell furiously. She cast a venomous glare at the maids: “When His Highness tires of her, immediately sell her to a brothel!”

“If that whore enjoys being mounted so much, I will grant her wish!”

The woman thus cursed, Concubine Su—Su Ruizhen—was at that very moment wishing desperately that Prince Jinyang would discard her. Unfortunately, this demon refused to let her go!

“My beloved…” Prince Jinyang lifted her chin with the end of a whip, sighing, “You are truly exquisite.” He leaned in, licking the fine bloodstains at the side of her face.

“Your Highness, I beg you, let me go!” Su Ruizhen trembled in terror, shrinking back—but the wall behind her left her nowhere to escape.

“What’s this talk, beloved? You schemed to seduce me, even drugging me, all because you wanted me to treat you this way. What’s wrong? Am I not enough for you?” Prince Jinyang whispered like a lover against her ear.

“I was wrong! Your Highness, I was wrong! I truly was wrong—please let me go!” Su Ruizhen shook violently, bowing her head again and again.

Her regret consumed her. If only she could turn back time!

She had thought marrying Prince Jinyang would grant her endless riches and honor. Who could have known that the prince, so dazzling and romantic before others, would be such a monster in private? Mercurial in temper, with perverse desires—especially delighting in torment. On their wedding night, she had nearly lost her life to his cruelty.

In the month since entering this household, she had realized that high officials’ daughters and wealthy ladies were constantly brought into the rear court. But the chilling thing was—one by one, those radiant beauties vanished.