Chapter 54 Ruan Xingzhu did remind him.
As the sun set, its golden light gently bathed Gu Qingsu's graceful figure, as if draping her in a dreamy veil.
Bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, her figure appeared exceptionally long and slender. From a distance, the shadows of her and the person beside her seemed to be tightly embracing.
However, this heartwarming scene, when seen by Yuan Heran standing on the second floor, was like a sharp thorn, piercing his heart.
His tall figure trembled slightly, his lips pressed tightly together. He had assumed that Gu Qingsu's beloved was either a hero who had fought on the battlefield, or a dashing and heroic figure riding a spirited steed.
But he never imagined that the one who had entered Gu Qingsu's heart was a scholar he had never taken seriously.
Yuan Heran couldn't help but laugh at himself. He had spent all his time trying to cater to her preferences and doing things he wasn't good at, like learning to ride horses and practice archery, but it all seemed like a joke. His heart was filled with resentment and helplessness, which surged like a tide.
Gu Qingxu and Yi Mingyu seemed to have little recollection of when they returned to the manor that day, only knowing that it was already dark and the sun had set.
The babbling water never stopped, flowing continuously along the river.
After reading the book for a while, Ruan Xingzhu felt that she shouldn't take things from others in a normal way, so she thought of buying him a gift. After all, he had helped her several times, and she couldn't let this kindness go unreturned.
She tilted her head, tapping her fingers lightly on the table, racking her brains but unable to decide what to give.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. Liang Yejing was a scholar, and he often dabbled in literature. Sending him writing brushes and ink would definitely be useful. With that thought, she immediately got up, quickly tidied her clothes, and ran out to buy writing brushes and ink.
When Liang Yejing learned that Ruan Xingzhu had come to see him, he was packing his things to leave when a silent joy welled up in his heart.
His already upright posture straightened even more unconsciously, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and his eyes were filled with barely suppressed joy. His already quick steps became even more hurried, as if he was afraid that if he was even a step too late, Ruan Xingzhu would disappear.
Before even reaching Liang Yejing, they saw Ruan Xingzhu standing there quietly, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair, making her look even more gentle and charming.
"Miss Ruan." Liang Yejing hurried over, his eyes full of gentle smiles.
"Young Master Liang," Ruan Xingzhu said softly, shyly taking out the prepared brush and ink and handing them to Liang Yejing.
"Here are the pen and ink to thank Young Master Liang for lending me the book."
Liang Yejing was truly surprised that Ruan Xingzhu would give him calligraphy and painting. The joy in his heart was like a flood breaking through a dam, and it instantly overflowed.
He quickly reached out his hands and carefully took the box, a gentle and bright light appearing in his eyes.
He then said gratefully, "Then thank you very much, Miss Ruan."
Ruan Xingzhu quickly waved her hand, indicating that it was nothing. After all, Liang Yejing had helped her many times, and it was just a piece of paper; it wasn't worth his gratitude.
Looking at the sky, Liang Yejing had an idea and suggested, "I'm just getting off work and my route is the same as the Gu residence. Why don't I give Miss Ruan a ride?"
Ruan Xingzhu pursed her lips, pondered for a moment, looked at Liang Yejing with her clear eyes, and nodded gently.
The streets of the capital are always bustling with activity. Crowds throng and flow endlessly. Vendors call out their wares in a constant stream.
As Liang Yejing walked, he stopped in front of a sugar painting stall.
He turned to look at Ruan Xingzhu with a gentle smile on his face and explained, "I have a little sister at home who loves sweets. Before I left, she repeatedly told me to buy some."
As he spoke, fearing that Ruan Xingzhu might get impatient, he quickly added, "Master's skills are excellent, it will be ready soon."
Ruan Xingzhu didn't say anything, she just nodded, indicating that he could go and she would wait.
Watching Liang Yejing talk to the sugar painting master about wanting a butterfly-shaped sugar painting, and even about what kind of little girl would like, I didn't expect him to be so thoughtful.
Just then, the sugar painting master skillfully finished making it and called out, "Young master, your sugar painting is ready."
Liang Yejing hurriedly went over to pick up the sugar painting. Ruan Xingzhu was about to follow when a sugar painting shaped like a phoenix caught her eye.
Looking up, Liang Yejing had two sugar paintings in his hands, one of which he was handing to her.
"I didn't know if you liked it, so I just made one." Liang Yejing said with a shy smile.
Thinking that the girl was waiting for him, he couldn't just leave without doing anything, so he asked the sugar painting master to make an extra one.
Ruan Xingzhu did indeed like sweets, but in the past, Gu Yun'an would usually bring her some. At this moment, she pursed her lips, a blush rising on her fair cheeks. After hesitating for a moment, she reached out and took the sugar painting from Liang Yejing's hand.
She held it in her hand and turned it gently; the phoenix sugar painting shimmered with a crystal-clear luster under the sunlight.
She said softly, "Thank you."
Seeing Ruan Xingzhu accept the sugar painting, Liang Yejing felt a surge of warmth in his heart for some reason, as if the warm winter sun had shone into his heart.
A smile unconsciously appeared on his face, his eyes filled with tenderness, and he said, "Miss Ruan, you're too kind!"
Ruan Xingzhu lowered her head and gently took a small sip of the sugar painting. The sweet taste instantly spread in her mouth, even sweeter than the sugar cakes she usually ate. She squinted her eyes slightly, a satisfied expression on her face.
Watching her gently suck on the candy, Liang Yejing felt a slight stirring deep within his heart. His gaze unconsciously lingered on Ruan Xingzhu, and he couldn't help but recall the feeling of pulling her towards him that day, a strange sensation welling up inside him.
He couldn't help but steal glances at Ruan Xingzhu. Seeing her beautiful face and gentle temperament, he became even more curious, wondering if she was married.
Seeing Liang Yejing staring straight at her, Ruan Xingzhu timidly raised her head, a hint of doubt in her clear eyes, and asked softly, "What is Young Master Liang thinking about?"
Upon hearing this, Liang Yejing was momentarily lost in thought, and blurted out his innermost thoughts, "I was wondering if Miss Ruan is married."
His words made Ruan Xingzhu pause for a moment, and her open mouth closed slightly, and she stopped eating the candy.
Seeing this, Liang Yejing suddenly realized that he had overstepped his bounds and offended her, and he secretly thought to himself that he was in a bad situation. A trace of embarrassment and nervousness flashed across his face. Just as he was about to say something to explain that he had no intention of offending her, he heard Ruan Xingzhu speak in a soft and sweet voice.
"No."
For some reason, she should have found Liang Yejing's words offensive, but she didn't feel any aversion. Instead, she felt as if she was being drawn by something and answered him involuntarily.
Liang Yejing froze, his heart churning with turmoil. He wondered if the woman's earnest answer that she was unmarried was implied, or if she, like him, harbored feelings for him. His heart began to race.
After separating from Liang Yejing, Ruan Xingzhu took the sugar painting back to her residence.
After Gu Yun'an finished dealing with his business and returned, he did not hear Ruan Xingzhu's voice for several days.
He then realized that Ruan Xingzhu had not visited Huaiju for several days, and he couldn't help but feel puzzled. This was rather unusual, and he wondered what she was busy with.
He went to patrol her yard but didn't see her. Just as he was about to leave, his gaze fell on a few books on the bedside table.
He stepped forward, picked up the book, and his face instantly darkened. Clearly, these books, like the previous one, were all from the Imperial Academy.
His fingers clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white, and the book was instantly crumpled in his hands. The weariness in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness.
"Should I take it and throw it away?" Sheng Que asked cautiously, looking at Gu Yun'an's expression with some trepidation.
Gu Yun'an coldly tossed the book down, a long-lost threat flashing in his eyes, his voice low and icy: "No need."
Ruan Xingzhu reminded him that cutting off branches is useless; the real solution is to nip it in the bud.
As soon as Ruan Xingzhu entered the mansion, she walked towards her own courtyard. She held the sugar painting with great joy, still reminiscing about the moments she had spent with Liang Yejing.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, she never expected anyone to come out of her yard.
The sugar painting in her hand was knocked to the ground by the impact. She watched helplessly as it shattered into countless fragments the moment it touched the ground; the once beautiful phoenix was now unrecognizable.
A mist instantly welled up in her eyes, filled with undisguised heartache and disappointment.
"Fourth brother?" When she looked up, she saw Gu Yun'an looking at her coldly.
Gu Yun'an looked at her, already harboring a grudge. She clearly had something on her mind, and now, seeing him, she no longer felt the joy she had before.
His gaze swept coldly over the scattered sugar paintings on the ground. Seeing Ruan Xingzhu's distressed expression, he figured they were probably a gift from Liang Yejing.
After all, Ruan Xingzhu liked sweets, but she would never buy this kind of candy. She would only buy sugar cakes from shops that were not high in sugar but sweet but not cloying.
He lifted his eyelids slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, and said coldly, "It's just a sugar painting, it's broken, so what?"
As he spoke, he stared intently at Ruan Xingzhu's every move, his eyes filled with scrutiny, as if he would make her regret it if she showed even the slightest dissatisfaction.
Having not seen Gu Yun'an for several days, Gu Yun'an today seemed somewhat displeased, whether due to being overwhelmed by official duties or something else, radiating an aura that made people hesitant to approach him.
Ruan Xingzhu dared not touch his brow, feeling a little scared, and obediently replied, "Fourth Brother is right..."
As she spoke, she forced a smile and looked at Gu Yun'an.
Gu Yun'an glanced at her, his anger still burning, but he didn't touch her. He turned and left the courtyard.
When he walked past the sugar painting, even though he could have easily stepped over it, he deliberately stomped on the broken piece of sugar painting.
The sugar painting sizzled as it was stepped on. Ruan Xingzhu watched this scene with a chill in her heart, but dared not utter a sound.
Soon, the sugar painting was swept away by Mu Tao like trash, eventually ending up in the same place as the garbage in the backyard, as if it had never existed.
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