sjar Chapter 714 A purse embroidered with the character "嘉"
Chapter 714 A purse embroidered with the character "嘉"
Overnight, the story of Miss Gu from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion "kicking the Crown Prince away" spread like wildfire throughout every corner of the capital.
Various versions of rumors circulated, with some saying she was jealous of Princess Jiahe and that she was vying for her affections; others saying she was arrogant and disrespectful to the emperor.
Ultimately, these rumors coalesced into a resounding yet barbed title—"The Most Fierce Woman in Beijing."
Those noble ladies who used to only dare to gossip about her rudeness now instinctively take a detour when they see the carriage of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
In the courtyard of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, in Gu Qingchen's courtyard.
Chu Ruohan watched as her daughter listlessly wiped her longbow, showing no sign of regret, and couldn't help but sigh.
"From today onwards, you shall stay in the manor and reflect on your actions. You shall not go out and cause any more trouble."
It's called punishment, but it's actually protection.
Gu Qingchen understood, so she put down the bow and nodded obediently, "I know, Mother."
The days suddenly felt incredibly long.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, Gu Qingchen spent his days either training hard in the martial arts arena or sitting by the window in a daze.
She relived the events of the palace banquet over and over again, still feeling pleased and without a trace of regret.
But her brother Gu Lu's words were like a pebble, often poking at her heart.
Her vengeful and impulsive nature will indeed bring considerable trouble to her family.
This was the first time she realized that her fists couldn't solve all problems.
Seeking some peace and quiet, and to escape this vexation, Gu Qingchen strolled out of her own courtyard and walked casually toward the guest courtyard where Gu Lu and his sister were temporarily staying.
……
The guest room is always quiet.
As soon as Gu Qingchen stepped outside the courtyard, he saw the scene inside through a half-open window.
Gu Lanxin was sitting by the window, head down, focused on embroidering what she was doing.
The afternoon sunlight of autumn streamed through the windowpane, gently illuminating her profile, her expression tender and serene.
Gu Qingchen's heart softened, and she quietly pushed open the door and entered.
"Sister Lanxin".
"Ah!" Gu Lanxin trembled like a startled rabbit, and hurriedly tried to stuff the embroidery in her hands under the sewing basket beside her.
That flustered appearance was like trying to hide something obvious.
Gu Qingchen was incredibly skilled; before she could hide the item, he darted forward and snatched it into his hand.
"What treasure is hidden so well?"
She had been speaking in a somewhat joking tone, but when she saw what was in her hand, the smile on her face instantly froze.
It was an exquisitely embroidered men's purse, with several green bamboo stalks embroidered in silver thread on an indigo satin surface, the stitches fine and lifelike.
But what's even more glaring than the green bamboo is the incredibly clear character next to the bamboo leaves.
The character "嘉".
Gu Qingchen's mind went blank, as if he had been hit hard by something.
Lin Chia-yu.
The name popped up instantly.
She recalled the way Lin Jiayou looked at her with such deep affection and unwavering devotion every time they met; she remembered his "painstaking efforts" in enduring humiliation and hardship after returning to Beijing, all just to get closer to her.
But now, Sister Lanxin is embroidering a purse for him.
A very strange feeling welled up in my heart.
It wasn't jealousy, but absurdity, confusion, and a hint of offended annoyance that she herself didn't even realize.
"Qingchen, give it back to me!"
Gu Lanxin's face turned pale. She almost lunged forward, snatched the purse back, and clutched it tightly in her hand. She explained incoherently, "It's not what you think... This, this is... This was embroidered for a distant cousin. His, his name happens to have the character 'Jia' in it."
Gu Qingchen did not try to take it again.
She simply watched Gu Lanxin quietly, observing the fear and evasiveness in her eyes.
That weak explanation was something even she herself didn't believe.
Gu Qingchen's heart sank.
She took the purse from Lanxin's trembling hands and gently placed it back on the table in front of her, her tone revealing no emotion.
"Really? That's quite a coincidence."
She didn't get angry, nor did she press for answers.
But a tidal wave of emotions was raging within her.
Lin Jiayou showed her all sorts of affection, so why did Sister Lanxin embroider a sachet for him? Was it just Sister Lanxin's unrequited love, or was it Lin Jiayou...?
This created the first deep rift in her newly established perception of Lin Jiayou as "one of their own."
Gu Qingchen turned and left without saying another word.
Behind her, Gu Lanxin clutched the purse, as if all her strength had been drained, and slumped into the chair in despair.
The intimacy that had once existed between the two seemed to be severed at this moment, creating an unprecedented awkwardness.
…………
That night, Gu Qingchen tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
In her mind, she saw Qian Zhenyun's smug smile as he used a funny joke to save her from an awkward situation at the palace banquet.
One moment, it was Gu Lanxin's profile again, her head bowed as she embroidered the "Jia" character on the purse, her face both gentle and melancholy.
One is open and honest, the other... is unfathomable.
“Lin Jiayou…” she murmured to herself, staring at the dark tent ceiling, “What kind of person are you, really?”
The next morning, before dawn.
Gu Qingchen then stood guard at the gate of the mansion, stopping Gu Lu, who was preparing to go to court.
"Brother Law".
Gu Lu noticed the faint dark circles under her eyes and her solemn expression, a stark contrast to her usual carefree demeanor, and knew something was wrong. He stopped and gestured for his attendants to step back.
"what happened?"
Gu Qingchen took a deep breath and, without beating around the bush, asked directly, "Brother Lu, what kind of person do you think Lin Jiayou is?"
Gu Lu was taken aback upon hearing this, but then he noticed something from Gu Qingchen's serious expression, and his own face darkened as well.
He remained silent for a moment, then revealed without concealment how Lin Jiayou had gone into hiding after returning to the capital, how he had gained the trust of the Third Prince, and how he had turned against him at a crucial moment.
Finally, he looked at his sister, his voice low and serious.
"He is a useful knife, but the blade is too sharp. If you are not careful, he will hurt his own people."
Gu Lu's gaze sharpened.
"You are simple-minded and can't keep things to yourself, so don't get involved with people like Lin Jiayou."
So this is how she was seen by her brother and parents.
Naïve means easily deceived. Being unable to hide one's thoughts means lacking shrewdness...