Chapter 50 Extra 10

Xie Zhuo seized every opportunity to make his presence felt.

As Ling Wei was talking to an old woman, he casually took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped away a speck of dust that had somehow gotten on her forehead. When they passed a puddle, he casually put his arm around Ling Wei's waist and easily led her across, saying, "Watch where you're going."

Gu Qingyan silently followed half a step behind, watching the scene unfold before her.

He looked at Ling Wei's profile, which seemed so natural and accustomed to Xie Zhuo's affectionate gestures;

They watched as the people around them took the sight of the two walking side by side for granted;

Looking at Xie Zhuo's arrogant demeanor, as if he wanted to leave a mark of possessiveness on Ling Wei.

His face remained calm and composed, but his fingers tucked into his sleeves curled slightly.

It was a bitterness that only he himself knew, like fine needles, silently piercing his heart.

He seemed like a complete outsider, intruding into a world that others had long since formed an unbroken circle.

...

Three months have passed in a flash, and the springtime in the border region has painted this land with vibrant greenery.

Gu Qingyan has gradually gotten used to life here. He took off the brocade robe he wore when he first arrived and put on plain cotton clothes that were no different from those worn by local officials.

Even with such simple attire, his gentle and refined demeanor, deeply ingrained in his very being, was still undeniable.

He walked with ease and spoke with gentleness, forming a quiet and unique scene in the rugged streets and alleys of the border town.

This unique temperament also attracted many bold and straightforward advances from women on the border. Often, enthusiastic girls would blush and stuff freshly picked fruit into his arms.

He and Xie Zhuo have become two completely different symbols of the frontier.

One was like the blazing sun, fierce and unrestrained, mingling with soldiers and civilians; the other was like the bright moon, shining with its own radiance, quietly cultivating his knowledge in the official school.

The biggest piece of good news in the past few months has been the remarkable achievements of the official schools.

The first group of border residents and tribal youths who received moral education have already demonstrated an amazing effect in border trade and document exchanges, greatly reducing disputes and increasing efficiency.

Even some of the most difficult tribal elders offered to send more children to the school.

To celebrate this event, Ling Wei decided to hold a simple celebratory banquet in front of the Governor's Office, both to reward everyone and to further strengthen relationships.

On the night of the banquet, a bonfire was lit, and the aroma of roasted meat filled the night sky.

Ling Wei was talking with several tribal elders when people came up to toast her from time to time. She responded with a smile and her demeanor was brisk and straightforward.

Xie Zhuo followed closely beside her, and noticed that her brows furrowed unconsciously after she had drunk several cups.

When another person stepped forward with a wine bowl, he stepped in front of Ling Wei, took the bowl, and said loudly to the newcomer, "Lord Ling has other important matters to attend to. I will drink this wine for her."

The visitor was an acquaintance, and upon seeing this, he chuckled and joked, "General Xie, you're following me way too closely!"

Xie Zhuo didn't say much, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, revealing the bottom of the bowl with a bold gesture, which drew cheers from those around him.

Ling Wei glanced at him, smiled helplessly, but didn't say anything.

A little further away, Gu Qingyan sat alone, his usually gentle eyes now tinged with melancholy. Some people, out of admiration for his knowledge, came forward to offer him a toast, which he accepted without hesitation, emptying his cup quickly and hastily.

The strong liquor burned his throat, and gradually, his jade-like face flushed red, and his eyes began to glaze over.

As the effects of alcohol took hold, the pent-up emotions seemed to find an outlet.

He suddenly looked up in Ling Wei's direction and called out, clearly drunk, "Weiwei."

The sound wasn't too abrupt in the noisy banquet. A few people nearby turned around to look, then turned back to continue chatting and laughing.

Seeing that he received no response, Gu Qingyan stubbornly called out again, his voice louder and even carrying a hint of barely perceptible grievance: "Weiwei!"

This immediately drew the attention of many people, and the room quieted down a bit.

Ling Wei looked over at the sound and saw Gu Qingyan staring at her with a hazy look in his eyes, a stark contrast to his usual gentle demeanor.

He swirled the wine in his glass, his tone laced with drunken bluntness and accusation: "Everyone else can drink with you... why won't you drink with me?"

The people on the field had never seen the usually dignified and self-possessed Scholar Gu in such a state before. They looked at the center of the conversation, their Lord Ling, with a hint of mockery.

Seeing this, Ling Wei knew he was drunk, so she simply picked up her wine glass and walked over, saying readily, "If my cousin is toasting me, of course I'll drink."

Having said that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Gu Qingyan watched her decisive movements, a complex emotion flashing across his eyes. He slowly finished his drink and said in a low voice, "Cousin...you have a good capacity for alcohol."

His gaze remained fixed on her face, almost drawing blood.

Xie Zhuo, who was standing to the side, ground his back teeth and his face darkened. He strode forward, grabbed the wine jar, and slammed it down in front of Gu Qingyan. His voice was full of gunpowder: "If you're a man, stop talking nonsense. If you want to drink, I'll drink with you to my heart's content!"

Gu Qingyan glanced at him through her drunken, hazy eyes, but didn't refuse.

The two stopped talking and began drinking bowl after bowl in silence, while the others cheered them on.

This completely drowned out Ling Wei's attempts to persuade her.

Ling Wei, completely ignored: "..."

The system still conjured up a handful of sunflower seeds and started crackling them open; it had finally gotten its chance to watch the show!

In the end, the two men almost simultaneously passed out drunk and were helped away by their respective attendants.

After the banquet ended, Ling Wei finished her chores and, remembering that Gu Qingyan was quite drunk, couldn't help but worry. So she got up and walked towards Qingyuan, where he lived.

The courtyard gate was open. She gently knocked on the door of the inner room, and it was her attendant, Cheng Shu, who opened the door.

Ling Wei handed over the hangover medicine she had brought and instructed, "The liquor at the border is strong and has a long aftereffect. My cousin has drunk so much; I'm afraid his body can't handle it. Take this medicine and keep a close eye on him tonight. If he feels unwell, report to me immediately."

Cheng Shu quickly nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, sir, I will take good care of the young master."

Ling Wei turned to leave, but after taking only two steps, she heard a hurried call from inside the house behind her:

“Weiwei…”

She turned around and saw that Gu Qingyan had obviously gotten up in a hurry. His dark hair was slightly messy, and he was only wearing a plain nightgown with his outer robe loosely draped over his shoulders. The belt was not tied properly, revealing a small patch of his fair collarbone and firm chest.

His cheeks were flushed an unnatural red, his eyes were hazy, and he was heavily intoxicated. He took a few steps forward, grabbed her wrist, and his strength was somewhat out of control.

"Weiwei..." His voice was terribly hoarse, filled with a childlike grievance and stubbornness, "Why...why did you leave?"

Ling Wei found it quite amusing to see him acting so differently from his usual composed and self-possessed self: "Cousin, you've had too much to drink. Go back and rest."

"I'm not drunk."

He stubbornly denied it, refusing to let go. Instead, fueled by his drunkenness, he pressed his burning forehead against her cool hand, murmuring softly, his breath hot, "Weiwei...don't go..."

He raised his eyes, and those usually clear and gentle eyes were now shimmering with tears, veiled with a fragile, dreamy look, as he gazed intently at her.

The loose collar of his nightgown rose and fell slightly with his rapid breathing, and the moonlight cast an ambiguous shadow on his neck.

He stopped speaking and just looked at her with a pitiful expression, as if he were silently praying for something, a stark contrast to his usual restraint and propriety.

Ling Wei's heart skipped a beat.