Chapter 46 Gu Yun'an told her to get down by herself…
Seeing that Liang Yejing clearly stated he didn't want money, Ruan Xingzhu felt that her last resort had vanished like a bubble. Her fingertips unconsciously gripped the hem of her dress tightly, and her delicate face was instantly filled with tension and panic.
A hint of helplessness was in her eyes, her small mouth was slightly open, as if she wanted to say something, but didn't know where to start. She seemed uneasy and completely at a loss.
Looking at her like this, Liang Yejing felt a sudden surge of pity. The nervous and flustered expression on her delicate face was like a fine spiderweb, making him want to reach out and smooth it away.
Almost without thinking, he hurriedly said, "The academy has that book, but it's not circulated outside, so Miss Ruan doesn't need to blame herself."
A gentle breeze carried his words to Ruan Xingzhu's ears. She was startled at first, then a look of disbelief flashed in her eyes, and she exclaimed in surprise and delight, "Really?"
Her face was full of surprise at the sudden turn of events, after all, she had always thought that there was only one copy of this book in the world, which was why she was so anxious.
Watching her face, which had been slightly pale from anxiety, gradually turn rosy, like a peach blossom blooming in spring, Liang Yejing couldn't help but chuckle softly and said with certainty, "Really."
Ruan Xingzhu breathed a sigh of relief, her chest rising and falling slightly with her breath, like a frightened bird gradually calming down.
Seeing her like this, Liang Yejing couldn't help but blush slightly. In order not to let her notice his strangeness, he quickly changed the subject, looking at her with a hint of expectation in his eyes and said, "If Miss Ruan hasn't finished reading yet, I'll find another book for you to borrow?"
His eyes were full of eagerness as he spoke, as if he really hoped she would agree.
Ruan Xingzhu paused slightly, thought for a moment, and then politely declined, saying softly, "No need, I've already read most of it."
After all, she had just lost one of his books, and she was already grateful that he didn't blame her. How could she possibly lend him another one? Thinking this to herself, she showed a shy expression.
Seeing that Ruan Xingzhu refused, the bright light in Liang Yejing's eyes dimmed instantly, but he did not insist. He was just slightly disappointed and said softly, "Alright then."
Seeing that Liang Yejing not only didn't blame her, but even wanted to lend her another book, Ruan Xingzhu felt a slight touch in her heart.
She was slightly lost in thought, her mind filled with a myriad of emotions, including gratitude towards Liang Yejing, so much so that she didn't even notice a carriage speeding towards her.
As soon as Liang Yejing finished speaking, he glanced up and saw the carriage rushing towards Ruan Xingzhu like a wild horse.
Just as he was about to touch her body, his eyes widened, his heart clenched, and in his panic, he couldn't help but cry out, "Miss Ruan, be careful!"
The voice that came out was filled with fear and worry, as if one's heart was in one's throat along with the speeding carriage.
Hearing the shouts, Ruan Xingzhu was startled and quickly turned her head, only to find the carriage speeding away. Her pupils dilated instantly, and a wave of panic washed over her, her mind seemingly going blank for a moment.
At this critical moment, as Liang Yejing's voice fell, she felt her arm being pulled by a strong force, and she involuntarily moved away from the fast-moving carriage.
Liang Yejing didn't care about anything else; his only thought was to save Ruan Xingzhu. He could only reach out and quickly pull her away from the carriage. Due to inertia, Ruan Xingzhu bumped into him.
The moment he touched her, Liang Yejing felt Ruan Xingzhu's body was soft, like willow catkins in spring, and she carried a faint fragrance. The fragrance was subtle yet incredibly pleasant, which made him pause slightly.
After regaining her footing, Ruan Xingzhu finally calmed down and realized with a start that she was standing ridiculously close to Liang Yejing. Her face flushed instantly, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes. Just as she was about to step back and create some distance...
Suddenly, a cold voice came from behind, like a winter wind, chilling to the bone: "What are you doing?"
With a swift dismount, Gu Yun'an stepped forward and forcefully pulled Ruan Xingzhu away from the obstructive Liang Yejing, pulling her tightly into his arms. His actions were characterized by a hint of domineering displeasure.
Seeing this, Liang Yejing was somewhat stunned. He frowned slightly, his eyes full of doubt, and he really didn't know who Gu Yun'an was or why he was so close to Ruan Xingzhu.
Ruan Xingzhu, who had been pulled into Gu Yun'an's arms, sniffed the familiar scent on Gu Yun'an's body and was the first to come back to her senses.
She tilted her head slightly and called out in a clear voice, with a hint of surprise and doubt, "Fourth Brother?"
Upon hearing this and learning that the other party was merely Ruan Xingzhu's brother, Liang Yejing's hostility subsided, but he remained respectful and addressed him as "Young Master Ruan."
Gu Yun'an, who had never been addressed in this way before, held Ruan Xingzhu tightly with his arms, as if asserting some kind of sovereignty.
His eyes were full of impatience, as if he were looking at something repulsive, and he said in an icy tone, "Who told you my surname is Ruan?"
His tone was icy, sending chills down one's spine.
Liang Yejing was taken aback, then realized his mistake and subconsciously looked at Ruan Xingzhu.
Upon seeing this, Ruan Xingzhu quickly explained, "My fourth brother's surname is Gu, and his name is Gu Yun'an."
Gu Yun'an!
A hint of shock flashed in Liang Yejing's eyes. Gu Yun'an, whom everyone in the capital knew by name, was naturally the only legitimate son of the Gu family.
Thinking of this, he felt a pang of shame and quickly composed himself, speaking even more respectfully than before: "I greet Young Master Gu."
Gu Yun'an didn't even spare him a glance, but said in a cold and sarcastic tone, "To be able to do such a thing on the street, it seems that the Zhongshu Academy's assessment is not very good."
His tone was full of disdain. How dare a mere scholar who came from a poor family be so close to the person he had raised? Didn't he even know if he was worthy?
Gu Yun'an's words were like needles, sharp and barbed, leaving the usually eloquent Liang Yejing momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to respond. He wondered to himself, why was Gu Yun'an so hostile towards him?
Upon reflection, he realized it must be his own inappropriate behavior towards Ruan Xingzhu earlier. He pursed his lips, looking somewhat embarrassed, and said, "I was inappropriate just now..."
Just as he was about to explain that he had acted that way in a moment of panic, Gu Yun'an suddenly spoke up, coldly interrupting him.
"Good to know!"
Gu Yun'an glanced at him, his eyes filled with such disdain that they almost overflowed, as if he were looking at an insignificant ant.
This made Liang Yejing even more confused, wondering if he had offended him in some way, otherwise why would he suffer such hostility?
After saying this, Gu Yun'an ignored Liang Yejing and pulled Ruan Xingzhu to mount her horse. Ruan Xingzhu was a little stunned. Just as she was about to turn around and say something to Liang Yejing, she saw Gu Yun'an cast a cold gaze at her. That gaze seemed to carry invisible pressure, making her afraid to utter a sound. She could only obediently follow Gu Yun'an onto the horse.
Seeing Gu Yun'an holding Ruan Xingzhu in his arms, Liang Yejing was a little surprised, but thinking that they were siblings, such intimate behavior was probably normal, so he didn't think too much about it.
Held in Gu Yun'an's arms on the street, Ruan Xingzhu felt her face burning hot, as if it could catch fire. She lowered her head, trying to cover her face with her hair, not wanting anyone to see her like this, her heart filled with shyness and embarrassment.
As if sensing her evasion, the nameless fire in Gu Yun'an's heart grew even stronger, as if it would devour him completely.
He leaned forward slightly, pressing himself tightly against her, and his whip-whipping motion was much larger than usual. The whip drew a sharp arc in the air and made a crisp "snap" sound, causing passersby to look up curiously.
Ruan Xingzhu felt the gazes directed at her from all around, and her heart grew increasingly flustered. She could only bury her head deeply in his chest, hiding it in his large clothes, as if this would allow her to escape the gazes of everyone.
Due to the horse's jolting, Ruan Xingzhu's body uncontrollably bumped into his arms again and again. With each impact, it felt as if an electric current ran through Gu Yun'an's body, and waves of heat rose in his chest. His Adam's apple also became dry, as if a fire was burning in his throat.
She seemed completely unaware, and kept trying to burrow into his arms, as if she wanted to hide inside him.
"Don't move!" Driven by his burning desire, Gu Yun'an whispered in her ear, his breath hitting her earlobe.
The voice was slightly hoarse and restrained, like a fine wine, yet it carried a hint of danger.
A burning heat came from his ear. Hearing this sound, Ruan Xingzhu hesitated for a moment. She felt she hadn't moved much. Seeing this, she could only press herself as close to him as possible, keeping herself still, and even her breathing became careful.
Fuming with anger, Gu Yun'an spurred his horse on and brought it to a stop in front of the Gu residence. He nimbly dismounted first, and Ruan Xingzhu, seeing that they had arrived, obediently waited for Gu Yun'an to carry her down.
After waiting for a while, she saw Gu Yun'an turn around and about to enter the mansion. She thought that Gu Yun'an had forgotten about her, and she hurriedly said in a panic, "Fourth Brother, I haven't dismounted yet."
The man abruptly stopped, slowly turned around, and deliberately drew out his words with a hint of mockery, saying, "Weren't you afraid someone would see?"
He then casually changed the subject, "Then dismount yourself."
"Ah..." Ruan Xingzhu was stunned for a moment, not expecting Gu Yun'an to say that.
She quickly explained, her voice tinged with grievance, "That's because I was afraid of damaging my fourth brother's reputation, that's why I did it."
She lowered her head slightly and said softly, "After all, people don't know our relationship, and I'm afraid it might cause misunderstandings."
Her explanation was reasonable, but did Gu Yun'an need her to care so much about his reputation? Looking at her somewhat aggrieved appearance, he finally couldn't resist the tenderness in his heart.
He stepped forward, gently lifted her up in his arms, and held her body tightly as if afraid she would suddenly disappear, and he never let go.
Ruan Xingzhu was held in his arms, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Her face was flushed from being nestled in his arms, like the sunset, and her bright eyes were staring straight at him.
Gu Yun'an felt a little flustered under her gaze and looked away, not daring to look at her again, as if looking at her for even a moment would allow her to see through his secret.
Seeing that he still hadn't put her down, Ruan Xingzhu couldn't help but ask softly, "Fourth brother, aren't you going to put me down?"
Upon hearing the sound, Gu Yun'an acted as if he hadn't heard it, and carried the person straight to Huaiju, placing him in his usual seat.
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