Chapter 5
Gu Yanling has grown up, and to be honest, he has never met anyone whose thoughts are so difficult to guess.
But he was now determined to please the big shot, so as long as Xiao Xinghan didn't say anything, he would just stand aside obediently.
For the entire afternoon, Xiao Xinghan didn't say a word to him. He was either drinking tea or playing chess, as if he didn't exist. Gu Yanling felt that this big shot's lifestyle was really boring. He didn't show it on his face, but some small actions revealed his inner thoughts.
All his little actions, which he thought were taking advantage of the other party's inattention, such as stretching his legs, hammering his waist, and tapping the ground with his feet, were seen by Xiao Xinghan.
Gu Yanling still felt that she was being very secretive, and complained in her heart that officials really liked to show off. What was the point of playing chess alone in this room?
"Can you play chess?"
Gu Yanling suddenly heard the big shot speak, and she stood up straight reflexively, then sat down opposite Xiao Xinghan, "Yes!"
Xiao Xinghan did not blame him for his misbehavior, but asked him to play a game with him. Gu Yanling was a terrible chess player with mediocre chess skills and a penchant for cheating.
Thinking that since a big shot had asked him to play chess with him, he should do his best, he took the white chess piece and started to place it, thinking deeply about each move, as if he was determined to win.
In less than half an incense stick of time, Xiao Xinghan had already figured out his true level. He lowered his eyes and saw Gu Yanling's face full of seriousness. He dropped the chess piece and picked it up quickly without urging him.
After careful consideration, Gu Yanling finally made her move. Feeling very satisfied, she raised her eyes happily and met Xiao Xinghan's eyes, which were as deep as a deep pool. She blinked hurriedly and urged, "Master, it's your turn."
Xiao Xinghan made his moves very quickly. Gu Yanling's chess skills were no match for the Crown Prince. However, he had no self-awareness and waited until he was completely defeated. He was still secretly happy that his chess skills had improved. He really thought that he was playing against the opponent in a back-and-forth game and had no idea that the opponent had unleashed a powerful force.
Gu Yanling was still not satisfied: "Master, let's play another round?"
Xiao Xinghan threw the black piece in his hand into the jade jar: "No."
Gu Yanling did not feel any regret and stood up to serve tea to Xiao Xinghan, "Master, have some tea."
After Xiao Xinghan took it, Gu Yanling walked behind him again and said, "Master, are your shoulders sore? Let me give you a massage."
Xiao Xinghan: "Yeah."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yanling stretched out her hand and grasped at the air, flexing her fingers before placing them on Xiao Xinghan's shoulders, skillfully pinching the acupoints on his neck and shoulder. "Master, do you feel comfortable?"
Xiao Xinghan: "Not bad."
Gu Yanling raised her hand from his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Master, close your eyes. I'll massage your temples."
Xiao Xinghan's expression remained unchanged, and he didn't say yes or no. Gu Yanling just took it as his tacit agreement, so she placed her fingertips on Xiao Xinghan's forehead. She did this mainly because she felt that pinching his shoulders was tiring, while rubbing his solar plexus was less strenuous. Although she wanted to please him, she couldn't tire herself out.
Gu Yanling's fingers were soft and her strength was gentle. Although she looked unremarkable, she exuded a faint fragrance when she raised her hands, which was very different from those servants who did the rough work.
Xiao Xinghan didn't sleep well yesterday, and after being served by him, he actually felt a little sleepy.
Gu Yanling rubbed it for a while and wanted to slack off, so she peeked from behind and whispered softly, "Master?"
Xiao Xinghan said calmly: "Continue."
Gu Yanling: “…”
The sun was about to set outside. Gu Yanling hadn't eaten much at noon, so her stomach was rumbling. Perhaps the noise was too loud, so Xiao Xinghan finally opened his eyes. He had been resting his eyes just now, but now there was no trace of fatigue on his face.
Gu Yanling immediately withdrew her hand: "Isn't it time for dinner, Master?"
Xiao Xinghan stood up and Gu Yanling hurriedly followed him, opening the door of the study from the inside. Li Youfu was waiting outside. Gu Yanling smiled at him, and the pride in her eyes could not be hidden.
Li Youfu ignored his ostentation and ordered a few eunuchs behind him to fetch dinner. Then he followed the Crown Prince to the front hall, and Gu Yanling followed as well.
The meals were placed on the table one by one. Gu Yanling frowned a little. She didn't expect that this important person would be so extravagant. He could have so many delicious dishes for one person. Li Youfu was setting the dishes on the side. Xiao Xinghan only took a fixed amount of chopsticks for each dish, no more, no less, and it was not obvious how much he liked it.
Dinner took half an hour to finish.
After Xiao Xinghan rinsed his mouth with tea, he stood up to wash his hands. Gu Yanling was closest to him, but he did not take the initiative to hand over the handkerchief. Li Youfu originally wanted to give him a chance to show his ability, but he did not expect the boy to suddenly become dull, so he had to hand the handkerchief to His Highness.
The meal on the table was quickly cleared away.
Xiao Xinghan went to the study again, but Gu Yanling did not follow him this time. Li Youfu glanced at him and did not say anything in front of His Highness.
Gu Yanling was so hungry that her stomach was sticking to her back. In addition, she felt that Xiao Xinghan's meals were extravagant and doubted whether he was a good official. So she didn't rush to eat. As soon as she left the yard, she bumped into Chang Feng.
Chang Feng had been worried about him the whole afternoon. When he saw him come out, he quickly pulled him to the pavilion not far away.
Gu Yanling: "Brother Chang Feng, don't you know how strong you are?"
Chang Feng felt that he was as thick-skinned as himself when he saw him like this. He loosened his grip on his arm and asked, "I'm sorry, what did you and the young master do in the study this afternoon?"
Gu Yanling felt that being a servant was really hard. His waist and back ached, and he felt uncomfortable everywhere. He sat down on the stone bench and pounded his legs. "I'll accompany the young master to drink tea and play chess."
Chang Feng could not help but remain silent: "...You also know how to play chess?"
Gu Yanling: "You underestimated me again! I'm a very good chess player. I made a mistake for a moment, so the young master narrowly won."
Chang Feng listened to his words with great confidence: "Young Master won by a narrow margin?"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is so skilled in chess that even the Crown Prince's tutor is no match for him.
Gu Yanling hummed: "Of course!"
Chang Feng was skeptical: "You spent the whole afternoon gambling with the young master?"
Gu Yanling: "No, I even massaged his shoulders and rubbed his forehead."
Chang Feng: “…”
These words really show that one cannot judge a person by his appearance. His Highness never asks anyone to massage his shoulders or back. Even in the East Palace, he always behaves in a dignified and self-possessed manner, let alone having his forehead rubbed.
How could Gu Yanling know this? "What's with that expression on your face?"
Chang Feng wanted to say something, but he couldn't reveal His Highness's noble identity as the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. If he really served him well, his life might be in danger.
"You served the young master so well, why did you look so unhappy when you came out just now?"
Gu Yanling looked around and saw that no one was around, so she waved to Chang Feng and said, "Come here and let your ear in."
Seeing him so mysterious, Chang Feng leaned over and heard Gu Yanling say, "I just think the young master is extravagant. He's the only one having dinner, yet he actually asked the kitchen to prepare such a large table. He doesn't eat much, so a whole table of food is just wasted!"
How could he be such a good person if he lived so extravagantly? He looked just like that corrupt official, doing all sorts of illicit things. Perhaps he was squandering money from the people, otherwise how could he have been so extravagant?
Chang Feng heard his indignation and didn't know how to explain to him for a moment. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's dining standards have always been like this, and the remaining food is not considered a waste, as it will be shared by the young eunuchs under Eunuch Li.
Gu Yanling thought, this important figure came to Yangzhou for an inspection, but he didn't do anything serious all afternoon. He just drank tea, played chess, and had a shoulder massage! He really knows how to enjoy himself! The more he thought about it, the more he felt that he had made a wrong move. This person might be protecting that corrupt official. How could he then eliminate harm for the people?
He should look for another opportunity and not waste time with this guy. Whoever is willing to serve him can serve him!
Chang Feng saw Gu Yanling suddenly stand up and asked, "What are you going to do?"
Gu Yanling: "I'm hungry. I haven't eaten yet."
Chang Feng: "So you don't plan to serve the young master anymore?"
Gu Yanling: "Forget it, I won't serve you anymore. I'm not serving you well either."
Chang Feng was relieved to see him give up on his own. "Then go eat quickly and don't worry about anything else."
Gu Yanling was just a helper in the mansion and had not signed a contract to sell herself. She was a free person. After having a big meal in a restaurant outside, he decided to teach Xiao Xinghan a lesson before leaving.
He can't serve in vain!
At night, Gu Yanling bypassed Chang Feng, not wanting to involve him, so she found Li Youfu and brought him a bag of snacks.
Li Youfu was surprised: "Oh, this is for me?"
Gu Yanling put on a sincere expression and said, "I apologize to you for my reckless words this afternoon."
Li Youfu accepted it without hesitation and said, "If you want to serve the young master, you must be smart. For example, when serving the young master, you don't need to ask him about his preferences. Just take three or four chopsticks of each dish. After the young master finishes his meal, serve him tea to rinse his mouth, and then hand him a handkerchief after he washes his hands."
Gu Yanling thought to herself, what a boast! Is being an official such a big deal? He enjoys himself so much! Is he missing a hand or an arm to deserve such treatment?
Li Youfu saw that he was absent-minded and didn't listen to his words. He had only given him a few words of advice after seeing that he could serve His Highness for an entire afternoon. "You must be careful in front of the young master. Don't be careless at all. I am saying this for your own good."
Gu Yanling: "I see. I just feel that I am not as good as you at serving, and I feel ashamed of myself."
Li Youfu: "I have been following the young master for a long time. You should take your time. Learn more and observe more. Be more discerning and smart."
None of the young eunuchs under his command was capable of such an important task. The few who were usually alert could not help but feel afraid when facing His Highness. Now that Gu Yanling had caught His Highness's eye, Li Youfu naturally had to give her more advice.
"I will pay attention next time. By the way, the young master's sachet has no scent anymore, so I made another one. Remember to replace it for the young master." Gu Yanling took out a new sachet from his pocket with a natural look on his face.
Li Youfu took it and asked: "How many days does it smell like this time?"
Gu Yanling: "I'm not playing tricks this time. It's the date it should be. I've admitted my mistake to the young master."
Li Youfu remained noncommittal: "The young master will need a bath in a while, come over and watch how I serve him, so you don't make mistakes in the future."
Gu Yanling was about to leave, so he didn't care about helping the young master take a bath. His impression of this young master suddenly changed drastically. He was afraid that the young master was so hungry that he would be interested in his appearance. He quickly covered his stomach and said, "Ouch, ouch, I'm afraid it won't work. I must have had a stomachache from dinner."
"No, no, I need to go to the toilet."
Seeing this, Li Youfu had no choice but to wave his hand.
Gu Yanling pretended to hold her stomach and trotted away. When she returned to her room, she began to pack her luggage. There wasn't much, just bottles and jars. She packed one bag when she came and another when she left. Taking advantage of the night, she walked towards the side door. During the day, this side door was guarded, and only required questioning when entering or leaving. It was locked at night. Gu Yanling rubbed her hands and was about to climb over the wall when she heard a voice behind her -
"Who?"
Soon Gu Yanling was surrounded by patrolling guards. When a lantern was shone, someone recognized Gu Yanling and immediately went to call Commander Chang.
Gu Yanling didn't expect to be so unlucky. There were so many people patrolling at night. He had seen these patrols before, and they were all near the villa of the big shot.
Chang Feng heard the news and came over to see Gu Yanling sitting on the ground with a large bag on her back. "...Yuanbao, what are you doing?"
"Brother Chang Feng, my father is seriously ill! Well, I'm anxious to go back to see him." Gu Yanling only hoped that Chang Feng would let her go after hearing this.
Even if Chang Feng wanted to let him go, he had no choice but to do so under the watchful eyes of the crowd. "Yuan Bao, this matter needs to be reported to the young master."
Gu Yanling was so upset that she could not even cry.
If I had known, I would have left instead of coming back. I had to teach him a lesson, and now I’ve been caught!!
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