East Gate
Cicadas chirped in the summer, willows swayed their branches, a gentle breeze stirred, a palm-leaf fan turned slightly, and ice in the room emitted gusts of cool air. Gu Youan, dressed in light clothing, leaned against the chaise lounge, her eyes closed as if she were dozing.
It was the height of summer, and Xiao Cui handed over the invitation. "Miss, the Princess is holding a banquet at her residence and has sent the invitation to the Xie family."
Gu Youan glanced at the invitation lightly, "System, does this mean all the stories have been brought forward?"
"Host, this is just a gathering of noble ladies from Biancheng."
Six months ago, she made an agreement with Xie Daoqing to represent the Xie family in contacting prominent women in Biancheng.
"Go find Young Master Xie; that's a different price."
"Miss, this..."
Gu Youan held her handkerchief tightly. "The Xie family is large and powerful, but they only have Xie Daoqing and his sister as their masters. Recently, the price of medicinal herbs in Biancheng has gone up again."
She looked at her chubby hands, bare and exposed to sunlight streaming through her fingertips, highlighting her fair skin.
Xie Daoqing stood at the door looking at her, "I heard there's a gathering at the Princess's residence?"
Gu Youan tilted her head and looked at him, "Today I also want you to attend the Princess's banquet."
Xie Daoqing and Gu Youan exchanged a glance, and Xiao Cui gently closed the door, leaving only the two of them in the room.
Xie Daoqing slowly approached her. "Did you discover something?"
“Ever since you pretended to be disabled, you’ve stayed indoors. The Princess is the Emperor’s elder sister, and her invitation has already been sent to the Xie family. I can’t keep helping you escape.”
Xie Daoqing lowered his head and smiled slightly, "Miss Gu, I am currently disabled in my legs. If I attend the banquet, you will be ridiculed by the young ladies of noble families."
Gu Youan craned her neck to look at him, "Young Master Xie, if you stay indoors, His Majesty will become suspicious."
For the past six months, Gu Youan has been present at every banquet in Biancheng.
"It's been so hot lately, we'll have to raise the price!" Gu Youan said casually.
"Miss Gu is asking for an exorbitant amount."
Gu Youan lay half-reclined on the couch, revealing half of her arm, which was plump and full-figured. "We agreed from the beginning that since the Xie family can't afford to support us, Jiannan and I will leave."
Suddenly, a stack of silver notes was placed in her palm. "Just go ahead, there are plenty of silver notes."
Gu Youan looked at him with bright eyes, "Has the Xie family been involved in any shady business?"
Xie Daoqing suddenly grabbed her arm and put a jade-green bracelet on her wrist. "Miss Gu, please come over."
Gu Youan examined the bracelet. "Why do you always avoid the Princess?"
Since she arrived at the Xie family, the eldest princess has repeatedly sent visiting cards, but Xie Daoqing has avoided seeing them. Gu Youan always felt that she had been set up.
Xie Daoqing's eyelashes fluttered, and Gu Youan caught a glimpse of sadness in them. "Xie Daoqing, I am your fiancée. If you and the Princess have a relationship, I hope that your affairs will not involve me."
Xie Daoqing raised her eyelids and widened her eyes, "You have quite the imagination, Miss Gu."
“When I was young, I was His Majesty’s study companion, and I also had some connection with the Eldest Princess.”
Gu Youan's hand brushed against his retreating step. "It's more than just a little friendship, isn't it?"
Xie Daoqing grabbed his hand. "Miss Gu, don't touch other people's legs so casually."
Gu Youan looked at him and then thought of Ye Qingchen's eyes. How could Ye Qingchen fall in love with someone like that at first sight?
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You've been setting things up!"
Her round face pressed closer, the fragrance of a woman lingering in the air. "You'an, I won't hurt you."
Gu Youan's heart trembled. "You will, Xie Daoqing. Aren't I just a pawn in your game?"
Xie Daoqing entered the palace at a young age and had a deep friendship with Li Lingyue. It was Li Lingyue who poisoned him. Xie Daoqing took advantage of the situation and orchestrated everything through Gu Youan.
She took the jade bracelet off her wrist. "I don't want this bracelet. I just want you to go to the Princess's residence."
Xie Daoqing's expression shifted, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Alright."
She continued, rambling on, "I don't want to know about what's going on between you and them, but Daoqing, I can't just blindly become the one to stick my neck out."
At the banquet, Li Lingyue's subtle but palpable hatred left her with no way to escape.
“Since you still have the affection you had when you were young, I believe she also wants to protect you.” When Gu Youan was treating Xie Daoqing’s leg ailment, he discovered that the poison was used skillfully; any more and his leg would have been gone.
Gu Youan looked into his eyes, "She just wants you to give in."
As the eldest princess, Li Lingyue chose a third way to protect Xie Daoqing from her younger brother's persecution.
The light in Xie Daoqing's eyes dimmed, and she let out a long sigh. "I don't want to see her, You'an. I know his difficulties, but my parents went to Liangzhou for His Majesty back then, and now they have both been murdered. I can't look at her calmly."
In the original book, Xie Daoqing is a man of integrity and upright character. He is attracted to Ye Qingchen, and the two share the same fundamental nature.
Gu Youan was stunned for a moment, then fell silent. "This is the last time. The Princess wants to see you. Go see her."
Gu Youan turned her head, letting the cold air blow on her face, "I want more ice."
She is in a stage of rapid physical development, and these days staying at the Xie family's house, she has unknowingly gained weight. Overweight people are most afraid of getting tired.
She touched the pendant around her neck, which now had a plump and beautiful appearance. Back in her school days, she always felt hungry and loved to eat, and her parents never restricted her. Now, in this world of books, she continued this tradition.
Xie Daoqing smiled and said, "The East Gate Tavern has braised pork knuckles, would you like to come along?"
Gu Youan looked up at him and asked, "What brings you to this mood today?"
She squinted her eyes and smiled, "I've heard that the Princess often goes to that East Gate Tavern."
“You often send your servant to the east gate; today I will go out with you.”
Gu Youan got off the bed. "Xiao Cui, bring me my clothes. We're going out today."
After moving into the Xie family home, she realized what kind of life she had been living before. If it weren't for Xie Daoqing, Gu Youan would have been wealthy all her life, but she just happened to meet him.
Gu Youan gave him one last look. "Your misfortune shouldn't involve me, Xie Daoqing."
Her emotions were fleeting; her attention was drawn to the scenery outside the window, and enjoying the present moment was what she should be doing.
The carriage stopped in front of the East Gate Tavern. Gu Youan helped Xie Daoqing out of the carriage. She was wearing a pale yellow gauze dress embroidered with pearls, a flower crown on her head, and a jade pendant hanging from her waist.
A gaze was fixed on her. Gu Youan looked up and saw a person standing at the second-floor window. This person was dressed in a long red gauze and wore a phoenix hairpin in her hair, which was magnificent and dazzling.
Gu Youan and she smiled at each other. In the original book, Ye Qingchen was like a ball of fire, warming Xie Daoqing and burning Gu Youan. In their story, Gu Youan only wanted to peacefully move towards the end.
As the eldest princess, Li Lingyue had to quickly cling to this powerful figure.
Xie Daoqing followed her gaze and looked over. Gu Youan felt her hand lighten. She chuckled and withdrew her hand. These two were indeed up to something and still had feelings for each other. She hoped that Ye Qingchen would not seduce her in the future, but would instead seduce the Princess.
Gu Youan lowered her eyes. Li Lingyue's gaze was too intense, and she didn't want Li Lingyue to misunderstand.
Let the protagonists navigate their own emotional challenges; she can focus on her cultivation.
After the two arrived at the room, a servant opened the door. Neither of them noticed the other, and the servant bumped into Gu Youan.
"Ouch!" Gu Youan clutched her head.
Once the two had separated, Gu Youan could finally see who it was. She frowned as she looked at the child in front of her. The child next to Li Lingyue was actually Ye Qingchen.
Gu Youan's head exploded with a "boom," as if countless sparks were flying. Her memory drifted back to the fire that day. She felt dizzy and vomited uncontrollably while hugging the pillar next to her.
"You'an, what's wrong with you?" Xie Daoqing supported her, patted her back, and asked softly, "Let's go back today."
She held Xie Daoqing's hand and said, "No need, I just had an upset stomach."
In a corner where no one was watching, the boy's sinister eyes were fixed on Gu Youan.
“Miss Gu, I have a female physician with me. Why don’t you let her take a look at you?”
She immediately straightened her clothes, saying, "It was my fault for being impolite."
The terrifying scene from that day resurfaced in his mind's eye, and seeing Ye Qingchen again today filled him with a sense of fear.
She looked at the servant in front of her and thought, "The princess has such a handsome young man by her side."
Li Lingyue touched Ye Qingchen's face, "This is one of my servants. If you want him, I will give him to Miss Gu."
Gu Youan shook her head. Xie Daoqing was still by her side; she dared not bring Ye Qingchen to the Xie family.
In the original book, the three of them should have met for the first time three years later. Could it be that all the storylines have been brought forward? She secretly observed Ye Qingchen, who was currently just a servant by Li Lingyue's side.
Xie Daoqing held her hand. "Princess, she is not feeling well today, so we will return first."
Gu Youan perked up immediately upon hearing this. "No way! I'm not the one who'll be the cannon fodder in your relationship!" Whether it's Li Lingyue and Xie Daoqing or Ye Qingchen and Xie Daoqing, she didn't want to get involved in other people's emotional struggles.
She withdrew her hand, gently stepped forward and took Li Lingyue's hand, whispering in a tone only the two of them could hear, "Princess, I came here today to tell you that Xie Daoqing and I are completely innocent."
Li Lingyue chuckled lightly, "I've prepared some food in the side room."
Gu Youan understood and pulled Ye Qingchen into the room. She gently touched her chest. Since entering the main storyline, she always felt like she was out of control.
She sat upright at the table, in front of her a feast of braised pork knuckles. She glanced at Ye Qingchen, then at the food in front of her, and asked, "How long have you been in the princess's residence?"
Ye Qingchen asked softly, "Miss, don't you remember the Ye family?"
Gu Youan spat out a mouthful of tea. "Sister, do you really not remember me?"
His alluring and seductive eyes gazed at her. Gu Youan gently pushed him away, as if a snake were crawling up her hand, and threw away the pork knuckle.
He gently took out a handkerchief and put it in her hands, but Gu Youan pulled it back, saying, "You're mistaken."
"You saved me at the Ye family that day, sister. Let me serve you."
Gu Youan's eyes widened in shock; she couldn't avoid becoming cannon fodder between Xie Daoqing and Ye Qingchen.
She looked down at Ye Qingchen and said, "If you want to leave the Princess's residence, I can help you leave."
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