Chapter 51 Reverence for the Gods: The First Long Journey with Her

Gu Shanyue buried her head in her food, a strand of hair falling down her temples. Qi Baitong, who was watching her closely, immediately picked up that strand of hair and gently tucked it behind her ear.

His calloused fingertips touched her earlobe. Gu Shanyue looked up, but Qi Baitong blushed and quickly withdrew her hand.

Gu Shanyue looked at him and smiled: "Are you that afraid of me?"

“It’s not fear, it’s respect,” Qi Baitong said, pursing her lips.

"What's the difference?" Gu Shanyue shrugged, unable to understand his pedantry.

Qi Baitong didn't explain, but silently thought to herself, "There is a difference."

He didn't believe in gods or ghosts, but he revered her as if she were a deity. Even the slightest favor from the deity was enough to make him tremble with fear.

After eating for a while, Qi Baitong noticed the green jade pendant that had appeared on Gu Shanyue's waist.

"Was this a gift from the Princess Consort of Pingliao?"

"Um."

"May I take a look?"

Gu Shanyue generously took off the jade pendant and handed it to him: "Take a look, if you like it, you can have it."

"No need, I'll just take a look."

Qi Baitong took it, examined it carefully, and returned it only after finding nothing amiss.

Gu Shanyue was too lazy to hang it on her waist anymore, so she casually put it on the table. Although Qi Baitong didn't ask anything, she still gave an extra explanation.

“Li Jing’s child went missing. Last time I casually mentioned some directions, and we made some progress. Fang Wanqing insisted on thanking me and even wanted to give me the jade pendant.”

If someone else had said such a thing, it might have seemed like boasting, but Gu Shanyue was just chatting with Qi Baitong and seemed a little annoyed.

Qi Baitong said gently, "Royal families and high-ranking families all like to do this. Once she gives this gift, she will be in the right. Perhaps she will come to you for help in the future. Since you have already accepted the gift, it is not good to turn her away."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shanyue chuckled slyly: "By then, I will have already left the capital, and she will have to be able to find me even if she wants to beg."

Seeing that Gu Shanyue didn't want to get involved, Qi Baitong immediately said, "If you don't want this jade pendant, I'll send it back to her residence right now."

“Never mind,” Gu Shanyue tapped the translucent jade pendant with her finger and said indifferently, “This jade pendant is quite beautiful, let’s just leave it.”

Qi Baitong looked at the jade pendant, then at Gu Shanyue, and suddenly smiled, revealing a sharp canine tooth on her lips like a cat's.

Gu Shanyue's gaze was involuntarily drawn to his smile. After watching for a while, she remembered to ask, "What are you laughing at?"

Qi Baitong's eyes were filled with tenderness: "I laugh at those who are clearly soft-hearted, yet insist on saying the jade pendant is beautiful."

When has she ever cared about these material possessions? Apart from her own purity, she is too lazy to even glance at anything better, and she has no patience to wear sachets or jewelry.

Gu Shanyue was stunned for a moment after hearing what he said: "Is that so?"

She always acts solely on her conscience, doing whatever she feels like without much self-analysis. Qi Baitong's words made it seem as if she understood her better than she understood herself.

Qi Baitong didn't argue, and laughed, "Perhaps."

“But it’s really tragic that the child was lost and has been searched for for twenty years and is still being searched,” Gu Shanyue sighed, then suddenly hissed and looked at Qi Baitong beside her, “You’re also in your twenties and don’t have parents either.”

Qi Baitong was taken aback. He understood Gu Shanyue's conjecture and shook his head indifferently: "Although I have never met my parents, my master told me that when I was first picked up, I was covered in injuries and wearing tattered clothes. I suppose my family was very poor and could not have been a wealthy family."

Gu Shanyue suppressed her initial conjecture and the two began to talk about other topics.

As the saying goes, one should not speak while eating or sleeping. The two of them always chatted casually while eating, talking about all sorts of random things. Qi Baitong would respond to whatever Gu Shanyue said, never letting her say anything.

After dinner, when Qi Baitong returned after cleaning up, Gu Shanyue was asleep by the table, clutching a piece of grass that had appeared out of nowhere in her hand.

Qi Baitong subconsciously approached, softening her movements and breathing. Gu Shanyue rested her small face on her arm, her long eyelashes drooping, and the corners of her mouth slightly upturned as if she were smiling. Her cheeks were squeezed into a pouty arc, and Qi Baitong couldn't help but reveal a smile on her face.

He bent down, gently embraced Gu Shanyue, and lifted her up.

Qi Baitong was already prepared, waiting for Gu Shanyue to wake up as usual, and even instinctively punch him in defense.

But there was nothing.

She kept her eyes closed, nestled against his chest, rubbing her little face against him.

It was as if she had long been accustomed to his presence, accustomed to his embrace, and the body instinct of a top swordsman instinctively yielded slightly to him.

For a moment, Qi Baitong could barely suppress her rapid breathing, her heart melting with warmth.

After spending every day together, had he finally earned her trust?

This is what he wants. He can be nothing, as long as she allows him to stay by her side.

No matter how turbulent her heart was, Qi Baitong's movements remained incredibly gentle, her steps perfectly steady. She carried him into the inner room, placed him on the bed, removed his shoes and outer garment, covered him with a blanket, and made sure everything was comfortable and refreshing.

Gu Shanyue didn't wake up even once during the night, and rolled into the quilt and slept soundly.

Qi Baitong nestled on the footstool beside her bed, his elbows resting on the edge of the bed, quietly watching her.

In recent days, the weather has become increasingly cool and the rainfall has become more frequent. Li Yuheng has been busier day by day, and he is often nowhere to be seen in his residence.

The agreed-upon departure date was approaching.

Gu Shanyue and Qi Baitong's luggage has been packed, of course, all packed by Qi Baitong.

When Gu Shanyue went out, she would only take money, medicine, and Wugou with her, and nothing else. This time was different. Qi Baitong had categorized their belongings and carried two large bundles. Gu Shanyue didn't open them to look at them, presumably because Qi Baitong could conjure up whatever she wanted from the bundles in the future.

The day before his departure, Gu Shanyue did not see Li Yuheng once from morning till night.

She sat in the courtyard, her brows furrowed, as the last rays of the setting sun were swallowed by the horizon and dusk fell.

Qi Baitong, who had been silent all along, spoke up, her voice slightly hoarse: "I'll go check if he's back yet."

Just as he turned around, Gu Shanyue suddenly stood up: "I'll go ask him myself."

Qi Baitong quickly followed her, knowing that Gu Shanyue was angry.

She is actually a very easygoing person, not bothered by anything, but only when it comes to Wushan Jade can she be so emotionally affected.

Li Yuheng had not yet returned, so Gu Shanyue grabbed one of Li Yuheng's men, asked him where he was, and then flew off toward their destination.

The evening breeze carried a slight chill, and the restaurant was filled with the fragrance of flowers and the aroma of wine. The graceful women were dressed in light, cool clothing, making it a perfect place to stroll and enjoy the scenery.

As soon as Gu Shanyue burst in, there was a chorus of exclamations in the building. Qi Baitong scanned left and right, instantly found the guards of the Crown Prince's residence, grabbed one of them, and asked him for Li Yuheng's location.

The two rushed over, and before the guards could report, the door had already been kicked open by Gu Shanyue.

The room was filled with the aroma of incense. Li Yuheng was drinking with several officials, while a beautiful young woman beside him poured wine and played the zither, creating a scene of refined elegance.

The door slammed shut, startling everyone inside.

Li Yuheng turned around, his cheeks flushed from drinking, and looked over with anger in his eyes, meeting Gu Shanyue's expressionless gaze.

"……elder sister"

His lips trembled, and he quickly stood up, forgetting that he was still holding a wine glass, spilling the amber wine all over himself.

Li Yuheng disregarded his disheveled appearance and the stares of others, and strode towards Gu Shanyue.

"Sister, what brings you here?"

Gu Shanyue frowned and waved his hand in front of him. Li Yuheng knew he was reeking of alcohol, so he quickly took a step back.

"What are you doing?" Gu Shanyue asked.

“I…” Li Yuheng looked back and saw that the officials were all standing there, their eyes darting back and forth between them. Li Yuheng gave a polite smile and said, “You all continue drinking. I’ll be right back.”

The officials then relaxed and exchanged a few words of agreement.

Li Yuheng pulled on Gu Shanyue's sleeve and led her out of the room to a secluded spot.

"Sister, Father's condition has worsened, and with the recent heavy rains, the southern rivers have flooded and inundated villages. Li Kaiyang's faction is eyeing us covetously, and these are the ministers sent out to provide disaster relief..."

He rambled on, his handsome face reeking of alcohol, but his mind remained clear, and he spoke in a well-organized manner.

Gu Shanyue raised her hand: "No need to say anything more. I'll just ask you one question: are you going back to Zhuoguang Mountain tomorrow?"

Li Yuheng opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word for a long time. Gu Shanyue looked at him with clear and bright eyes.

After a long silence, he sighed deeply, "Sister, I'm in a difficult position."

Gu Shanyue smirked: "Don't make promises you can't keep. Now that it's too late, you're saying you're in a difficult position."

Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, Li Yuheng felt a pang of heartache yet was utterly powerless. He said dejectedly, "Sister, this is truly a crucial moment, I..."

Gu Shanyue didn't want to hear a word and interrupted him directly: "You just be a good Crown Prince, I'm definitely going back to see my senior sister."

She turned and walked out, but after a few steps, she stopped and turned her profile halfway back to Li Yuheng, who was looking at her expectantly.

"Don't worry, I will keep my promise to you. I will come back to attend your wedding."

These words implied a clear line between the two parties.

Li Yuheng hurriedly called out, "Sister, sister, sister!"

Gu Shanyue had exceptional hearing, so how could she not hear him? But she didn't stop walking and moved further and further away from him in the crowd.

Li Yuheng was distraught, and the alcohol made him faint.

The Crown Prince's residence was brightly lit at night. Qi Baitong was still packing his luggage. Actually, there wasn't much to pack. He had been tidying up his luggage over and over again for countless days.

This was the first time he had gone so far with Gu Shanyue. Although the purpose was to pay homage to Wushan Jade, he still couldn't suppress his excitement.

That's Zhuoguang Mountain, the place where Gu Shanyue grew up, her hometown.

But tonight, Qi Baitong was restless, putting the same thing into his bundle and taking it out again, then putting it back in, without knowing what he was doing.

Gu Shanyue sat to the side and glanced at him: "Are you bringing this medicine bottle or not?"

Qi Baitong snapped out of his daze, looked down, and saw that he was holding the scar-removing medicine that should have been hidden deep in his bundle, which he had somehow found out.

"This is what you need to bring."

He lowered his eyes, put the medicine bottle away, and couldn't help but look at Gu Shanyue: "A-Yue, His Highness has fainted."

Gu Shanyue said calmly, "I know."

Bai Yan has come three times already. Not to mention Gu Shanyue, even a passing bird would probably know that Li Yuheng has fainted.

After a moment of silence, Qi Baitong asked softly, "Aren't you going to go see him?"

More than that, he wanted to know if they could still leave on time tomorrow.

He knew how important Li Yuheng was to Gu Shanyue, and he feared that this hard-won trip would be ruined by Li Yuheng's illness.

"I'm not going," Gu Shanyue uttered.

That's what she said, but she didn't go to bed until late at night, and just sat at the table looking out the window at the night view.

Qi Baitong stayed by her side tidying up, opening and closing the bundle repeatedly.

At midnight, Bai Yan came again.

The courtyard gate was wide open, and Bai Yan strode in, her face beaming with joy: "Miss, His Highness has woken up and can sit up to eat, but he keeps thinking about you..."

The window is closed.

Bai Yan was taken aback, then turned to walk towards the door.

The door was closed.

Once again met with a closed door, Bai Yan had no choice but to leave.

Inside the room, Gu Shanyue heard Li Yuheng wake up, closed her eyes, and lay down on the bed.

She was relieved that the person was still alive.

Qi Baitong felt a pang of sadness, knowing she was worried about Li Yuheng, but he felt even more sorry for Gu Shanyue who had stayed up all night.

He slowly walked over, his warm fingers touching Gu Shanyue's temples. Gu Shanyue's eyelids twitched as she was about to open her eyes, but Qi Baitong whispered, "Go to sleep, I'll massage you."

His movements were gentle, but his fingers were strong, pressing on Gu Shanyue's scalp and forehead acupoints until they felt hot.

She was already drowsy, and with that pressure, she quickly relaxed and fell into a deep sleep.

Qi Baitong pressed her hand for a while, and only when she saw that her breathing was deep and she was fast asleep did she let go and quietly close the door.

By now, the sky was beginning to lighten, and the sound of roosters crowing could be heard in the distance. Qi Baitong blinked her tired eyes and went to prepare breakfast.

He had several days to travel, and this was his last peaceful meal; he didn't want to rely on anyone else.

Gu Shanyue slept until mid-morning, and after washing up, her favorite dishes were already laid out on the table.

Qi Baitong served her a bowl of soup and brought it to her, asking with concern, "Did you get enough sleep?"

Gu Shanyue shook her head: "No."

She's always been a good eater and sleeper, sleeping through the night. If she stays up all night, she definitely needs to sleep for another day to replenish her energy. Getting up too early today is definitely not an option.

Qi Baitong could also see that she was not in good spirits, and tenderly rubbed the dark circles under her eyes.

"Do you want to sleep a little longer?"

"No need, we need to get going."

Gu Shanyue had to return before her senior sister's birthday, as she did every year, and this year would be no exception.

Qi Baitong didn't try to persuade him any further; he knew that Gu Shanyue's decision was difficult to change.

Gu Shanyue buried his head in his food and ate heartily. Although he was sleepy, he still had to eat his fill.

She ate quickly, and Qi Baitong couldn't help but advise, "Eat slowly, don't choke."

Gu Shanyue shook his head, mumbling as he ate, "We need to leave early, or it will be noon."

Just as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

"elder sister."

A familiar voice rang out, sounding slightly weak.

Author's Note: Double update today!