Chapter 1200: Are you fooling us? (1/2)

Han Yunxi circled around the room before stopping in front of Gu Beiyue. “It wasn’t peaceful.”

“What happened?” Gu Beiyue asked hastily.

“Gu Beiyue, when you suddenly decided to get married, we all thought you were ‘hiding a mistress in a golden hall.’ But it’s almost the wedding date and you haven’t even set up a proper room yet. Are you fooling us?” Han Yunxi asked seriously.

Gu Beiyue exhaled, then asked, “Princess, why didn’t the little master come along?”

Gu Beiyue’s wedding date was so tight that Han Yunxi and Long Feiye would have to rush back to work on establishing a new kingdom after attending the wedding. She didn’t want to drag Rui’er around with her as she dashed about!

Too lazy to explain all that, Han Yunxi only asked again, “Where are the bridal chambers?”

“Just my quarters,” Gu Beiyue smiled helplessly. Gu Beiyue’s courtyard was located in the southern part of the medical academy and the biggest, quietest location. It had a total of three entrances, each of them forming a mini four-sided courtyard of their own.

The first courtyard was for receiving guests, the second had Gu Beiyue’s study, prescriptions, and research room, the third made up the actual living quarters. Currently, they were in the first courtyard.

Han Yunxi began heading deeper inside with Mu Linger following. They had heard way too many rumors on the trip here, including the fact that Gu Beiyue had no wedding decorations set up in the medical academy. If they hadn’t seen it for themselves today, they wouldn’t have believed it at all.

Gu Beiyue dismissed the tailor and followed the duo inside.

When the two females entered the third courtyard, they could only gape. Even though this was supposed to be the bridal chambers, it was still its usual self. There wasn’t a hint of wedding cheer or decorations about the place at all.

Everyone outside was claiming that Gu Beiyue was wronging himself by marrying Eldest Miss Qin. But as women, Han Yunxi and Mu Linger sensed that Eldest Miss Qin was the one being wronged instead!

Gu Beiyue didn’t look like he was preparing for a wedding at all. It was already past noon, but how much more could they prepare in the next two days? He was going to pick up the bride in the morning two days from now.

“Doctor Gu, if you don’t want to marry here, then don’t. And if you’re facing any difficulties, say it outright so we can help you think up a solution,” Mu Linger couldn’t help blurting out. “Doing things like this...isn’t that seriously wronging her? Although Eldest Miss Qin can’t find a husband, you still...you still can’t do this if you’re going to marry her!”

Gu Beiyue was quite calm as he replied, “Qin Min[1] says she prefer simplicity and that there’s no need for anything special. I don’t like elaborate affairs either, so we’ve decided on a small ceremony. I didn’t invite many people, only a few good friends. Today I’ll settle the matter of my wedding clothes and I’ll clean up these rooms and the guest hall outside this afternoon.”

“But women never say what they mean!” Mu Linger protested.

“Qin Min isn’t lik that. She’s always told me whatever she wanted,” Gu Beiyue answered.

Mu Linger began to grow agitated. “Doctor Gu, you don’t understand what I mean.” She thought it over before trying an analogy. “Doctor Gu, it’s like...it’s like when you’re gifting a girl something without worrying about whether she likes it or not! People ask others if they like the gift after giving them the present. They don’t ask if they like the present before giving them a gift! Do you get it? It’s not the same thing!”

Gu Beiyue begin to think and felt that made some sense. Han Yunxi wasn’t as restless as Mu Linger, but she did go outside and sit down. Seeing this, Gu Beiyue ordered someone to bring over the tea.

“When did you meet Qin Min? Have you really been ‘hiding a mistress in a golden hall?’”[2] Han Yunxi asked. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Long Feiye was even talking about finding you a matchmaker a while back.”

When would Long Feiye ever care about things like that?

Gu Beiyue knew the princess was probably planning to probe him for answers. “We’ve known each other since we were young,” he began, “I used to consult with her frequently about the medical arts. Later on I went to Tianning, but I came back a few times to visit my relatives…”

Gu Beiyue looked a bit embarrassed, but it was hard to tell whether he was just faking it. He didn’t meet Han Yunxi’s eyes and put on a slightly self-mocking smile. “All the times I said I was visiting my relatives, I was actually meeting her in secret.”

Han Yunxi knew about Gu Beiyue going to visit the medical academy back when he was still in Tianning. She was surprised and smiled. “So you two are childhood sweethearts! Why didn’t you introduce her to us earlier? Isn’t it a disfavor to her to hide her for so long?”

Now Gu Beiyue grew more embarrassed. “There were heavy responsibilities on my shoulders before and my life or death was uncertain. Later on, more matters kept me occupied. I was afraid of delaying her prospects. She didn’t even tell me about her father wanting to marry her off. If I hadn’t gone to Medical City because of Bai Yanqing’s matters, I would have never found out. That’s why I sent someone with a marriage proposal back then.”

Han Yunxi listened carefully without saying a word.

Gu Beiyue went on, “His Highness wants me to enter the palace as the Grand Tutor, but I’m afraid I’ll delay her again if I just leave like that. That’s why I rushed back from Northern Li to marry her began His Highness’s matters begin. Then I can bring her to Yunning with me,” Gu Beiyue’s words made perfect self while his face was as shy as a boy’s.

Han Yunxi looked at him left and right, but couldn’t find anything off. She only felt he seemed awkward. So even the calmest, most rational man can lose his cool when dealing with the person he loves.

Aren’t I the same? Even that iceberg Long Feiye has looked happy or angry before because of me and my matters.

At this point, Gu Beiyue got up and went to take out a large brocade box from the rooms. He opened it in front of Han Yunxi and Mu Linger, revealing a thick stack of medical books!

Gu Beiyue explained, “These are medical books personally penned by my grandfather. My father and I both added supplements. I learned my medical skills from these books and recorded knowledge here that I learned elsewhere.”

Han Yunxi and Mu Linger stayed silent, wondering what he was getting at.