41. I’ll Escort You Back to the Manor
Page (1/3)
Lin Rou’s body jolted. She turned and saw Jiang Shuwan standing not far away, holding an umbrella.
Lin Rou strode toward her and shouted furiously, “You? Did you know from the very beginning that I had taken your place? Did you deliberately expose me?”
A smile touched the corners of Jiang Shuwan’s lips. “I am going to marry the Marquis of Pingning. I simply couldn’t bear to let the heir be deceived.”
“I don’t understand. If you knew from the start and exposed me, you wouldn’t have had to sacrifice yourself by marrying a dead man before you even knew the Marquis of Pingning was still alive.”
Jiang Shuwan looked at her coldly. “As long as it makes you suffer, what does it matter if I marry a dead man?”
“If you never cared for Gu Xin, why did you ruin my life so completely?” Lin Rou screamed.
Jiang Shuwan’s eyes turned icy. She walked toward Lin Rou, one step at a time.
Frightened by her gaze, Lin Rou retreated.
“The grudge between us is something you understand perfectly. Not only will I destroy your happy marriage, I will also drive you from this residence and make sure you and your family never find peace.”
Terrified by the force of Jiang Shuwan’s presence, Lin Rou still demanded, “Why would you do this? Why?”
Jiang Shuwan replied meaningfully, “Guess.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
Lin Rou thought of everything Jiang Shuwan had caused. Her entire life was ruined now.
Unable to contain the hatred in her heart any longer, she snatched up a hairpin and lunged viciously at Jiang Shuwan’s back.
Jiang Shuwan was too pleased by Lin Rou’s current predicament to notice what was happening behind her.
“Jiang Shuwan, go to hell!”
Only when she heard Lin Rou’s voice did Jiang Shuwan realize what was happening. By the time she turned, Lin Rou was already just one step away.
Seeing the sharp hairpin in Lin Rou’s hand, terror flashed through Jiang Shuwan’s eyes. She could only watch helplessly as it drove toward her.
“Look out!”
Just as the hairpin was about to pierce her chest, someone seized Jiang Shuwan and swept her into a turn. A familiar, sharply carved face appeared before her.
Gu Yunting wrapped an arm around her waist and kicked Lin Rou hard, sending her flying backward.
“Ah!” Lin Rou crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.
Gu Yunting said coldly, “You attempted to assassinate a young lady of the Earl’s residence in broad daylight. Do you no longer value your head?”
Lin Rou was furious that Jiang Shuwan had been rescued. “Jiang Shuwan, you were lucky today. The matter between us is far from over. Just wait and see.”
With that, she turned and left.
Page (1/3)
Page (2/3)
Once Jiang Shuwan had calmed down, she realized that Gu Yunting’s large hand was clasping hers. The warmth flowing from it seemed to spread into her heart as well.
The two looked into each other’s eyes. Under Gu Yunting’s scorching gaze, Jiang Shuwan’s face began to burn.
She awkwardly withdrew her hand and dipped into a slight curtsy. “Thank you, my lord, for saving my life.”
When Gu Yunting saw her release his hand, a trace of disappointment stirred in his heart, though nothing showed on his face.
“A gentleman does not place himself beneath a dangerous wall. The same applies to a woman. In the future, do not expose your back to someone so vicious.”
Jiang Shuwan was touched, though she could not help grumbling inwardly.
He was getting older and had developed a fondness for lecturing people.
Still, she put on an appreciative expression. “Thank you for your advice, my lord. But what brings you here?”
“This is the rear gate of my residence,” Gu Yunting replied indifferently.
Jiang Shuwan paused before finally realizing it.
She had nearly forgotten that this was the Marquis’s residence.
For a moment, she felt awkward.
“Come,” Gu Yunting said.
Jiang Shuwan asked instinctively, “Where are we going?”
“I’ll escort you home. Although our wedding date has been set, you are still unmarried. Appearing at our residence late at night would be improper.”
Jiang Shuwan froze for a moment. She had not expected Gu Yunting to consider her situation so thoughtfully.
“Very well. I shall trouble you, my lord.”
The two walked down the street in silence. The only sound was the rain pattering against the umbrella.
Jiang Shuwan felt awkward as well, unsure of what to say.
Their relationship was still rather distant, and this was the first time she had walked so close beside Gu Yunting. Her mind searched constantly for something to say that might ease the atmosphere.
“You care very much for Xin’er.”
Suddenly, Gu Yunting’s emotionless voice rang beside her ear.
“What?” Jiang Shuwan stared blankly for a moment, thinking she must have misheard him.
Seeing the surprise in her eyes, Gu Yunting’s gaze grew deeper. After several seconds of silence, he repeated, “Are you in love with Xin’er?”
This time, Jiang Shuwan shook her head without hesitation. “No.”
Page (2/3)
Page (3/3)
Gu Yunting stared intently into her eyes, as though trying to determine whether she was lying.
Thinking that she would soon become his wife, Jiang Shuwan did not want him to misunderstand. She explained, “I once had feelings for him, but that was only youthful infatuation. I do not love him now, and I never will in the future.”
Seeing the firmness in her expression, Gu Yunting took her hand. “I believe you.”
His large hand enclosed hers. The hand that had been cold moments earlier gradually warmed.
Hearing that he trusted her without question, Jiang Shuwan felt warmth spread through her heart as well. She promised him, “From now on, I will keep my distance from the heir. I won’t put you in a difficult position.”
“Good. Just be yourself. As long as you are happy, that is all that matters.” Gu Yunting nodded.
When he saw the signboard of the Jiang residence in the distance, he stopped. “I’ll take you this far.”
As he spoke, he handed her the umbrella.
Jiang Shuwan nodded. “Thank you for walking me home.”
“Go inside. You’ve been out in the wind for so long, and it’s getting cold. Be careful not to catch a chill.”
“All right.”
Jiang Shuwan walked toward the rear gate. When she reached it, she glanced back and saw that he was still watching her.
The feeling of being protected brought her a deep sense of security.
When she returned, Liusu immediately brewed her a bowl of ginger soup. Only after drinking a large bowl did Jiang Shuwan begin to feel warm again.
She briefly told Liusu what had happened with Lin Rou.
Liusu looked her up and down and asked anxiously, “Miss, she didn’t hurt you, did she?”
“I’m fine. The marquis saved me. But Lin Rou won’t let this go easily. Who knows what she’ll do next?”
“That’s right. The cousin is deeply scheming, but we aren’t afraid of her. If soldiers come, we have generals to stop them; if the water rises, we have earth to hold it back. Now that the marquis is protecting you, there’s nothing for us to fear. Hmph!”
Seeing Liusu’s proud expression, Jiang Shuwan’s lips curved into a smile.
She also felt that Liusu was right. She would simply let matters unfold as they might.
* * *
After returning to the Jiang residence and changing her clothes, Lin Rou went straight to the old madam’s courtyard.
Clutching the old madam’s hand, she wept continuously. “Grandmother, Brother Xin says he doesn’t want me anymore.”
The old madam gazed at her affectionately and raised a hand to wipe away her tears. “My dear granddaughter, don’t cry. You’re breaking your grandmother’s heart.”
Page (3/3)