Chapter 222 Gu Xian is seriously ill
The Xiao residence.
The Xiao family, after all, was a military family spanning three generations, with deep roots in the army.
His father was a third-rank general, and Xiao Yeming had also made great contributions at a young age, becoming a fourth-rank official. What was even more remarkable was that he had grown up with the current emperor since childhood and had a deep friendship with him. Everyone could see that he had a bright future.
Therefore, almost all the civil and military officials of the court came to celebrate this victory banquet, and even many imperial relatives and nobles came.
Among the guests were Prince Li, Princess Yongfu, Prince Yan, Duke Di and his wife, Marquis of Xiang'an and his wife, Earl of Yongjia and his wife, and the son and wife of the founding emperor, among other nobles.
There were even a few high-ranking officials from the Palace Attendants' Bureau who came in a low-key manner, such as Eunuch Li.
In a bustling corner sat a person who hadn't been seen for a long time—
Gu Xian.
This is so unlike him.
Everyone knows that this illegitimate son of the Yongjia Marquis's mansion is the kind of person who goes wherever there is excitement, but at this moment, he is only wearing a robe that is much simpler than usual, sitting alone at the intersection of light and shadow, his face is somewhat pale, and his fingertips unconsciously rub the edge of the teacup, showing a bit of loneliness.
His ever-present fan lay quietly on the table, as if it had lost its former vitality.
Uncle Yongjia glanced at him through the crowd, his eyes urging him on.
Gu Xian sighed inwardly. He knew his father's order—to send him, a concubine's son who had just been released from confinement and still carried the "stain of business," to "reconcile" with the rising star Xiao Yeming and pave the way for the Earl's mansion.
Trying to build a relationship? Do you think I need to try to build a relationship with Ah Ming?
He took a deep breath, suppressing his physical discomfort and the suffocation in his heart, and instantly put on that familiar playful and affectionate smile.
He stood up, straightened his robes, and walked towards Xiao Yeming, who was in the center of the crowd talking to several military officers.
Before he arrived, his voice preceded his arrival, but the tone seemed less casual and more deliberately exaggerated than before: "Oh my! Whose great general is putting on airs here? With that stern face, who are you trying to scare? It's only been a few months, and you've become more arrogant than the city gate tower of the subordinate city!"
Xiao Yeming turned around upon hearing the sound, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes the moment he saw Gu Xian.
He visited the Earl's residence many times, but each time he was told that Gu Xian did not receive guests.
Immediately, he keenly noticed the barely concealed fatigue and pallor in his friend's eyes.
His facial features softened, but his eyes showed more concern.
The generals around him also recognized Gu Xian and smiled as they made way for him.
Gu Xian casually leaned over and gently poked Xiao Yeming's arm with the rib of his fan. He lowered his voice and complained in a deliberately relaxed tone, "Hey, Yeming, you're really not being fair! You've done such a great service, and the invitation was still handed over by my father? What, are you afraid that my 'businessman' smell will taint your General's Mansion?"
Xiao Yeming could easily detect the weakness in his voice. She reached out and firmly supported his arm, her tone unusually gentle and understanding: "What nonsense are you talking about? You look pale. Have you been feeling unwell these days?"
This simple expression of concern warmed Gu Xian's heart, but he still stubbornly insisted, "Of course I'm not feeling well, but I had to crawl here to celebrate General Xiao's victory!"
As they were talking, Lu Zhaoruo and Lu Bohong entered the courtyard.
Gu Xian, with her sharp eyes, caught a glimpse of this, and her peach blossom eyes suddenly lit up. She forced herself to be energetic and waved to Xiao Yeming with a spirited expression: "You wait here, I'll go and say hello to Madam Lu first, and then I'll settle the score with you later!"
After saying that, she turned around, her clothes fluttering like butterflies, and walked towards Lu Zhaoruo.
However, amidst the clamor of the crowd, his footsteps seemed somewhat unsteady and unsteady.
At this moment, Lu Zhaoruo was surrounded by a number of people.
Although her story in Jizhou was widely circulated in the capital, with both praise and criticism, she was ultimately a person who received rewards from the emperor, and many ladies of slightly lower status came forward to greet her.
Lu Zhaoruo responded with a smile throughout, remaining composed and dignified.
Just as she was about to walk towards Xiao Yeming, Gu Xian quickly stepped in front of her and blocked her way. He opened his fan with a "whoosh" and said with a smile, "Madam Lu! It's been a long time! Your bearing is so elegant that it would put all the crape myrtle trees in the garden to shame!"
The moment Lu Zhaoruo saw Gu Xian, a smile immediately bloomed in her eyes, a smile that was much more genuine than when she was dealing with others.
She gave a slight curtsy, her voice soft and grateful: "Master Gu."
Her gaze lingered on his slightly pale face for a moment, and she said with concern, "It's been several months since we last met, and you've lost some weight. Back in Jizhou, if it weren't for your repeated acts of kindness and assistance in helping me out, I wouldn't be where I am today. I will always remember this kindness."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xian paused slightly, a complex light flashing in his eyes, which was then covered by an even bigger smile. He waved his hand, his tone as light and teasing as ever: "Oh, my dear Madam Lu, please don't say that! You were the one who rescued me first, weren't you? Besides, seeing the Shen family suffer is more enjoyable than watching a great show!"
He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of mischief, "You really have to thank me? How about we cooperate when you open your embroidery shop in the capital?"
These words made Lu Zhaoruo smile.
How could she not know that this was Gu Xian's usual trick, turning kindness into jest and hiding concern in worldly matters, just so that she wouldn't feel any burden.
Her eyes sparkled, and she readily agreed, "How could I refuse when Master Gu has asked? Once the embroidered pavilion is completed, I will certainly present you with the first cooperation agreement."
"terrific!"
Gu Xian snapped the fan ribs shut, his eyes sparkling with a smile, like spring water rippling across the surface.
His gaze swept casually over Xiao Yeming, who was standing quietly waiting not far away, then he winked mischievously at Lu Zhaoruo: "Alright, the spring night... ah, I mean, a fine banquet is worth a thousand pieces of gold, I dare not delay you any longer. If that 'silent gourd' over there keeps waiting any longer, he might even wear a hole in the stone steps!"
Having said that, he flicked his wide sleeves, turned around, and disappeared into the noisy crowd.
But in that instant of turning around, unseen by anyone, the radiance he had been forcing faded like the tide, and he let out a soft sigh of relief, a faint smile of contentment curving his pale lips.
He was looking for a quiet place to calm down when he almost bumped into someone as he walked past a cluster of pomegranates in full bloom.
Looking up, he saw Princess Yongfu standing alone under the shade of the flowers, staring blankly in the direction he had come from, her eyes unfocused, unaware that he was right in front of her.
Although Gu Xian's footing was unsteady, he did not fail in his manners. He immediately stepped aside and bowed with a smile, saying, "This humble one was impolite and almost offended Your Highness. Why is Your Highness standing here in a daze? Is the scenery in this garden so beautiful that you are lost in thought?"
Yongfu snapped back to reality, saw it was Gu Xian, and remembered that he had been caught by the person who had secretly watched him part with Lu Zhaoruo. His cheeks flushed red, even his ears turned pink, and he stammered, "Ah! Gu, Gu Langjun... no, no! I... I was just... just admiring the flowers!"
Gu Xian was a man of great stature; seeing her in this state, he already understood seven or eight parts of the situation.
His peach blossom eyes curved into a smile, and he unfolded his fan with a "whoosh," slowly waving it as he chuckled, drawing out his words, "Oh, admiring the flowers..."
He deliberately glanced in the direction he had come from before his eyes returned to Yongfu's flushed face. "This humble subject thought that Your Highness was rewarding... a 'person'."
These words hit the nail on the head, and Yongfu was immediately so ashamed that he wanted to disappear. He stamped his foot and scolded, "You! What nonsense are you talking about, you..."
She couldn't utter a complete sentence; her face felt so hot it could be used to fry pancakes. She turned and tried to run away.
Seeing her embarrassment, Gu Xian knew when to stop. He smiled and stepped aside to let her pass, his tone returning to seriousness, but still carrying a smile: "It was a slip of the tongue by this humble subject. Please forgive me, Your Highness. The path in the garden is slippery, so please watch your step."
Yongfu dared not linger any longer. Lifting her skirt, she quickly left without looking back, her back view revealing her panic.
Gu Xian watched her disappear at the end of the flower path before turning his gaze away and coughing several times.
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