Chapter Eighteen: The Gu Family Mansion

The next day, Zhan Yan slept in until the sun was high in the sky, then lazily sat up in bed. She was about to call for Qingyun when Zhongli Yu pushed open the door and walked in. Clearly, Qingyun and the others had already revoked the entry restrictions for him and now allowed him to come and go as he pleased.

“When did you bribe my people? You come and go as you like, and no one even bothers to announce you,” Zhan Yan raised an eyebrow.

“Bribe? Not exactly. I simply told them that I would soon be half their master, and they didn’t dare make things difficult for me anymore,” Zhongli Yu replied with a quiet laugh, clearly in a wonderful mood.

“How devious. All you know is how to threaten people,” Zhan Yan rolled her eyes at him.

“That’s not a threat, it’s just the truth. You lazy thing, it’s already late morning and you’re still in bed,” Zhongli Yu looked at her, sprawled languidly against the pillows, and gave her a doting glance.

“Yes, I’m that lazy. If you want someone diligent, you can return me. The door’s behind you—please, don’t let me keep you,” Zhan Yan replied, looking as though she couldn’t wait for him to take her back.

“Mischievous,” Zhongli Yu chuckled softly.

Mischievous? She couldn’t recall anyone ever describing her that way, not in her previous life, nor in this one. Seeing the indulgent look in this man’s eyes as he gazed at her, she felt a warm glow spread through her heart.

“Get up, have some breakfast, and then I’ll take you somewhere,” Zhongli Yu said, taking her hand and pulling her up.

“Qingyun, bring in breakfast,” Zhongli Yu called, assuming the role of master of the house and giving orders with ease.

Zhan Yan washed up quickly, not bothering to ask where he intended to take her. After breakfast, Zhongli Yu took her by the hand and led her out of Carefree Valley. Once the entrance had disappeared from sight, Zhongli Yu whistled, and a luxurious carriage came rolling toward them. The carriage was driven by a young man of striking appearance, whose practiced movements revealed he was well-trained.

“My lord,” the young man dismounted and bowed respectfully to Zhongli Yu.

“This is your future mistress,” Zhongli Yu said softly to the young man, glancing at Zhan Yan.

“Greetings, Mistress. My name is Qingxian,” Qingxian saluted respectfully. Upon meeting Zhan Yan’s exquisite beauty, he was momentarily dazed but quickly regained his composure.

“Get in,” Zhongli Yu said, leaping onto the carriage first and extending a hand to Zhan Yan.

She placed her hand in his, and with a gentle pull, she fell into his warm embrace. As she looked up, intending to speak, he covered her mouth with his. The kiss was tender yet wild, and he only released her after savoring every taste her lips had to offer.

Gasping for breath, Zhan Yan hadn’t expected him to kiss her so suddenly. Remembering that Qingxian was outside driving, she blushed furiously. “How could you do that? Qingxian is right outside!” she scolded, giving him a reproachful glance—a glance that was both charming and coy, almost undoing his self-restraint.

“It’s fine. He’s deaf,” Zhongli Yu replied loudly on purpose.

Qingxian nearly lost his balance and fell from the carriage. Was this really their master? The one rumored to despise women? He looked up at the sky in silent exasperation. It seemed that from now on, in front of his master and mistress, he’d best pretend to be blind and deaf.

“Your skin is as thick as the city walls,” Zhan Yan muttered, glancing at him, helpless to do anything about his antics.

“If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll…” He raised his eyebrows, leaving the rest unsaid—trusting Zhan Yan would understand.

Afraid he’d get carried away again, Zhan Yan quickly buried her head in his arms.

Watching her docile demeanor, Zhongli Yu’s lips curved gently. Neither spoke again, and they quietly basked in the warmth and peace of the moment.

“My lord, we’ve arrived.” After about half an hour, the carriage came to a stop.

“Yes, let’s go.” Zhongli Yu helped Zhan Yan down from the carriage. She glanced around and saw they were in a small town—charming and lively, with crowds now that noon was approaching. Vendors lined the streets, and townsfolk strolled leisurely, selecting goods to their liking. Clearly, life here was comfortable and unhurried.

“This is a town in Mingyang County, called Wenyang Town,” Zhongli Yu explained as he led her along. “The people here are simple and honest, and the scenery is lovely. I thought it would be a fine place to establish your family home.” As he spoke, he guided her to the gate of a grand estate. Above the entrance hung a plaque inscribed with bold, commanding characters: “The Gu Residence.”

In an instant, Zhan Yan understood his intention—he meant for her to marry out from here as Gu Wuyou, thus avoiding much unnecessary trouble. It was clear he’d thought of everything, even preparing a family home for her. She couldn’t help but be moved; though she had thought of arranging a proper identity for herself if she were to marry, she hadn’t expected him to act so swiftly.

“Let’s go in and have a look. If you find anything unsatisfactory, I’ll have it changed,” he said gently, pushing the door open and leading her inside.

Zhan Yan found herself in a mansion of impressive size and beauty, with exquisite pavilions and towers that could rival those of the nobility. What caught her eye most was the courtyard—filled with pear blossoms in full bloom, a scene of vibrant spring.

Zhan Yan was stunned. How could this place also be filled with pear blossoms? How had he managed it? Surely they hadn’t always been here.

“Was this originally your estate?” she asked.

“Yes, it was mine. Now it belongs to us, and we’ll often stay here together.”

“You like pear blossoms too? When were these trees planted?”

“Seven or eight years ago. Back then, I saw your courtyard was filled with pear trees and thought you must like them, so I planted them here as well,” he said softly.

Zhan Yan’s eyes grew misty. Seven or eight years ago, he had still been so young—yet because of her fondness, he had planted all these pear trees. Such devotion, how could she resist it? How could she turn him away? Glancing again at the pear blossoms embroidered on his brocade robe, she gained a deeper understanding of his heart.