Chapter 36 Entanglement

Ever since she expelled Zhao Yunzhong from the General's Mansion that day, Gu Wan had never stepped out of the mansion again. Occasionally, the doorman would report that a young man named Zhao wanted to see her, but she always avoided him. Li Deguang's condition became more and more serious, and Aunt Zhou's attitude became more and more strange. The exhaustion brought by life made her want to escape at one point.

Late at night, Gu Wan sat alone in the room, her fists clenched tightly as she complained to herself that she had lived two lives but could not do what she wanted to do, nor could she love the person she wanted to love. The frustration from the bottom of her heart made Gu Wan breathless.

She could never be decisive and ruthless, but being indecisive and hesitant would always bring many troubles. There is a saying that when it rains it pours, and Gu Wan's current situation is a profound interpretation of this saying.

Just two months after Gu Wan returned to Beijing, General Zhenyuan Li Deguang finally died that autumn. In order to show his benevolence, the emperor specially conferred the title of Loyal and Brave General on the deceased general's eldest son.

That night, Gu Wan stood up numbly. Her legs, which had been kneeling for so long, had lost all feeling. Someone seemed to be coming outside the mourning hall. She pressed her legs, reluctantly sat on the chair and looked at the person, but the moment she saw clearly, her eyes widened instantly.

"Duanru, do you know this Young Master Zhao? Is this how you treat your old friend?" Zhou Wan said calmly. Ever since she heard the maid in her room talk about it some time ago, she has been paying attention to the down-and-out scholar who often stayed outside the general's mansion. Li Duanru's attitude also made her feel that something was fishy. So when she returned to the mansion and saw Zhao Yunzhong who was refused entry again, today's drama happened.

Gu Wan sat there dejectedly, watching her accusing him without saying a word, his fingers unconsciously clutching his sleeves, like a floating island, without companions and without pursuit.

Seeing that Gu Wan didn't say a word, Zhou Wan didn't want to give up. The enemy seemed to have no fighting power, so of course he had to seize the opportunity.

She sat leisurely opposite Gu Wan, and casually glanced at Zhao Yunzhong who was standing awkwardly in front of the door. "It is said that Mr. Zhao has a good personal relationship with the eldest son of my general's mansion. This is not our way of treating guests. Duanru, if there is any inconvenience, please tell me. Maybe Second Lady can help you a little."

Gu Wan looked up, and the remaining piece of land in his heart crumbled into pieces. The corners of his mouth raised in self-mockery, "I am the second son of this general's mansion. I have never known any Mr. Zhao. Second mother, please don't listen to the slander."

"You...ha, I won't argue with you. Let's let this Young Master Zhao speak for himself." Zhou Wan almost couldn't control her emotions. She wanted to see how Li Duanru would explain today.

Zhao Yunzhong glanced at Aunt Zhou and seemed to have gained some confidence. He didn't dare to look at Gu Wan's sharp eyes. He turned his head away and said to himself, "Madam, as I just said, Brother Gu and I are both teachers at Chong'an Academy in Jiuqu County. We have a very close personal relationship. I don't know why Brother Gu suddenly returned to the capital and became the young master of the General's Mansion. He even doesn't recognize me, a country teacher."

After hearing this, Zhou Wan knew that this matter was not simple, but she was not in a hurry. She could not eat hot tofu in a hurry. The most important thing at the moment was to keep this scholar. She would have plenty of time to find out the reasons behind it in the future.

Gu Wan looked at the downtrodden man in front of her indifferently, not knowing whether she should be thankful that he hadn't revealed his identity yet. She had her own thoughts in her mind and spoke weakly, "That's all. Is there anything else to say? If not, please leave."

"Duanru, how can you talk like that? Young Master Zhao has come from afar to our general's mansion. It is neither reasonable nor moral to drive him away. In my opinion, Young Master Zhao should stay here for the time being." Zhou Wan hurriedly contradicted Gu Wan.

Gu Wan ignored Zhao Yunzhong who was thanking her for taking her in, and she no longer responded to Aunt Zhou's sarcasm. She walked out of the hall and returned to her room as if no one was around. In this world, there would never be a hug that belonged to her again.

It was a dark and windy night. Gu Wan's room was quietly opened, and a figure carrying a package quietly walked out. But as soon as she walked into the yard, she was stopped by someone. "Wanmei, why are you doing this? What's so good about being a man? Now you are going to lose the family property of this general's mansion? How can you be worthy of the old general in his nine springs by doing this?"

Gu Wan sneered. What a noble and upright Zhao Yunzhong. "Mr. Zhao, this is my family affair. I don't need you to worry about it. I hope you have some shame and don't get in the way."

"Wanmei, you are a young lady from a general's mansion, why do you have to go to that remote Jiuqu County to be a teacher? Isn't it good for us to stay in the general's mansion together? Are you still thinking about that vulgar girl from Liujia Village?" Zhao Yunzhong said puzzledly.

"Zhao Yunzhong, the biggest mistake I, Gu Wan, have made in my life is meeting you. In my eyes, you are not even as good as a hair of my wife." Gu Wan was extremely angry. In her eyes, Yin'er was a synonym for beauty, and no one could slander her at will.

"It's ridiculous. You are all women. Wanmei, wake up and don't be bewitched by that girl anymore. You should marry a man like me." Zhao Yunzhong looked at the stubborn Gu Wan and wished he could make her wake up immediately.

A "crack" sound came from behind the rockery. Zhou Wan had no time to blame the reckless girl beside her. She was still shocked that the woman's son was a girl. She glanced at the girl who was as shocked as herself. She walked out calmly and looked at the two panicked people in the yard. She ignored the thunder in her heart and raised a triumphant smile, as if she had finally got what she wanted after so many years.

"Madam..." Zhao Yunzhong called out in panic, but could not say anything else. Although he did not know why Gu Wan had been dressed as a man since she was a child, he could see that she was closely related to Concubine Zhou of the general's mansion. His only bargaining chip was to force Gu Wan's female identity, but now it was about to be exposed. I am afraid that what he asked for would be even more difficult to achieve.

"It turns out that the second young master of my general's mansion is not a young master. I should call you the second young lady. No wonder you don't want to get married and even killed Qing'er. Duanru is really a good daughter of the general." Zhou Wan knew that this was probably done by Lu Qin, who had already passed away. It was really ironic. She fought for everything all her life and sent her son to the battlefield, but in the end there was no need to fight at all.

Gu Wan was afraid that Li Yuan's identity would also be discovered. Before Zhou Wan could speak, she hurried forward and said seriously and earnestly, "Second Mother, please come with me for a moment to talk."

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The author has something to say:

The update I promised is here, remember to read it when you wake up in the morning~

Don't worry, there will be two chapters today, and another chapter will be available later. Sweet dreams~