zChapter 1276 - [YeXi] Shadow (1/2)

Chapter 1276: [YeXi] Shadow

Late night.

Qin Min sat in the branches of the dead tree, staring blankly at the moon in the sky. But it wasn’t long before she jumped off and went inside.

“Madam, should we leave a gate open just in case?” Shaoyao asked. Suppose the master came back?

Once he left, the servants did too, leaving just the two of them in this courtyard.

“He means what he says, so he won’t come back. No need to leave any open,” Qin Min replied simply.

“Madam…” Shaoyao chased after her, but Qin Min ignored the girl. In the end, Shaoyao couldn’t help but exclaim, “Madam, you’re miserable aren’t you? Very miserable?”

“Go to bed,” Qin Min said simply.

“Madam, just tell this servant if you’re miserable. Don’t hold it in, you’ll make yourself sick. It’s impossible to cure heartsickness. Just say whatever’s on your chest, don’t hide it and feel sad.”

Qin Min’s steps grew quicker as Shaoyao sped up her chase and kept talking. “Madam, say something! I’m begging you, just one sentence. I understand your pain. You haven’t spoken a word all night, just moped…it’s not normal!”

Finally, Qin Min stopped and snapped, “You’re the one who’s abnormal!”

She was only feeling a little down, but Shaoyao’s words made her feel like she should be downright miserable. But she’d thought things through ages ago! That was the kind of man Gu Beiyue was. When he wedded her, it was because she was crippled in both legs and being pushed out as a random bride by the Qin Clan. Both of them had been consensual to the union, but once her legs recovered, he regretted it. He was an excellent man who was afraid he’d damaged her marriage prospects. The words he spoke today were all of one meaning! She wasn’t as sad as Shaoyao claimed! She had only been quiet all night because she was puzzling over something she didn’t understand.

Why did Gu Beiyue need a fake marriage to get a child? He was different from her; he could have his share of marriage candidates running to Medical City for a chance to wed him. He could even chase after his heart’s desire and have children with her, but why use such a convoluted method to gain a child? A fake heir to the Shadow Clan’s legacy? She was certain there was a huge secret afoot!

Shaoyao finally caught up with her, still insistent on her views. “But Madam, you clearly like him. I could tell ages ago!”

Qin Min gave a start but quickly recovered to glare at her. “I like him, but does that mean he likes me? What kind of logic is that?”

Unable to retort, Shaoyao could only let her wander off.

—

That night, Gu Beiyue did not return. But he wasn’t far away. He was sitting on the rooftop of that very same teahouse, filled with worries for the first time in his life. It seemed…it seemed like he always had the best solutions to the empress’s woes to assuage them. But when it came to Qin Min, he had no idea how to deal with her or fix her problems. He had never regretted any of his actions, but he did regret this marriage. She was a lady in the prime of her youth, good in all aspects—even her personality—but why did she fall into his pit?

Her own marriage prospects had been delayed, but she had only furrowed her brows and said, “Thank goodness, thank goodness. You gave me a fright!” It made him realize that he had not only sabotaged her happiness, but her heart.

Smiling helplessly, Gu Beiyue muttered, “Silly girl…”

He was back by morning the next day. Qin Min hadn’t given him an answer to yesterday’s words, but he didn’t need one from her. The two of them went on politely with their interactions as if nothing had happened. They waited all morning, but neither Long Feiye nor Han Yunxi ever showed up. It wasn’t until dusk that Gu Beiyue received Long Feiye’s messenger hawk message saying that he was running to Changning’s salt fields to investigate a commotion and would be back next time. Han Yunxi also personally penned a message with the message: If you keep the hills green, you don’t need to fret for firewood. Make sure you don’t tire her out during this time.

Gu Beiyue was quite surprised by the letters. “Changning’s the neighboring county, isn’t it?”

Shaoyao waited for the madam to reply. When she didn’t, she said, “Yes,” without enthusiasm.

Gu Beiyue laughed. “So they came south to inspect the salt fields.”

Qin Min and Shaoyao were rather lost, so the former asked, “Neither the emperor nor empress are coming?”

Gu Beiyue was going to give her the letters instead, but suddenly recalled Han Yunxi’s words and slipped them into his sleeve instead. “Mm, they left on urgent matters and won’t be coming,” he said, “Esteemed Empress told you to rest well.”

Qin Min hastiled replied. “You must thank Esteemed Empress in my place!”

Gu Beiyue nodded and went outside. With a single shout, he summoned a guard from his hiding place. “Go call over Xi Yubo and the others. Have them bring along the child too.”

Both Qin Min and Shaoyao were stunned as they exchanged looks. There were guards hidden here? Since when?