The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 66

“Let’s talk about this outside,” Gu Huaisheng said to the troupe leader.

Lou Guan was standing nearby. If he heard them discussing his worth and value like this, he’d inevitably feel like he was being treated as an object.

The two of them stepped outside while Jiang Jingchun and Lou Guan remained inside.

On the small table nearby, there was still a basin of water used for cleaning up. Jiang Jingchun walked over, soaked a towel, wrung it out, and returned.

She handed the towel to Lou Guan, who was standing nearby, and said, “Lou Guan, wipe your face.”

The makeup on his face had smeared into a messy blotch. He must feel very uncomfortable because of it.

She had never imagined Lou Guan would experience something like this. Fortunately, she wasn’t so foolish and helpless as to make things worse. Otherwise, Lou Guan might not have escaped harm today.

Lou Guan’s fingers were still trembling as he took the towel from her.

He pressed the towel to his face and covered it while he continued to sob quietly.

The bl00d on his body had stained Gu Huaisheng’s pristine white cloak. The red of the bl00d made a stark contrast to the white fabric.

Jiang Jingchun gently patted Lou Guan’s shoulder to comfort him and said, “Lou Guan, don’t be afraid anymore. My cousin is incredible. No one will dare to bully you again.”

Lou Guan nodded. After being rescued from danger, he thought about everything he’d endured. Though his body still ached uncontrollably, it was finally over. It was all over…

Now, he could finally live like a person.

Live as the person he wanted to be.

A while later, Gu Huaisheng returned from outside, holding Lou Guan’s indenture contract. Judging by his demeanour, it seemed the matter had been resolved.

He handed the contract to Lou Guan and asked, “Do you have any plans for the future?”

Lou Guan shook his head. He lowered his head, then replied to Gu Huaisheng, “Not yet. I’ll just go somewhere—anywhere, as long as it’s not this place.”

After thinking for a moment, Gu Huaisheng suggested, “How about staying at the marquis’ residence for a while? If you want to see justice served and make that man suffer, you might need to come forward.”

Lou Guan could make a key testimony.

If they truly wanted to make Director Li face the consequences for what he had done, they’d definitely need testimonies and witnesses.

After hearing this, Lou Guan hesitated for a moment. Then, cautiously, he asked, “Is that… allowed?”

The marquis’ residence was a noble’s residence, and he was just a mere performer…

Wouldn’t he sully the gates of the residence?

He had heard people say that shamans, doctors, music performers, and craftsmen were looked down upon by gentlemen.

They were the lowest of the low.

Gu Huaisheng immediately saw through what Lou Guan was thinking. After a moment’s thought, he said, “The marquis’s residence won’t kill anyone with its threshold. No one is barred from entering. Come. You’re our friend—and our guest.”

Friend?

Guest?

Lou Guan never imagined those words could one day apply to him.

His expression shifted subtly.

Jiang Jingchun also chimed in. She said, “Yes, Lou Guan. You don’t have to think about pleasing others all the time. You’re allowed to be angry, sad, or upset. You’re our friend. Stay for a while. Once you find a place to go, you can leave then.”

In the end, Lou Guan nodded. He gathered the cloak around himself and followed the two of them out the door.

While they made their way back, Gu Huaisheng naturally took Jiang Jingchun’s hand. She had grown accustomed to him doing so and didn’t pull away.

This time, however, Gu Huaisheng took it a step further and moved closer to her. Jiang Jingchun glanced at him, and he immediately said, “It’s so cold.”

The cold wind outside was biting, and stepping out from indoors did indeed feel chilly. Even with her cloak, Jiang Jingchun found the wind hard to bear. Gu Huaisheng had given his cloak to Lou Guan and was only wearing a thin silk robe now.

“Are you afraid of the cold?”

Jiang Jingchun didn’t push him away. After all, he had given his cloak to Lou Guan. But she found it strange—Gu Huaisheng, afraid of the cold?

He seemed like the kind of person who feared nothing.

Gu Huaisheng smiled. “Cousin, what are you saying? I’m also human.”

Jiang Jingchun realised then that she’d said something foolish.

She didn’t say anything else after that and just let him cling to her as they walked.

Lou Guan watched their interaction from the side and took it all in. A faint smile appeared on his face without him even realising it.

Seeing something good naturally made him happy as well.

He had once thought the two of them didn’t get along very well. Otherwise, why would Jiang Jingchun go to the theatre for entertainment?

But now it seemed he had been overthinking things.

How could their relationship be bad when this was how they interacted?

After Lou Guan followed them back to the Gu family’s residence, it didn’t take long for Gu Huaisheng to ensure that Director Li was convicted of attempted rape and sentenced to fifty lashes.

Not only that, but Gu Huaisheng also publicly submitted a formal impeachment. When Emperor Tahe heard about the matter, he issued an edict to exile Director Li to Lingnan.

In this dynasty, crimes of sexual assault were met with particularly severe punishment. Rape would be punished with execution by hanging, while attempted rape was punished with fifty lashes and exile three thousand li away.

Director Li was left half-dead after receiving fifty strokes. He was sent home to recover from the injuries on his back. By the end of the twelfth month, he would begin his journey of exile to Lingnan.

Director Li was both furious and resentful. He never thought Gu Huaisheng would actually dare to go through with such measures. That man was like a mad dog! In this day and age, who hadn’t done a few unsavoury things? Would it kill him to turn a blind eye? He even brought it all the way to the emperor!

Insane!

Director Li was so angry that he resorted to stabbing paper effigies to curse Gu Huaisheng in his home.

When his wounds had healed enough for him to be presentable, Director Li hurried to the Wang residence.

Although he hadn’t interacted much with Wang Shun, they were naturally acquainted, and Director Li had often followed his lead.

Now that this incident had escalated to the emperor, only Wang Shun could save him.

By dusk that day, the sky had darkened completely. Director Li estimated that Wang Shun had finished his duties for the day and hurried to the Wang residence.

When he arrived at the Wang residence, night had fully fallen. After a servant announced his visit, he was led inside.

Wang Shun was sitting inside the main hall. The biting cold seeped through the air, and he was wrapped in thick winter clothes. As he had just returned from his official duties, the neck warmer he wore was still in place.

Hearing the commotion outside, he glanced up to see the visitor. It was Director Li, who was still noticeably limping. Judging by his gait, the injury on his backside had yet to heal properly.

Wang Shun had a general idea why Director Li had come to see him today—it must be about his impending exile.

Lingnan was a harsh and desolate place. It was indeed a miserable fate for him to be sent there without even being able to spend this New Year at home.

As expected, the moment Director Li sat down, he began lamenting his plight.

“Sir, you must save me!” he wailed.

Wang Shun, however, remained calm and indifferent in the face of Director Li’s tearful despair. He picked up the teacup by his side, took a slow sip, and spoke evenly, “It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but this decree of exile came directly from His Majesty. There’s nothing I can do.”

In truth, Wang Shun had no intention of helping him. He was merely a director in the Ministry of War, a low-ranking official with no noteworthy achievements to his name. His life had revolved around indulgence and debauchery—what reason did Wang Shun have to save such a man?

His father, at least, had been a third-rank official, yet he himself seemed to have accomplished little but shrinking his career prospects over the years.

Emperor Taihe was growing older and had increasingly strong opinions and little patience for dissent. Even Wang Shun himself felt he was treading on thin ice—he wasn’t even certain he’d get through the upcoming year unscathed. Why, then, should he go out of his way for someone like Director Li?

After hearing Wang Shun’s response, Director Li felt his heart go cold. He panickedly said, “How can that be? Isn’t His Majesty known to listen to you the most? If even you can’t help me, then I’m truly doomed!” 

Unexpectedly, these words caused Wang Shun’s expression to darken in an instant. He slammed his teacup heavily onto the table, splashing some of the tea. His voice grew sharp. “Don’t say such things again! Do you intend to ruin me by saying that so His Majesty hears!?”

What did he mean by the emperor being known ‘to listen to him the most’? If such words reached the emperor’s ears, what would he think? Would he still view him as a loyal official, as he used to think when he was a young emperor?

Director Li hadn’t anticipated such a strong reaction from Wang Shun. He was startled, and he stammered, “I—I didn’t mean it like that…”

But Wang Shun cut him off sharply. His face was cold and stern as he said, “And another thing. You were exiled for an attempted rape. How am I supposed to help you? Don’t you know the emperor despises such things? What were you thinking? It wasn’t a brothel; it was a theatre! That person wasn’t willing, yet you slapped him and tore his clothes—what did you hope to gain? Was he such a stunning beauty that you couldn’t control yourself?”

Emperor Taihe particularly disliked such actions. Wang Shun himself, wicked as he was, had always looked down upon such actions as well.

He sought pleasure only to end up ruining himself—in such cases, who else could he blame but himself?

Director Li felt aggrieved to hear this. He said, “What difference does it make whether it’s a brothel or a theatre? I was going to buy him eventually; it’s all the same in the end…”

Wang Shun nearly rolled his eyes at Director Li. He said, “Then why didn’t you buy him first before doing such a thing? Why the urgency?”

Director Li felt the frustration boiling within him. How could this be entirely his fault? That day, he had acted out of anger. Jiang Jingchun had come to purchase the same performer. Upon learning that he would be taken away, he had sought to enjoy himself before Jiang Jingchun returned—only for her to catch him in the act.

The memory dredged up an old grievance in his heart, and in his desperation, he stopped holding back. “Who doesn’t seek a little fun? It’s human nature! Why should I be punished alone? If I may say something impolite—didn’t your son—the young master, behave the same way back in the day? Didn’t he lose all sense when he saw a pretty girl—”

Wang Shun’s face darkened immediately. His eyebrows furrowed as his anger flared, and before Director Li could finish, Wang Shun grabbed a teacup and hurled it at him.

“You insolent bastard! My son has been dead for over ten years, and you dare pull him into this? There’s a limit to whom you could rope into your wrongdoing. How dare you slander him and pull him into this!?”

Of all the people to mention, Director Li had to bring up Wang Yu. The mention struck a nerve and enraged Wang Shun.

Seeing Wang Shun’s intense reaction, Director Li realised he had said the wrong thing. But he hadn’t fabricated the story—why was Wang Shun acting like he was falsely accusing Wang Yu?

Director Li dodged the flying teacup and hurriedly said, “I wasn’t making things up! Back then, your young master asked me for a dancer girl. I gave her to him! It’s been nearly ten years, but I remember it clearly!”

The reason he remembered so well was because that dancer had been exceptionally beautiful. He hadn’t even touched her himself before giving her to Wang Yu—it was a memory that stuck. How could he not remember her? 

Wang Shun’s anger subsided slightly upon hearing this. He asked coldly, “What dancer? Who exactly did you give him? Explain yourself clearly.”

Judging by Wang Shun’s tone, it seemed he truly had no knowledge of the matter.

Oh… yes, that was right.

Director Li suddenly recalled that Wang Yu had specifically instructed him not to let Wang Shun know. He claimed that his father was strict and asked Director Li to keep it a secret.

Looking back now, Wang Yu must have been quite skilled at hiding things—Wang Shun had never discovered a thing.

After recalling this, Director Li began recounting the events of that year.

At the time, Wang Yu had only been seventeen.

Wang Yu did not participate in the imperial examinations; instead, Wang Shun directly arranged a position for him in the Ministry of Revenue. Given his background, many people had sought to curry favour with him. He had a gentle personality and didn’t know how to refuse others, so he was often dragged to attend social engagements.

That one day, he’d been invited to Director Li’s residence.

When Director Li was young, he was a scoundrel with no sense of restraint, and he was indiscriminate in his pursuits of both men and women. That day, he had just purchased a beautiful dancer girl from elsewhere. The girl was stunningly attractive, and he had brought her back from a brothel. The madam had assured him that she was still untouched—a virgin. She would usually sing and dance for patrons, but her first night had yet to be sold.

Director Li immediately took a liking to this ethereal-looking girl and bought her for himself.

At that time, the Li family was one of the wealthy and prominent households. His father was still alive, and Director Li’s days had been filled with opulence and joy. Though the dancer girl was expensive, he gritted his teeth and managed to take her home.

He had initially thought this goddess-like beauty would have a fiery personality, but she turned out to be quite different from what he had imagined.

She was deeply captivating and exceptionally skilled at charming others. Director Li had long been eager to indulge in pleasures with her, but she managed to string him along for three or four days.

Later, he hosted a banquet at his home and invited Wang Yu to attend.

He had the dancer girl perform for his guests like he was showing off a prized treasure.

Unexpectedly, after the banquet, Wang Yu came to him and asked to have the dancer girl.

How could Director Li bear to part with her? The considerable sum that she’d cost him aside, she was such an extraordinary beauty. Where would he find another person of her calibre of beauty?

However, Wang Yu’s desire for her was evident.

After some thought, Director Li thought that Wang Yu was Wang Shun’s only son, and the entire Wang family’s future would inevitably fall into his hands. Giving him this woman now might earn him Wang Yu’s favour in the future, which would give a significant advantage for him.

He didn’t find parting with the dancer girl so unbearable anymore after that.

So, he gave her away. 

Before leaving, Wang Yu repeatedly urged him not to let Wang Shun know about this matter.

Director Li gave him a knowing look.

After all, everyone in the capital knew how strict Wang Shun was. If he found out his son had taken a dancer girl for pleasure, his wrath might extend to Director Li as well.

In the end, he gave the dancer girl—named Cen Yin, to Wang Yu.

Director Li hoped that Wang Yu would remember his kindness in the future.

Who would’ve thought that Wang Yu would die before he came of age?

In hindsight, it seemed the deal wasn’t worth it.

Years later, Director Li recounted the entire story to Wang Shun.

He said he had given Wang Yu a dancer girl named Cen Yin.

He added, “Please don’t think I’m bringing up your late son to justify what I did. I’m just saying—it’s human nature to indulge in a bit of pleasure now and then. There’s no need to be so upset…”

“Shut up!” Wang Shun snapped.

How dare he compare himself to Wang Yu?

Director Li shrank back. He didn’t dare to say another word.

A while ago, Wang Shun had ordered Xiao Lun to investigate whether Wang Yu had left behind a wife or daughter. So far, the only thing they’d found was a few properties Wang Yu had purchased, in secret, in the capital.

Wang Shun hadn’t realised it before, but upon investigation, he learned that Wang Yu had secretly bought three estates under an alias. Xiao Lun had gone to great lengths to uncover this.

Wang Shun had always been generous with money when it came to Wang Yu, so it wasn’t strange for him to have bought some properties.

What surprised him was Wang Yu’s cleverness in using a roundabout method to avoid detection.

If Wang Yu did have a wife and daughter, they were most likely hidden in one of these properties.

However, this was a matter from more than ten years ago. Time had passed, and everything had changed. The properties were now empty, with no trace of anyone left behind. Xiao Lun had no choice but to track down people connected to the past in the hopes that they might reveal something.

If they couldn’t find anyone, then everything that had happened in those properties would remain buried in the flood of memories.

It hadn’t occurred to Wang Shun that the ‘wife’ in question could be a dancer that Director Li had gifted to Wang Yu.

Upon hearing this, Wang Shun angrily demanded, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner!?”

If he had known earlier, he could’ve uncovered the truth much sooner.

Director Li couldn’t have anticipated Wang Shun’s fury.

He had assumed Wang Yu was only having a bit of fun with that dancer. Wasn’t she just a prostitute? Just a plaything? For all he knew, Wang Yu might have grown bored of her and abandoned her. What was there for him to say about it? Besides, after Wang Yu’s death, was he supposed to run to Wang Shun and foolishly confess that he’d given his son a prostitute? Wouldn’t Wang Shun have blamed him for corrupting his son and held a grudge against him as well?

What need was there for him to act so foolishly?

Wang Shun was consumed with anger. He felt that everything had gone wrong due to a series of misunderstandings. If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have spent over a decade in the dark.

In the past, if he had known Wang Yu fancied a dancer and even called her his wife, he would’ve been furious. In his rage, he might have even killed the girl. But now, what was there to be angry about? Now, he could only be angry at himself for not discovering it sooner!

This wretched man—just looking at him made Wang Shun feel infuriated. Wang Shun yelled at Director Li, “Get out! You deserve to be exiled!”

Director Li had no idea why Wang Shun was so enraged. After being scolded, though, he didn’t dare to linger. Seeing Wang Shun’s expression, he feared the man might grab a sword and stab him at any moment. How could he stay?

He was so scared that he fled in a panic.

After Director Li left, Wang Shun summoned Xiao Lun.

He ordered him to investigate the properties Wang Yu had purchased and to focus on Cen Yin’s name.

Though the properties were under Wang Yu’s alias, Cen Yin probably lived in only one of them. Narrowing the scope would speed up the investigation.

The twelfth month came, and the year drew to a close. With the New Year just around the corner, the marquis’ residence grew increasingly busy. Red lanterns were hung throughout the manor, and under the moonlight, their glow cast a festive atmosphere in the evenings.

Preparations for the New Year had begun early. Jiang Jingchun had married into the household, so Madame Gu arranged for her to lend a hand. Jiang Jingchun found herself busier than usual, with a growing list of tasks to handle.

Still, the busyness wasn’t unwelcome—it kept her occupied and left little room for idle thoughts.

Lou Guan had been staying at the marquis’ residence for a few days now. The household treated him warmly, and Gu Huailang, in particular, had taken a liking to him. Lou Guan had a gentle personality, which was unchanged even after leaving the theatre. Gu Huailang, knowing how mild-mannered he was, clung to him relentlessly during his stay. Jiang Jingchun was also worried that Lou Guan might get bored and often invited him to Cangzhuo Courtyard to play madiao.

This year’s first snowfall came particularly late. It wasn’t until the eve of the winter solstice that the snow finally began to fall.

By then, dusk had settled over the marquis’ residence. The setting sun painted the courtyard of Cangzhuo Courtyard in hues of amber as it climbed up the steps of the corridor. 

Inside the main hall of Cangzuo Courtyard stood a card table. The main hall’s doors and windows were tightly shut to block out the biting cold wind. Jiang Jingchun and Lou Guan were playing madiao while the talkative Gu Huailang chattered incessantly at their side. His constant prattle gave Jiang Jingchun a headache, but thankfully, Lou Guan, with his endless patience, responded to him from time to time.

As the New Year approached, the capital grew increasingly lively. Lanterns already adorned the streets, and the upcoming festival promised grand celebrations. The palace placed great importance on this occasion; there would be a court assembly where officials would pay homage to the emperor, and the madames would pay respects to the empress.

The thought of all this left Jiang Jingchun feeling slightly overwhelmed.

Gu Huailang, who was bundled up in a tiger-head hat and wrapped like a little rice dumpling, sat nearby, counting on his fingers as he rambled on excitedly, “The streets will be so lively during the New Year! There’ll be music, dancing, lanterns, acrobatics… It’s going to be amazing! Last time, during the Dragon Boat Festival, Mother lied to me, and I didn’t get to go outside. But this time, when Sister-in-law and Brother return from the palace, you have to take me out with you!”

After being deceived once, Gu Huailang no longer trusted Madame Gu, who had entirely lost credibility in his eyes.

When the New Year arrived, Jiang Jingchun and the others would undoubtedly head out into the bustling streets, and Gu Huailang was determined to tag along. 

Though his brother wasn’t particularly close to him, at least he wouldn’t lie. 

As long as his sister-in-law agreed, everything would be fine.

After hearing his pleas, Jiang Jingchun naturally said yes to him.

Gu Huailang then turned to Lou Guan and asked, “What about you, Brother Lou? Will you still be here then?”

Lou Guan actually already planned to leave the next day. He felt it inappropriate to impose on the marquis’ residence for so long, especially since they had already done so much for him by buying his freedom. They had their own lives to live, and he couldn’t linger indefinitely. Moreover, Director Li was going to set off on his exile from the capital that day, and Lou Guan decided it was time also for him to move on. Surely, there was a place for him somewhere in the world.

At the very least, he had his skills in opera performance. These skills would be enough to ensure he wouldn’t starve, even if he had to beg for a living.

Just as he was about to respond, a sudden cry rang out from outside the room. “Snow! It’s snowing!”

The words had barely settled when Gu Huailang sprang to his feet and dashed to the window. He climbed onto a chair, threw the window open, and craned his neck to look outside.

Snowflakes drifted down from the sky—only a few scattered flakes, at first, but soon a flurry blanketed the courtyard. The snow fell thick and fast. It quickly covered the ground in a thin white layer. Gu Huailang thought that within the hour, he might be able to build a snowman and have a snowball fight.

As the cold wind rushed in through the open window, Jiang Jingchun shivered and instinctively pulled her hand warmer closer. It was now snowing outside, so no one had the heart to continue the card game, and the group disbanded before finishing their round.

Jiang Jingchun joined Gu Huailang by the window. She gazed out at the snowy scene.

Snow fell ceaselessly and blanketed the world in white.

It was snowing now.

The first snowfall of the year had arrived late, but once it did, it was heavy and unrelenting.

Gu Huailang was kneeling on a chair, and Jiang Jingchun stood behind him. She reached out to touch his face. His little cheeks were ice-cold from the wind.

She set her hand warmer aside and cupped his face in both hands to warm him up.

Gu Huailang, who was still caught up in his excitement over the snow, joyfully exclaimed, “Sister-in-law, it’s snowing! Let’s build a snowman and have a snowball fight later!”

Jiang Jingchun wasn’t fond of the cold and wasn’t particularly keen on going outside to freeze. She wasn’t a child anymore and no longer enjoyed such activities. But seeing Gu Huailang so happy, she couldn’t help but smile and agree.

The wind howled outside, and though the corridor provided some shelter, the snow seemed to find its way through. Jiang Jingchun stretched out her hand, which was already numb from the cold and unable to feel much. Snowflakes landed on her palm and melted instantly into water.

As she stared at her palm, she caught sight of the courtyard gate swinging open. 

She looked up and saw Gu Huaisheng returning from work.

He was still clad in his crimson official robes. A fox-fur cloak draped over his shoulders. He exuded an air of aloof elegance under the moonlight that bathed him. For a moment, Jiang Jingchun was caught off guard, and her hand froze in mid-air.

Through the swirling snow, their eyes met. For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then, across the snow-filled courtyard, he reached out a hand towards her.

His robes billowed in the wind, and amidst the snow, he outstretched his hand and gave her a warm, radiant smile. 

Jiang Jingchun blinked. She didn’t know what was wrong with Gu Huaisheng this time. Upon recovering her senses, she quickly withdrew her hand.

Seeing her lower her hand, Gu Huaisheng did the same, though the smile on his lips lingered.

Moments later, he stepped through the snow into the room. His shoulders were dusted with snowflakes.

As Gu Huaisheng entered, Jiang Jingchun and Gu Huailang turned back from the window. 

She casually closed it behind her.

Once inside, Gu Huaisheng shut the door firmly, and the warmth of the room quickly enveloped them again. He greeted Lou Guan briefly before approaching Jiang Jingchun. With a teasing smile, he asked, “I was trying to grab your hands just now. Why did you pull away?”

Jiang Jingchun found his behaviour utterly baffling. “Are you out of your mind?”

What kind of nonsense was that? He was trying to grab her hand across such a large courtyard. Who would entertain such a notion?

Gu Huaisheng said, “But I saw you reaching out to me.”

Jiang Jingchun pursed her lips and replied, “I was catching snow.”

She had only been trying to catch the falling snow, and yet he’d spun it into some fanciful delusion.