Male Lead Is Always That Heartless

Chapter 47

Gu Yi curved her eyebrows like the moon and showed a similar smile. She walked towards Gu Changtong and called, “Officer Gu ……”

Gu Changtong saw his daughter call his official name and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. She’s indeed grown up, ah. After entering the palace, she improved how she treated people and maintained the honor of the palace consort in front of him.

Gu Changtong comfortably said, “Xiao …… Mrs. Yi, don’t be polite ……”

Gu Yi kept smiling and smoothly completing the first meeting with Father Gu. The attendants started to unload the boxes from the carriages and horses. Seeing this, Gu Changtong turned to lead them through the door. “Young Master, follow me into the mansion.”

Gu Yi crossed the threshold and suddenly heard a soft cry in her ear, “Xiao Yi …….”

She followed the sound and saw a middle-aged woman with a young boy standing beside the flowerbed, looking at her.

That’s right, this must be her mother and her brother! But why did they call her Xiao Yi? Was it because Xiao Yan called her Mrs. Yi? Or was it because Beauty Gu herself was also called Gu Yi?

Gu Yi stopped in her tracks, her lips opened and closed, and she called out, “Madam ……” and then looked at the little teenager, and thinking left and right, she called out, “Brother… …”

The two only dared come forward at this moment. Gu Yi saw the tears in the middle-aged beautiful woman’s eyes, condensed into beads and almost rolling. “Xiao, Mrs. Yi has grown prettier.”

Gu Yi couldn’t bear to see people crying, and when she remembered that the original Beauty Gu was long gone, the tip of her nose soured and made an ‘uh’ sound. The teen boy tilted his head to look, reached out, and gently clutched the edge of her cloak, “Sister, don’t cry …… I didn’t cry ……”.

Xiao Yan heard the sound, looked back, and saw Gu Yi standing with red eyes, looking at Mrs. Gu, who had the same red eyes. He paused slightly in his steps, thought for a moment, but still continued to follow Gu Changtong.

Mrs. Gu touched the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief. “It’s all my fault. It’s a happy thing. I even didn’t have time to be happy. I shouldn’t cry.”

Gu Yi also wiped the corners of her eyes, and Tao Jia, who silently stood behind her, immediately reached out, handed her a silk handkerchief, and laughed, “Mrs. Yi is also happy about it.”

At this moment, the attendant led Zhao Wan into the Gu Mansion. When Mrs. Gu saw the visitor, she recalled that the person who had sent the message earlier had said that Young Master had brought two ladies with him on this tour, one of whom was Mrs. Wan. She understood who this person was when she saw Zhao Wan’s outstanding appearance. Then she smiled and said, ”Is it Mrs. Wan? I’ll take you to the courtyard.’

Zhao Wan bowed and said, “Thank you, Mrs. Gu ……”

Mrs. Gu led them through the corridors towards the backyard. The teenager followed behind Gu Yi like a little tail. Gu Yi had a mind to ask him his name, but she couldn’t be too obvious. So she turned her head to look closer at the little boy, who was a head shorter than her and saw his eyes light up, his obsidian-like pupils staring straight at her.

Gu Yi deliberated, “How have you been studying lately, and what did the teacher say?”

He dressed as a scholar, so he must be studying.

Gu Zhao nodded, “Before the end of the year, I always went to school, but after the snow fell and it was close to the end of the year, I stopped. I have to wait until the beginning of spring before the school will resume.” After a pause, he said proudly, “But recently, the teacher always praises me…”

Understood. So you’re on a winter vacation.

Gu Yi flattered, “How does the teacher praise you ……”

Gu Zhao blushed: “The teacher said that A Zhao’s writing skills have improved, and my articles are easy to read. I even got an A in the exam before the end of the year.”

Understood. So you’re a schoolmaster.

Gu Zhao.

Gu Yi recited this name silently in her mind.

Zhao Wan traveled behind the two of them, listening to the siblings’ casual conversations and feeling a sourness in her heart. Once upon a time, she had also walked along the corridor with her father and brother, talking about family stories about the sky and the rain.

The Gu family arranged for the women to be in the backyard rooms. Gu Yi’s room was her boudoir before she entered the capital. Mrs. Gu smiled and said, “The furnishings haven’t been moved much. It’s the same as you left.”

Gu Yi looked around and saw a six-pillar bed, a desk, and a black lacquer standing cabinet; the furnishing was simple and elegant.

“Mother …… has taken the trouble ……”

Mrs. Gu gently pinched her arm. “There are no outsiders. How come you are still so distant?” She laughed and pushed Gu Zhao. “A Zhao, go out first. Mother and your sister have something to say.”

Gu Zhao looked reluctant but still bowed and said: “A Zhao is leaving ……” After that, he left the room and looked back every few steps.

Mrs. Gu pulled Gu Yi to sit and whispered, “Since the Young Master has come to Fuzhou, he must have you in his heart. Did you have a good time in the palace?” She looked expectantly toward Gu Yi with water in her eyes, as if she would cry immediately if Gu Yi said one ‘no’ word.

Gu Yi’s heart jumped, and she quickly nodded, “Young Master treats me well, don’t worry.”

Mrs. Gu breathed a sigh of relief and said earnestly, “This will put my mind at ease …… It would be best if you were cautious. You must not be capricious or arrogant; Mrs. Wan was born good; her nature looks good, and you can not compete with others! Your father has spoiled you since childhood; you can’t do things like you were at home and lose your temper. But –”

Mrs. Gu looked closely at Gu Yi, “But …… this time, Mother can see you have grown up ……”

Gu Yi sighed, “Mother, don’t worry ……”

I am no longer the old Gu Yi.

Gu Yi patted the back of Mrs. Gu’s hand to comfort her.

Seeing the smile in her eyes and the softness of her brows, Mrs. Gu thought: she had married someone, and her whole person had become gentle.

The Gu family was busy until Youshi (5-7 pm) before they finally unloaded all the luggage. The group moved to the main hall for dinner. When Gu Changtong said it was a family feast, it was indeed a family feast without extravagance or wastefulness. Six people sat around the round table with six dishes. Gu Yi guessed he shouldn’t dare to make this too grand, either. Even though it was said to be a family banquet, it was not without etiquette.

Gu Changtong was sitting upright, and Gu Yi felt tired when she saw it. Father Gu probably really wants to go into the capital —

No talking when eating. For a moment, even the sound of cups and plates colliding was almost absent on the table. Xiao Yan put down his bamboo chopsticks. Everyone at the table followed and stopped their chopsticks. He inclined his head to look at Gu Zhao beside Gu Changtong and asked aloud, “What book has Young Master Gu been studying recently?”

Gu Zhao was named, but he did not panic. His tiny body was straight, and he slowly said, “I have read the Four Books, the Five Classics, and last year I also read the Tongjian.”

Xiao Yan saw his one-dimensional appearance and revealed a smile, “You are quite different from your sister.”

Gu Zhao glanced at Gu Yi suspiciously. His eyes seemed to ask whether the Emperor was praising or scolding him.

Gu Yi laughed dryly, reading his eyes, “Young Master is complimenting you ……”

Gu Zhao looked relieved, “Thank you for your compliments.”

Mrs. Gu couldn’t help but feel even happier as she watched their affections. The Emperor liked Xiao Yi.

Gu Changtong, however, could not see much of the romance and only said, “The child still needs training. Now, you have only scratched the surface. You’ll make further progress only by studying hard.”

Gu Zhao nodded, “Father is right.”

After the meal, Gu Changtong invited Xiao Yan to the study to play chess. In reality, he was reporting on his work. Wang Zibo, a member of the Ministry of Revenue, had come to Fuzhou last month, and now he had gone to Tang County to measure the land. Xiao Yan’s trip was also about tax reform. The two chatted about official matters until midnight and decided to leave for Tang County to meet with Wang Zibo the next day.

On the other hand, Gu Yi made plans for the next few days of leisure in Fu City. Although the city was remote, Father Gu was the state governor for two years and knew the place he governed.

Mrs. Gu proposed: “Let’s find a few eloquent servants to guide you and Mrs. Wan to stroll around the city. It’s almost the end of the year, and there are several novelty objects.”

Gu Yi heard and said: “This idea is excellent!”

The next morning, Gu Yi got up early and went shopping with her group. She deliberately wore a festive cloak and rode on the Gu family’s carriage. Zhao Wan wore a long dark red coat and sat opposite her. It was eye-catching when the two of them got off the carriage and walked down the street. The servant immediately led them to a splendid store with few people. It was an antique jewelry store called Zhubao Pavilion. Although the shopkeeper had never seen the visitors, based on their maids and followers, he knew they must be rich or noble. He greeted them attentively and said, “Guests, please go upstairs. There are new styles and customized hairpins.”

Gu Yi nodded and let the shopkeeper lead them upstairs. The hairpins in the palace naturally looked good, but the hairpins outside were also interesting. The styles were more simple, lighter, and less expensive!

Tao Jia has chosen a colorful butterfly hairpin, while Gu Yi has a bluebird hairpin. Zhao Wan held a flying swallow jade pendant and asked Gu Yi, “Sister Yi, does this pendant look good?”

Gu Yi was about to reply when she heard a slightly shaky male voice behind her.

“A Yi ……”

Auntie? Gu Yi turned around and saw a youth stopping at the corner of the stairs. He was wearing a dark green robe, tall and thin, with a gentle and handsome appearance, but his face was slightly pale.

Big brother, who are you? Why did you call her A Yi?

Gu Yi remained silent. Zhao Wan put down the jade pendant in her hand and could not help but look at the youth one more time. The shopkeeper recognized the man and busily greeted him: ”Mr. Zhou, are you here to pick up the Jade Buddha for Old Lady Zhou’s birthday? I have prepared it and will send someone to carry it to your carriage.”

Zhou Tinghe just now came back to his senses because of this greeting. He politely said: “Thank you.”

The shopkeeper turned around and went to do his job. Zhou Tinghe raised his eyes and then looked at Gu Yi, only to see her look at him silently as if she had forgotten him. He moved his lips, wanting to say something, but didn’t know where to start. In the end, he had failed Gu Yi.

While Gu Yi was watching him look like he wanted to say something, she had already finished two hundred episodes of the plot in her head. It seemed the original Beauty Gu was a female student with a story. This Mr. Zhou must have had a sadistic love affair with her, or else he couldn’t have called her A Yi.

In this small city of Fuzhou, the man and the woman were in love and saw each other day and night, but the Zhou family disagreed. The Gu Family sought an official position and sent Beauty Gu to the capital. She entered the palace and regretfully parted with Mr. Zhou. Once she entered the palace, it was as deep as the sea, and Mr. Zhou became a passerby from then on.

Gu Yi finished brainstorming and turned away immediately. It’s better not to make eye contact, lest she trigger an unknown plot. There is no love-hate relationship of this Fuzhou Mr. Zhou in the book, ah!

Zhou Tinghe’s heart dropped when he saw her averted her eyes indifferently. His footsteps could not help but move forward, “Gu– Madam — I have not seen you for a long time. Tinghe has the courtesy ……” He bowed.

Gu Yi looked at the big brother, who suddenly walked in front of her, and her whole body stiffened for a moment.

Tinghe —

Zhou Tinghe……

Gu Yi searched her intestines and once again confirmed that there was indeed no such person in the book. She barely managed to show a modest smile, “No need to be polite, Mr. Zhou.” Hello goodbye!