Su Yingxue (1)
Gu Jinghong's heart was pounding like a drum, but she still tried her best to maintain a respectful demeanor.
Xiao Chengyan continued to press forward, his cool and sharp aura mixed with a faint scent of ink forcefully invading Gu Jinghong's senses.
Out of the corner of Gu Jinghong's eye, she could even see the slight movement of his Adam's apple at the collar of his inner robe, and the cold, hard curve of his jawline: "Your Highness, what is this... Heh..."
"Gu Jinghong." Xiao Chengyan's face was unreadable, neither pleased nor angry. He didn't stop walking, and even slowly took off his outer robe. "What are you holding in your hand?"
Gu Jinghong's breath hitched, and her palms, clutching the rag, instantly became sweaty, but her expression remained calm: "It's nothing."
"Nothing?" Xiao Chengyan suddenly opened his outer robe, his eyes sharp. "Is it my 'missing' sleeve?"
He took another half step forward, so close that they could almost feel each other's body heat. His gaze, almost tangible, lingered on her face, not missing a single subtle change. "Last night you gripped my sleeve so tightly... I had to cut off my robe and sleeve to escape."
His voice was even lower, with a strange magnetism that struck Gu Jinghong's taut nerves, "Gu Jinghong, tell me, how could an ordinary maidservant possess such strength and such deep... obsession while unconscious?"
"I..." Gu Jinghong was almost suffocated by him. The handsome face so close to hers, the focused and scrutinizing eyes, the deep and alluring voice, mixed with the vague and warm memories left over from last night—a strange panic and tremor suddenly surged up—Xiao Chengyan, this was the second time.
Just as Xiao Chengyan thought he was about to pierce through Gu Jinghong—
The panic in Gu Jinghong's eyes receded quickly like a tide, replaced by an extreme calmness. The blush that had risen when he approached hadn't faded, but strangely blended with this calmness, forming a breathtaking beauty.
She tilted her head slightly, meeting his scrutinizing gaze, and boldly displayed the half-sleeved robe in her hand: "Am I strong? Perhaps... Your Highness's robe sleeves are too precious to withstand the unconscious tugging of a weak woman?"
Xiao Chengyan's eyes narrowed suddenly, clearly not expecting her counterattack to be so swift and sharp.
Before he could react, Gu Jinghong continued clearly, "As for obsession...didn't Your Highness also...have a deep 'obsession' last night? Otherwise, with Your Highness's skills, there are many more ways to escape than just homosexuality."
She glanced meaningfully at his robe, which was missing its cuffs, then slowly shifted her gaze back to his face. A cunning, bright light flickered in his beautiful eyes, as if to say: "See, I know you could have easily pushed me away last night, but you chose to cut your robe. Why?"
Gu Jinghong's eyes were too bright, too frank, and too... understanding. That "understanding" was like a tiny electric current, instantly coursing through his body, causing his heart to skip a beat for the first time ever, under her almost "heart-piercing" question!
She tilted her head slightly and stuffed the robe back into Xiao Chengyan's hand: "Returning it to its rightful owner. However... if Your Highness wishes to sever ties again next time, please find a good tailor from the needlework shop. Such a rough cut is really beneath Your Highness's dignity."
Just as Xiao Chengyan was about to speak, he heard Changfeng report from outside: "Your Highness, Steward Su requests an audience."
He placed the robe in his hand on the long table and turned his gaze to Gu Jinghong, who stood with his hands at his sides: "Bring me another outer robe."
Gu Jinghong responded and turned to walk towards the row of rosewood wardrobes in the inner room.
Her slender, white fingers swept across the array of deep-colored brocade robes, finally settling on a neatly folded, pale yellow round-necked brocade robe. This color stood out starkly against the backdrop of dark blue, indigo, and deep purple, yet possessed a strange clarity. She took it out, cradled it in both hands, and walked back to Xiao Chengyan.
"Your Highness, please change your clothes." She bowed slightly and presented the robe.
Xiao Chengyan lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the overly bright and soft color, and raised an eyebrow: "You want me to wear... this color?"
This was a far cry from his usual dignified and aloof demeanor.
Gu Jinghong raised her eyes, her gaze calm and clear, but her voice was unusually gentle: "Your Highness usually dresses with composure, which is a natural grace. However, this winter is so gloomy, and wearing some bright colors would make you look warmer. This color is elegant and complements Your Highness's majestic bearing, perhaps giving you a unique charm?"
Her voice trailed off softly, with a hint of probing, like a feather brushing against the heart.
Xiao Chengyan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, but his expression remained reluctant as he uttered a single, "Troublesome."
However, his tall figure had already honestly spread his arms slightly, assuming a posture as if she were to help him change his clothes.
Gu Jinghong understood immediately, stepped forward, and draped the warm, pale yellow brocade robe over his broad shoulders.
Up close, Xiao Chengyan could clearly see her lowered eyes and brows. Her long, raven-feather-like eyelashes cast a light shadow under her eyelids, and a few strands of hair on her forehead clung softly to her smooth skin, swaying slightly with her movements.
The clean scent of the new robe intertwined strangely with the faint, cool aura emanating from her.
Just as Gu Jinghong finished adjusting the last buckle of his jade belt and was about to step back, a deep voice suddenly came from above: "You, come with me."
Gu Jinghong paused, raised her eyes, a hint of surprise flashing across them, which she quickly concealed, and respectfully lowered her head: "Yes, Your Highness."
The two walked one after the other to the outer courtyard of the study.
As soon as they passed through the moon gate, they saw a woman standing upright in the corridor, wearing a light scarlet high-collared long gown with a dark black brocade cloak with dark gold cloud patterns. She was holding a thick stack of account books in her hands, and her demeanor was dignified. She was none other than Steward Su, whom Changfeng had mentioned earlier.
Steward Su's original name was Su Yingxue. She was a shrewd woman from a branch of the Su family, the textile manufacturing family in Jiangnan. She managed several important properties in the capital for Xiao Chengyan. She was known for her competence and reliability and was a highly trusted steward in the Prince's mansion.
She had been working for the prince for even longer than Changfeng, and she considered herself to have a deep understanding of him.
But when she saw Xiao Chengyan today, she was stunned—she almost thought she was seeing things—the prince was wearing a light yellow brocade robe, and the usual chilling aura surrounding him seemed to be diluted by the warm color, showing a gentleness she had never seen before.
It's quite refreshing.
The change in the color of the clothes was enough to shock Su Yingxue, but when her gaze fell on the prince's side, where a strange woman dressed as a maid of the prince's mansion was following closely behind, with her head bowed and eyes lowered, her heart was in turmoil!
Aside from his personal bodyguard Changfeng, when has the prince ever had any other attendants? Let alone a woman!
Who is this woman? When did she enter the manor? Why is she allowed to serve him so closely? And the prince's attire... could it be related to this woman?
Su Yingxue's mind raced, but she forced herself to maintain the composure honed by years of experience. She quickly lowered her eyelashes to conceal the turmoil in her eyes, held the account book in both hands, and curtsied respectfully: "Yingxue greets Your Highness."
Xiao Chengyan nodded slightly, his demeanor unusually warm.
After the group arrived at the study and Xiao Chengyan sat down, Su Yingxue paused for a moment before finally speaking.
"Your Highness, Yingxue has come to report on the various estates and fields from last month..."
Xiao Chengyan, however, had already discerned her meaning during her slight pause. He simply interrupted her calmly, saying, "Speak freely."
The words “Speak freely” resounded like thunder in Su Yingxue’s heart, because Su Yingxue knew very well that the hidden meaning behind these four words was “This woman is not an outsider.”
Su Yingxue's smile remained unchanged, but out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but glance again at the woman in plain clothes who stood with her head bowed, her gaze deepening with a more probing look.
After regaining her composure, she continued her presentation in a clear and organized manner.
"Since the Frost's Descent solar term, the weather has turned cold, and the overall yield of crops in various places... The above is a detailed breakdown of the income and expenditure of each estate last month. Among them, the mulberry orchard in the northern suburbs suffered damage to new leaves due to the early arrival of the cold wave this winter, and the harvest is estimated to be slightly reduced by 20%. As previously instructed by the Prince, funds have been allocated from the surplus in advance to purchase sufficient high-quality silver bone charcoal to keep the seedlings warm day and night. The steward reports that the damage to the mulberry trees is still under control, and subsequent losses should be kept below expectations..."
Gu Jinghong seemed not to have heard what Su Yingxue said and continued to grind the ink.
Su Yingxue immediately looked down on Gu Jinghong – it turned out that this woman was nothing more than a beautiful but empty-faced vase.
Upon realizing this, Su Yingxue immediately felt that she was still superior to Gu Jinghong. The prince was not easily tempted by beauty, and even if he temporarily showed Gu Jinghong some special favor, it wouldn't last. The prince was too busy; what he needed more was someone like her, Su Yingxue, who could handle the affairs of the manor for him.
Achoo—!
A short, clear sneeze interrupted Su Yingxue's report without warning.
Su Yingxue's voice abruptly stopped. A chill ran through her, and her gaze instinctively turned to the head of the table. Based on her understanding of this prince, he was extremely strict with rules and discipline, and a maid's breach of etiquette during such an important report, even unintentionally, would surely incur his wrath.
However, the expected reprimand did not come.
Xiao Chengyan's gaze lingered on her slightly thin shoulders for a moment, then he pushed the thin cloak beside him to her, his thin lips slightly parted, "Put it on."
Su Yingxue's pupils contracted: "...!!!"
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Chengyan added, "Don't soil my documents."
Gu Jinghong seemed completely oblivious to the sudden concern brought about by the words "dressed up," and obediently draped Xiao Chengyan's cloak over her body.
She draped himself in his thin cloak, and he wore a light yellow brocade robe; the atmosphere in the study immediately became enchanting.
As Su Yingxue watched all this, her heart sank – this woman… has such deep scheming and methods!
A fleeting, almost imperceptible glint of coldness flashed across the depths of her eyes, only to be quickly suppressed by her impeccable professionalism. She took a deep breath, concealing all her unusual expression, and resumed her interrupted report, her voice still steady and clear, as if the little incident had never happened.
"...Yes, Your Highness. I, Yingxue, will personally oversee all follow-up matters to ensure that nothing goes wrong." Su Yingxue finally finished her report and stood respectfully with her hands at her sides.
Xiao Chengyan's deep voice rang out, carrying a hint of barely perceptible approval for his capable subordinate: "Hmm, handled properly. Keep a close eye on the follow-up, and don't let your subordinates become lazy and complacent."
"yes."
It was nearly noon, and the sky outside the window was still overcast. The steward of the Prince's mansion opportunely came to inquire about the lunch arrangements. Xiao Chengyan remained noncommittal, so the steward cleverly took the initiative and suggested that Su Yingxue stay at the mansion for lunch.
Xiao Chengyan glanced at the pile of documents on the table and gave a faint "hmm," which was taken as tacit approval.
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