Chapter 44 Xu Shulan moved into a side courtyard
Gu Nanxiao was not surprised by Yong Wang's biased words. He just sneered and asked, "How do you remember when Father threw me, at the age of twelve, into the border camp to suffer?"
It means that even if you're injured or tired, you have to endure it, otherwise you're not a real man.
Why do my two half-brothers become fragile porcelain dolls, unable to be hurt? Are they destined to be stay-at-home wives, so they don't need to act like men?
The Prince of Yong regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth. It was just a habit. He remembered that his eldest son had been very clingy to him before he turned twelve.
Back then, when he practiced a set of spear techniques on the training ground, his son would praise him as if he were a god descended from heaven, his bright black eyes filled with admiration.
When Gu Nanxiao came of age and returned to the capital from the border to report on his duties, the father and son met again. The son's eyes held no trace of filial affection.
King Yong admitted that he had indeed neglected his son during the eight years his son had been stationed at the border, but he had sent him there to gain experience for his own good. Otherwise, how could his son have developed such skills, let alone attain his current official position?
As for Gu Wen and Gu Wu, I might show them some favoritism because I watched them grow up, but which parent doesn't have biases?
Gu Nanxiao thought that after repeatedly disrespecting his father, he would get angry and leave as usual, but to his surprise, he just snorted and continued eating.
He felt that his father was acting strangely today, as if he really wanted to stay with him, but Gu Nanxiao quickly dismissed this idea.
His father had disliked him since childhood, and he had never received a word of approval from him. Therefore, it must be that he was overthinking things and had such a presumptuous idea.
A short while later, Xu Shulan changed her clothes and returned to the table. After that, no one spoke; everyone ate their meal quietly, though their eyes would occasionally glance at Gu Nanxiao and Yunxi.
To everyone's surprise, Yunxi's demeanor was extremely dignified, completely overshadowing the three young ladies, Shen Yujiao, Xu Shulan, and Gu Nanyue.
If it weren't for the fact that everyone knew Yunxi grew up in a rural village, people who didn't know her background would think she was the legitimate daughter of some powerful family.
After the meal, the two brothers, Gu Nanwen and Gu Nanwu, ran off without even raising their heads, looking as if they were afraid that Gu Nanxiao would drag them away for a sparring match.
Seeing his two illegitimate sons so cowardly, the Prince of Yong couldn't help but feel disappointed. But when he looked up at his eldest son, who was tall, imposing, and had an extraordinary bearing, he felt a little gratified.
Gu Nanxiao had no intention of chasing after those two idiots. After lunch, wouldn't the most pleasant thing be to hold the sweet and soft Yunxi and take a nap?
When Yunxi thought of this guy, who often acted foolishly during the day, she made an excuse that she had to prepare a birthday banquet for the princess and returned to her own courtyard.
Gu Nanxiao could completely guess her little scheme, but he didn't stop her. What she avoided during the day, she could make up for at night.
To his surprise, before he could even go to the side courtyard to arrest the person that evening, Yunxi came over with her maid.
To avoid pleasure, Yunxi would never come to him around bedtime. Every time, Gu Nanxiao would personally go to the side courtyard and forcibly carry her back to his room.
Gu Nanxiao looked at Yunxi with a leisurely air, wanting to tease her a bit, but then he thought of how shy and temperamental the little girl was, and he was afraid that he might not be able to control himself and make her run away.
Yunxi could tell from the man's expression that he had misunderstood, and she felt even more annoyed and didn't even want to talk anymore.
Before she could say anything, Zisu, who was standing nearby, couldn't hold back any longer. The little maid hurriedly complained to Gu Nanxiao, "My lord, you don't know, Miss Shen just went to Miss's courtyard."
They brought a group of nannies and maids and forcibly threw all of our young lady's belongings into the woodshed. Our young lady, being without any official status, had no choice but to swallow her anger.
After listening, Gu Nanxiao finally understood what had happened. Although it shouldn't have been, he felt that Shen Yujiao had done a good deed this time. He reached out and pulled Yunxi, who was standing to the side with her cheeks puffed up in anger, into his lap, and said:
“I already disliked that you lived too far away from me. From now on, you can live in my courtyard. We can stay together every day, and let that annoying person stay in that dilapidated courtyard.”
Although Yunxi still had the same expressionless face, there was a hint of a smile in her eyes. Thinking about how Shen Yujiao went crazy afterwards, she felt that Gu Nanxiao's method was just right for destroying her spirit.
Seeing that Yunxi's mood had improved, Gu Nanxiao's heart warmed again. He couldn't help but lower his head and lightly peck at her red lips, and then deepened the kiss as if he wanted more.
Seeing the two masters being affectionate again, Zisu wisely turned and left. When only the two of them remained in the study, Gu Nanxiao's hand on Yunxi's waist took on a different meaning.
Seeing that the situation was not going well, Yunxi immediately suggested, "How about we study the second chapter of 'The Art of War' together today?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Nanxiao stopped what he was doing and agreed without hesitation.
So Yunxi wrote another book, "The Art of War," and added nine defeat strategies from the Thirty-Six Stratagems.
The two of them, just like yesterday, first discussed military strategy, then analyzed and discussed it, and finally practiced using a sand table. Gu Nanxiao thoroughly enjoyed the process.
His thoughts always coincided with Yunxi's, and Yunxi would often deduce arguments that exceeded his imagination. This feeling of spiritual pleasure was something he had never experienced from anyone other than Yunxi.
He had discussed military strategy with his father and teacher. But in the eyes of his two elders, he was right and it was only natural. If he made any mistakes, it would be considered that he had not thought things through and had failed to consider the overall situation.
Although Yunxi taught him military strategy, the two were also like teacher and friend, and Yunxi never hesitated to praise him. This affirmation rekindled a sense of lofty ambition in his long-suppressed heart.
They were playing chess on the sand table for the fifth time when Mo Yu came in to report: "Master, Xu Shulan has received the Prince's permission and has moved into the side courtyard to your east."
The moment Yunxi thought about the fact that Gu Nanxiao had a fiancée, the warmth in her eyes vanished completely. She didn't know what she was even caring about; she just knew she would leave after getting her revenge.
But no matter how she tried to convince herself, she still felt very choked up inside.
When Mo Yu reported, Gu Nanxiao immediately noticed the momentary stiffness in Yunxi's body. He realized that Yunxi was extremely sensitive about his fiancée. Every time she was mentioned, Yunxi's mood would instantly plummet.
Just then, a servant came to report: "Master, Miss Xu is waiting outside the courtyard. She says she wants to see the Marquis."
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