Gu Yun rode his horse beside the carriage and sent Yu Jiao back to the mansion. He stared at the green curtain, and even though he couldn't see anyone, his eyes were still gentle.

"You don't have to worry about Qin Guang's affairs. He won't dare to bully you again in the future." Gu Yun said in a light voice.

Yu Jiao raised her hand to open the car curtain, looked at him, and asked softly, "Will you get into trouble because of this?"

Being looked at by her watery and clear eyes, Gu Yun seemed to hear an extremely slight sound of fireworks exploding, and something in his chest was beating lightly and quickly, almost flying out of his throat uncontrollably.

She is caring about herself.

This realization made Gu Yun's lips curl up, and his hands holding the reins tightened unconsciously.

Dusk was falling, and the setting sun in the distance broke free from the shackles of the evening mist. The crimson sunset glow passed through the layers of houses and fell behind Yu Jiao, casting a soft halo on her beautiful young face.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, Gu Yun finally heard clearly that the violent and brisk beating sound came from his chest, from the uncontrolled heartbeat.

The sound grew louder and louder, as if accompanying the quietly burning afterglow.

He spoke awkwardly amidst the sound of his own heartbeat, "No...it's okay, don't worry."

Gu Yun naturally didn't know how pure, straightforward, warm and bright his eyes were at this moment.

Yu Jiao only felt that Gu Yun's eyes were like sparkling stars, shining brightly. It was the first time she noticed that Gu Yun had a pair of beautiful eyes. She didn't notice anything else. Yu Jiao said sincerely, "Thank you for what you did today."

Gu Yun couldn't help laughing, his eyebrows flying, "It's okay, no matter who bullies you in the future, I will protect you well."

Yu Jiao felt warm in her heart. The very unpleasant first meeting at Yang Yuanchen's home in Qingzhou seemed like a lifetime ago. The young man who had attacked her and wanted to kill her now stood up and told her firmly that he would protect her.

The corners of her lips curled up slightly, and her lively almond eyes flashed with a smile, "Thank you, I'm going back home."

Gu Yun watched the carriage enter the mansion until it disappeared through the screen wall. Then he turned around, clamped his legs around the horse's belly, and headed back to the Annan Marquis' Mansion.

The blue-purple sky was left with only the last bit of pink-blue afterglow from the setting sun. A pale icy moon loomed secretly on the horizon, gently wrapped in a thin, soft, light white cloud, revealing a hazy and gentle moonlight.

The clatter of horse hooves hitting the bluestone alley was as loud as his heartbeat.

Gu Yun raised his chin slightly, with the corners of his eyes and mouth tilted upwards, full of tenderness.

He was immersed in a joy more beautiful than the twilight, and the source of this joy was Yu Jiao.

The amber pupils seemed to crush the starlight in the river, sweet and soft, just because there was a little girl he wanted to protect.

Yu Jiao returned to the yard, and Jianjia asked the maid to bring in hot water. Yu Fuling washed the blood off her face. Yu Jiao took out the medicine to reduce swelling and dissolve blood stasis from the medical box and gently applied it on Yu Fuling's swollen cheek.

Fearing that Yu Qizhe would question her if she returned with injuries on her face, Yu Fuling followed Yu Jiao back to Liu's residence instead of returning to Kanjing Hutong.

After asking Jianjia and Bailu and knowing that neither of them was injured, Yu Jiao felt relieved.

The maids set the table for the meal. Yu Jiao was a little absent-minded while eating, always worried that today's events would bring some hidden dangers to Gu Yun.

However, she had only been in the capital for a short time and had no idea how noble these princely mansions were. She also didn't know whether the status of the Annan Marquisate was higher than that of the Tongqing Earl's Mansion. She also didn't know whether Gu Yun's actions would bring any trouble to the Annan Marquisate.

Jianjia, who was helping them serve the dishes, seemed to have seen through Yu Jiao's worries. She was a thoughtful person. After being together for so long, the master she served had never put on airs and didn't care much about the hierarchy. So she boldly said, "Miss, don't worry. Young Marquis Gu has always acted without scruples. Last time, he broke the leg of Prince Qin and was reported to the emperor. The emperor only reprimanded Young Marquis Gu and didn't punish him."

Yu Jiao paused for a moment with her chopsticks in her hand. "Are you saying that the current emperor still dotes on Young Marquis Gu?"

Jianjia saw that she had spoken rashly during the meal, and the Third Miss did not show any displeasure on her face. She nodded hesitantly, "Maybe, since Young Marquis Gu dared to act like this, he must not be afraid."

Yu Jiao was about to speak again when Bai Lu came in and said, "Miss, the eldest master is here."

Yu Jiao put down her chopsticks and saw Liu Ziqi walking in quickly. She asked, "Big brother, have you eaten yet?"

As soon as Liu Ziqi entered the room, his eyes fell on Yu Jiao. Seeing that she was safe and sound, the concern and worry in his eyes faded a little.

Yu Jiao asked Jianjia to fetch a set of bowls and chopsticks. Liu Ziqi sat down at the table. He said with self-blame in his tone, "I went to the manor today and was not at home. Fortunately, Gu Yun arrived in time."

Yu Jiao smiled at him and comforted him, "Big brother, I'm fine." After a pause, Yu Jiao continued, "Big brother, will Gu Yun cause trouble by crippling Prince Qin's hands and feet?"

Liu Ziqi looked at her gently and said warmly, "Don't worry, let big brother take care of the rest. Gu Yun will be fine."