The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 9

Song Xuan’an couldn’t believe the way Jiang Jingchun had forgotten their friendship just because of a little attraction to Gu Huaisheng. She was even willing to betray her friends for him!

However, he wasn’t going to do what she wanted. The more she said that, the more determined he became to stay close to her.

Jiang Jingchun knew he was deliberately trying to irritate her. In anger, she pinched his arm and muttered, “Song Xuan’an, can you just go far away from me? Why do you have to be so annoying?”

She didn’t want to make a scene and risk attracting Gu Huaisheng’s attention right now.

Luckily, Gu Huaisheng only glanced over briefly before following Madame Gu and Marquis Gu to enter the main hall to greet the old madame and congratulate her on her birthday.

Song Xuan’an pursed his lips. He was still upset about what had just happened and deliberately mocked her. He said, “He didn’t even bother to acknowledge you. Why are you still so eager to get close to him?”

Jiang Jingchun was infuriated by his hurtful words. However, she thought about the many people who were present in her family residence today and didn’t want to cause a scene. All her hard work these past days would be for nothing if she fought with Song Xuan’an now.

She grabbed Chen Muqing’s arm and tried to leave. She didn’t want to bother with Song Xuan’an anymore.

However, Song Xuan’an said from behind her, “You’re the one who’s forgotten your friends just for a man. Who’d want to play with you?”

After saying that, he turned and walked off in the opposite direction.

Jiang Jingchun knew that Song Xuan’an was annoyed, and she couldn’t care less about propriety anymore. She turned around and was ready to argue with him. Chen Muqing, who saw that things were escalating and realised they might end up fighting right here, quickly intervened.

“Enough!” Chen Muqing stepped between them. “What’s the point of you arguing like this?”

Song Xuan’an, tall as he was, would naturally be able to force his way past Chen Muqing. As such, she only advised him, “She’s been working hard these days. Why must you insist on teasing her about it? That’s not what a good friend does.”

Though Song Xuan’an didn’t seem like he was willing to give in, he still gave Chen Muqing some respect and didn’t continue quarrelling with Jiang Jingchun. He just muttered, “I didn’t say anything wrong.”

Chen Muqing saw he had calmed down a bit, so she turned to Jiang Jingchun and whispered, “Don’t let him bother you. He just can’t control his mouth. You know that.”

Hearing this, Jiang Jingchun didn’t argue back, either. However, both their faces had grown darker, and the tension between them was only thickening. Such was the nature of youthful pride. When things were good, they would fight for each other without hesitation and forgive each other as soon as the moment passed, but when things soured, it’d only take a few words to cause a rift between them.

This couldn’t continue.

Chen Muqing understood that, although their relationship wasn’t in danger of breaking apart over something like this, this conflict could still become a thorn in their hearts if left unresolved.

After a moment of thought, she raised an eyebrow and said, “Hasn’t it been a while since we’ve gone to the southern outskirts?”

By the lake on the southern outskirts, there was a vast field where the three of them used to hang out. The last time they went to that place, they’d spent a whole night together there. They drank and slept there until dawn.

With all the fighting between them now, wouldn’t a trip there clear things up? These two wouldn’t have to hold onto grudges anymore once they went there, right?

Chen Muqing thought so. However, Jiang Jingchun hesitated and said, “No. Today is my grandmother’s birthday.”

“Exactly, that’s why it’s perfect! Everyone’s busy with their own things, and no one will pay attention to us. More people will come later, and you can have Huayun cover for you. Have her say that you’ve got a stomach ache and need to rest in your bedchamber. Besides, who would notice you today? Everyone’s too busy rushing to your grandmother’s side.”

It seemed like it might work.

However, Jiang Jingchun still hesitated.

Seeing this, Song Xuan’an crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. He shot her a look and coldly said, “I never knew you were so timid. If you don’t want to go, just say so.”

“Who says I don’t want to go?” Jiang Jingchun couldn’t stand being taunted. Hearing the words Song Xuan’an said made her stop hesitating. She said, “Fine, I’ll go. What’s the big deal? But we need to come back early.”

There were guests coming and going in droves during the lively banquet. After Gu Huaisheng emerged from the main hall with Marquis Gu and Madame Gu, many people gathered around to exchange pleasantries with them.

The Gu family was highly respected, and Marquis Gu had good relations with people in the court. After exchanging initial pleasantries, once Marquis Gu had a moment of free time, people quickly pulled him over for drinks and talks. By contrast, Gu Huaisheng had a cold personality, and only a few colleagues greeted him.

Jiang Runchu, who was on the side chatting with others, noticed Gu Huaisheng coming out. As soon as Jiang Runchu saw the crowd around him disperse, he thought of approaching him but was interrupted by another group of people.

He saw Madame Lou, along with her two daughters, go over to exchange pleasantries with Madame Gu.

Madame Lou’s eldest daughter was named Lou Yanxin. She was seventeen this year and was still not betrothed. Madame Lou and Lou Yanxin had come with the younger Lou Yanyan, who had fought with Jiang Jingchun last time.

Madame Lou and Madame Gu had met a few times before; although they weren’t close, it wasn’t as if they were unfamiliar with each other. Today, with her daughters in tow, Madame Lou took the opportunity to approach Madame Gu while Gu Huaisheng was still present. Her intention was clear.

Madame Gu had heard of Lou Yanxin before.

She had a good reputation and was known for her talent throughout the capital. When Madame Gu showed some suitable matches to Gu Huaisheng some days ago, Lou Yanxin had been among them. Although the Lou family’s status wasn’t as prestigious as the Gu family’s, Madame Gu didn’t mind. After all, how many families in the capital could compare to the Gu family in terms of standing?

She remembered the last time she mentioned arranging a match for Gu Huaisheng. At that time, he appeared relaxed and didn’t refuse. This could be a good opportunity to meet the Lou family and assess Lou Yanxin as a potential match for him.

She kept Gu Huaisheng by her side and made sure he spent time with Madame Lou and her daughters.

However, the front hall of the Rongde Hall was full of people coming and going and was not the kind of place for private conversations.

Madame Gu was familiar with the Jiang family residence and knew that while the front of Rongde Hall was crowded with guests, the rear garden would be quieter. She invited everyone to go there instead.

They left the front of Rongde Hall and headed to the rear garden.

The garden had a beautiful view, with clear, bright lake water and a surrounding rockery. It was spring, and the trees and flowers were lush and fragrant. There had been rain recently, and it had only stopped this morning, so the air still carried the scent of wet earth.

It was much quieter here than in the outer area of Rongde Hall.

As they walked, Madame Gu and Madame Lou chatted happily. Lou Yanxin occasionally responded to them.

Lou Yanxin’s gaze often drifted to Gu Huaisheng. However, from beginning to end, Gu Huaisheng remained quiet. He barely spoke, and at most would only respond with a low hum to acknowledge the person speaking to him.

It was clear that the Lou family had come to see him, yet he seemed disinterested. His eyes wandered away, as though everything around him had nothing to do with him.

On the other side, as the banquet was nearing its end, Jiang Jingchun and the others found an excuse to leave. There were so many people around, so no one noticed their little actions.

The three of them slipped away from the crowd and headed towards the rear garden. To avoid being seen by the servants, they couldn’t go near the front gate and instead took a quieter route. The guests were all gathered in the outer area of Rongde Hall, and the servants had been sent to attend to them, which left the rear garden mostly empty.

They made their way along a small path to the back gate, where there was a dog hole. They could crawl through the hole and scale the wall without being seen by the guards at the gate.

The plan was flawless, and Jiang Jingchun was quite pleased with it.

However, when they arrived at the rear garden, they suddenly heard voices coming from nearby. The three of them quickly hid behind the rockery.

Jiang Jingchun recognised the voices—they sounded familiar. She peered out and saw that it was Gu Huaisheng and his entourage.

There were Gu Huaisheng, Lou Yanyan, and her sister Lou Yanxin there. She knew that Lou Yanxin was very interested in Gu Huaisheng.

What were they doing here? What matters were they discussing that they couldn’t discuss in the outer area and had to discuss here?

Jiang Jingchun’s mind began to race with many thoughts.

Before she could think further, Gu Huaisheng suddenly glanced towards the rockery.

When Gu Huaisheng was expressionless, his gaze often carried a hint of coldness. His eyes appeared distant, and his clear, shallow gaze resembled a cold moon reflected in water, devoid of warmth.

From the distance they were, it was hard to tell if he had noticed them. Jiang Jingchun saw Gu Huaisheng, but she couldn’t tell whether he had seen them. 

Perhaps because his expression was so intimidating, she became flustered. She was unsure of how to react.

It was Song Xuan’an who reacted first. He quickly reached out to cover her eyes and pressed her head back down.

Jiang Jingchun’s vision went black, and she couldn’t see anything anymore.

However, Gu Huaisheng’s gaze remained fixed on that spot.

His eyes were lowered. His long lashes cast a shadow under his eyes, and it was impossible to tell what emotion he was feeling at that moment.

Gu Huaisheng had excellent eyesight, and even though the three of them were hiding behind the rockery, he could still see their movements clearly.

He noticed Jiang Jingchun trying to peek, and he also saw Song Xuan’an’s actions as well.

A gentle breeze stirred the water’s surface, and the reflected light danced in the man’s eyes sharpened into a more blatant coldness.

He could tell that the three of them were planning to sneak out to play.

If all three of them ran off together, it would be hard for them not to be noticed.

Anyone who asked around would easily figure out that the three of them had slipped away.

However, Gu Huaisheng didn’t feel the need to help her.

He remembered that one time when she had stayed out all night with those two.

Children who stayed out all night were disobedient.

He didn’t feel the need to help disobedient children.

Meanwhile, Madame Gu was starting to feel uncomfortable, as she’d realised that Gu Huaisheng had shown no interest in the conversation at all. She was afraid that continuing to chat with Madame Lou would only cause things to become awkward. As such, she found an excuse to have everyone return to the banquet.

After the group left, only she and her son remained in the rear garden.

Gu Huaisheng’s gaze still lingered on the now-empty rockery. He completely ignored the fact that the Lou family had left. Madame Gu was curious and glanced towards the rockery but saw nothing.

She asked, “What were you looking at?”

Gu Huaisheng snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head. “Nothing.”

Madame Gu didn’t think much of it. She assumed that he was just daydreaming. She then asked, “What do you think of Miss Lou? She seems quite fond of you.” 

“Oh, but I don’t like her.”

Gu Huaisheng was not one to mince words when he didn’t feel like showing any courtesy. He spoke bluntly.

However, Madame Gu recalled that Lou family hadn’t said anything inappropriate earlier. Why was Gu Huaisheng speaking so harshly about her?