sworn brother
The sky in late summer is a deep, clear blue, with fluffy white clouds and a gentle breeze that feels refreshing on the skin.
Gu Jinning pulled Xiao Heng'an for a walk, wanting him to hear firsthand the latest rumors circulating about him.
Gu Jinning's fame goes without saying; everyone knows her. Wherever she goes, whispers abound.
Everyone was quite entertained by this spoiled and unreasonable princess, finding it amusing like watching a play, without any sense of disgust or fear.
A kind vendor offered her some small items for sale, and they chatted and laughed familiarly for a few moments. However, she was wary of Xiao Heng'an beside her and dared not be too presumptuous.
Gu Jinning said smugly, "See? This is what reputation is all about."
Xiao Heng'an was completely convinced of her reputation. "Yes, that's why I say, Princess is truly awe-inspiring."
Gu Jinning became even more smug, holding her head high and chest out like a victorious rooster.
"By the way, I'm in a good mood today, so I'll treat you to cockfighting."
Before Xiao Heng'an could refuse, Gu Jinning pulled him to the cockfighting arena.
On the road, a carriage passed by. The window was slightly open, and suddenly a head popped out, waving at Gu Jinning and making a gesture as if to eat.
Gu Jinning stopped and changed direction. "I'm hungry. Let's go to Baiweizhai for a meal first."
A carriage was parked in front of Baiweizhai, the same one that had just been on the road. Its reddish-brown body and two fine horses pulling it clearly indicated it was a wealthy family's vehicle.
Gu Jinning went upstairs after entering the room.
A crack appeared in the east wing room, and Gu Jinning pushed the door open. Sure enough, it was Chu Lang. He was dressed in a brocade robe, with a jade crown and gold hairpin, which made his fair skin look even more delicate. He looked exactly like a rich young master.
"Why are you back, kid?"
Chu Lang bowed to Xiao Heng'an behind her, then joked with Gu Jinning, "If I don't come back, how will I send people to you?"
As he took a step, a woman stood behind him with her hands at her sides, her features delicate and her figure petite.
"Zijin?"
Gu Jinning's eyes widened. She quickly closed the door to take a closer look and saw that Gu Jinning was covered in dust and looked exhausted. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Gu Jinning was unharmed.
Quan Zijin knelt down, feeling ashamed, and said, "Cousin, Your Highness Prince Jin."
Gu Jinning scolded, "What's going on? Your family is frantically looking for you."
Quan Zijin was ashamed and knew she had made a mistake, but she didn't know how to defend herself and stammered, unable to answer.
Chu Lang explained, "I met her repairing a carriage on the road. I was wondering why she was walking alone, so I asked her. I learned that she had run away from home. Knowing that you must be worried, I immediately sent her back."
Quan Zijin sobbed, "Cousin, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have left without saying goodbye."
Gu Jinning was both angry and in pain. She pulled her up and said, "Are you hungry? Eat first. I'll take you home after you eat."
Quan Zijin sat down obediently and asked, "Can we not go back?"
Gu Jinning scolded, "If you don't want to get married, we'll think of another way. Running away won't solve the problem. If you make up a reason, they won't dare to force you to do anything."
Quan Zijin said, "My father and grandfather have been suppressed in recent years. I don't want to affect their careers and harm the Quan family because of me."
"It's good that you're quick-witted, but don't forget that with the Marquis of the Quan family by your side, even the Emperor has to give you some leeway. Even if Consort Xian were to personally exert pressure, it would be nothing but empty words."
Quan Zijin nodded. "I understand. But..."
Her face had become thinner, filled with anxiety. She was afraid that her lies would be exposed and that she would eventually have to marry Sun Xianzhu.
The waiter from Baiweizhai entered the room and laid out the delicious dishes, instantly filling the room with a wonderful aroma.
Chu Lang was starving the whole way and was about to pick up some food with his chopsticks when he saw Quan Zijin looking sad. Gu Jinning couldn't swallow the delicious food on the table, and Xiao Heng'an hadn't touched his food either, so he didn't want to start eating first. He reluctantly put down his chopsticks and observed Gu Jinning's expression.
"How was the meal? Did you like it?"
A slightly rough voice broke the dull atmosphere.
The door creaked shut, and a middle-aged man with a short beard walked in. He was about thirty years old and dressed in fine clothes. His brows revealed a seasoned and sophisticated air, and it was clear at a glance that he was a merchant.
Gu Jinning stood up upon hearing the sound and exclaimed in surprise, "Brother! What brings you here too?"
Chu Gan laughed heartily, "It's been a long time, I've missed you terribly. I was passing through Kyoto, so of course I had to come and visit you."
"Sister-in-law, are you alright?"
He opened his arms, and Gu Jinning hugged him generously, saying, "It's alright, it's alright, but I'm not as carefree as my sworn brother."
The food on the table was still hot, but Chu Lang felt a chill and quickly got up to invite Chu Gan to sit down.
"Brother, I'm starving. Sit down and we can eat and chat."
He pulled Chu Gan to his side, intentionally separating him from Gu Jinning. Only after sitting down did he realize that Gu Jinning had Quan Zijin on one side and Xiao Heng'an on the other, while Chu Gan sat on the other side of Xiao Heng'an. Fortunately, there was an empty seat between them.
Unexpectedly, Chu Gan moved closer to Xiao Heng'an and asked, "And who is this?"
Gu Jinning introduced him as "my fiancé".
Chu Gan suddenly realized, stood up and bowed, "So it is Your Highness Prince Jin. I have long admired your name. I am so sorry that I did not recognize you."
Gu Jinning pulled him to sit down, "Brother, there are no outsiders here, no need to be so polite."
Chu Gan then relaxed and sat down again, asking, "When will you two get married?"
Gu Jinning replied, "Less than two months."
The two chatted happily, exchanging questions and answers across Xiao Heng'an.
“Xiao Heng’an, he is the sworn brother I mentioned to you. He is from Jiangnan and is a wealthy merchant who is extremely rich.”
Chu Gan waved his hand and declined, "I don't deserve it, I'm just a businessman, my family has been in business for generations, and I have some savings. Otherwise, how could I withstand that brat's squandering?"
Chu Lang pouted, "Why are you criticizing me for no reason?"
Gu Jinning did indeed tell Xiao Heng'an about Zhuangzi. During her travels, she accidentally saved a wealthy young master, who was none other than Chu Lang.
At that time, Chu Lang was young and unruly. Relying on his family's wealth and his elder brother's doting, he was extremely arrogant and unwilling to do business. Instead, he tried to roam the world, but was robbed of everything as soon as he left the city.
Chu Lang, relying on his cleverness, escaped and did not turn back. He managed to cross several cities before encountering a group of bandits who were murdering and robbing people.
As it happened, Gu Jinning was passing by after completing a job and happened to save him.
Chu Lang loved martial arts and admired Gu Jinning's superb skills, so he pestered her, wanting to become her apprentice.
Gu Jinning refused, scolding and berating him all the way back to the Chu family, and also demanding a fee for saving his life.
Chu Gan, being generous, gifted Gu Jinning one hundred taels of gold as a reward, hoping she would accept Chu Lang and properly train him.
For the sake of money, Gu Jinning readily agreed and temporarily stayed at the Chu residence.
Afterwards, the border was constantly at war and supplies were running low. While persuading refugees and bandits to join the army, Gu Jinning also bought military uniforms everywhere. She even ran into Chu Gan, who was also secretly buying cotton-padded clothes.
Chu Gan, true to his business acumen, was too clever; he too noticed something amiss with Gu Jinning.
During a drinking session, the two men chatted amiably and spoke frankly, instantly developing a mutual appreciation and feeling as if they had known each other for a long time.
In their drunken stupor, the two burned incense under the moon, worshipped Guan Yu and the God of Wealth, and became sworn siblings.
Although it was somewhat comical, the siblings accepted the relationship. Chu Gan sincerely entrusted Chu Lang to Gu Jinning. Chu Lang thus became her apprentice, following her around, doing odd jobs, and tempering his character.
Chu Lang is intelligent and has learned some tricks of the trade, and his temperament has become much calmer.
"My dear sworn sister, I have to thank you so much for curing all of this brat's bad habits."
Chu Gan raised his glass, his eyes filled with satisfaction as he looked at Chu Lang.
Chu Lang said, "Alright, alright, the focus today isn't on me, it's on this Miss Quan."
Quan Zijing was suddenly called out by name. Like a startled deer, she looked up in a panic, at a loss for what to do.
Gu Jinning then remembered Quan Zijing, put down her wine glass, stared at Quan Zijing for a while, and suddenly had an idea.
“My cousin said earlier that she had an appointment with a scholar. We can just fulfill that appointment now.”
Quan Zijin said softly, "That was all a lie. Where would I find a scholar?"
Gu Jinning patted Chu Lang on the shoulder and said, "Isn't this ready-made?"
Chu Lang shook his arms a few times. "Master, please don't make fun of me. I don't look like a scholar at all."
He hates reading the most.
Gu Jinning clicked her tongue and said in a haughty tone, "Disciple, don't underestimate yourself. In our line of work, you can't say you can't do it; you have to be able to do it."
Chu Lang was about to raise further questions when Gu Jinning immediately made the decision to have Chu Lang impersonate the person Quan Zijin had mentioned.
Quan Zijin hesitated and dared not agree. The lie would be exposed sooner or later, and then it would be even more troublesome.
Gu Jinning said, "Using lies to cover up lies is unreliable. What if what we're saying is the truth?"
Quan Zijin exclaimed in surprise, "You can still tell the truth?"
Gu Jinning smiled mysteriously, already having made her plans.
To prevent Quan Mingxiao from being short-tempered and rough, Gu Jinning specially invited Xiao Heng'an to accompany her.
As dusk fell, the group visited the residence of the Marquis of Wu'an.
In the reception room, Kwon Myung-hyo's voice arrived before anyone else's.
"She still knows to come back. What a waste of a young lady's talents! She's learned to run away from home and has corrupted the atmosphere of my Quan family."
Quan Zijing stood in the hall awaiting reprimand, her body trembling at the sound of his voice. As soon as Quan Mingxiao entered, she trembled even more violently, kneeling on the ground and stammering, "Father."
Chu Lang didn't know whether to stand or kneel, so he followed Xiao Heng'an and got up, hiding behind him.
Gu Jinning linked arms with Quan Mingxiao and said with a smile, "Uncle is talking about me."
Quan Mingxiao retorted angrily, "Isn't it all thanks to you who set a good example?"
Gu Jinning laughed it off, "Who told us to have such impeccable revolutionary credentials?"
Quan Mingxiao glanced at her, then turned to Xiao Heng'an, bowed, and said with shame, "It's all my fault for failing to properly educate my daughter. Your Highness has gone to great lengths."
Xiao Heng'an sat down with him and said, "The princess and I just happened to bump into each other. It was this young master Chu who escorted the young lady back to the city."
Chu Lang stepped forward and bowed politely, "Lord Quan, this humble subject is Chu Lang..."
Quan Mingxiao immediately saw what was going on and spoke up to stop him, saying unhappily, "This is not a public court. Why do you call yourself a commoner?"
Chu Lang replied timidly, "It's just that you are too imposing, sir. I have never seen you before, and I was momentarily intimidated and overwhelmed."
Quan Mingxiao saw right through him. "You're not a scholar, so how come your story is different from Zijing's?"
Chu Lang waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no."
Chu Lang glanced at Quan Zijin, then knelt down and explained, "At the beginning of the year, I followed my elder brother to the capital to do business. When I had nothing to do, I traveled with some candidates. During the meal, I listened to their conversation about their ambitions and was inspired to try taking the imperial examination as well."
"After the banquet, I was worrying about how to take the exam when I ran into Miss Quan by the lake. She mistook me for a failed scholar and kindly gave me some advice, encouraging me to try again in three years."
“I thought it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. I plan to go home and tell my parents that I will go to Beijing next year to focus on preparing for the exam, and I will ask Miss Quan for tutoring.”
Despite being nervous, Chu Lang spoke very sincerely, even under Quan Mingxiao's sharp gaze.
Quan Mingxiao asked Quan Zijin, "Is it as he said?"
Quan Zijin replied, "Yes. I made an appointment with Young Master Chu. He would come to the capital to prepare for the exam after he had settled his family affairs. I would be his teacher and could also introduce him to other teachers. It was because I was worried that Princess Anning would force him into marriage that day that I used Young Master Chu as a shield in my haste."
"Afterwards, I felt it was inappropriate, and I was afraid of implicating my father and grandfather. I was really uneasy, and for a moment I couldn't think straight, so..."
Quan Mingxiao was angry at Quan Zijin for acting impulsively, and even more angry at Xiao Zi for relying on the Virtuous Consort to act as an accomplice to bully the Quan family and cause his own child to suffer. He sighed, "Fine, you've suffered too, I won't pursue the matter. But..."
Quan Mingxiao glanced at the two of them, "The words have already been spoken, and everyone knows that you and the scholar have made a secret promise. If you suddenly go back on your word, not only will you lose your reputation as a young lady, but An Ning can also use this to her advantage. How do you plan to resolve this?"
Chu Lang was at a loss and secretly consulted Gu Jinning.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
