Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 86

Gu Yu Qi looked around in fear, realising that there was not a single guard on this path.

She instantly understood that the guards had been intentionally dismissed by Yun Ke in advance. He had been purposely waiting for her here.

She lowered her head slightly, keeping her hands and feet cautiously to herself. Yun Ke’s robe emanated a chill, as cold as the spring night.

Gu Yu Qi had never thought that this corridor could be so long and all she could do was hope to reach the end as soon as possible.

“This prince knows you’ve been avoiding this prince,” Yun Ke’s voice came from above as he held Gu Yu Qi in his arms. She could feel the vibrations in his chest as he spoke. She did not make any excuses in response to his words. Her mind was in turmoil, not only confused but also in pain. She did not want to talk.

“Ah Nan…” Yun Ke looked down at the person nestled in his arms. Her restrained demeanour caused a slight furrow in his heart, for he could sense her resistance and detachment. She was very quiet, as though she could not speak, and even her breathing was light. Were drunk people not supposed to have heavy breathing? She seemed to be making an effort to control her own breath.

Could his proximity really trigger such a strong reaction from her?

Where had that clinginess from her previous life gone? Right. Yun Ke’s heart tightened. It was him who had pushed her away step by step with his own hands. He had never truly tried to understand her, had never genuinely looked at her, had never truly accepted her.

In the previous life, Gu Yu Qi had been nothing more than a beautiful plaything in Yun Ke’s eyes. Who would actually care about a beautiful plaything…

He had never carried her for such a long distance like this before. Even when they had made love, he had simply picked her up and tossed her onto the bed, watching her smile charmingly at him.

She was adept at attracting men, Yun Ke understood this. That was one of the reasons he had unconsciously disliked her in the previous life. To be a princess or an empress, one needed to be generous and have a sense of propriety, always upholding the dignity of the imperial family in every aspect. Yet, Gu Yu Qi could not do that. A single glance or a glimpse of her silhouette could easily captivate a man’s gaze. Although she had never revealed her charm in front of other men, Yun Ke still did not like it.

He walked very slowly, wishing that this path was longer. He would be leaving for the capital tomorrow, and he knew that major events were waiting for him there. It was a crucial time, and he could not afford to stay.

He just wanted to tell Gu Yu Qi to wait for him, to wait for him to gain control over everything. Even if she did not love him anymore, he did not want her to fall in love with someone else, because the thought of her showing such tender and charming smiles to someone else in this life made his heart ache painfully.

The path finally came to an end and Yun Ke stopped in front of Gu Yu Qi’s room. He pushed her door open with his foot.

He had already dismissed Yan Zhi and now there were only the two of them here.

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived. Please release this civilian girl,” Gu Yu Qi finally spoke, her voice slightly hoarse but still pleasant to the ear.

“Mhmm,” Yun Ke nodded and set Gu Yu Qi down on the floor.

“It’s getting late. Your Highness, please go back,” Gu Yu Qi immediately stepped back as soon as she landed on the ground, creating a safe distance between herself and Yun Ke. She was a bit unsteady on her feet, but she endured it and gave Yun Ke a curtsey

“Ah Nan,” Yun Ke looked at Gu Yu Qi dressed in men’s clothing, “Can this prince see your true appearance?”

“This civilian girl is right here in front of Your Highness though?” Gu Yu Qi frowned.

Not in men’s clothing, but in women’s clothing. Yun Ke pursed his lips and did not say this. Instead, he sighed softly, “Never mind, you should rest. This prince will return to the capital tomorrow. This prince will have a secret guard don the outfit of your bodyguard and accompany you on your journey north for protection.”

Gu Yu Qi raised her eyes in surprise. How did he know she was heading north? However, she quickly realised. Yun Ke was so intelligent, how could he not guess her intentions? The secret guard for protection was more likely to be for surveillance. If Yun Ke did not do this, it would be out of character for him.

“Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness,” Gu Yu Qi bowed her head and curtseyed again, showing both gratitude and distance in her demeanour.

Yun Ke raised his hand slightly, wanting to brush away the loose strands of hair on Gu Yu Qi’s cheek, but he restrained himself.

“Remember your agreement with this prince,” he emphasised, locking his gaze onto her. In truth, he wanted to tell her to remember him, but there was no need to say it. She would not forget him, even if it were out of resentment. It would be deeply etched in her heart.

“This civilian girl won’t forget, and hopes Your Highness won’t forget either,” Gu Yu Qi replied. Yun Ke knew she was referring to the title to be given to Liang Huai Yu and peace for her lifetime.

How could he forget?

“Very well,” Yun Ke nodded and cast another deep gaze at Gu Yu Qi. Then he stepped out of Gu Yu Qi’s room.

As soon as he left, the door was hastily closed behind him.

Yun Ke turned back slightly and gazed deeply at the closed door. His heart was filled with a sense of melancholy. He had so many things he wanted to say to Gu Yu Qi. He had waited there for Gu Yu Qi all night. He had never waited for someone for so long before. Yet, in this life, in Jiangxia City, he had waited for her return more than once.

He now realised that waiting for someone was a painful experience. Every time he heard footsteps approaching, a spark of hope would ignite in his heart, hoping that the person approaching was the one he longed for, but every time, hope was replaced by disappointment.

He generally did not have a good temper, but during these past few days, he felt like he had been smoothed out. Even waiting had become a habit.

What kind of emotions did she have when waiting for him in her past life? How did she feel when she saw his cold expression while she was dressed up beautifully?

Yun Ke silently turned around, gazing up at the bright moon in the sky. After the disaster, the moon was exceptionally clear. It was approaching the 15th of the month and it was already quite round. People often said it was a full moon meant a reunion for the moon and for two lovers, but he had to leave Gu Yu Qi and embark on the journey back to the capital.

He had received news that Zhang Wan Yi had been betrothed to Yun Yi. This news had come slightly earlier than in his previous life.

In his previous life, he had returned to the capital just before Zhang Wan Yi was betrothed to Yun Yi. It seemed that several things had occurred slightly ahead of schedule in this life. Nevertheless, in his previous life he would have already been back at the capital. He would not have not lingered in Jiangxia City for some time before returning.

He received several secret letters from the Virtuous Consort urging him to return.

It was truly interesting. In his previous life, when he learned that Zhang Wan Yi had been betrothed to Yun Yi, he had felt anger and resentment deep inside. He had nearly gone to confront the Virtuous Consort to question her. Why was it that he had been the one suffering outside and almost dying while his cousin, the one he had asked the Virtuous Consort multiple times to let him marry, was betrothed to his elder brother? Yet when he received the news this time, he only smiled coldly and felt nothing at all.

In the previous life, it was not Zhang Wan Yi who saved his life. Yun Ke had already determined this.

She wore a false mask when she approached him. However, in his foolishness, he chose to believe the woman who had been deceiving him from the beginning, but personally pushed the woman who had sincerely cared for him further and further away.

He had been really stupid. In the previous life, he had actually thought of himself as exceptionally talented, destined to conquer the world. Yet, he had been blinded for so long by the people close to him.

Yun Ke stood outside for a long time before finally walking away slowly.

He did not know that while he was standing outside, Gu Yu Qi was also standing next to the door inside the room.

He was gazing at the moon while she was watching him.

It was not until Yun Ke left that Gu Yu Qi sighed with relief, dragging her heavy feet to sit on the bed. She curled up her body.

There was a strong scent of alcohol on her robe, as well as the fragrance of rouge and perfume she had picked up at the Ji Qing Pavilion. Gu Yu Qi completely ignored it.

She knew that with Yun Ke’s departure, she could enjoy being carefree for a period of time because in the following months, he would be busy with affairs in the capital and would not have time to think about her. Otherwise, he would not have arranged one of his secret guards to be around her. Gu Yu Qi let out a bitter smile and shook her head.

Suddenly, there was a noise outside the window. Gu Yu Qi raised her head abruptly, “Who is it?” she asked cautiously.

Moonlight illuminated a silhouette outside the window. The figure was silent for a moment before speaking, “It’s me.”

Du Xia? Had he returned from Jiangnan?

Gu Yu Qi quickly jumped up off the bed and rushed to the window. She placed her hand on the window frame, intending to open it. However, she remembered Yun Ke’s words and halted her actions.

“Is there something you need?” she asked from behind the window.

Du Xia stood outside, hesitating for a moment before shaking his head. “No.”

He lowered his head, staring at a hairpin in his hand. He had bought it in Jiangnan and he had kept it stored against his chest. The hairpin was made of silver with a simple design and a radiant red ruby embedded at the top. He had chosen it at first glance because that red gemstone sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight, just like Gu Yu Qi. He could imagine her standing in the sunlight, wearing a red dress and smiling at him with that hairpin in her hair. She would be a beautiful sight, even brighter than the sun itself.

So he bought it without hesitation.

He worked at double speed day and night to complete all the tasks assigned to him by His Highness Prince An.

Prince An seemed to take special care of him, not only sending him to the Liang residence but also entrusting him with other tasks.

He had not slept properly for several days, and he had pushed several horses to their limits to return to Jiangxia City. After receiving his orders, he had come to wait for Gu Yu Qi’s return. However, what he saw was Gu Yu Qi being carried back by Prince An.

This left him momentarily stunned but his training kicked in, reminding him to immediately conceal his presence. He quickly suppressed his own breathing and moved away from the scene.

Fortunately, Prince An had already dismissed all the secret guards here, which made it easier for him to hide.

He waited for a long time, watching as Prince An carried Gu Yu Qi into her room. When he entered her room, his heart clenched. Thankfully, Prince An came out of her room quickly and that made him feel somewhat more relaxed.

After Prince An to leave, he approached quietly and hesitated for a long time before mustering the courage to knock on the window.

“It’s already very late,” Gu Yu Qi sighed deeply, her heart heavy, “You should go back and rest. Are you also leaving with Prince An tomorrow?”

“Mhmm,” Du Xia replied, clutching the hairpin tightly. The pin was embedded deeply in his palm, but he did not notice. His heart felt incredibly heavy, as if a huge stone had fallen on it.

He did not want to leave. He did not want to be apart from Gu Yu Qi. In Jiangnan, he had completed all his tasks at almost lightning speed and then he had rushed back as fast as he could just to catch one more glimpse of Gu Yu Qi before leaving Jiangxia. However, he had not expected that Prince An would decide to depart the next day.

After parting tonight, he did not know when they would meet again.

He knew that according to protocol, he should not disturb Gu Yu Qi at this hour but he really wanted to see her and hear her voice.

Why was she not opening the window?

Du Xia stared helplessly at the tightly closed windows. These would not be able to stop him. With a little force, he could easily break the latch. He knew she was on the other side of the window, but he did not dare to do this.

Gu Yu Qi’s heart was also very uncomfortable, but she steeled herself and said, “Take care of yourself. It’s too late, you should rest.”

“I…” Was she telling him to leave? Du Xia became anxious. He raised his hand and pressed it against the window. After a long while, he still did not exert any strength and then withdrew it helplessly. He lowered his gaze to the hairpin he tightly held in his hand, clenched his teeth, and nodded. “Mhmm.”

Since she did not want to see him, then so be it…

Du Xia sighed deeply, “Take care too.” After saying that, he decisively turned away. He left quickly because he was afraid that if he walked any slower, he might not be able to resist pushing open the window.

Realising that there was no one outside the window anymore, Gu Yu Qi slowly pushed it open. Her nose felt sore and her eyes welled up with tears. Under the moonlight, under the eaves, along the corridor, and in front of the window, there was no one.

The night was as dark as deep water and the night breeze was chilly. Gu Yu Qi could not help but wrap her arms around herself. Leaning weakly against the window, she stared blankly at the full moon.

Du Xia must be feeling sad…

If she could not give him what he wanted, then it was better not to get involved. Gu Yu Qi tried to convince herself that if she gave him hope and then crushed that hope, it would be even more cruel for him. While he was still young and their time together had not been extensive, before her plans were implemented, she should make him forget about her. This might be the best for him.

Yun Ke was right. Du Xia was the future pillar of the Qi dynasty, destined for brilliant prospects. He would be loved and admired by the people, a great hero in their hearts. He would be the ideal husband and son-in-law sought after by all young girls in the Qi dynasty. She could not recklessly change his future. It was unfair to him because Du Xia was like a blank piece of paper in this world and she was like an indelible darkness.

When black and white met, the one that became stained was white, not black.

In the previous life, he was a passerby in her life and in this life, she should let him continue down the path he was meant to take.