Chapter 1193: Chapter 1029: Majestic Without Anger

Hearing the sound of carriage wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs, Liu Su’er looked up and saw a carriage driving toward the Gu Mansion.

She hurried forward two steps and softly called, "Is Mr. Gu in the carriage?"

The gatekeeper heard the voice and quickly opened the door. "Is it the lord returning?"

Seeing that it was Ming Mo driving the carriage, he did not dare ask more and hastily removed the threshold so the carriage could enter.

But when he turned around, he saw Liu Su’er still standing to the side, and his brows involuntarily furrowed tightly. This young lady had already come an hour earlier, and he had long told her that the lord would likely be staying at the government office these few days, yet she refused to believe it and simply would not leave.

Now that another hour had passed, he thought she had left, yet unexpectedly she was still here waiting.

As it happened, it was quite a coincidence today; he had not expected the lord to actually return, and she had indeed managed to wait him out.

Only, he did not know what business this young and beautiful girl had in seeking his lord. The gatekeeper turned the thought over in his mind; his lord was also a refined, elegant gentleman, could it be that this girl was enamored with his lord?

That would never do; his lord already had an unmarried fiancée from a prominent household.

Thinking this, the gatekeeper’s expression toward this immodest girl grew sour. "Miss, why are you still here?"

"No need to pay attention to her!" Gu Chengyu said to Ming Mo. There were still important matters to attend to later; how could he spare the time to bother with this Liu Su’er?

Liu Su’er saw that Gu Chengyu’s carriage had no intention of stopping at all. Her eyes darted, and in sudden desperation she blocked the side gate.

"Whoa!" Ming Mo swiftly pulled hard on the reins. The horse neighed and came to a forced halt; fortunately, the carriage had not been going fast to begin with.

Seeing Liu Su’er in front of him, arms spread to block the way, he could not help but be consumed with anger.

"Do you have a death wish?" Ming Mo glared at Liu Su’er. This girl’s courage truly was enormous—was she really not afraid of dying?

Looking at the horse looming right before her, Liu Su’er’s heart pounded wildly. Of course she was afraid; if Ming Mo had not pulled in time just now, she would have almost been run over by the carriage.

Only, seeing Gu Chengyu’s manner, it was obvious he did not intend to spare her a glance, which made her all the more panicked. At this moment she could only pin her hopes on Gu Chengyu, and thus could only resort to such a desperate move.

Gu Chengyu had been completely unprepared and nearly banged his head against the carriage wall. He braced himself against the wall with his hand, thus avoiding the collision.

He had already been somewhat tired, and with matters weighing on his mind, his expression naturally grew darker at this moment. Lifting the curtain, he looked at Liu Su’er with a stony face.

Though the light was dim just now, with his night vision he still clearly saw Liu Su’er’s pale yet stubborn face and the shimmer of tears in her eyes.

The youth’s handsome brows and eyes flickered in and out of shadow under the faint lantern light. Liu Su’er only glanced once before lowering her head, almost afraid to meet Gu Chengyu’s gaze.

She remembered Gu Chengyu’s sharp eyes all too well; this young man was not someone she dared take lightly.

Gu Chengyu had originally intended to dismiss her with just a few words, but this was right outside the Gu Mansion. If Liu Su’er were to cry out regardless of consequences and be heard by someone with an agenda, it would be yet another troublesome matter.

If Liu Su’er’s true identity were to be discovered, he might well be impeached, accused of harboring a court-designated criminal.

Now that he had cooled down a bit, he spoke softly, "We’ll talk inside the mansion."

At his words, Liu Su’er’s face immediately blossomed into a smile; he was finally willing to see her.

In the side hall of the outer courtyard, Gu Chengyu sat upright at the head seat, staring silently at Liu Su’er.

Liu Su’er’s heart was pounding like a drum. In such a stifling atmosphere, she suddenly did not know how to begin.

She stole a cautious glance at Gu Chengyu and saw that he was still dressed in mourning clothes; guilt rose in her heart.

During the National Mourning, officials had to keep vigil in the palace. For Gu Chengyu to return to the mansion today surely meant there were important matters to handle. Her sudden appearance had indeed caused others inconvenience.

Perhaps it was that Gu Chengyu’s official authority was too heavy, for there was an innate dignity about him that inspired fear without anger, pressing so hard that Liu Su’er felt she could hardly breathe.

Noticing Liu Su’er’s nervousness, Gu Chengyu spoke in a low voice, "Miss Liu, I recall having already made it clear to you that if there were any developments I would seek you out. You have rashly come to this mansion today; if someone with ill intent were to see you, it might raise suspicion and expose your identity."

Liu Su’er hurriedly stood up, curtsied, and replied, "Mr. Gu, when you left that day you did not say how those incriminating evidences were to be dealt with. This humble girl was simply too anxious and thus overstepped. I beg Mr. Gu’s indulgence."

"Indulgence? I fear Miss Liu has yet to realize the gravity of this matter. Do you know how many eyes in the court are fixed on this official? If anything is discovered, not only will this official’s career suffer, but you and your household servants will likewise face mortal danger."

Gu Chengyu let out a cold snort. This girl seemed very clever, but in the end she was still too young and unable to hold her composure.

Liu Su’er was greatly alarmed at his words. In truth, she was not unaware of these things; she had simply been acting on a fluke.

"Enough. Since you are here, this official will remind you once more: do not come to the Gu Mansion again. If there is anything, this official will send someone to inform you. Remember, before the new Emperor ascends the throne, this official will absolutely not begin investigating this case."

Looking at Liu Su’er’s pale face, the chill in Gu Chengyu’s eyes made her body involuntarily shudder.

"This humble girl also knows that my lord is burdened with official duties. I came today precisely to ask for these words from you. I know my lord’s word is as good as gold and that you will not go back on it. Having disturbed my lord’s rest, this humble girl will now take her leave!"

Having obtained Gu Chengyu’s answer, Liu Su’er finally let out a breath of relief. It was already late; she had to hurry back, as Mrs. Tan and the others would certainly be worried at home.

Were it not that Mrs. Tan and the others had lived in the Capital for many years and frequented many aristocratic families, they would long since have accompanied her to the Gu Mansion.

"It is best if you remember this official’s words, otherwise this official will not be gentle with you. It is late; it is unsafe for a young lady to return alone. This official will have someone escort you back."

With that, Gu Chengyu raised his voice and called Ming Mo in, instructing him to send someone to escort Liu Su’er home.

Gu Chengyu calculated the hour, thinking that it was about time and that he still had preparations to make. He immediately rose and walked ahead of Liu Su’er.

As Gu Chengyu brushed past her, Liu Su’er could not help a silent complaint in her heart: this youth did indeed resemble Pan An as the rumors in the streets claimed; only his temper was not as gentle and refined as rumored, but rather somewhat cold.

Still, the fact that he knew enough to have someone escort her back showed that his heart was not as unfeeling as it appeared on the surface.

After washing up, Gu Chengyu went to the main courtyard to pay his respects to his parents before returning to the study.

The faint sound of the night watch beating clappers drifted in from outside. Gu Chengyu focused his hearing for a moment, then put down the book in his hand and glanced at the hourglass on the table.

It was now just past 9 p.m.—time to move. He changed into the night-walking clothes stored in his spatial space, covered his face with a black veil, blew out the candle, and finally pushed open the window and leaped out in one motion.

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