Chapter 5
The carriage came to a stop in front of the inn.
The maids and servants busied themselves moving luggage and cleaning the main room. After a flurry of activity, everything was finally tidied up.
Gu Jinchao removed the dust from her hairpins and changed into an elegant lake-blue dress. She then walked downstairs to the dining area with her personal maid, Qingpu.
The wooden stairs of the inn creaked slightly underfoot, and mixed with the faint sounds of people downstairs, they created a sense of warmth and tranquility amidst the traveler's temporary respite.
Just as she reached the door, Qingpu abruptly stopped, a look of astonishment on her face. She instinctively raised her hand to block Gu Jinchao's view.
Gu Jinchao followed her gaze.
At the square table by the window, Chen Xuanqing sat waiting. He wore a clean, light gray long robe with a simple jade belt around his waist. Although he held a teacup in his hand, his gaze was fixed on the stairwell, and he could not hide the anticipation in his eyes. He had obviously been waiting for a long time.
Several delicate side dishes and a pot of warm tea were laid out on the table, along with two sets of bowls and chopsticks, clearly prepared especially for the two of them.
“Miss…” Qingpu leaned close to Gu Jinchao’s ear, her voice low and anxious, “This is against the rules.”
According to the traditional social norms regarding the separation of men and women, even if an unmarried woman knows a man from another family, she should avoid suspicion and keep her distance. It would be even more unthinkable for her to dine at the same table in a busy inn. If word got out, it would inevitably cause gossip.
Gu Jinchao's fingertips gently clenched the embroidery on the cuff of his sleeve, and a ripple of emotion stirred within him.
Although she had feelings for Chen Xuanqing and had received much help from him during their journey together, dining together at the same table in such a blatant manner was indeed a breach of etiquette.
But looking at the smile in Chen Xuanqing's eyes, and the plate of osmanthus cake she loved on the table—clearly prepared by him on purpose—she just couldn't bring herself to refuse.
Seeing that they had stopped and were not moving forward, Chen Xuanqing had already guessed the reason.
He stood up and cupped his hands in greeting to the two of them, speaking in a natural and open tone, deliberately making sure everyone around could hear: "Miss Gu, you must be tired from your journey. I've had some light dishes prepared for you to lighten your stomach. The chef at this inn is skilled at making Jiangnan-style pastries; try them and see if they suit your taste."
He deliberately spoke openly and honestly, as if he were simply offering a friendly gesture, thus dispelling any curiosity from others.
He didn't want Gu Jinchao to suffer even the slightest misunderstanding because of Chen Xuanqing.
Qingpu wanted to persuade him again, but Gu Jinchao gently pressed his hand down.
She looked up at Chen Xuanqing, curtsied, and said in a gentle voice, "Thank you for your trouble, Seventh Young Master Chen."
Since he had already made sure everything was arranged so perfectly, it would seem petty of her to hesitate and refuse. Besides, she was indeed a little hungry after the bumpy journey.
The two sat down at the table, with Wan Qing standing behind Gu Jinchao, her eyes still warily scanning their surroundings.
Chen Xuanqing pushed the plate of osmanthus cake in front of Gu Jinchao and said with a smile, "Try this, it's fresh out of the oven and still warm."
Gu Jinchao picked up the jade chopsticks, took a piece and put it in his mouth. The sweet fragrance of osmanthus spread on his tongue. It was indeed delicious.
She looked up at Chen Xuanqing, a hint of warmth flashing in her eyes: "Thank you for your concern, young master."
"It was no trouble at all." Chen Xuanqing smiled gently and picked up a piece of osmanthus cake for himself. "Although this inn is simple, the cook is quite skilled."
The two spoke in hushed tones as the food on the table gradually dwindled. People came and went in the dining area, but no one paid any special attention to this seemingly ordinary table of "friends".
Seeing the two chatting and laughing, Qingpu, though still having concerns, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Young Master Chen acted with integrity, and Miss Chen behaved with propriety, so no one was able to find any fault with them.
The hustle and bustle of the dining area seemed to be isolated by an invisible barrier, leaving only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks between the two people.
Meal time flew by. Gu Jinchao took a few bites of osmanthus cake and vegetables, but then lost his appetite. Perhaps the fatigue from the journey had not completely dissipated, and he only felt his eyelids getting heavy.
She put down her jade chopsticks and looked at Chen Xuanqing across from her.
He was slowly picking up a piece of green vegetable with his chopsticks, a gentle smile on his lips, as if he were very interested in the food on the table.
Gu Jinchao couldn't bring himself to suggest leaving, so he could only rest his elbows on the table, gently stroking the warm teacup with his fingertips, and quietly keep her company.
But she didn't know that Chen Xuanqing was already too full to eat anymore.
My stomach was already filled with that deliberately slowed pace; every bite of food was just an excuse to prolong the time.
Looking at Gu Jinchao's quiet profile, and the faint shadows cast by her eyelashes under her eyes, he felt an overwhelming longing.
He just wanted to stay a little longer, even if it was just this quiet time together, he felt it was a rare moment of peace on his journey.
So, one silently kept the other company, battling drowsiness, while the other forced himself to eat and deliberately delayed. The food on the table gradually cooled, but neither of them tacitly mentioned leaving. Moonlight shifted from the window lattice to the corner of the table, casting diamond-shaped patches of light on the gray tablecloth, which moved slowly with time.
until……
Gu Jinchao could no longer resist her weariness. She propped up her small face with one hand, leaving faint red marks on her fair cheeks. Her other hand unconsciously tapped lightly on the table, as if making a rhythm that no one knew.
Perhaps her supporting arms were getting tired, because her little head began to droop little by little, like a sleepy chick pecking at rice, her eyelashes fluttering, with a slightly dazed and innocent look.
They looked absolutely adorable.
Chen Xuanqing's heart skipped a beat, and his hand holding the food froze in mid-air. He looked at her little head, almost touching the table, and the smile in his eyes could no longer be hidden; it was as gentle as spring snow. All his carefully maintained composure crumbled instantly, leaving only a heart full of tenderness.
It turns out that Gu Jinchao also has such a childlike side.
He finally put down his chopsticks, speaking very softly, as if afraid of disturbing this rare moment of adorable simplicity: "Are you tired?"
Gu Jinchao was startled awake by the question. She abruptly raised her head, her eyes still hazy, her cheeks flushed like ripe apples from the playful pecking. A little embarrassed, she smoothed her hair and whispered, "A little."
"Then let's go back to our room and rest."
Chen Xuanqing stood up naturally and instructed the waiter to clear away the dishes. "You must be tired from the journey. Get some sleep and we can continue our journey later tomorrow."
He didn't mention that he was already full, nor did he point out her earlier drowsiness. Instead, he gave them both a way out in the most considerate way.
Gu Jinzhao glanced at him gratefully, then stood up, her face still flushed: "Thank you, Seventh Young Master Chen."
Qingpu quickly stepped forward to support his young mistress. Seeing the tacit understanding between the two, his concerns about "rules" had long been overshadowed by the warmth of the atmosphere at the table.
As they left, Gu Jinchao's steps were still a little unsteady. Chen Xuanqing followed half a step behind them, his gaze occasionally falling on her swaying hair, a faint smile always on his lips.
This deliberately prolonged meal ended with her drowsiness, but left a warm feeling in each other's hearts.
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