Chapter 6
Morning light streamed through the carved window frames of the inn, casting dappled patterns of light onto the gray-blue bedding, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, yet failing to dispel the chill in Chen Xuanqing's heart.
He suddenly opened his eyes, his forehead covered with a thin layer of sweat, and his chest was still heaving violently.
I had another nightmare.
Think about it carefully.
That might not be a nightmare, but rather the retribution he deserved in his past life.
What appears repeatedly in his dreams is the days and nights he spends guarding Gu Jinchao's cold urn of ashes.
During the plum rain season in Jiangnan, the water droplets that condense on the jar resemble endless tears.
It was a cold night when he sat in the empty study, holding the jar, listening to the wind outside the window, calling her name again and again, but he received no response.
Those agonizing longings and regrets, even after a lifetime, still linger like a malignant tumor, waking him from his dreams every morning.
He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead; his fingertips were icy cold.
The regrets of his past life were so heavy that when they met again in this life, he had to carefully consider even getting close to her, for fear that a single wrong step would push her into an abyss of no return.
"Knock knock knock..."
A sudden knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
Madam Xu's gentle yet somewhat urging voice came in: "Young Master Chen, it's already broad daylight. When shall we set off? Miss has finished washing and is waiting in the dining area downstairs."
Xu's mother is Gu Jinchao's close mother, and she is always prudent in her actions. Her urging at this moment is probably because she is afraid of delaying the trip.
Chen Xuanqing composed himself, suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, and replied in a hoarse voice, "Please wait a moment, Mama Xu, I'll be right there."
He threw off the covers and got up, his movements still somewhat hesitant, as if he had just escaped from a dream.
He walked up to the bronze mirror, looked at the bloodshot eyes in his reflection, and rubbed his temples.
We must not let Jinchao notice anything amiss.
He took a deep breath and washed his face with cold water. The icy touch finally woke him up completely, and the fatigue in his eyes was forcibly suppressed.
After straightening his robes, he pushed open the door. Madam Xu was waiting in the corridor. When she saw him come out, she quickly curtsied and said, "Good morning, young master."
"You're too kind, Madam Xu."
Chen Xuanqing nodded, his tone returning to its usual gentleness, "We've kept Miss Gu waiting. We'll be going down now."
The two walked downstairs side by side. The morning light shone through the windows of the corridor and fell on him, but it couldn't warm the chill in his heart caused by old dreams.
He knew that this journey in this life had just begun. What he had to do was not only accompany her on this journey, but also protect her from all the calamities of her past life, so that she would never have to turn into a handful of ashes again, and so that he would never have to guard a cold jar and spend countless lonely days and nights.
As he approached the dining area, he immediately spotted Gu Jinchao sitting by the window.
She was wearing a light pink dress and was stirring the porridge in her bowl with a silver spoon. The morning light fell on her hair, like a layer of scattered gold. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and gave him a faint smile: "Young Master Chen Qi is awake? Please sit down, the porridge is still warm."
That smile was pure and warm, instantly dispelling the lingering gloom in Chen Xuanqing's heart. He stepped forward and sat down, looking at the light in her eyes, and silently said in his heart: Jinzhao, in this life, I will never let you suffer even the slightest grievance again, nor will I leave any regrets.
The urging to set off still echoed in his ears, but at this moment, Chen Xuanqing had only one thought in his mind—as long as he could be by her side, no matter how far the road ahead was, he would be happy to do it.
The steam rising from the porridge bowl blurred Gu Jinchao's profile as he lowered his head to drink, but it was clearly reflected in Chen Xuanqing's eyes.
His hand gripping the spoon tightened almost imperceptibly, his knuckles turning white, the emotions surging within him burning hotter than the porridge in the bowl.
The memories of his past life and his dreams were like a dull knife, repeatedly cutting into his heart.
"Young Master Chen? Why aren't you eating porridge?" Gu Jinchao's voice pulled him back from his reverie. She looked up, a hint of doubt in her eyes. "Is it not to your liking?"
Chen Xuanqing snapped back to reality, quickly loosening his clenched fist, his fingertips already damp with sweat. He forced a gentle smile, concealing the turmoil in his eyes: "No, it was delicious. Perhaps I was a little distracted when I got up in such a hurry."
He lowered his head and scooped up a spoonful of porridge. The warm porridge slid down his throat, but it couldn't suppress the burning determination in his heart.
In this life, he was reborn with memories of both his past life and his dreams. His clearest understanding was that he had to seize the initiative before his father developed any feelings for Gu Jinchao and nip his father's idea of marrying her as his second wife in the bud.
"What is Young Master Chen thinking about?" Gu Jinchao asked, looking up when he saw that Chen hadn't touched his spoon for a long time after taking a sip. His eyes were filled with clear doubt.
Chen Xuanqing snapped out of his reverie, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and smiled gently: "I was thinking about the journey ahead. I heard that after passing through today's town, we'll reach Qinghe Town in two more days. It's closer to your home. I'll have Xu Mama go and send a message first, so your mother can rest assured."
Gu Jinchao nodded in agreement: "Young Master is indeed very thoughtful."
After breakfast, the group began their journey.
The carriage moved smoothly along the official road. Gu Jinchao leaned against the window, looking at the scenery along the way, and occasionally exchanged a few words with Chen Xuanqing. The atmosphere was peaceful.
In just a few days, the carriage arrived at the gate of the Gu residence.
Chen Xuanqing originally intended to visit Gu Jinchao's father, Gu Dezhao, to personally inform him that Gu Jinchao had been safely delivered, and also to take this opportunity to establish some contact with Gu Dezhao, thus adding some assistance to his future marriage to Gu Jinchao.
But as soon as he reached the gate of the mansion, he saw Gu Dezhao's steward hurriedly come out, bow to Gu Jinzhao, and whisper something in her ear.
Gu Jinchao's face instantly turned pale. She turned to look at Chen Xuanqing and said with a hint of apology, "Young Master Chen, my mother has suddenly fallen ill and I'm afraid it's inconvenient for me to entertain you for the time being. Thank you so much for escorting me all the way. I can't thank you enough, and I will definitely visit you in person another day to express my gratitude."
Although Chen Xuanqing had some doubts, seeing Gu Jinchao's anxious expression, he didn't press further and could only say gently, "It's alright, family matters are of utmost importance. Jinchao, please stay at home. If you need any help, just send someone to let us know."
Gu Jinzhao glanced at him gratefully, nodded, and then followed the steward into the mansion.
Chen Xuanqing stared at the tightly closed gates of the mansion, silently planning ahead. He knew he had to make careful arrangements for the days to come.
Unexpectedly, just as he turned around...
Gu Dezhao, accompanied by Aunt Song and Gu Lan, arrived at the door. "Seventh Young Master Chen, please wait!"
Chen Xuanqing turned around upon hearing the sound and saw Gu Dezhao walking quickly forward with a warm smile on his face. Behind him was a woman dressed in an elegant dress, and beside her was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old, whose features resembled Gu Jinzhao's.
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