Chapter 55: A Heart of Iron

Gu Xuan could not withstand Bai Rouyin's pleas and could only nod in agreement.

She stood up, looked back at the woman sitting on the bed looking as radiant as if she had consumed an elixir of immortality, and made up her mind to return to Nuandong Hall.

Inside Nuandong Hall, the final auction item—the cloud brocade donated by Tang Zhao—sparked fierce bidding among the various ladies and misses, eventually being secured by the Shen family for eight thousand taels.

After the auction concluded, it was time for the long-awaited free activity period.

Tang Zhao massaged her numb legs, feeling that attending this banquet was truly a form of self-inflicted torture.

She wouldn't come again even if her life depended on it.

Once the soreness in her legs subsided, Qiu Yu supported Tang Zhao, and they limped away from Nuandong Hall toward the back lake.

Crossing the arched bridge over the lake led them to the central island. Several tall ginkgo trees clustered around the lakeside pavilion, effectively obscuring the view of anyone inside. However, standing at the northwest corner, one could take in everything happening on the island at a single glance.

It was truly a perfect place for "plugging one's ears while stealing a bell."

"Miss, what are we doing here?" Qiu Yu stood at the northwest corner, peeking around. There was nothing special here—just a dilapidated pavilion and some yellowing ginkgo trees.

Tang Zhao ignored her. Just then, a head suddenly popped out from behind the bridge.

Startled, Qiu Yu spread her arms and closed her eyes, shielding her mistress.

Tang Zhao had to push her aside. Seeing that the girl was still terrified, she reminded her, "It's Chunfeng."

Qiu Yu looked closely and saw that it was indeed her. Having followed her mistress across the arched bridge to the island, she asked curiously, "Where were you hiding just now?"

She hadn't noticed her at all!

Chunfeng stepped aside, revealing a small boat that had been mostly hidden by the arched bridge.

"So that's where you were hiding!" Qiu Yu realized. The arched bridge had completely blocked the line of sight from the northwest corner to the boat's position; no wonder her supposedly eagle-eyed vision hadn't detected a thing.

"No one noticed, right?" Tang Zhao boarded the boat.

Chunfeng reached out to steady her. "I hid to avoid people. Following your instructions, I rowed the boat from the opposite side of the lake. Dongmei is guarding the shore. No one saw us."

"Good!" Tang Zhao sat in the dim, narrow cabin. "While no one is around, you and Dongmei should leave quickly."

Chunfeng complied, circling around the arched bridge to the opposite shore, where she grabbed the lookout, Dongmei, and they departed.

"Miss, what are we actually doing here?" Qiu Yu asked again.

"Someone is trying to put a green hat on my head," Tang Zhao said with a desolate gaze. "I am here to take it off."

Qiu Yu: Huh?

A green hat? It looks quite nice, doesn't it?

Tang Zhao had no mood to bridge the cultural gap with her; Qiu Yu would understand once things unfolded.

"I'm going to lie down for a bit," Tang Zhao leaned against Qiu Yu to conserve her energy.

Qiu Yu shut her mouth and obediently acted as a cushion.

Inside Nuandong Hall, the Marchioness of Zhongyong was trying to probe the intentions of Consort Han. A maid ran in with an unusual expression, standing not far away and glancing frequently toward them.

Displeased, the Marchioness of Zhongyong excused herself, walked aside, and summoned the maid to scold her, "Didn't I tell you to watch the Eldest Miss without leaving her side? What are you doing here?"

Fu Ling's face was filled with panic. "Madam, the Eldest Miss is missing!"

"What happened?" The Marchioness of Zhongyong gripped her handkerchief and pressed for answers.

"Just now, the Eldest Miss said she was hungry and sent several young maids to the front for snacks. Then she said the tea wasn't to her liking and sent more maids to Miss Gu Qi's place to fetch tea. In the end, only I and Sister Lianqiao were left."

The young maid's teeth chattered in fear. "The Eldest Miss gave the remaining tea to me. After I finished drinking, my stomach ached. When I returned after changing my clothes, the Eldest Miss and Sister Lianqiao were gone!"

The Marchioness of Zhongyong dug her fingernails into her palms. "Quietly send people to find the Eldest Miss. Do not make a scene!"

"I'm afraid that won't work," Fu Ling said with a sob. "Miss Gu Qi personally brought the tea. When she saw the Eldest Miss was gone, she started a commotion. All the ladies and madams resting in the guest gardens know now."

The Marchioness of Zhongyong felt the world spinning. Abandoning all decorum, she thick-skinnedly asked Princess Xuan for help.

Princess Xuan looked solemn. She summoned her maid to give instructions, and the maid left quickly. A quarter of an incense stick later, she returned to report, "The eldest Miss of the Bai family has gone to the central island."

The Marchioness of Zhongyong thanked her and hurried away with her entourage.

Consort Han had long noticed something was amiss. She approached and said, "I wonder what has happened to the Marchioness of Zhongyong to make her so frantic. Princess, let us go and see!"

Princess Xuan stared at her for a long moment, only looking away once Consort Han's smile froze on her face. "Let's go."

Meanwhile, on the central island.

Gu Ci was forcibly pushed onto the island by Gu Xuan, nearly colliding head-on with Bai Rouyin, who suddenly emerged from behind a tree.

Gu Ci was stunned for a moment before turning around in anger. "Gu Xuan!"

Gu Xuan had anticipated his rage; she had retreated to the arched bridge beforehand and bolted away.

Seeing Gu Ci about to leave, Bai Rouyin stepped forward and grabbed his hand. "Brother Yuanye!"

"Miss Bai, please let go," Gu Ci tried several times to shake her off, but fearing he might hurt her with force, he froze in place.

"I won't! I will never let go of your hand again!" Bai Rouyin wept bitterly. "You promised me before you went to war that you would return to marry me after your victory, but you broke your word! You went to the capital and married someone else!"

She demanded, "Brother Yuanye, have you forgotten that Rouyin is still here in the Northwest, waiting bitterly for you?"

Tang Zhao was awakened by the woman's piercing cries. She stealthily lifted the curtain to peek.

Gu Ci said coldly, "It was my fault for failing to keep the promise. Although the marriage for good luck was not my intention, Zhao Shan and I were matched by the late Emperor and overseen by the Ministry of Rites. We have performed the traditional rites and bowed to our elders; Zhao Shan is my legitimate wife."

"On the second day of our marriage, I wrote to the Marquis of Zhongyong stating the marriage was void. As compensation, I can take you as my foster sister. I will fulfill my duty as an elder brother and protect you for the rest of your life."

Tang Zhao: *All lovers in the world eventually become siblings. Amitabha.*

Bai Rouyin shook her head and wailed, "I don't want to be your sister! I am not your sister! I am your fiancée! I should have been your wife!"

Gu Ci closed his eyes. "Miss Bai, the past is past. You should look forward."

Tang Zhao: *Yes, look forward to the money and the profits!*

Bai Rouyin pleaded, "Brother Yuanye, please marry me, okay? You promised you would marry me!"

Gu Ci refused, "I am already married."

"I can be a concubine!" Bai Rouyin's eyes were filled with madness. "As long as I can marry you, as long as I can be with you, I can be a concubine!"

Gu Ci's eyes widened in fury. "Nonsense!"

"It is not nonsense! I have thought this way since I learned of your arranged marriage!" Bai Rouyin's posture was humble to the point of dust. "I will fulfill my duties as a concubine. I will pay my respects morning and night, serve the Princess wholeheartedly, attend to her meals and dressing, and help manage the trivial matters of the courtyard."

"I only ask for a place for myself in Bidan Courtyard."

Gu Ci took a deep breath and forcibly pried Bai Rouyin's hands from his, his heart as cold as iron. "Absolutely impossible!"

Bai Rouyin: *I am willing to marry the General, even as a concubine!*

Gu Ci: *Absolutely impossible.*

Tang Zhao: *Are you two performing a TV drama here?*