Chapter 56: Caught in a Private Encounter

Bai Rouyin froze in place. She never imagined that even her willingness to become a concubine would fail to elicit even a moment of softening from Gu Ci.

Tang Zhao finally understood why Bai Rouyin could be the female lead. If she were subjected to such public humiliation by a man, she would have slapped him long ago!

What a useless plea!

Seeing Bai Rouyin’s expression of utter despair, Gu Ci opened his mouth to offer comfort but did not dare to speak. He turned to leave.

At that moment, several figures appeared at the northwest corner of the shore, and a voice drifted from afar: "The eldest Miss Bai is on the island in the middle of the lake!"

Gu Ci’s expression sharpened. Seeing figures continuously gathering on the shore and hearing footsteps approaching from the arched bridge, he realized his path was blocked.

With a cold expression, he prepared to leap into the lake, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a small boat. Just as he was wondering about it, he heard the sound of rapid, heavy breathing behind him.

Gu Ci spun around instantly, his hands quick to catch Bai Rouyin as her body began to fall backward. "Did you bring the medicine?"

Lianqiao, who had been hiding behind a ginkgo tree, hurriedly pulled a medicine bottle from her sleeve, poured out the pills, and placed them in Bai Rouyin's mouth.

It took a while after Bai Rouyin swallowed the medicine before her frantic breathing gradually subsided.

By this time, Consort Xuan and the Marchioness of Zhongyong appeared on the island, followed by a crowd of ladies, young masters, and noblewomen.

Consort Xuan’s sharp gaze swept over them. She saw Bai Rouyin leaning halfway against Gu Ci; though their behavior was slightly unconventional, it could not be described as intimate.

Seeing her daughter's asthma flare up, the Marchioness of Zhongyong's worry outweighed her anger. She pulled her daughter toward her discreetly, helping her catch her breath while saying, "My daughter is unwell; thanks to the General's timely assistance."

Gu Ci stood up and stepped back.

The ladies and young masters present were all shrewd; they naturally sensed something was amiss. However, constrained by the prestige of the Prince's manor, they could only suppress their speculations and watch the farce unfold with the anticipation of seeing a good show.

But in a crowd, there are always a few fools.

"Why are the eldest Miss of the Zhongyong Marquis Mansion and the Cavalry General alone in such a remote place?"

The voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone present to hear.

Consort Xuan turned her head to see a girl of sixteen or seventeen tilting her head, asking her companion in confusion.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Shut up!" Madam Shen scolded, before turning to apologize sheepishly. "My daughter has spoken insolently. I ask the Princess and the Marchioness to forgive her."

The Fifth Miss Shen pouted in rebuttal, "How was I insolent? So many eyes saw it with their own sight; are you saying I am lying?"

She muttered, "Doing something shameless and then not allowing others to speak of it."

Madam Shen was so angry her hands were trembling. *As expected of a child crawled out of that wench's womb—she has the looks, but not a shred of brains!*

These words were practically dragging the reputation of both the Xuan Prince's Manor and the Zhongyong Marquis Mansion through the mud!

Madam Shen roared, "You—"

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by a gentle voice, "The Fifth Miss Shen is not wrong!"

Consort Han moved with graceful steps, passing through the crowd to stand beside Consort Xuan. "Although the social restrictions between men and women in Great Yu are not as strict as in the previous dynasty, and the customs in the Northwest are more open due to foreign influence, if young men and women admire one another and meet in private, while we may not approve, we can understand."

Her tone shifted. "However, although the Miss of the Zhongyong Marquis Mansion is unmarried, the Fifth Young Master has long been married. Would a married man meeting an unmarried woman in private not invite gossip?"

"Auntie!" Fifth Miss Shen rushed forward, clinging to Consort Han's arm coquettishly.

Consort Han patted her hand, backing her niece. "Liniang has been spoiled by me; she has always been blunt. Madam Shen, please forgive her!"

The words "please forgive" felt like a harsh slap to the face. Madam Shen's face flushed crimson, but ultimately, out of respect for Consort Han's status, she swallowed her anger, her heart aching.

Consort Han pressed forward with calm composure. "I wonder, can the Miss of the Zhongyong Marquis Mansion and the Fifth Young Master clear up our doubts?"

Bai Rouyin huddled in her mother's arms, her expression wretched. She was clearly suffering greatly from the sudden illness; let alone defending herself, she could barely make a sound.

All eyes then fell upon Gu Ci.

Gu Ci glanced at Consort Han, then looked away, remaining silent.

"Is the Fifth Young Master feeling guilty?" Consort Han felt a chill from his indifferent gaze, causing her to press even harder.

This time, Gu Ci did not even spare Consort Han a glance, remaining silent.

The crowd began to whisper.

"Why isn't the Cavalry General explaining himself? Could Fifth Miss Shen be right? Are they truly meeting in secret?"

"This back lake is so remote; who would come here for leisure? I bet they arranged this in advance and deliberately chose this spot."

"Exactly. Look at the ginkgo trees on this island—they are so tall and large that they block the view from all sides. If Miss Shen hadn't happened to be standing at the northwest corner just now, no one would have discovered this."

Everyone agreed with this assessment, though the men were more explicit.

"The Cavalry General truly has great luck with women. Not only did he marry a Princess, but he also has the devoted heart of the Zhongyong Miss, who is willing to sacrifice her reputation just to see him. Truly touching!"

"You can't blame the Cavalry General. The Zhongyong Miss was originally his fiancée; it's understandable that they are somewhat close."

"If not for the late Emperor's marriage decree, they would be a legitimate married couple. What is a secret meeting? Whatever they do, people will only praise their deep affection!"

A few profligates let out frivolous laughter.

"Indeed. Even if they can't be husband and wife, when one is offered for free like this, what man would refuse?"

Moreover, the Zhongyong Miss was exceptionally beautiful, having snatched the title of the Northwest's number one beauty from Fifth Miss Shen upon her arrival.

*If I had such luck...* A man squinted his eyes, looking up and down Bai Rouyin's soft, charming figure with ill intent. *I would certainly...*

Before the man could finish his fantasy, Gu Ci's fist slammed into his abdomen. The man felt his internal organs shift; he doubled over in agony, letting out a howl like a slaughtered pig!

Gu Ci said coldly, "Watch your eyes!"

"My son!" The Countess of Ning'an stepped forward to embrace her son, shouting angrily at Consort Xuan, "Princess, the Cavalry General committed something shameful, and when my son called him out, he became enraged and struck him! Princess, you must seek justice for my son!"

"If the Princess refuses to seek justice for my son, then I shall have no choice but to ask the Earl to invite His Highness, Prince Xuan, to preside over this matter and ensure fairness!"

"Yuanye, this matter concerns your reputation and that of the Zhongyong Miss. If you do not explain it clearly, I fear you will not be able to silence the public outcry."

Seeing that her son still maintained a defiant stance, Consort Xuan's gaze grew even more severe. "Why do you remain silent?!"

*Was it truly for Bai Rouyin? Or...* Consort Xuan turned her head to look at Gu Xuan, who was hiding behind the crowd with a look of bewildered shock.

"Why? Princess, isn't that a bit of a leading question?" Consort Han smiled, feeling the thrill of destroying Gu Ci. "It is naturally because a hero has lost his nerve to the whims of romance."

"Fifth Young Master, wouldn't you agree?"