Chapter 51: Hangover (1)

"Where is your Prince?"
"His Highness has returned to the manor ahead."
"Then why are you following me!"
"This is the Prince's order," Zuo Shen replied expressionlessly.
Yu Qingyan frowned. What was the point of having such a large man trailing behind her? With that thought, her figure suddenly shifted and she vanished on the spot.
Yu Qingyan arrived at the Lotus Courtyard Fragrance, where Gu Jinshi had brought her last time. The food here had been quite good, so she ordered another pot of tea.
As soon as she finished the pot of tea, Zuo Shen's figure appeared before her.
The waiter enthusiastically went up to greet them. Yu Qingyan smiled, paid the bill, and left the Lotus Courtyard Fragrance.
Yu Qingyan headed straight back to the Prince's Leisure Manor. Zuo Shen instantly breathed a sigh of relief; if he had really managed to lose his master, he would surely have been skinned alive!
Upon returning to the Elegant Bamboo Garden, Zuo Shen immediately vanished—presumably to report back to Chu Yuchuan. Magpie and Cuier were not around either, likely in the bamboo grove at the back. Meixiang and Luju hurried forward the moment they saw her step inside.
"Your Highness, why have you returned so soon? Would you care for dinner?"
"No need. Go on with whatever you were doing, don't mind me."
Yu Qingyan returned to her room. The books she had taken from Chu Yuchuan's study lay scattered across the table, and his cloak still hung on the clothes rack. That scoundrel had lingered around her for over ten days, and now his presence pervaded every corner.
Yu Qingyan sat down at the stool, picked up a book at random, opened to a page, and sat motionless.

Until a knock at the door outside startled her back to her senses.
"My lady, it is already dark. Why haven't you lit the lamps?" Cuier walked in, lit the candles, and tidied up the books on the table. "Where is the Prince?"
Yu Qingyan put down the book in her hand. "How are your lessons with Magpie coming along?"
"Lady Magpie is truly remarkable. Cuier is..."
"It's fine, just study diligently with her."
"Yes! Cuier will certainly not fail my lady's high expectations."
Yu Qingyan got up and walked over to the window. The lattice was covered with a thin layer of gauze—doubtless the finest material available, capable of keeping out the wind while obstructing the view as little as possible.
"Has my lady eaten dinner?"
"I have."
Cuier came up beside her and asked tentatively, "Shall we... go and see the Prince?"
Through the thin gauze of the window, Yu Qingyan continued to gaze at the faint light outside. "Has Gu Jinshi been by?"
Cuier was startled. "Young Master Gu..."
Yu Qingyan frowned as she looked at her. "What about him?"
"He no longer lives in the Frost-Condensing Pavilion."

"When did this happen?"
Cuier lowered her head and replied, "He moved out seven days ago."
"He left without even saying a word?"
"Young Master Gu said to set your mind at ease, my lady, he is fine."
"Why didn't you come and tell me sooner?"
Cuier glanced at Yu Qingyan. "My lady, actually the Prince treats you quite well. After all, you are already married to him. Do you still remember how you once hoped for husband and wife to be of one heart, sharing a harmonious life?"
"Where did he move to?"
"Cuier does not know!"
Yu Qingyan lifted her foot and walked toward the door. When she reached it, her hand touched the wooden panel and she paused. "Let me make this clear to you: the former Yu Qingyan is long dead. If you cannot tolerate the person I am now, leave immediately. I do not need anyone else making decisions for my life."
She had always been accustomed to walking alone; if the girl truly left, it would be for the best.
Yu Qingyan stepped outside and wandered aimlessly for a while. Sure enough, the Frost-Condensing Pavilion was already deserted. With the moon high in the sky, Yu Qingyan leaped up onto a nearby rooftop. If she remembered correctly, this seemed to be where Lin Wanrou lived.
Before long, she spotted Xiaodie walking out of a room.
The moonlight was just right. After lingering on the rooftop for a short while, she noticed that although there was no movement inside the room, the lamp was still lit, meaning the occupant had not yet gone to sleep.