Chapter 20: Probing 5

Could Chu Yuchuan have actually thrown Gu Jinshi into the dungeon?

"The tasks you assigned me, Miss, have already been practiced."

"So soon?" The girl was a bit dull, but she was certainly hardworking.

"Yes!" Cuier beamed. "Miss, what should I do next?"

"No rush for now. Cuier, go out and inquire whether the Prince has punished Gu Jinshi."

"Understood."

After lunch, Yu Qingyan waited in her room for quite some time before Cuier finally returned.

"How did it go?"

"Miss, very few people in the manor even know who Gu Jinshi is."

Yu Qingyan frowned. "So, there’s no word on his situation."

"Miss, are you... worried about him?"

"If he ended up in prison because of me, I naturally cannot ignore it."

Worried? That was hardly the word for it. His martial arts were far superior to her current level anyway. "Let’s go to the backyard."

"Yes, Miss."

Another afternoon of grueling training passed, leaving her to wait until night to see if Gu Jinshi would come to find her. As the moon rose to its zenith, the bamboo grove was silent. Yu Qingyan frowned, looking toward the direction of Ningshuang Garden.

After another while, Yu Qingyan left the bamboo grove. Ningshuang Garden was not far off; she might as well go and take a look. Under the cover of moonlight, she slipped into the garden.

The cold moon shone silently. From a distance, only one room was lit. Yu Qingyan frowned; the garden was far too quiet. She swiftly approached the source of the light. The door was left ajar, so she slipped inside and quietly closed it behind her.

Yu Qingyan held her breath as she took in the "spectacle" before her. Time seemed to freeze for a second.

A moment later, Gu Jinshi snatched his outer robe from the rack and stepped out of the wooden tub. Yu Qingyan quickly ducked behind a screen.

"Cough..." Gu Jinshi sounded somewhat embarrassed. "Why have you come here?"

"Chu Yuchuan said this morning that he had dealt with you, and you didn't come to see me tonight, so I had to come and check," Yu Qingyan paused. "Since you are unharmed, I shall take my leave."

She stepped out of the room, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"My dear wife seems quite pleased!"

Yu Qingyan started, spinning around to look behind her.

"You—why are you here?"

"That is a question I should be asking you!"

Yu Qingyan instinctively dodged his hand, and at the same time, a white-clad figure stepped in front of her.

"Your Highness, please forgive us."

Chu Yuchuan’s amber eyes swept over the two of them. "Yu Qingyan, return to Xiuzhu Garden with me."

As Yu Qingyan prepared to leave, Gu Jinshi turned to look at her.

"I am fine."

Chu Yuchuan clenched his fist and abruptly pulled Yu Qingyan to his side. "The hour is late, Master Gu; do get some rest."

Chu Yuchuan dragged Yu Qingyan all the way back to Xiuzhu Garden. He had seen everything that happened tonight! This woman...

"Let go!" Yu Qingyan shook him off.

Chu Yuchuan, incensed, struck out at her. Yu Qingyan would not simply submit; she immediately raised her hands to block. The two of them exchanged over a dozen blows in an instant.

With her three days of training and the internal techniques provided by Gu Jinshi, Chu Yuchuan could no longer subdue her so easily.

"Stop!" Yu Qingyan looked at him impatiently. She had no desire to spend the entire night fighting, especially since she would inevitably be the one to lose if they continued.

"Do you care for Gu Jinshi?"

"If that is all, Your Highness, you may leave."

Chu Yuchuan leaned in close. "I do not care whether you are truly Yu Qingyan or not; since you have married me, you must conduct yourself properly and know what you should and should not do!"