The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 41

Gu Huaisheng took one of the gold foil sheets. His fingertips light caressed it. Under the refracted light, it reflected a faint glow that seemed to shimmer in Gu Huaisheng’s eyes.

His gaze remained fixed on Jiang Jingchun as he parted his lips and asked, “So, Cousin, have you made up your mind?”

He truly was a terrible person.

He had forced her into such a desperate position and left her with no retreat. However, he still pretended to be gentle and considerate and asked her if she had made up her mind.

Jiang Jingchun was so furious that her eyes reddened. However, Gu Huaisheng remained unmoved as he looked into her tear-filled eyes this time.

He added, “If you agree, I will immediately take care of Song Xuan’an’s mess for you.”

He was reluctant to do it, but it didn’t matter. What did it matter if he had to do it, when it was for his cousin?

Jiang Jingchun stopped struggling. She wiped her eyes, brushing away the tears in them, and looked at him coldly, saying, “You must keep your word.”

After saying that, she turned and left Gu Huaisheng alone in the room, without looking back.

The thin mist from the incense burner seemed to take shape under the sunlight. It curled and lingered around Gu Huaisheng.

Gu Huaisheng remained motionless for a long time after Jiang Jingchun left. At that moment, he recalled the lot he’d drawn at Miao’en Temple.

Finally, he had his answer.

Indeed, he got what he wished for—even if he’d forced it.

From the moment she walked away, he had been holding back. Veins seemed to pulse on his forehead and a thin layer of sweat formed on his face. He got up and then went to the adjacent washroom. He stayed inside for the duration that it’d take for an incense stick to burn before emerging.

When he emerged, he returned to his table with a calm expression, and he returned to his usual self.

Gu Huaisheng stared at the gold foil sheets before him. Then, he called Shuliang inside. When Shuliang came in, he instructed him, “There are five sheets of gold foil here. Have someone make five identical pieces and inscribe something on them…”

After some thought, Gu Huaisheng said, “Write some Buddhist scripture for protection.”

Then, he could claim that the gold foil sheets were blessings that Madame Song had brought back from a temple. As long as the content wouldn’t allow Song Xuan’an to cheat using it during the examination period, Gu Huaisheng could excuse it and the matter would pass without consequence for Song Xuan’an.

If this matter was investigated, Gu Huaisheng would bear the punishment.

It was clear to Shuliang why his master was going to such lengths. Jiang Jingchun’s visit earlier must have prompted this. Shuliang agreed to the instructions but couldn’t help asking, “Young Master, are you sure this will be alright?”

Gu Huaisheng replied, “Bring the tools for working with the gold sheets. Be careful not to let anyone see. If you manage that, there will be no problems.”

Hearing this, Shuliang understood that his master had resolved to protect Song Xuan’an at all costs. After a sigh, Shuliang remarked, “Young Master, why would you do such a thing for him?”

Gu Huaisheng, who had always been upright and unyielding, was now resorting to underhanded methods for Song Xuan’an’s sake. Even if no one found out, taking this step would still sully his principles.

After a moment, Shuliang heard Gu Huaisheng’s voice again. “I don’t care. And it’s not for him.”

Gu Huaisheng was indifferent to the matter. In a world as corrupt as the officialdom he inhabited, the purest of them would only end up dead without even having a burial place.

The death of his teacher had only solidified this understanding.

Thus, committing such an act now didn’t weigh on his conscience.

He had once said that he was no gentleman, and that statement was not made out of modesty or low self-esteem.

Naturally, he wasn’t doing this for Song Xuan’an. He knew all too well that this was for his own selfish desire, for the sake of pulling his cousin closer to him.

He couldn’t get something without paying anything or making any sacrifices. Everything was an exchange, a transaction.

In this exchange, he had gained his cousin—although it also felt as though he had lost her at the same time.

Fate was unpredictable, yet the signs foretold by the divination sticks at the temple had already revealed everything.

He didn’t want to force her. But what was the alternative? To watch her marry another man?

No. That was absolutely impossible. He couldn’t let that happen.

She envisioned a life with other men, but never with him. However, he could also provide her with the home she longed for.

The five sheets of gold foil on the table were eventually melted down completely. Soon, five nearly identical pieces were delivered to him, now inscribed with Buddhist scripture.

No one could accuse Song Xuan’an of cheating anymore.

Jiang Jingchun walked out of the examination compound and returned to the Chen family residence. Throughout the whole way, she remained dazed and disoriented from the events that had just transpired.

When she arrived at the Chen family residence, Madame Song was already waiting for her at the back gate. As soon as she saw Jiang Jingchun, she rushed up to her. She grabbed her hand and anxiously asked, “Xiaochun, what happened? Did your cousin agree to help?”

Jiang Jingchun had returned back by carriage, and her head was still spinning. Her feet had touched solid ground, but she felt as though she were walking on cotton.

She forced a smile in response to Madame Song’s question and said, “It’s nothing. Apparently, it was all just a misunderstanding. I think Song Xuan’an will be released today. Anyhow, he’ll be able to take his provincial-level imperial examination tomorrow.”

Hearing Jiang Jingchun’s reassurance, Madame Song finally breathed a sigh of relief. This was good enough for her. She no longer dared to hope that Song Xuan’an might achieve any scholarly success; all she wished for was that he could come out of this situation unscathed.

She couldn’t help but marvel at how close the relationship between these cousins—Gu Huaisheng and Jiang Jingchun, were. Gu Huaisheng had actually listened to her plea.

Madame Song turned her gaze to Jiang Jingchun and intended to say something, but she noticed that Jiang Jingchun’s complexion looked strangely off. Both Madame Song and Chen Muqing couldn’t make sense of what was wrong. Her face appeared unwell, yet her lips were unusually red.

Chen Muqing couldn’t discern the issue, but Madame Song, who had more life experience, immediately understood what those vivid red lips signified.

It was the unmistakable mark of an intimate contact—of lips and tongues intertwining.

Seeing the traces on Jiang Jingchun’s lips, Madame Song couldn’t help but let her imagination run wild.

What had happened?

The person Jiang Jingchun had gone to see earlier was Gu Huaisheng… Could it be that this had happened with him!?

She thought of Gu Huaisheng as someone who was usually cold, aloof, and indifferent to women. Yet in private, could he really be so reckless and bold?

The marks were too prominent to ignore.

Was it just a kiss, or had something more happened?

Doubt began to fill every crevice of Madame Song’s mind. Seeing Jiang Jingchun’s drained and listless expression, she became even more convinced of her suspicions.

It seemed likely that Jiang Jingchun had made some kind of exchange with Gu Huaisheng for the sake of her son.

The thought was almost too much for her to bear.

She blamed her husband for being useless. His son had been thrown into a holding cell, and instead of stepping up, he had joined other people in speculating and slandering. If they had been more capable, Jiang Jingchun wouldn’t have had to endure this.

But if she thought carefully, it was probably true that Jiang Jingchun was the only person who could have handled this. Had it been anyone else, Gu Huaisheng would have likely remained as unapproachable as ever.

Once Madame Song pieced it all together, she felt a deep ache in her heart. Tears stung her eyes as she gripped Jiang Jingchun’s hand and said, “Xiaochun, Aunt has misjudged you before. You’re a good child. Once Xuan’an comes back, I’ll personally go to the Jiang family to propose marriage.”

Madame Song knew well how important chastity was to a woman. The rules of propriety, the separation of men and women—they weren’t just meaningless conventions. A woman who had any sort of intimate relationship with a man other than her husband would be condemned and ostracised.

But today, Jiang Jingchun had done all this for her son. It was Madame Song who had begged her to meet with Gu Huaisheng. How could she dare to say a single word against Jiang Jingchun after that? Doing so would make her worse than a beast.

She wasn’t such a heartless person.

However, Jiang Jingchun didn’t respond with joy to her words. Instead, she shook her head and said, “Aunt, I won’t marry him… I don’t like him anymore.”

Just a few days ago, she had said she would wait three years for him if he failed the provincial-level imperial examinations this time. Yet today, she claimed she no longer liked him. This abrupt change seemed strange, even to Chen Muqing, who could tell something was off.

Although she didn’t know what had transpired between Jiang Jingchun and Gu Huaisheng, seeing Jiang Jingchun’s current state, it was clear that whatever had happened wasn’t good.

What on earth had Gu Huaisheng said to her?

Madame Song was still filled with regret. She regretted asking Jiang Jingchun to go and causing things to spiral out of control like this. In the end, Song Xuan’an wouldn’t receive what he wanted. Who knew how this matter would escalate after Song Xuan’an came out of the examination compound?

While Chen Muqing hesitated to speak, Jiang Jingchun had already gone inside. Madame Song grabbed Chen Muqing’s arm and said, “Xiaoqing, tell her that her kindness is something this aunt will always remember. This matter… both Xuan’an and I owe her a great debt. Please, go and comfort her. I’ll head home first.”

Chen Muqing nodded. She watched Madame Song leave before she followed Jiang Jingchun inside.

Seeing Jiang Jingchun’s pale complexion, she decided to hold her tongue for now and simply followed her back into the residence. Once there, she watched as Jiang Jingchun went straight into the washroom.

It was already well past noon and nearing the late afternoon. The sunlight filtering through the skylight was no longer as bright, but it still cast dappled shadows across the room. A light breeze drifted in through the window cracks and carried a faint chill with it.

Chen Muqing was puzzled as to why Jiang Jingchun immediately began rinsing her mouth and brushing her teeth after returning.

She found it odd and couldn’t help asking, “What are you doing? Why are you brushing your teeth now?”

Jiang Jingchun didn’t have the nerve to explain this embarrassing matter to Chen Muqing, so she only gave her a vague answer. She said, “Nothing. I just accidentally got something dirty into my mouth.”

That wretched Gu Huaisheng! It was bad enough that he kissed her, but why did he have to stick his tongue in? Didn’t he find it disgusting?

He was usually more obsessed with cleanliness than anyone else, but when he decided to act indecently, he suddenly didn’t care about it anymore?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Her movements grew harsher and made Chen Muqing wince. Chen Muqing said, “Be gentle, be gentle… You’re going to end up brushing until you bleed.”

Jiang Jingchun snapped back to reality and softened her movements.

Chen Muqing relayed Madame Song’s words to her. Jiang Jingchun remained calm and merely nodded lightly.

Noticing her continued pale complexion, Chen Muqing grew concerned and asked, “Are you sure you’re alright? You look absolutely dreadful. Should I call for a physician to check on you?”

As for why Jiang Jingchun suddenly decided not to marry Song Xuan’an, Chen Muqing didn’t press the issue for now.

It wasn’t until Jiang Jingchun removed the toothbrush from her mouth that she suddenly said, “I’m going to marry Gu Huaisheng.”

Chen Muqing was stunned. She hadn’t expected her to bring this up out of nowhere. So, was this the reason she had decided not to marry Song Xuan’an?

Even though Chen Muqing wasn’t the sharpest person, she still could piece together what had happened.

It was likely that Gu Huaisheng had forced Jiang Jingchun to make this decision. Song Xuan’an might be spared, but only if she married him.

Chen Muqing had never imagined that Gu Huaisheng would turn out to be such an opportunistic scoundrel. She used to think he was an upright and honourable gentleman, but clearly, she had misjudged him. 

“He really is heartless,” Jiang Jingchun said.

He refused her when she still liked him. Now that she no longer liked him, he refused to let her go.

He just had to go against what he wanted, didn’t he? Did making her feel miserable feel great for him?

After rinsing her mouth, Jiang Jingchun wiped her face. She now seemed somewhat calmer.

Chen Muqing could tell that Jiang Jingchun didn’t want to marry Gu Huaisheng. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be this upset. After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Does the marquis’ household know about this? Has your aunt and uncle agreed to it?”

Whether or not the marquis’ household knew, Jiang Jingchun wasn’t sure.

Whether or not her aunt and uncle agreed, she was even less sure.

But Gu Huaisheng… could anyone really control him?

If his parents could, they wouldn’t have let him remain unmarried for so long.

Chen Muqing apparently had similar thoughts. She suddenly came up with another idea and said quickly, “What about your grandmother? Your grandmother adores you. If you tell her, would that help?”

Jiang Jingchun seriously considered Chen Muqing’s suggestion but ultimately felt that Gu Huaisheng might not even listen to the old madame.

She could tell, from what Gu Huaisheng had done today, that he was definitely not an upright gentleman.

A person who wasn’t an upright gentleman would have fewer scruples.

Her grandmother was already advanced in years and should be enjoying a peaceful old age, not dealing with a constant stream of troublesome matters. If Jiang Jingchun told her about this matter, and she failed to stop Gu Huaisheng, it would only cause her unnecessary distress—possibly even sleepless nights filled with worry.

Why would she make her grandmother lose sleep over her grandchildren’s affairs?

Jiang Jingchun shook her head and said, “It’ll be no use.”

Chen Muqing was still unwilling to give up. A thought suddenly struck her, and she grabbed Jiang Jingchun’s hand. She said, “Xiaochun’er, you should run away.”

Jiang Jingchun froze. She was clearly startled by her suggestion.

“Run away? To where?” she replied hesitantly.

The more Chen Muqing thought about it, the more she felt this was a feasible plan. Her excitement grew as she explained, “Since Gu Huaisheng is at the examination compound, he’ll be stuck inside it for the next few days. He’ll be there for at least three days, which means he can’t come to your house to propose, nor will he know where you’ve gone. Take this opportunity to run away, bring some money, and enjoy some freedom for a while. Think about it—Gu Huaisheng is already 21. He’ll definitely have to get married within two years at most. By the time he’s married, you can return. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”

Initially, Jiang Jingchun thought Chen Muqing’s suggestion was absurd, but as she listened, it started to make sense.

Yes, why shouldn’t she take this chance to leave, while Gu Huaisheng was still preoccupied at the examination compound?

He wouldn’t be able to chase after her. 

After she disappeared, he’d eventually have to let it go. She could travel and see the world, and by the time she returned, he would likely already be married. Once he had a wife, would he still care about their past promise?

He was already 21, and he couldn’t delay his marriage for much longer.

Chen Muqing held her hand tightly. “Xiaochun’er, I want to go with you. I’d worry if you went without me. Besides, I’ve always wanted to travel far away. Let’s take this chance and go together!”

Chen Muqing’s words planted a seed in Jiang Jingchun’s heart, and in her brief moment of hesitation, that seed grew into a towering tree.

Jiang Jingchun nodded. For the first time in a while, her eyes brightened.

Chen Muqing was overjoyed, and the two quickly decided to run away and flee to far-off places together.

They left the washroom, and Chen Muqing immediately began packing. Seeing her haste, Jiang Jingchun asked, “Isn’t this a bit too fast? Are we leaving today?”

“We can’t leave today,” Chen Muqing replied while packing. “You still need to return to the Jiang family residence to speak with your grandmother, and it’s getting dark outside. We probably won’t make it out of the city in time. I just can’t sit still. I get restless the moment I think about leaving.”

She was right. They couldn’t leave immediately. Jiang Jingchun realised she needed to inform her grandmother before she left. With this in mind, she decided to visit the Jiang family residence later that day.

As she packed, Chen Muqing continued, “I’ve always heard how beautiful Jiangnan is. I’ve read about it so many times in travelogues. If it weren’t for my stepmother, I would’ve packed up and left long ago…”

Hearing Chen Muqing’s mention of her stepmother, Jiang Jingchun grew concerned. “What if your stepmother doesn’t let you leave? What then?”

“Who cares about what she thinks? I’ll leave, and she can’t stop me,” Chen Muqing said defiantly.

However, Jiang Jingchun knew better. Shen Tao would never agree to her leaving. If Chen Muqing ran away secretly and was discovered, it would be disastrous. 

Jiang Jingchun knew that even if Shen Tao was soft-hearted deep down, if Chen Muqing dared to leave without permission, she’d still make sure Chen Muqing would face severe consequences upon being caught.

Jiang Jingchun thought for a moment, then said, “No, it’s too risky. If you’re found out, it’ll be the end.”

If Chen Muqing left for just a single day, they’d likely be exposed.

Gu Huaisheng might be inside the examination compound, but Shen Tao was outside.

After hearing this, Chen Muqing’s excitement deflated, and she stopped packing.

If they attempted to run away, Shen Tao would undoubtedly find out within a day. By then, they wouldn’t even have made it out of the city gates before being caught. Wouldn’t that make them the laughingstock of the century—like a late emperor’s unfinished endeavours that ended in failure halfway through?

Realising this, Chen Muqing let out a sigh of resignation. She said, “Then I can’t leave. If I try to run, she’ll definitely come after me. I wouldn’t even get two steps away before being caught.”

Chen Muqing looked at Jiang Jingchun. Her face was full of concern as she said, “But if you leave on your own… Xiaochun’er, I’d feel so worried.”

Jiang Jingchun was a girl who had never travelled far from home. From childhood to now, she had never dealt with any difficulty. The only time they went to the outskirts of the capital for fun, she nearly lost her life. How could Chen Muqing not worry?

Jiang Jingchun understood her concerns and smiled. She said, “A-Qing, I really should go out and see the world. I’ve never left the capital since I was a child. I used to be scared of venturing out and always thought that staying in the capital was the best. But now, with circumstances forcing my hand, I’ve realised there’s really nothing to fear.”

Everyone believed that she wasn’t cut out for such big matters. She herself had thought the same. Indeed, if she could just take the first step out of the capital, that’d be an achievement in and of itself.

She continued, “You don’t need to worry about me. The realm is peaceful now, isn’t it? It isn’t as if I’m going to do something shady or deliberately put myself in danger, either; what are the chances someone would actually kidnap me?”

Chen Muqing noticed the resolute expression on her face and a trace of toughness in her eyes. Seeing this, her heart settled somewhat. She turned and walked to her desk, pulled a travelogue out of the drawer, then led Jiang Jingchun to sit down with her.

She opened the travelogue and began explaining to Jiang Jingchun the routes that she would take once she left the city.

The travelogue’s pages were slightly yellowed, which suggested that Chen Muqing had often flipped through it. 

Chen Muqing pointed to the locations and said, “When you leave the city, head south for about a day, and you’ll come across a mountain. The travelogue describes it as having layers of peaks and sheer cliffs. Just take a look from a distance; don’t even think about climbing it. After that, keep moving forward a bit… South of the Yangtze River is the most beautiful place. The poet Bai Letian once wrote, ‘The dawn glow of the Yangtze is redder than flame, the spring waters of the Yangtze river are verdant and blue; how can I but remember the South?’ Follow the path southwards, and eventually, you’ll reach…”

Chen Muqing talked to Jiang Jingchun for a long time. She was worried that Jiang Jingchun wouldn’t remember everything, so she finally stuffed the travelogue into her hands and solemnly said, “Xiaochun’er, you must be careful on your journey. Every time you stop at a postal station, you must send me a letter, or I’ll be worried sick. Also, wait for my father to return home for the New Year. Once he’s back, I’ll act spoiled and convince him to let me come find you.”

Jiang Jingchun carefully put the travelogue away. Chen Muqing’s words made her eyes misty. She sniffled, hugged her tightly, and said, “It’s getting dark outside. I’ll go see my grandmother, and I’ll come back later to stay with you one last night.”

Chen Muqing glanced at the darkening sky and hurriedly urged her to head to the Jiang family residence.

It only took Jiang Jingchun the time it’d take an incense stick to burn to arrive at Rongde Hall. She didn’t tell the old madame that she was leaving to avoid Gu Huaisheng, only that she wanted to go beyond the capital for a while to clear her mind, but didn’t know when she’d return.

The old madame was naturally reluctant to agree to it. After all, it was dangerous for her, a young girl, to travel without protection. How could she possibly feel at ease with it?

Moreover, hadn’t they just talked about her marrying Song Xuan’an not long ago? And now she suddenly wanted to leave? It was quite perplexing.

However, seeing Jiang Jingchun’s determination, the old madame had no choice but to relent. Still, the idea of her travelling without protection was too worrisome for the old madame to bear, so she insisted on having some guards accompany Jiang Jingchun.

Jiang Jingchun firmly refused this.

She said, “Grandmother, I’m an adult now. Besides, I’m going on a trip, not marching off to war. Why would I need a whole entourage of guards?”

If she had a trail of people following her everywhere, she’d attract attention no matter where she went.

Facing her insistence, the old madame found herself at a loss. 

She didn’t know why Jiang Jingchun was being so stubborn and insistent on travelling without protection.

Hesitantly, she asked, “Are you still upset about what happened before?”

Was that why she couldn’t bear to stay in the capital any longer?

Jiang Jingchun couldn’t tell her the truth and didn’t want to cause her any more worry. She simply said, “Grandmother, don’t worry. I’m really just going to clear my mind. I’ll come back eventually.”

The old madame didn’t press further. However, she still insisted that Jiang Jingchun at least take a skilled female bodyguard along, as she wouldn’t feel at ease otherwise.

The realm might seem peaceful on the surface, but who knew what kind of chaos brewed underneath? Jiang Jingchun was young and had never travelled far. She didn’t understand how dangerous the outside world could be for a lone woman. There were plenty of scoundrels out there, men who would have filthy thoughts after just one glance at her.

She was beautiful, and if her only companion was a maid… Who could say what might happen to her?

The old madame actually still felt uneasy about Jiang Jingchun only being protected by one female bodyguard. However, since Jiang Jingchun adamantly refused to bring more people, she had to compromise.

Jiang Jingchun was unable to argue further, and she also knew that her grandmother was only insisting out of genuine worry for her, so she finally agreed.

The Jiang family was wealthy and well-established, so they had no shortage of skilled female bodyguards. The old madame instructed her trusted servant to choose someone reliable. It wasn’t long before the servant returned with a candidate.

The guard was named Xuezhao. She was tall and striking, with sharp, narrow eyes that gave her an intimidating presence when she wasn’t speaking. 

Even at a glance, she seemed like someone highly skilled in martial arts.

The old madame’s servant had likely explained the situation to Xuezhao on the way over. After greeting Jiang Jingchun, she silently stood by her side.

Seeing Xuezhao’s appearance, the old madame felt slightly more at ease. 

This person seemed dependable.

After some more conversation, the old madame finally asked Jiang Jingchun, “When are you planning to leave?”

Jiang Jingchun thought for a moment and replied, “Tomorrow morning.”

So soon—she was leaving tomorrow morning!

The old madame didn’t understand why Jiang Jingchun was in such a hurry to leave. She initially wanted to persuade her to stay at least a few more days, but after she thought it over, she refrained from saying anything.

Nevermind. She could leave if she wanted to—what would change if she stayed for a few more days?

The old madame gestured to her servant to come closer, then whispered something in her ear. After hearing this, the servant disappeared into the inner chambers of Rongde Hall.

Jiang Jingchun was perplexed until the old servant swiftly returned with a small locked box in her hands. At that moment, Jiang Jingchun had an inkling of what was about to happen.

“My dear rich grandmother, you don’t need to give me any more money,” she hurriedly said.

Over the years, she had received a generous allowance, not to mention the gifts she had collected during holidays and celebrations. Even if she pawned just a portion of those gifts, they would fetch a considerable sum. 

Although she had fallen out with the Jiang family, they hadn’t taken away her savings. She also knew that money was indispensable for travelling, and she saw no reason to make life difficult for herself.

However, when she saw the old madame intending to give her even more money, Jiang Jingchun refused to accept it. She already had plenty of money.

The old madame, however, insisted on opening the box. She took two silver banknotes, each worth 500 taels, and pressed them into Jiang Jingchun’s hands. She also handed her a pouch filled with silver pieces. 

“Take this,” the old madame said. “I know you’re not short on money, but it’s always good to have extra money when you’re travelling.”

Jiang Jingchun still tried to refuse, but her grandmother added, “If you don’t accept it, you’ll be looking down on me. Do you think your grandmother, at her old age, can’t even spare a thousand taels?”

Faced with her grandmother’s stubbornness, Jiang Jingchun reluctantly accepted the money.

Her grandmother continued, “And remember, when you’re out there travelling, don’t spend lavishly. Flashing your wealth will only attract trouble. Do you understand?”

The old madame went on with a litany of reminders. By the time she finished, night had fallen completely. Huayun entered the hall to urge them along and warned that if they didn’t leave soon, they would be caught by the curfew.

Despite their reluctance to part, the pair of grandmother and granddaughter had no choice but to say goodbye.

As Jiang Jingchun got up to leave, her grandmother called out to her at the door. “Xiaochun.”

She turned back.

The old madame sat beneath the lamplight. Its glow highlighted the deep lines on her face. It was then that Jiang Jingchun realised how much her grandmother had aged.

“Will you come back?” she heard her grandmother ask. “Grandma will be here, waiting for you.”

Jiang Jingchun felt a lump in her throat and knew she couldn’t stay any longer, or she’d break down in tears.

This was her first time embarking on a journey far from home and her first experience of the pain of parting with a loved one. 

It was a bittersweet ache.

She didn’t dare say more. Instead, she nodded in response to her grandmother’s question and left without looking back.

Even after Jiang Jingchun had gone, the old madame remained frozen, staring at the direction in which her granddaughter had departed. The old servant beside her couldn’t help but call out to her, and only then did she snap out of her daze.

After seeing Jiang Jingchun’s resolute departure, the old madame sighed. Her voice was tinged with sadness as she replied, “She’s grown up now. Letting her go out into the world is for the best. The realm is vast, and anywhere can be home for her.”

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder why Jiang Jingchun had left so suddenly. She’d shown no sign of wanting to leave before.

The old madame’s thoughts began to make her head hurt, so she decided to stop dwelling on it. She allowed her old servant to support her, then retreated to the inner chambers of Rongde Hall.

The next morning, under the bright daylight, Jiang Jingchun held the travel permit Chen Muqing had arranged for her. Accompanied by Xuezhao and Huayun, she set out on her journey.

She had already planned her route, following the travelogue Chen Muqing had given her. She would travel for three full days and head south. By the time Gu Huaisheng emerged from the examination compound, he wouldn’t be able to catch up to her.

After shedding a few more tears at the gate while saying farewell to Chen Muqing, Jiang Jingchun set off.

Her entourage of three hired a carriage and began their journey towards the city gates.

The weather had been pleasant in recent days. Now that the eighth month had arrived, so had fresher air and cooler temperatures. Unlike the sweltering heat of the seventh month, the eighth month’s mild weather made it comfortable to travel in light clothing.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Jingchun sat with Xuezhao and Huayun. As she opened her bundle to look at the travelogue, she discovered an unfamiliar peach-pink coin pouch tucked inside. When she opened it, she found it was stuffed with silver coins and two banknotes worth a hundred taels each. It didn’t take her long to realise that Chen Muqing had secretly slipped it in.

Chen Muqing must have thought she would be away for a year or so and worried she might suffer hardships, so she had prepared the money in secret. If she’d given it directly, Jiang Jingchun would have refused, so she had quietly hidden it in the travelogue.

Though Chen Muqing wasn’t short on money, saving up this amount must have taken considerable effort. 

Jiang Jingchun’s eyes turned red as she rubbed them and put the pouch back. Then, she opened the travelogue to review the route. The book listed many fascinating destinations, and Jiang Jingchun decided that, since she was already running away, she might as well take her time exploring them.

After all, Gu Huaisheng might not even come looking for her. And even if he did, how could he possibly find her in such a vast realm? She resolved to follow the travelogue’s suggestions and enjoy herself along the way.

She had left her family and friends to venture out, and she wasn’t going to shortchange herself on the experience.

After making up her mind, Jiang Jingchun began discussing their travel plans with Huayun and Xuezhao.

Xuezhao, with her cold demeanour, wasn’t much of a talker and mostly ignored Jiang Jingchun’s attempts at conversation. Jiang Jingchun was undeterred, though, and turned her attention to Huayun to animatedly chat with her instead.

Three days passed in this relaxed manner. By the end of their three-day journey, they had only just left the capital and arrived at a small town nearby.

Thanks to Xuezhao, no one had dared to trouble them during this three-day journey. Jiang Jingchun had a wonderful time, blissfully unaware that while she was enjoying herself, three days had passed and Gu Huaisheng had already emerged from the examination compound.

By the time the provincial-level imperial examinations concluded, Gu Huaisheng had spent three full days inside the examination compound, supervising the process. Finally, he was able to step outside.

On the final day of the provincial-level imperial examinations, the vice minister from the Ministry of Rites, who was in charge of the matter, also came to the examination compound to wrap up matters there. As soon as the examinations ended, the vice minister immediately sought out Gu Huaisheng. 

Gu Huaisheng had just exited the examination compound when the vice minister greeted him, and the two began walking towards the gates of the examination compound together.

The vice minister said, “Young Marquis, these past days must have been exhausting for you. With your presence here, the provincial-level imperial examinations went exceptionally smoothly this year. Once I’ve wrapped up the aftermath, I must find a way to properly thank you.”

Gu Huaisheng rubbed his temples. He was visibly weary from three days of relentless monitoring. He cut short the vice minister’s pleasantries by saying, “It was but a small effort. This place is now in your capable hands. I’ll be heading back first. There’s no need to see me off; I can manage on my own.”

The vice minister also noticed the fatigue on Gu Huaisheng’s expression and refrained from talking further. However, there was still one matter he wanted to inquire about.

“Young Marquis… what happened with the young master from the Song family? I heard he was detained on the first day, but somehow, he was released later. That seems quite unusual.”

Indeed, it was perplexing. Typically, once someone was detained, there would be little chance of release.

Gu Huaisheng’s expression remained impassive as he calmly replied, “It was a misunderstanding. I thought that the gold foil sheets in his brush handle were for cheating, but upon further inspection, they turned out to be Buddhist scriptures—likely for blessings, given to him by his family. Considering he’s the legitimate grandson of Secretariat Elder Song, it would be inappropriate to impose severe punishment. However, if you feel that this resolution is unsatisfactory…”

Gu Huaisheng’s deliberate mention of Secretariat Elder Song made the vice minister realise the gravity of the situation. He hurriedly cut Gu Huaisheng off by saying, “There’s nothing unsatisfactory about that. Buddhist scriptures… Well, they’re just scriptures. As long as they’re unrelated to the imperial examinations, then they don’t matter. After all, all of us officials are colleagues in the court; turning a blind eye here and there for someone, considering this, is no big deal.”

Anyhow, the vice minister was the one who had requested Gu Huaisheng’s help in the first place. When something happened, he’d naturally defer to Gu Huaisheng’s judgement.

With that, the two bid each other farewell.

As soon as the vice minister left, Shuliang promptly approached Gu Huaisheng. 

Gu Huaisheng had previously instructed someone to keep an eye on Jiang Jingchun, so their people had been monitoring the Chen family residence. A few days ago, they discovered that Jiang Jingchun had actually left the capital city.

Her actions were baffling to them.

If she was trying to flee, why was she moving so leisurely and stopping to sightsee? But if she wasn’t fleeing, why did she leave so urgently, while Gu Huaisheng was still inside the examination compound?

The situation left them unsure whether they should intervene. Moreover, since the examination compound had been sealed—with no one allowed to come in or out—during the examination period, Gu Huaisheng had been locked inside the examination compound that entire time. As such, they had no opportunity to report this matter to him until now.

Now that the examination period had concluded, they could finally report the matter to Gu Huaisheng.

Shuliang reported, “Young Master, Miss Jiang has left the capital.”

Gu Huaisheng halted mid-step. For a moment, he seemed unable to process the information. After a moment, he looked at Shuliang with a frown on his face and asked, “What?”

The young man, who was usually warm and composed, now appeared faintly menacing under the fiery red glow of the setting sun.

Gu Huaisheng was known for his stoicism. He rarely ever revealed his emotions. Yet now, his expression clearly betrayed anger.

She’d left the capital…

He wasn’t a fool. He naturally knew what Jiang Jingchun was trying to do upon hearing that she had left the capital.

He had endured three gruelling days inside the examination compound. His mind had been consumed with thoughts of their upcoming wedding the entire time. However, the moment he emerged, he heard that she’d run away from him.

Gu Huaisheng couldn’t help but let out a low, bitter laugh. The sound was both heavy and stifled.

What a disobedient cousin she was.

His expression grew darker, and a cold aura emanated from him.

He hadn’t imagined that she would be so reluctant to marry him that she’d devise a way to flee the capital entirely to avoid him.

She had said she didn’t like him, but he hadn’t realised her aversion ran this deep.

Then again, upon reflection, Jiang Jingchun was never one to stay quietly in one place. Her decision to flee, while frustrating, was not entirely unexpected to him.

But why did she think he wouldn’t be able to find her?

It had only been three days. How far could she have gone?

Did she think she could run away successfully?

He asked Shuliang, “Where is she now?”

Shuliang didn’t dare to meet Gu Huaisheng’s gaze and lowered his head as he continued, “Miss Jiang isn’t moving quickly. She’s been travelling leisurely and often stops to enjoy scenic spots. Our people have frequently seen her carrying a travelogue.”

She had been running away for three days, but with a fast horse, they could catch up in less than half a day.

Hearing this, Gu Huaisheng almost laughed aloud. It seemed that she wasn’t very adept at escaping. To those who knew her situation, it was clear she was fleeing to avoid marriage. To others, though, it might look as if she merely was out sightseeing.

Gu Huaisheng calmed down upon hearing this. He thought about the previous incident, which had likely frightened her. Fine, he’d treat this as her merely taking a trip to relax. However, three days was enough, and it was time for her to return.

What an unruly cousin.

He would retrieve her himself.

As they walked out of the examination compound, Gu Huaisheng asked Shuliang, “Did she encounter any danger on the way?”

This was her first time venturing so far on her own, and so abruptly as well. Her boldness was remarkable.

Shuliang understood Gu Huaisheng’s concern and replied, “Nothing significant has occurred. She has a skilled female bodyguard with her. Though some people have seemed tempted to cause trouble, no one has acted yet. However…”

Noticing Shuliang’s hesitation, Gu Huaisheng’s unease deepened. “However, what?”

Shuliang could sense that Gu Huaisheng had misunderstood him and immediately said, “It seems there are others following her as well. Judging by their behaviour, they don’t seem to have good intentions.”

Gu Huaisheng asked, “Do we know who they are?”

Shuliang shook his head. “They’ve yet to reveal their true identity. They’ve been following her since she left the capital. Young Master, should we have the secret guards eliminate them?”

Following her all the way from the capital?

Gu Huaisheng remained silent for a moment before shaking his head. “Not yet. Wait until they act, then deal with them. Ensure her safety, but it’s fine if they give her a fright.”

She was so bold to run away without a second thought.

She was all alone, with only a maid and a female bodyguard as her company—had she even considered how many dangers awaited her on the road and how many troubles might arise? 

If he brought her back now, she’d undoubtedly resist with all her might. She might even cry again.

Every time she cried and made a scene, his head would start to ache.

Perhaps letting those people scare her would make her behave. A little fright might teach her how dangerous the world outside truly was and discourage her from recklessly sneaking out again in the future.

Shuliang understood Gu Huaisheng’s intention and said, “Understood. I’ll inform the secret guards immediately.”

Nightfall was approaching, and it was too late for him to leave the capital today. Gu Huaisheng decided to set out early the next morning.

After all, with secret guards to keep watch over her, and her leisurely pace, he had no need to worry.

Still, he thought, the longer this dragged on, the more complicated things would get. The wedding needed to happen sooner rather than later. Jiang Jingchun’s restless nature was bound to cause trouble if left unchecked.