Chapter Seventeen: I Like Him

"Come, let's go inside," Zhan Yan said cheerfully, realizing just how much she had missed her two senior brothers after these two years apart. After all, in the past few years, they had spent so much time together—learning, growing side by side. It was they who had helped her gradually fit into this world.

"Little sister, you owe us a detailed explanation—when did you suddenly acquire a future husband?" Gu Qingyang pressed eagerly as they walked, unable to wait until they were indoors.

"Just a few days ago," Zhan Yan replied with a smile.

"Little sister, tell us properly—what exactly happened?" Gu Qinghan's tone was calm as ever.

"Yes, not long ago we heard the eldest young lady of the Southern Guardian's estate had 'died of illness', and now you suddenly have a future husband? How did that happen so quickly?" Gu Qingyang asked, looking utterly bewildered.

"Little sister, do you like him?" Gu Qinghan asked seriously.

Zhan Yan paused. Did she like him? She supposed she did; otherwise, why wouldn't she resist his kisses, his touch, or why would she begin to yearn for his embrace? Perhaps love was just that mysterious—needing neither reason nor the passage of time. When that one person appeared, he would quietly take up residence in your heart. Whatever the reason for her feelings, she only wanted to follow her heart. After all, she had been so very lonely since coming to this world.

"Yes, I like him," Zhan Yan answered with earnest sincerity. A faint radiance lit her exquisite features, making her appear even more dazzlingly beautiful.

A flicker of pain crossed Gu Qinghan's eyes, but it vanished quickly. "Are you sure, little sister? He is no ordinary man—he is Prince Chun. After all your struggles to escape that place, do you really want to return?"

"That's right, little sister. Didn't you say you wanted to live as Gu Wuyou from now on, free from cares and far from trouble? That's a prince's estate—far more complicated, with even more entanglements," Gu Qingyang added. After all, this concerned his sister's lifelong happiness; he couldn't help but lay out the consequences for her.

Zhan Yan hesitated. She hadn't thought so far ahead. Did she really want to return to that place of strife? Had she left only because she wished to sever all ties with that family? She simply couldn't bear to be surrounded by people who wished her dead, nor to have her marriage decided by others after reaching adulthood. Yet, she had no desire to take revenge on that woman. With her current abilities, she could send that woman to hell at any time if she wanted. But that was a family—a whole family, apart from herself. She didn't want to destroy that household, to deprive those children of a mother, or that man of a wife. Let that be her repayment for the debt of birth and upbringing.

She just didn't want to scheme or struggle anymore. Would being with that man drag her into endless conflict? Should she retreat for that reason alone? No, she would not. Since she liked him, she would try to accept all that came with him. And if, one day, she grew too weary, she could always walk away. After all, Zhan Yan was no weak woman—if she wished to leave, who could stop her?

"I am willing to try for him," Zhan Yan said resolutely.

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Gu Qinghan spoke no further, and Gu Qingyang wisely fell silent as well. After all, from childhood, Zhan Yan had always had her own mind—once she made a decision, nothing could turn her back.

"Don't worry about me. When have I ever treated myself badly? Trust me," Zhan Yan said with a bright smile, breaking the silence.

"That's true—it's always you bullying others. Take me for example; I'm the best evidence," Gu Qingyang joked, his roguish grin returning as he echoed her words.

"As long as you've made up your mind. After all, it's your lifelong happiness—that's not something your big brother can interfere with," Gu Qinghan said gently.

"Are you hungry? I've asked the kitchen to prepare dinner to welcome you home," Zhan Yan said.

"Starving! We've been rushing home to see you and barely eaten properly these past two days. Now that you mention it, I realize my stomach is growling," Gu Qingyang replied boisterously, as if he could eat an entire ox.

"Qingyun, set the table," Zhan Yan called out.

Soon enough, Qingyun brought out a table laden with dishes, and the three of them sat down to eat.

After the meal, they regaled Zhan Yan with tales from their two years of travels, especially Gu Qingyang, whose vivid storytelling left her in fits of laughter.

When they spoke of their trip to Jiangnan and Gu Qingyang mentioned someone called Lin'er, he abruptly stopped.

"What is it? Why did you stop?" Zhan Yan asked curiously, seeing his awkward expression.

"Hmph, and you still dare to mention Lin'er," Gu Qinghan scoffed, shooting him a look.

Gu Qingyang hung his head in embarrassment.

Now Zhan Yan was even more curious, her expression making it clear she wouldn't let him off until he confessed.

"He flirted with a young lady, and now she wants to elope with him," Gu Qinghan explained for him.

"I didn't really do anything! I just held her hand and put my arm around her waist," Gu Qingyang protested innocently.

"She wants to elope with you just because you held her hand and put your arm around her waist?" Zhan Yan found it hard to believe girls of this era could be so bold.

"Exactly! I don't know how she got so fixated on me," Gu Qingyang said helplessly.

"So how did you get rid of her?"

"Her father sent men to drag her home in the end."

"Always attracting romantic entanglements," Zhan Yan sighed, glancing at Gu Qingyang's handsome face—he certainly had the looks to invite trouble.

The three of them chatted late into the night, almost making up for all the words left unsaid over the past two years, and only when the hour of the rat arrived did they finally part ways.