The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 50

Gu Huaisheng broke the silence by letting out a soft chuckle. He looked at the two, who were locked in a tense gaze, but seemed unbothered. In the end, he simply took the absent-minded Jiang Jingchun’s wrist and led her to her seat.

After exchanging brief greetings with Secretariat Elder Song, Gu Huaisheng didn’t say much else. He calmly cleaned his hands and rinsed his mouth. His expression was as composed as ever.

The people around them noticed his demeanour and collectively breathed a sigh of relief. His actions seemed to convey that he hadn’t taken the situation to heart.

Of course. Gu Huaisheng wasn’t a narrow-minded person who’d hold petty grudges, after all.

Everyone soon found their seats.

Jiang Nan addressed the group, explaining, “Since Sir is here today, and it’s close to lunchtime, I invited him to join us.”

Naturally, no one voiced any objections to this.

The meal began on a somewhat awkward note. Earlier, Jiang Jingchun and Song Xuan’an’s gazes had lingered a bit too long on each other. However, once she was seated, Jiang Jingchun quickly came to her senses. She retracted her gaze and focused intently on her meal.

Halfway through the meal, Secretariat Elder Song brought up a topic concerning Wang Shun.

Specifically, he once again raised the issue of Wang Shun’s proposal to rebuild Tianlu Terrace and brought it to the table for discussion.

After Secretariat Elder Song, the hall grew quiet for a moment.

Secretariat Elder Song turned to Gu Huaisheng to ask for his opinion.

Gu Huaisheng’s ears caught every word that Secretariat Elder Song said, but his eyes kept returning to Jiang Jingchun throughout the entire meal. She seemed distracted. She barely lifted her head and kept focusing only on eating without even reaching out for dishes on the table. 

His eyes lowered to take in the back of her head. He took note of the strands of hair tucked behind her ear. Her earlobes were round and unadorned, likely because she feared pain and had never pierced her ears, let alone worn any earrings.

Gu Huaisheng recalled the scene from that morning in the washroom, when he saw that her entire ear had turned a vivid red.

Secretariat Elder Song, who noticed Gu Huaisheng’s distraction and lack of response, couldn’t help prodding. He said, “Young Marquis, what are you thinking about?”

“Nothing. I was momentarily distracted,” Gu Huaisheng replied to Secretariat Elder Song after snapping back to reality. 

He then answered Secretariat Elder Song’s question, saying, “Does the state treasury even have enough money to fund this? Isn’t the war with the Mongols still ongoing?”

As the Minister of Revenue, Secretariat Elder Song naturally had a better grasp of the state treasury’s situation compared to anyone else.

With a troubled expression, he admitted, “There is enough in the state treasury, but the state treasury has run a deficit year after year. At this rate, how much longer can we sustain things? Are we just going to keep relying on Jiangnan’s contributions? Even that’s becoming difficult.”

At the mention of Jiangnan’s contributions, Secretariat Elder Song’s expression darkened as if something had come to mind. “Don’t tell me Wang Shun is still holding a grudge over Jiangnan. Even now, he’s still clinging to the money from Jiangnan…!”

If that were the case, then Wang Shun must truly have gone mad. It’d been nearly 20 years—what was the point of holding onto a grudge for this long?

At that time, during Grand Secretariat discussions, someone had proposed converting rice fields in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions into mulberry fields. The idea was to plant mulberry trees in place of rice, use the resulting silk to produce textiles and sell them overseas for a substantial profit.

While the concept was promising, the implementation of converting rice fields to mulberry fields had not gone smoothly.

Farmers were unwilling to give up their rice paddies for mulberry trees. Although mulberry cultivation was profitable, producing food for their own sustenance was of utmost importance to them. Who would willingly give up the security of their livelihood to gamble on uncertain profits? And even if they did make money, how much of it would actually end up in their hands?

Both Wang Shun and Secretariat Elder Song had closely monitored the situation in the South, as they both vied for control over the mulberry cultivation project and the vast fields it’d involve.

At that time, Jiang Nan had just achieved the first place in the imperial examinations and was under Secretariat Elder Song’s mentorship. Secretariat Elder Song recognised Jiang Nan’s abilities and dispatched him to the southern region. Meanwhile, Wang Shun sent his son, Wang Yu, to the area.

Unfortunately, Wang Yu lost his life in the South. Wang Shun was stricken with grief and focused on arranging his son’s funeral. As a result, control over the land naturally fell into Secretariat Elder Song’s hands, and his dominance over the initiative was thus solidified.

Jiang Nan, who had successfully managed the situation for Secretariat Elder Song, earned greater favour and trust.

It wasn’t that hard to figure out what Wang Shun was trying to do. The profits from Jiangnan’s silk sales, which would be sent to the state treasury every three years around midyear, must have caught his attention over two years ago. 

He proposed repairing Tianlu Terrace as a way to get his hands on the profits from Jiangnan, and the emperor approved it. Yet, after the terrace collapsed once, he now wanted to rebuild it again.

This was an absurd proposition. However, given Wang Shun’s immense influence and the emperor’s favour to him, perhaps it wasn’t all that surprising after all.

Gu Huaisheng only knew about the Jiangnan mulberry conversion project, but the intricate web of emotions and grudges behind it was likely known only to those directly involved.

After some thought, Gu Huaisheng said to Secretariat Elder Song, “Why don’t you directly seek an audience with His Majesty and propose allocating this sum to the northern border instead, to fund the defence against the Mongolian cavalry? If Wang Shun brings up rebuilding Tianlu Terrace again, the Ministry of Revenue can respond that the funds have been redirected to the war effort, so his project cannot be approved. Priorities exist for a reason, and His Majesty will understand. If this doesn’t work, I’d be willing to join Secretariat Elder Song in drafting a petition.”

It was far better to spend the money defending the northern border than to allow it to end up in the pockets of Wang Shun’s faction.

Secretariat Elder Song hesitated after hearing Gu Huaisheng’s suggestion. He asked, “Do you think His Majesty would listen?”

Emperor Taihe practically regarded Wang Shun as his father. 

No matter how outrageous Wang Shun’s demands were, the emperor always gave them careful consideration.

One might even suspect that Wang Shun’s first lesson to the emperor back then had been about venerating one’s elders, and that was why the emperor was so deferential to him now.

Gu Huaisheng replied, “He knows how to weigh what’s important.”

The war at the northern border required constant military supplies. Wang Shun’s actions now amounted to stealing resources meant for the military, and if even that could be tolerated by the emperor, then…

People could be confused, but not to such a degree.

Besides, who could say for sure whether the emperor’s ‘moment of confusion’ was genuine or feigned?

Secretariat Elder Song mulled over Gu Huaisheng’s words and seemed to take the suggestion to heart. He decided he’d seek an audience with the emperor in the coming days to discuss the matter.

The two dropped the subject. After all, this was a family gathering, and harping on the issue any further wouldn’t be appropriate. Since they now had a plan of action, there was no need to dwell on it anymore.

After setting aside the topic, Secretariat Elder Song finally remembered the young grandson he’d brought along on this visit.

He glanced over at Song Xuan’an, who sat nearby with a lifeless expression on his face. This ungrateful child! He’d moan and groan if he didn’t bring him out, but now that he’d brought him out, he behaved this way. Anyone who didn’t know better might think he was here to attend a funeral.

Secretariat Elder Song gave Song Xuan’an’s thigh a sharp pinch under the table. When Song Xuan’an turned to him, he cleared his throat and whispered, “Eat properly. Stop letting your mind wander.”

After hearing what Secretariat Elder Song said, Song Xuan’an’s expression changed, and he muttered an ‘Mm’ in response.

However, as he raised his eyes, he caught a glimpse of Gu Huaisheng placing food on Jiang Jingchun’s plate.

He also heard Gu Huaisheng quietly say, “Eat more dishes. You’ve been overworking yourself these past few days.”

His tone was steady yet carried a hint of warmth, and the concern in his gaze as he looked at Jiang Jingchun was unmistakable.

Overworked herself? By doing what?

Jiang Jingchun didn’t understand why he suddenly said such a thing, but given that there were so many other people also present in the dining hall, she chose not to respond. Still, when she raised her eyes, she noticed the peculiar expression on Song Xuan’an’s face across the table and seemed to figure out something.

She turned to glance at Gu Huaisheng. When her gaze met his smiling eyes, her suspicions were confirmed.

That was deliberate.

He was deliberately doing things and staying stuff to provoke Song Xuan’an.

Jiang Jingchun was mindful of the people around them and held back her words. Instead, she quietly pushed the food he had placed on her plate to the side.

Gu Huaisheng noticed her subtle action, and the amusement in his eyes faded. His grip on the chopsticks tightened slightly, but ultimately, he said nothing more.

The lunch continued without incident. At least, no truly unpleasant moments arose.

After the meal, Secretariat Elder Song prepared to leave with Song Xuan’an.

Song Xuan’an, however, didn’t seem too pleased. His gaze lingered on Jiang Jingchun.

Eventually, Secretariat Elder Song forcibly dragged him away.

On the carriage ride home, Secretariat Elder Song noticed that Song Xuan’an still looked utterly dejected, as though his soul had been taken away. He couldn’t contain himself anymore and began scolding him.

“I’ve brought you out to see her this once. Now that you’ve seen how well she and Gu Huaisheng get along, it’s time to let it go. What exactly are you doing, looking like this? Who is this performance for? Gu Huaisheng was sitting right there watching, but your eyes were practically glued to her. Are you trying to provoke him? If the two of them argue when they return home, it’ll be your fault.”

Song Xuan’an, however, refused to give up. He said, “She doesn’t even like him. Can’t you tell?”

Secretariat Elder Song scoffed. “So what? They’re married now. If she doesn’t like him, then does that mean she likes you? I know you two got along well in the past, but listen to your grandfather: stop clinging to these old memories. She’s now a married woman. Your persistence isn’t good for you or her. Let it go. Don’t do anything that will harm other people and yourself.”

Perhaps it was the words ‘married’ and ‘married woman’ that stung the most. Song Xuan’an’s eyes reddened as the weight of them sank in.

Seeing his grandson like this, Secretariat Elder Song muttered under his breath, “This is bad.” 

He prayed silently that Song Xuan’an wasn’t truly still infatuated with Jiang Jingchun. 

Quickly, he said, “When we get back, I’ll have your mother find you a suitable match. In a world this vast, are you telling me there aren’t any good families whose daughter you could marry out there?”

Song Xuan’an leaned against the carriage window. His gaze fixed on the scenery outside.

“There’s none,” he replied.

The answer drifted into Secretariat Elder Song’s ears, but this time, he didn’t indulge his grandson. He said, “Nonsense. There are plenty. You just need to look.”

“Then why don’t you find someone for Song Xuanjing first?”

Song He favoured Song Xuanjing over Song Xuan’an, so Song Xuan’an went to tell Secretariat Elder Song about what Song Xuanjing had done a few days ago.

However, Secretariat Elder Song had dismissed the idea entirely. He said the Song family was an upstanding family and that no member of their family would stoop to do such a thing against their own family.

No one believed Song Xuan’an.

Thus, he no longer placed hope in any of them, either.

Since Secretariat Elder Song was trying to pressure him into marrying, he threw Song Xuanjing into the conversation as a shield.

Secretariat Elder Song was briefly at a loss for words, but once he realized his grandson’s defiance, he immediately retorted, “What’s the hurry? We’ll deal with your marriages one at a time. Everyone will have their turn.”

Song Xuan’an didn’t have the energy to talk about Song Xuanjing again. From this point on, he shut his mouth and refused to speak further.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jingchun and Gu Huaisheng had spent a bit more time with the old madame before preparing to return to the Gu family residence.

On the carriage ride back, Jiang Jingchun couldn’t help but feel a little downcast.

She hadn’t expected to see Song Xuan’an today. The memories of the past resurfaced and left her heart heavy. In just a couple of days, the results of the provincial-level imperial examinations would be announced. She wondered whether he would pass this time.

She still didn’t know who had been the one to plot against him.

Gu Huaisheng, noticing her low spirits, spoke up from the side. “You’ve just visited Grandmother. Why aren’t you in a better mood?”

He already knew the answer but still asked.

Jiang Jingchun was still holding onto the matter from earlier. She furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Gu Huaisheng with dissatisfaction as she said, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

He deliberately gave her food at the table and then said those things to provoke Song Xuan’an.

Did he really think she couldn’t see through what was going on in his mind?

“What did I do wrong? Is it a crime to care about my own wife? Besides, what’s there to feel sorry for him about? If he hadn’t been so foolish and blind to people’s true natures, would he have ended up like this?”

Gu Huaisheng hadn’t intended to argue with her, but the look in Jiang Jingchun’s eyes when she gazed at Song Xuan’an inevitably made his tone colder.

Why did she care so much about him?

If Song Xuan’an had even a shred of sense and checked the things other people handed to him, would he have ended up in such a mess?

Jiang Jingchun bristled at his words. The way he kept calling other people foolish seemed to suggest he thought he was the only capable person in the world. Sure, he was impressive, but did that mean everyone had to measure up to his standards? So, anyone not as brilliant as him was foolish, then? Did he really think he had the right to look down on people and talk like that all the time?

She shot back, “He’s pitiful too! He was also harmed by someone else. Nobody could have predicted this would happen—who would’ve wanted it to?”

Shouldn’t the blame be directed at the real culprit? At most, Song Xuan’an could only be blamed for being too trusting. After something like this happened, why should the victim be criticised for failing to foresee the malice of others?

Who could have known that such a thing would happen?

Hearing Jiang Jingchun’s defence, Gu Huaisheng gave a cold, mocking laugh. “Why do you pity everyone else, but never spare a thought to pity me?”

Pity this one, pity that one.

These two not-so-bright people sure sympathised well with each other—how touching to see! Gu Huaisheng couldn’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if Jiang Jingchun really married Song Xuan’an. Would she have ended up being devoured by those people too? After all, could the Song family really be as clean as she thought? If they were truly pure and upright, would something like what had happened to Song Xuan’an have ever happened?

Jiang Jingchun frowned at him and said, “Pity you? What’s there to pity about you?” 

Wasn’t he the one who looked down on everyone? The one who thought he alone was above everyone else in the world? Why should anyone pity him?

Gu Huaisheng’s fingers tightened unconsciously on his knee as he stared at her. His voice carried a biting sarcasm as he said, “Fine. He’s pitiful. He’s not foolish. He’s the most innocent person in the world. But even so, he must bear the consequences of his mistakes. No one else will bear them on his behalf.”

The two of them were completely at odds on this matter, and neither of them was willing to back down.

Gu Huaisheng couldn’t understand Jiang Jingchun. To him, her concern for Song Xuan’an was excessive and irritating. Similarly, Jiang Jingchun couldn’t understand Gu Huaisheng. She found all his words harsh and his actions grating.

His tone was cutting, and hers wasn’t much better. Her words carried a trace of mockery as she replied, “No one will take on the consequences for his mistakes on his behalf? Then what am I doing now if not that?”

As soon as she said that, the air seemed to freeze. Gu Huaisheng’s lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes glinted with a cold light.

She was taking on the consequences for his mistakes on his behalf?

Yes, Song Xuan’an had been framed, and she had come to him for help. She had married him. Wasn’t that her way of taking on the consequences of Song Xuan’an’s mistakes?

She spoke as though the only reason she married him was to help Song Xuan’an. While the statement wasn’t entirely wrong, when it reached Gu Huaisheng’s ears, it still left a bad taste in his mouth.

She wasn’t wrong.

But the more right she was, the harsher the words felt.

The matter of how he had once forced her—now, it seemed, had turned into the blade she wielded to stab him.

It was rare for Gu Huaisheng to lose his composure, but after hearing her defend Song Xuan’an like this, his face clouded over. He mocked her, saying, “Yes, you’re incredibly capable, aren’t you? This time, I helped him out of my own selfish desires. But, dear Cousin, I’ve already married you. Next time, if you plead with me on his behalf again, do you think I’ll still be as soft-hearted?”

Song Xuan’an wasn’t particularly clever. Who could say whether there’d be a next time after the first? Gu Huaisheng didn’t believe Song Xuan’an could outmanoeuvre the people in his family. He’d probably end up ensnared again, and that’d cause Jiang Jingchun to come running to him and say Heaven knew what to help him.

Gu Huaisheng was not a benevolent man, to begin with. If he encountered another opportunity, he wouldn’t hesitate to strike while the iron was hot and deal a fatal blow.

The best outcome would be if he never appeared in front of Jiang Jingchun again.

Jiang Jingchun, who was too tired to argue further, finally retorted, “Why would I need you to? If there’s a next time, I’ll plead with anyone but you.”

Besides, nothing of the sort had even happened. Why was he already speculating that such awful things would happen with that malicious mind of his?

With that, Jiang Jingchun turned her head away.

Anyone but you.

Those words made Gu Huaisheng laugh aloud, but his gaze darkened.

He stood, moved to sit beside Jiang Jingchun, and forcibly turned her face away from the window. That cold face suddenly being so close startled Jiang Jingchun. He had an undeniably handsome face, but at this moment, it inexplicably appeared only scary.

He clutched her chin and forced her to look at him. His voice held an indescribable chill as he said, “You’re so heartless. I helped him, and yet you say such things. Anyone but me… hmm? I’m your husband. If you won’t plead with me, who else would you plead with? Don’t even think of pleading with anyone else for him. No one else can help you.”

The only one who could help her was him.

Even though this situation hadn’t occurred, and in fact, might never occur, the two were already locked in a near-unbearable quarrel over it.

Gu Huaisheng knew there was no need to argue with Jiang Jingchun about something that hadn’t even happened. Yet hearing her repeatedly defend another man chipped away at his defences and left him raw and sour to his core.

Jiang Jingchun, of course, had no idea how much her words hurt him.

She spoke for Song Xuan’an—how could Gu Huaisheng possibly take that well?

But his emotions were completely lost on her. After all, when it came to Jiang Jingchun, Gu Huaisheng always appeared strong on the outside, despite being fragile on the inside. Despite how sad he was inside, he couldn’t seem to express it properly, and his mouth always seemed determined to spar with hers. 

Jiang Jingchun was thoroughly incensed by Gu Huaisheng’s overbearing, almost tyrannical demeanour. She stared at his face, which was now mere inches from her own, and then tried to escape him, but her chin remained firmly in his grip.

She glared at him fiercely, but he refused to let go.

Even a cornered rabbit would bite.

Jiang Jingchun was livid now. She completely lost her composure, grabbed Gu Huaisheng’s hand, and bit down viciously.

Gu Huaisheng hadn’t expected her sudden outburst. When she sank her teeth into him without warning, the sharp pain shot through him and caused him to let out a muffled groan. Yet, even as he processed what was happening, he merely furrowed his eyebrows deeply and let her bite him without any resistance.

She bit into the soft flesh of his thumb joint with a ferocity that suggested she wouldn’t stop until she tore a chunk out.

The taste of bl00d quickly filled her mouth. Jiang Jingchun hadn’t anticipated that Gu Huaisheng would truly remain still and let her vent her anger like this.

She lifted her gaze and locked eyes with his deep, abyss-like eyes. He was staring at her coldly. Despite the pain etched in the tight furrow of his eyebrows, he said nothing and didn’t move at all, either.

Jiang Jingchun could feel the metallic tang of bl00d creeping down her throat. It made her stomach churn with nausea.

Slowly, she loosened her bite. She saw the deep teeth marks on his hand and the bl00d welling from the wound.

Her initial surge of rage had blinded her and caused her to lose all sense.

She was a little frightened to see the bl00d now. However, she soon steeled herself. He deserved it. Everything he was enduring now was his own fault.

Gu Huaisheng’s gaze lingered on Jiang Jingchun. From her expression, he could tell exactly what she was thinking.

Even if he were to die in front of her, she probably wouldn’t even blink.

He looked at her and let out a low chuckle as he said, “How heartless you are, Wife.”

Although the corners of his lips curved into a smile, the sight of it sent a chill down one’s spine.

Jiang Jingchun knew she’d angered him, but so what? She was furious too! Why did she always have to be the one to back down just because he was mad?

If he had the guts, he could kill her. He could do whatever he wanted! She was done caring.

Gu Huaisheng didn’t seem bothered by her dismissive attitude. In fact, his smile deepened.

He dipped his index finger into the bl00d pooling at his wound.

The crimson smear on his fingertip looked all the more striking against his pale skin.

The next moment, he reached out and touched her lips with that bloodstained finger.

Jiang Jingchun didn’t expect that he would do this. She was caught completely off guard as her lips were stained with his bl00d.

She opened her mouth to scold him, but that slender, cold finger slipped inside, and the coppery taste of bl00d flooded her mouth once again.

His audacious, shameless move left Jiang Jingchun stunned. The icy chill of his finger rendered her speechless.

Gu Huaisheng’s lips curved into a smile as he looked at her. “Can you taste my bl00d? You bit me so deeply that this scar will remain for a year, two years… maybe forever, if I don’t treat it.

“If you kiss me, it leaves no mark. But if you bite me, your teeth leave a permanent imprint on my body.

“Hate lingers longer than love.

“If you can hate me for the rest of your life… well, I wouldn’t mind that either.”

Jiang Jingchun stared at Gu Huaisheng. After hearing what he said, she concluded that he’d completely lost his mind.

How could he seem to be pleased after she bit him?

What was wrong with him!?

If it weren’t for his finger, which was still in her mouth, she would’ve cursed him out right there and then.

Just then, the carriage came to a stop in front of the Gu family residence. As soon as it halted, Jiang Jingchun swatted his hand away and bolted from the carriage as though she was fleeing for her life.

It wasn’t that she was afraid of provoking him; it was just that Gu Huaisheng’s increasingly erratic behaviour unsettled her. He kept doing inexplicably revolting things that made her skin crawl.

Once she was out, she spat repeatedly in an attempt to rid her mouth of the metallic tang of bl00d. Then, without looking back, she ran straight into the residence.

After she ran away, Gu Huaisheng sat alone in the carriage.

He stared at the bite wound on his hand, which was now dripping with bl00d. He sat there, dazed, for a long moment.

The pain in his hand was nothing compared to the ache in his chest. That bite felt as though it had been aimed straight at his heart.

A vague sense of regret began to creep over him.

Perhaps he shouldn’t have used the matter of Song Xuan’an to coerce her back then. It seemed that all it had accomplished was making her resent him even more and convincing her of his shamelessness and despicability.

But at that time, he had been blinded by the thought of her marrying someone else. At that time, he wasn’t capable of thinking about anything else.

When the heart raced, logic faltered.

The things he’d done were impulsive and foolish.

He thought that, if they could never reach a truce over Song Xuan’an, then perhaps he should stop bringing Song Xuan’an up entirely. All that mentioning Song Xuan’an would do was make Jiang Jingchun feel that he was being unreasonable. It wouldn’t lead to anything better than that.

If anything, it’d probably make her believe that she and Song Xuan’an are a pair of star-crossed lovers torn apart and that it was him who tore them apart.

The irony of this realisation made Gu Huaisheng chuckle bitterly to himself.

The villain who broke up a pair of lovebirds…

Ah, that was what he’d become.

He pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the bl00d from his hand before stepping out of the carriage.

Jiang Jingchun had already disappeared from sight.

She’d probably been frightened by the things he’d said earlier.

Shuliang noticed Jiang Jingchun rushing inside and approached Gu Huaisheng in confusion. He asked, “What happened to Madame? She ran off in such a hurry…”

After carefully asking that, he glanced at Gu Huaisheng’s expression and took note of the faint storm clouding his face. Shuliang could only guess that the two had argued again.

Truth be told, Gu Huaisheng wasn’t one to show his emotions on his face, even when upset. However, whenever he quarrelled with Jiang Jingchun, his anger would be written all over his face.

They’d argued often enough before they married, and it seemed that this habit had continued after they married.

What exactly was the problem between them?

Shuliang himself had seen them bickering for the past few days. Eventually, he couldn’t help saying, “Young Master… Arguing day after day isn’t good for anyone…”

Jiang Jingchun wasn’t an unreasonable person, was she? As long as he didn’t provoke her, she wouldn’t just go off and scold him for no reason.

It took two people to start an argument.

It seemed like both of them enjoyed arguing, and once they started, they couldn’t stop.

Honestly, if he could say so, this marriage might’ve been better off not happening…

Gu Huaisheng didn’t respond, but Shuliang’s words hit the mark. His expression turned even darker.

Shuliang added, “Young Master, Madame seems like such an easygoing person. How did things end up like this between you two…?”

Shuliang knew that he was being a bit presumptuous in saying these things, but he couldn’t just stand by and watch Gu Huaisheng continue living like this. It would only lead to ruin.

As the two of them made their way towards the Gu family residence, Gu Huaisheng finally muttered, “It’s not like I want to argue with her.”

If she needed to vent her anger on him, so be it. He didn’t mind—after all, it was indeed him who had wronged her first. However, when she stood in front of him and gazed at Song Xuan’an with such tender, lingering eyes—her gaze more affectionate than when she looked at him, her husband—what was he supposed to do?

Gu Huaisheng’s voice carried a hint of gloom, and even an inexplicable sense of grievance, to those who heard it.