Chapter 223: Retrospector

Gu Ying did not have any affection for him at all. Especially the trace of possessive desire in his eyes made her very uncomfortable. Back in the ruined temple, she had seen far too much of that kind of look from every man.

Zhao Changxing meaningfully curved his lips. “Sister, the snow is heavy and the road is slippery. How did you walk so fast?”

Gu Ying frowned in annoyance. “I have nothing to say to Eldest Brother.”

Zhao Changxing looked over Gu Ying’s frown. Originally, he only wanted to possess everything that Zhao Changdu owned, including his woman.

But now, he only felt that this girl, under the flying snow, had an appearance of ice and jade, truly as beautiful as a celestial being.

He couldn’t help revealing an obsessed look. His tone became frivolous and aggressive. “Since Adu is not here, as the eldest brother I should take good care of you. Why do you avoid me? Sister, you want to go back to the Gu residence today right? Let me accompany you on the way?”

Gu Ying looked at him in disgust. She slid out the unicorn knife that Adu had given her from her sleeve and placed it against his lower abdomen. She threatened in a low voice, “Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because Adu is not here. If you dare to take another step forward, I can thrust it in. Do you believe it or not?”

The blade was icy white, the cold light glinting.

Zhao Changxing’s eyelid twitched. This girl was really fierce.

“Alright, alright, sister, I admit defeat.” He laughed and raised his hands to surrender. “Why get so angry? Be careful of hurting yourself.”

Gu Ying expressionlessly glanced down at his crotch. Her face was blank as she put the dagger back into her sleeve.

Zhao Changxing thought he had concealed himself well, but in fact not at all.

In front of her, he was like a clumsy clown.

She sneered coldly, “Do you think no one knows what you did to Huo Qiyun back then?”

Zhao Changxing raised his brow.

Gu Ying said lightly, “You didn’t even like Huo Qiyun. Back then, in order to deal with Adu, you deliberately snatched Huo Qiyun’s chastity, forcing her to marry you. Your only goal was to strike Adu down and humiliate him. Of course you succeeded. You made Adu lose face in front of all the powerful officials in Bianjing. And during the time he was disheartened, you even sent assassins to kill him.”

Gu Ying’s expression was cold. She had long seen through Zhao Changxing’s motives. “Zhao Changxing, heaven is watching what men do on earth. Don’t think you can use the same tricks again.”

Exposed, Zhao Changxing did not show an ounce of shame. “How does sister know it won’t work?”

“I'm not Huo Qiyun. I will never accept your manipulation.” Gu Ying slightly hooked her lips. “If you don't believe me, feel free to try.”

Zhao Changxing sneered. This was getting more and more interesting.

The colder she was, the more he wanted to break her composure and press her under him to ravage her ruthlessly until she cried out loud.

Now, he had ample patience.

Gu Ying did not entangle with him for too long. She directly had Huai An block Zhao Changxing while she bid farewell to the Duke and Lady Cheng. Then she had Huai An prepare the carriage to take her back to the Gu residence.

Watching her leave, Zhao Changxing waved his hand to summon a capable subordinate. “Send someone to investigate which temple Young Lady Ning is praying at today.”

“Yes, Eldest Young Master.”

That person turned and left the residence.

Zhao Changxing closed his eyes, hooked his lips, and sniffed the air in front of him, as if remnants of Gu Ying’s soft and sweet fragrance still lingered, truly too mesmerizing.

Very soon, he would be able to taste her charm.

...

Gu Ying’s expression was blank as she boarded the carriage. Disgust flashed in her eyes.

In her previous life, she did not get involved with the Heir Apparent’s life, so she naturally did not know that the Eldest Young Master was so deeply jealous of the Heir Apparent, to an almost paranoid extent.

It was not easy for the Heir Apparent to grow into his current wise and martial state after his mother passed away early.

Gu Ying sighed deeply, feeling indignant for the Heir Apparent and heartache over his experiences.

Yin Zhu was the last to exit the residence. Seeing the furtive figure turning the street corner, she said in a low voice, “Mistress, the Eldest Young Master’s man has left the residence.”

Gu Ying realized what he intended to do. She rubbed her brows in annoyance and muttered, “Yin Zhu, take the Heir Apparent’s token to Prince Duan’s residence. Tell Prince Duan about Young Lady Ning’s whereabouts today.”

Yin Zhu took over the token. “Yes.”

Then she swiftly disappeared from the entrance.

Only then did Yin Lan and Yanzhi ask, “Mistress, shall we set off?”

Gu Ying took a deep breath to calm her irritation. “Let’s go.”

Half a moment later, the Guogong Residence’s carriage stopped at the Dongping Earl Residence entrance.

Aunt Zhao was leading Gu Shuang and others, already prepared to welcome her bright and early at the entrance.

Gu Ying lifted the carriage curtain and descended from the carriage. Yin Lan and Yanzhi cleverly waited upon her on both sides. The rest of the servant girls and guards remained neatly lined up behind Yin Lan and company, still carrying boxes of gifts.

With such a lineup, aside from the Duke Who Pacifies the State Residence, no other house was this ostentatious.

Relatives and neighbors, who wouldn’t admire and envy the Dongping Earl Residence for having the Heir Apparent as the son-in-law and the Duke Who Pacifies the State as the in-laws?

Aunt Zhao, her mid-sized belly protruding, immediately broke into laughter. She affectionately grabbed Gu Ying’s hand. “Ying, you’ve come quite early today. Have you eaten breakfast?”

“I have.” Gu Ying smiled. With a glance, she saw the sealed lips on Wang, as well as Gu Wan’s unwilling expression.

Her eyes blinked. “Hmm? Is this Madam Wang?”

“Yes. You haven’t seen her in a while right? She’s quite interesting now. The Heir Apparent said from that day Madam Wang randomly slandered you after your grand wedding, aside from eating and drinking, she is not allowed to speak at other times. I think this method is great. Now no one at our Earl Residence dares to gossip.”

Gu Ying chuckled.

The seal that the Heir Apparent had put on Wang’s mouth on their wedding day was actually still there?

The Heir Apparent was indeed...cough cough...ruthless enough.

An awkward look flashed over Wang’s face. The light in her eyes flickered.

Although she felt indignant in her heart, at least she could endure it on the surface.

She would let Zhao make trouble for now. When her belly grew bigger in the coming months, it would be Zhao’s turn to suffer.

Receiving Gu Ying’s gaze, Gu Wan felt extremely upset in her heart. She twisted her handkerchief in her hands, biting her lips red.

She resented her incompetent mother for failing to seize the limelight, letting Gu Ying, Zhao Shuang and the rest steal all the glory.

Gu Ying took in Gu Wan and Wang’s expressions into her eyes, coldly laughing to herself once.

Gu Wan’s ambitions exceeded her abilities. It was a pity that no matter how she tried, she could never climb up the high branches.

“Auntie, where is Grandmother?”

Aunt Zhao said, “Wasn’t your grandmother accompanying Eldest Young Lady to see the doctor? They happen to be coming back today. Your brother-in-law has gone to fetch them. Considering the timing and travel, they should arrive by noon. Just in time for the family reunion meal.”

Gu Ying sneered internally. No wonder she didn’t see Jiang Yin and Gu Jia earlier.

It was just as well they were not here for now. It saved complications for Fourth Younger Sister Gu’s wedding affairs today.

Gu Shuang had been looking forward to Gu Ying’s arrival.

The entire household entered the main hall. According to etiquette and propriety, Gu Ying’s current status was higher than Zhao’s by a rank. She sat in the head seat, exchanging pleasantries for a bit with Gu Boyan and several aunts.