Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 98

“I’m not tired,” Gu Yu Qi smiled faintly. Her smile was ethereal like clouds, but her eyes were shrouded in a light sorrow. No, she was tired, her heart was very tired.

Gu Yu Qi was really regretful now. If possible, she really should not have manipulated Du Xia’s feelings in the first place.

Now, she obviously could not offer him anything. She should have summoned the courage to drive Du Xia away cruelly, telling him to stay far away from her, to stop thinking about her, caring for her, and missing her. She had mustered the courage, but as soon as she looked into Du Xia’s eyes, she could not bring herself to utter those words.

She despised herself for being like this. She had lived through a lifetime without constraints, doing as she pleased. But what was the outcome? Rebirth, and in this life, she had lived cautiously, planning every step. And what did she gain?

Looking at the spirited Du Xia in front of her, she felt like an ageing old woman in pain. She did not deserve him.

Du Xia was such a good person. He deserved the heartfelt love and companionship of someone better. He should have a splendid life.

As for herself, she carried too much baggage, too many things she wanted to forget but had to remember.

If Du Xia fell in love with her, what awaited him would only be destruction.

Yun Ke would not let her go, and he would certainly prevent Du Xia from being with her.

Considering how ruthless he could be when provoked, he might not care about Du Xia’s future anymore. After all, Du Xia was not the only one who could lead troops into a fight. Although he valued talents, he was once an emperor, cold-blooded and indifferent.

“Oh, by the way, if you’re not tired, how about I take you to a place outside the city?” Du Xia said with a blush.

His heart was very uneasy. He did not know if Gu Yu Qi would agree. He was also aware that she was a young lady from a reputable family. Being willing to go with him, a person with nothing, was already giving him a great deal of face. Now, he dared to make such a request beyond his limitations, but he truly hoped Gu Yu Qi would nod in agreement.

During his journey to Kuizhou, he passed by a place that was truly beautiful at night. He wanted to take her there to see it. If she agreed, then he would have no regrets, he thought.

“Leaving the city now?” Gu Yu Qi was slightly startled, “The city gates are already closed.”

“I’ll take you out. We won’t alert the garrison,” Du Xia explained quickly, then anxiously looked at Gu Yu Qi, afraid she might shake her head or refuse.

“Du Xia, I…” Gu Yu Qi’s heart was in turmoil. She felt like her heart was blocked, causing waves of discomfort. She should refuse him.

Feeling Gu Yu Qi’s resistance, Du Xia’s eyes dimmed. His shoulders also slumped slightly. “I know this request is too much,” he said. He could not bear to see her so distressed, so he pretended to be relaxed and continued, “Let me take you back. I’m already very happy that you’re willing to accompany me for a while.”

“Forget it, it’s rare for you to come here. I’ll be a good host and accompany you,” Gu Yu Qi sighed silently in her heart. She really still could not bear it.

“Really?” A brightness ignited in Du Xia’s eyes again, making him come alive.

“Mhm. Just this once,” Gu Yu Qi nodded, saying it to Du Xia but also to herself.

Just this once, she would be willful once again… Then she would return to being Gu Yu Qi.

“Okay.” Without catching the implied meaning in Gu Yu Qi’s words, Du Xia was completely immersed in the joy of getting Gu Yu Qi’s consent. He stretched out his hand to Gu Yu Qi, and after a moment of hesitation, she placed her hand in his.

“Pardon me!” Du Xia tightened his grip on her hand, enveloping it completely in his palm. With a slight force, he pulled her onto the wall. After a few jumps along the roof edge, he brought her under the city wall. He took a deep look at Gu Yu Qi, then his arm encircled her slender waist. The moment he held her in his arms, Du Xia felt as if countless beautiful flowers were blooming in his heart. Even this dark night seemed rich and colourful in his eyes.

He could feel her soft and warm body pressed tightly against him. The night breeze lifted strands of her hair, brushing against his skin. His heart could not help but beat wildly.

Gu Yu Qi felt extremely awkward. She never expected Du Xia to be so bold, daring to hold her by her waist. In that instant, she felt like she had stiffened against his chest. She could also feel his young and vigorous heartbeat, a body full of youth and vitality. In comparison, it made her feel even more old and lonely.

In a dreamlike state, Du Xia carried Gu Yu Qi to the ground, then reluctantly released her waist.

His heart was sweet and content. Countless times, he had imagined one day being able to embrace her, but imagination was just imagination after all. How could it compare to the reality of holding her in his arms? It turned out that the feeling of holding her was so wonderful, as if in the entire world, only she was intimately connected to him, and everything else became unimportant. He was prepared to be scolded or slapped by her. He thought that he had offended her and being hit was reasonable, so he would not dodge it.

However, she remained quiet like a little kitten, letting him carry her over the city wall.

Du Xia’s current mood was soaring. there was nothing better than this.

Holding her hand, he led her to a small forest just two miles away from Kuizhou City. Inside, there was a small lake. The lake was so small and only appeared in the summer. Everyone in Kuizhou City knew of this place as Siji Lake.

This lake was very interesting. In spring, it was a low-lying green area. As the days warmed up, water would slowly seep out from the bottom, turning it into a small lake in summer. In autumn, the water would gradually recede and by winter, the lake would completely disappear.

Yesterday, Du Xia accidentally passed by this place and discovered how beautiful it was, but as he was preoccupied, he had not cared to appreciate its beauty.

There were not many trees in the sparse forest. The closer it got to the lake, the more grass and wildflowers there were. At the lake’s edge, there was a large field of petunias. At night, the petunias bloomed and all the flowers were blue. Under the starry sky, the sea of blue flowers along with the surface of the lake glowing silver under the moonlight, it looked like a fairyland. It was serene and blue.

These petunias only bloomed at night, so people passing by during the day could not see this beautiful scenery.

Gu Yu Qi was obviously stunned by the scenery before her. She truly had not expected that there would be such a beautiful place in the outskirts of Kuizhou City.

Du Xia took her hand and walked in. They startled the fireflies hidden in the flowers and the fireflies flew up like stars rising from the blue sea of flowers, creating a dreamlike scene.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Du Xia looked at Gu Yu Qi with childish pride, his joy unconstrained between his eyebrows. He released Gu Yu Qi’s hand, took a light step, and gently leaped into the air. Then he soared over the sea of flowers, casually swishing his hand. A large swathe of fireflies fluttered out of the flower sea and floated in the air. Du Xia then flew back to Gu Yu Qi’s side, standing beside her. She gazed at the beautiful scenery, while he was looking at her.

It was indeed breathtaking. The lake’s serene blue surface reflected fragments of silver from the moonlight. The surrounding vast blue sea of flowers was already surreal and now, with fireflies floating in mid-air, it was simply like paradise on earth.

Suddenly, Gu Yu Qi’s nose stung. No one had ever done something like this for her before.

Noticing something strange about Gu Yu Qi’s reaction, Du Xia was startled, “What’s wrong?” he asked in a slightly panicked tone, “Do you not like it?”

Her eyes had turned red to the point that she could not hide it anymore. Gu Yu Qi quickly turned her face away and wiped away the tears that had already welled up in her eyes with her sleeves.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you wouldn’t like it. I’ll take you away from here now,” Du Xia was panicking. He really did not want to make Gu Yu Qi cry, but she was clearly crying now. He hoped she would keep smiling because she looked beautiful when she smiled. When she turned away just now, Du Xia had already seen the glistening tears in her eyes and he was almost scared to death. He did not know what he had done wrong to make her cry.

“Where do you want to take me?” Gu Yu Qi suddenly turned her head, her red eyes staring at Du Xia. Her voice had become unexpectedly cold.

“I’ll take you back. Or if you want to go somewhere else, I’ll take you there too!” Du Xia nervously took two steps back, speaking softly.

“Who do you think you are?” Gu Yu Qi could not bear it any longer. She kept repeatedly apologising in her heart. Her eyes were red and her eyes widened, preventing tears from flowing again.

“I…” Du Xia obviously had not expected Gu Yu Qi to suddenly ask like this. He was at a loss for words and did not know how to respond.

“What right do you have to take me back?” Gu Yu Qi asked sharply. She took a step forward, looking up at Du Xia, “What right do you have to stand in front of me?!”

“I…” Du Xia’s eyes dimmed completely. His heart suddenly tightened, as if the air around him had also solidified. He could not understand how everything had been fine but now Gu Yu Qi suddenly had suddenly lost her temper towards him. Had he done something wrong?

If she did not like it here, then she could just say so. Why was she questioning him like this?

“You’re just a mere secret guard,” Gu Yu Qi clenched her fists tightly, allowing her nails to dig deeply in her palms. Pain would help her maintain her composure. She should drive Du Xia away and not keep him here any longer, nor give him room for his imagination. “Who do you think you are, Du Xia? I’ve tolerated you for so long! I reluctantly came out with you just because you travelled thousands of miles. Don’t misunderstand. What do you mean by bringing me here? What’s your purpose in showing me all this?”

“I…” Du Xia was left completely speechless by Gu Yu Qi. He could only utter “I” a few times. The Gu Yu Qi in front of him seemed to have transformed into a different person in an instant, someone strange and unfamiliar.

Her eyes were red and for some reason, there was a hint of a contemptuous smile at the corners of her lips. She raised her head high, exuding an aura of nobility.

Compared to her, he was indeed nothing… Du Xia felt like his heart had fallen into an endless abyss and a chilling sensation surged through his body uncontrollably.

He took several steps back, creating distance between himself and Gu Yu Qi. The confidence in his eyes disappeared and the joy that was present on his lips also vanished. He stared at Gu Yu Qi in disbelief, and the deep pain was evident in his furrowed brows.

“You said you came to see me. Fine, you’ve seen me. Now get lost!” Gu Yu Qi’s heart skipped a beat and she scolded sternly. “Get away as far as possible, don’t come back again! This place doesn’t welcome you. I don’t welcome you either!”

“Why?” After Gu Yu Qi finished speaking, Du Xia remained silent for a long time. Finally, he suppressed the pain in his heart and slowly asked this.

“You’re still asking why?” Gu Yu Qi raised an eyebrow, “You actually ask such a childish question. What status do you have, and what status do I have? Who gave you the audacity to think you’re qualified to come and find me? Du Xia, don’t forget your identity! If I’ve given you any misunderstanding with my previous kindness towards you before, let me apologise right here. You’ve misunderstood. My kindness to you is nothing more than pity, no different from pitying a dog.”

Gu Yu Qi’s words made Du Xia’s body sway slightly. The young man’s heart shattered into pieces in the night wind. Du Xia could even hear the sound of his own heart breaking.

He could not say anything. He just lowered his head deeply in front of her.

Yes, what was his identity and what right did he have to come see her…? He should not have shown up. He should have just observed her from a distance, then have immediately left as soon as he ensured she was safe. This way, he would not have heard these harsh words.

“Get lost, go back to the capital, and continue being a secret guard,” Gu Yu Qi continued to scold when she saw that he was not moving. It was the first time she found it so difficult to say hurtful words. Watching Du Xia’s face gradually pale, Gu Yu Qi almost lost it several times. However, she still cruelly said, “I’ll go back on my own. You get lost. I don’t want to see you!”

“I’ll escort you back,” Du Xia’s face had completely lost its colour, but he still raised his dim eyes and said softly to Gu Yu Qi.

“No need!” Gu Yu Qi turned away, unable to look at Du Xia anymore. She was truly afraid of seeing him like this.

“I’ll escort you back,” Du Xia insisted, as if he could only say these few words now. In fact, it seemed that this was the only sentence he could utter and who knew how much effort it took for him to say it.

“I said no need!” Gu Yu Qi shook her head irritably, “Can’t you understand human language? I told you to get lost! I don’t need you to escort me. I can go back on my own. Do you think you’re the only one who knows Qinggong? Do you think you’re the only one who can climb over that city wall? Don’t think too highly of yourself, Du Xia. You are nothing in front of me!”

“I’ll escort you back!” Du Xia still said stubbornly. His heart had been broken beyond measure and if possible, he really wanted to beg her to stop talking. Every word she said now felt like she was cutting into his flesh like a knife. He endured the heartache, repeating the same sentence to Gu Yu Qi again and again.

“You’re really hateful!” Gu Yu Qi felt like she was on the verge of being driven mad by Du Xia. It was already enough of a struggle for her to say these heartless words, but why was he not getting angry? He should be angry. He should just walk away and never look back.

Why could she not drive him away?!

“I’ll escort you back,” Du Xia continued like a machine, repeating the same sentence. He was determined to not give up until he achieved his goal.

“I don’t want you to escort me!” Gu Yu Qi really wanted to pull out her own hair. Why did she have to face such a stubborn young man? Unfortunately, she could not do anything to him, so she could only continue to provoke him, making him give up on her completely.

“You like me, right?” Gu Yu Qi suddenly slowed down her tone, looking at Du Xia with a charming gaze. Her heart felt very uncomfortable, and even her eyes seemed a bit blurry but fortunately, it was night time right now.

Du Xia’s heart suddenly shook. Did she see through him? Did she notice it? Yes, he liked her… Perhaps when missing her had become instinct, he knew he liked her the moment he saw her in Jiangxia City. It was a profound type of liking, and the longing for her had seeped into his blood like a dose of poison over the years.

No matter what she said, he liked her and this feeling was indelible.

Gu Yu Qi took two steps forward, approaching Du Xia. She slowly raised her hand and caressed his cheek. The depths of her eyes were murky, making it impossible to discern what she wanted to say or do.

Du Xia shuddered all over, feeling the warmth from Gu Yu Qi’s hand. Her hand moved across his face and finally landed on his neck. He could not help but swallow hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. It felt like he could not breathe.

“Are you worthy?” Gu Yu Qi’s eyes flashed. Her hand suddenly and fiercely grabbed his neck, “Du Xia, today I’ll make it clear to you! You’re not worthy! So get lost. Don’t let me see you again! I’ll feel disgusted! I already feel disgusted just by staying with you for a while. Go as far away as possible!” She pushed Du Xia away hard.

Gu Yu Qi’s last words were the final straw that overwhelmed Du Xia.

He retreated several steps before he stood still. His face was ashen and his eyes were devoid of any vitality.

He did not even dare to look at her again. He silently turned around and ran wildly in a random direction.

He had spent all his strength to find her, wanting to see her, ensure she was safe, and wanting to be close to her. However, what he received was such hurtful words. It felt like something in his chest had been torn out, leaving a huge void. He could only run with all his might. She hated him, she found him disgusting…

Why did it have to be like this? He did not dare to look back at her, only wanting to run as far as possible while he still had a shred of self-esteem.

He wanted to scream loudly, but he also wanted to cry. It had been a long time since he had known the taste of tears.

The wind whistled by his ears as he ran, stinging his cheeks. His eyes gradually blurred, and he ran frantically. He did not know how long or how far he ran. When he finally stopped, he felt like he could not breathe.

He slowly leaned against the trunk of a large tree by the roadside. Du Xia’s body slid down and he sat on the ground, unable to suppress a burst of laughter, laughing until tears came. It was as if he had just experienced the funniest thing in the world.

Watching Du Xia run away as if escaping, Gu Yu Qi also sighed with relief. She sat down in the sea of flowers. Another group of fireflies fluttered in response, surrounding her like a galaxy, seemingly mocking her.

In the ebb and flow of fate, joy and sorrow intertwined. Everything else seemed less important. It felt as if she was the only one left in the world.

She knew her words had hurt Du Xia, but given another chance, she would say the same things again.

It was better to be heartbroken now than be hurt physically and emotionally in the future. Du Xia deserved better. It was not that he was unworthy of her, but she was undeserving of him.

She did not hope for Du Xia to understand the truth of her painstaking efforts. She only wished that her efforts would not be in vain.

She would silently bless him and pave the way for his brilliant future. He would still become the Wei Yuan Marquis of the future Qi dynasty and leave a mark on history.

As for her, if possible, she wanted to quietly live this life alone. The glamour of this world was but a fleeting dream, and she had already dreamed it over and over again. She was tired too.

Gu Yu Qi stood up wearily and walked towards Kuizhou silently.

The road that two people walked together seemed so short, while the road one person had to walk appeared endlessly long. The moonlight illuminated the path in front of her but it could not reach the distant road she had to take.

She thought that rebirth was like using a cheat code, but in reality, she was experiencing many things for the first time. Going through it again, she realised that she could still feel heartache and sadness. Yet, she had no regrets.

Although Yun Ke seemed cold and aloof, Gu Yu Qi could not help but admit that in many aspects, he did better than her.

Gu Yu Qi staggered along the road alone. Suddenly, she heard the sound of hooves behind her. She looked back blankly and saw a carriage charging towards her in the darkness, as fast as lightning.

“Move aside!” The driver had obviously just noticed her on the road. He panicked and shouted while pulling the reins to stop the carriage.

Coming back to her senses, Gu Yu Qi quickly shifted aside and the carriage came to a halt just beside her.

The horse pulling the carriage had its neck practically strangled by the driver. Its eyes were wide open and it was panting heavily.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?!” The driver could not help but curse, “A young lady from a noble family like you, why are you wandering around outside in the middle of the night?! Probably up to no good!”

Gu Yu Qi was initially taken aback, but then she laughed absentmindedly. Indeed, she was not a good person! Even passersby could see that. Why could that foolish Du Xia not recognise it?

“Don’t be unreasonable!” A gentle voice came from the carriage, “You’ve frightened her. Apologise quickly!”