"What?" Xi Yan looked at Hongzhuang in astonishnt.
Hongzhuang helplessly stepped forward and pulled the paper from Xi Yan’s hand.
"Mr. Gu didn’t say what he intends to do, just asked you to go over! You know, Madam Hua is quite polite to Mr. Gu now, should you go and see?"
Actually, Hongzhuang couldn’t understand either. Could it be that Gu Chengyu was being affectionate with Hua Lian and wanted their girl to observe?
Xi Yan didn’t think so. Mr. Gu is an upright person; if he truly had intentions for Hua Lian, he wouldn’t call her over at this mont. There must be sothing going on.
"Quick! Help change, I need to go and see."
Xi Yan glanced at her recently changed casual clothes and asked Hongzhuang to help her dress, putting on her previous veil again.
Gu Chengyu was anxiously waiting in Hua Lian’s room, not intending to spend the night at Tianxiang Pavilion. At this mont, it seed the room next door was in the throes of a passionate encounter. The sound insulation was poor, and Gu Chengyu could hear the laughter next door, even the creaking of the bed was distinctly audible.
It was hard to imagine Hua Lian living in such an environnt every day; Gu Chengyu couldn’t stand it for even a mont. The noisy environnt, filled with a lascivious atmosphere, made Gu Chengyu furrow his brows deeply.
"Mr. Gu!" At this mont, Hua Lian’s voice sounded outside the door, and Gu Chengyu was startled. She had finally arrived.
"Miss Xi Yan!" Gu Chengyu walked out of the room and cupped his hands towards Xi Yan outside the door.
Xi Yan looked Gu Chengyu up and down, relieved to see him properly dressed and everything as usual, but she was also puzzled.
"Have you already rested, Miss Xi Yan? I had no choice but to trouble you."
Xi Yan bowed slightly, "Please feel free to command, Mr. Gu. As long as I can help, I will not refuse." Xi Yan’s mood improved, and the smile under her veil blood like flowers, utterly captivating.
"Co inside, and let’s talk." Gu Chengyu stepped aside to let Xi Yan and her companions in.
Hongzhuang tugged at Xi Yan’s sleeve, but Xi Yan ignored her and entered Hua Lian’s room directly. Seeing Xi Yan enter, Hongzhuang also followed suit to prevent Gu Chengyu from making any inappropriate moves.
Upon entering the room, Xi Yan didn’t look at the furnishings but focused on the bed shrouded by curtains.
Gu Chengyu closed the door and approached the bed curtains. He felt embarrassed, not knowing how to start.
"Ahem! It’s like this, Hua Lian took an aphrodisiac; I knocked her out temporarily. I’ve already given her a pill, which seems like an antidote, but its effect is slow. Can you please take care of her? It’s late, and I need to return to the mansion and can’t stay long."
Gu Chengyu pulled back the curtains, revealing Hua Lian’s enticing face to Xi Yan and her companions.
Xi Yan looked at Gu Chengyu with so confusion. Hua Lian being fed an aphrodisiac was the brothel’s protocol. On their first night, the girls were given aphrodisiacs, the purpose being obvious—to heighten excitent and serve the benefactors better.
However, they wouldn’t feed much, as too much would be unbearable for both the benefactor and the girl. So, Hua Lian should still be sowhat conscious.
Gu Chengyu rely knocked out Hua Lian without touching her, even giving her an antidote. But Tianxiang Pavilion’s aphrodisiac isn’t supposed to have an antidote, so where did Gu Chengyu’s antidote co from? What was Gu Chengyu’s true intention in knocking out Hua Lian?
"Actually, you needn’t worry. The effects of this drug can be endured, though it’s a bit uncomfortable."
Looking at Hua Lian on the bed, Xi Yan suddenly realized that maybe Gu Chengyu didn’t fancy Hua Lian at all, perhaps it was out of sympathy for her?
"That’s good! I’ll trouble you then. I will send soone to pick up Hua Lian tomorrow. Please remind her to pack her belongings."
Gu Chengyu felt a sense of relief after resolving this matter.
"Mr. Gu, have you redeed Hua Lian?" Xi Yan’s tone suddenly rose, seemingly in disbelief.
Gu Chengyu nodded, calculating the ti. There was roughly a quarter of an hour before the curfew; with Qinggong, he should make it back in ti.
Xi Yan couldn’t fathom Gu Chengyu’s intentions. Was there another connection between Hua Lian and Gu Chengyu?
"Forgive my boldness, but may I ask the purpose of Mr. Gu redeeming Hua Lian?" If he truly fancied Hua Lian, he wouldn’t have asked her to care for Hua Lian today.
It couldn’t possibly be to marry Hua Lian and have a bridal chamber night, could it? Such things Xi Yan simply didn’t believe, and Gu Chengyu wouldn’t do it either.
He had a bright future ahead, and he might beco a court official after the Imperial Examination; court officials were never heard of marrying a brothel girl, it’s sheer absurdity.
Gu Chengyu had no choice but to present that excuse to mislead Xi Yan, "She’s the daughter of an old acquaintance. Since I’ve t her, I must redeem her from this place of decadence."
Gu Chengyu didn’t expect that his random excuse would beco true.
"I see, please rest assured, Mr. Gu, I will take good care of Hua Lian." Knowing the truth, Xi Yan felt much more at ease and agreed readily.
Nonetheless, she admired Gu Chengyu’s integrity. Hua Lian was dressed so alluringly, and with the aphrodisiac enhancing her charms, even as a woman, Xi Yan found her bewitchingly attractive.
To show such restraint made it clear that Gu Chengyu was not a man to take advantage of others.
With Hua Lian entrusted to Xi Yan, he hurriedly left Tianxiang Pavilion.
"Sir! You’re back!" Ming Mo was waiting in Gu Chengyu’s bedroom, nearly falling asleep.
He knew his master had gone to Tianxiang Pavilion, attending a literary gathering with Mr. Zhu. But given his master’s character, he certainly wouldn’t stay at Tianxiang Pavilion, so he waited in the bedroom, not daring to sleep.
"Hmm! Tomorrow morning, prepare the gifts for a visit to the Wu Mansion, He Mansion, and Zhu Mansion; I will go pay visits. As for the Jiang Mansion, it will have to be the day after tomorrow."
Visiting three places tomorrow will be quite tight; going to the Jiang Mansion would definitely be too late.
Ming Mo agreed and prepared to fetch water for Gu Chengyu.
"Also, tell Ming Yan to go to Tianxiang Pavilion tomorrow and bring Miss Hua Lian back. I’ve redeed her. She is a pitiful girl; once you bring her back, arrange for her to stay in the courtyard and wait for my return to decide what to do."
This was the second ti Ming Mo had heard the na Hua Lian and didn’t expect she would be redeed back. Though curious, he didn’t ask further. This was his master’s private matter, and as a servant, he shouldn’t inquire too much as his master always had his reasons.
After Ming Mo brought water, assisting Gu Chengyu with his washing, Gu Chengyu suddenly rembered that he wanted Lichun to manage the household affairs.
"You and Ming Yan have tasks for during the day, and there will only be more as ti goes on. I see that Lichun is ticulous, so perhaps she should manage my household, giving you so peace of mind."
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