Chapter 9: Doubt—Neither Trusts the Other

Inside the bedchamber.

Feng Zhinian sat on the edge of the bed, gazing tenderly at Gu Nanshu, a deep, affectionate smile gracing his handsome face. Yet beneath that smile lay profound sorrow. To tell someone he cherished to let go—deep in his heart, he simply could not do it.

He slowly reached out, wanting to touch Gu Nanshu’s cheek. But just as his fingers were about to brush her skin, Gu Nanshu abruptly opened her eyes.

Feng Zhinian paused, while Gu Nanshu’s eyes widened before she quickly reacted. She raised her hand and forcefully pushed Feng Zhinian’s away, sitting upright in a flash. With a sharp voice, she scolded, “What are you doing? Don’t touch me!”

Immediately, she glanced around, realizing this was not her own bedchamber. Judging by the elaborate decor, it must be Lu Heng’s chamber.

Frowning, she wondered how she and Feng Zhinian ended up in Lu Heng’s bedchamber. The doors were tightly shut; where was Lu Heng? Why had he left her alone with Feng Zhinian? Was he trying to facilitate something between them?

Pushed away, Feng Zhinian’s expression turned desolate. He withdrew his hand and smiled bitterly. “Shu’er, you’ve changed so much. You’re so cold to me now. Is it because you think Uncle Lu is better looking than me? Do you like him?”

Those words sent a chill down Gu Nanshu’s spine.

She admitted that the previous Gu Nanshu had, indeed, been involved with Feng Zhinian in a pure and innocent romance. Yet she was not the real Gu Nanshu and could not give Feng Zhinian what he desired. So she quickly said, “Feng Zhinian, since you know I’m now your uncle’s woman, you shouldn’t call me Shu’er. I am your aunt by marriage. Put away those improper thoughts!”

“I know,” Feng Zhinian continued with a bitter smile. “Uncle Lu gave me half an incense stick’s time to sever all thoughts of you, but I can’t. Shu’er, tell me, what am I supposed to do?”

So that was it. Lu Heng was truly magnanimous.

He wanted them to part cleanly, which suited her as well—better to avoid Feng Zhinian’s persistent entanglement in the future.

Gu Nanshu frowned tightly, then decisively and angrily said, “That’s your business, not mine. But I warn you, don’t entertain any thoughts about me. I have no feelings for anyone in the Feng family! Leave.”

Feng Zhinian looked puzzled. “Why? Did my sister say something rude to you today and disappoint you? I’ll have her apologize. Don’t misunderstand her—she’s actually a good person and likes you, but she’s blinded by that Jiang fellow.”

“She’s a good person?” Gu Nanshu suddenly sneered coldly and said sharply, “One day you’ll understand. She is wicked and venomous, just like that Jiang man—birds of a feather. They’ll both meet their just end sooner or later!”

The more he listened, the more confused he became. Though it had been half a month since they last met, why did Gu Nanshu seem so different now? As if she had become someone else.

Feng Zhinian furrowed his brows tightly and asked, “Nanshu, what’s wrong with you? You didn’t use to speak so bitterly!”

Bitter and sharp?

Gu Nanshu sneered repeatedly and waved her hand impatiently. “Get out! I don’t want to see you.”

Feng Zhinian’s expression stiffened slightly. He spoke softly, “There’s still half an incense stick’s time left. I want to stay with you a little longer. I’m not leaving.”

“Get out! Get out right now!” Gu Nanshu’s eyes brimmed with hostility. This man was Feng Yuxi’s brother, and worse, he defended her. She truly despised him.

With a loud bang, the door was suddenly pushed open. Lu Heng strode in, his presence imposing. “What’s going on?”

Both their gazes turned to Lu Heng. Gu Nanshu suppressed her anger, lowered her pointing hand onto the blanket, and withdrew her eyes calmly. “Nothing.”

Nothing?

If it was nothing, why was she yelling so loudly? Lu Heng suspected Feng Zhinian had been bullying her. He looked at the man sitting on the bed edge with a disapproving frown, then grabbed him roughly as if he were a chicken, lifting him up and snarling, “Feng Zhinian, when your aunt tells you to leave, you leave! Get out!”

With that, he forcefully threw Feng Zhinian out.

Feng Zhinian fell to the ground in a sorry state. His expression reverted to that of a pitiful little dog, tail between his legs as he slunk away.

Watching Lu Heng use force to chase him off, Gu Nanshu’s shoulders tensed like a frightened cat. She instinctively climbed out of bed, quickly put on her shoes, and thought to herself that she hadn’t forgotten Lu Heng’s earlier instructions.

Lu Heng turned his head and looked at Gu Nanshu, now fully shod. Puzzled, he asked, “What are you doing? You just woke up and you’re already causing trouble? Don’t you want to live?”

“My lord, I’m fine. It was just a fainting spell.” She patted her chest twice and smiled. “See? I’m perfectly okay. Besides, you told me not to come near your bedchamber or study. I’m leaving now.”

Like lightning, she tried to slip away.

Lu Heng grabbed her arm. “Wait.”

Gu Nanshu looked at him in surprise. “Do you have other instructions, my lord?”

Lu Heng said nothing, quietly studying her as he pondered the words Peach had whispered earlier outside.

Gu Nanshu’s current behavior and manner of speech were indeed different from that of a refined lady. She spoke and acted freely and decisively, more like a common girl raised in an ordinary household.

But there was one thing he couldn’t figure out: what could cause someone’s character to change so drastically, transforming them utterly?

Perhaps only Gu Nanshu herself could answer that.

“There’s nothing wrong. The physician has prepared your medicine. Once you’ve taken it, you may leave,” Lu Heng finally said, releasing her arm and pointing to the bed. “Sit down. I have something to ask you.”

“Oh.”

Gu Nanshu just sat down when Lu Heng got straight to the point. “Gu Nanshu, I’ll ask you again. What grievance do you have with Minister Jiang? And is your vomiting blood and fainting today related to him?”

Lu Heng was undoubtedly clever.

This was the second time he’d asked, so Gu Nanshu became wary but smiled graciously. “My lord, what are you talking about? How could I have any grudge against Minister Jiang? My father is the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, responsible only for palace affairs and has no official dealings with the Three Judicial Departments or the Censorate. How could there be any enmity?”

“And what about you personally?”

Gu Nanshu’s smile stiffened, but she continued, “Of course not. I’ve heard Minister Jiang rose from a humble background. I was raised in an official family and have nothing in common with him, not to mention he’s several years older than me. How could I possibly hold a grudge against him? Ha.”

Lu Heng’s eyes narrowed dangerously. He didn’t believe a word she said, but for now, he couldn’t press further. Instead, he warned, “Gu Nanshu, you’d better tell the truth. If you deceive me or cause me trouble, I won’t let it slide.”

Gu Nanshu’s palms grew clammy with sweat. Whether she told lies or the truth, Lu Heng wouldn’t believe her, and she wouldn’t trust him either.

She had trusted Jiang Mubai too much before, which had nearly cost her life. She wouldn’t be that foolish again.

Besides, she was not the real Gu Nanshu, and Feng Yuxi was Lu Heng’s own niece. Would he really put a knife to his niece’s throat to seek revenge for her?

No.

This grudge had to be settled by herself, according to her own plan. So she said firmly, “My lord, rest assured, I will not bring you any trouble.”

At that moment, the physician entered with the medicine. “My lord, the medicine for the princess has been prepared.”

Lu Heng carefully took it and handed it to Gu Nanshu, commanding, “Here, take your medicine.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

To her, the Prince of Beichen was a man cold in appearance but warm at heart. Though a bit overbearing and forceful, he did not seem malicious. If he were bad, he wouldn’t have reminded her to take her medicine.