mtl008 Chapter 78 What is this person up to now?
Chapter 78 What is this person up to now?
It was already evening, and one by one, the glass lanterns in the Rain Dew Garden of the Jiang Mansion lit up, illuminating the courtyard as if it were daytime.
Inside the dining hall, the eight-immortal table was already laden with delicacies, and the aroma of the food filled the air.
The steamed sea bass, drizzled with hot oil, sizzled and tempted the appetite. On a gold-embroidered plate, several side dishes, including jade rolls and crystal shrimp dumplings, were exquisitely presented, each dish demonstrating meticulous craftsmanship.
Shen Jingshu, however, seemed somewhat distracted.
During lunch, she stubbornly refused to let Jiang Jin'an into the house. Now, thinking back, she realized that he had suffered such serious injuries and rushed back to the capital to report back late at night. She didn't know how many nights he had stayed up, and he hadn't even had a hot meal.
Shen Jingshu belatedly realized that she had been too willful.
She was filled with remorse and secretly glanced at Jiang Jin'an beside her, only to see that he was also looking down at her, his dark eyes full of smiles, as if he wanted to drown her in them.
Jiang Jin'an naturally saw through her thoughts. He instructed Yaoqin to pack up the medicine box, then took her hand and said gently, "Let's go have a meal."
The two arrived at the dining hall, where Gu Changyi was already seated at the table, while Sikong and Lin Yu stood on either side.
He rested his chin on his hand, and seeing the two approaching side by side, a teasing look appeared on his face. "Oh, so this is a picture of deep affection, the storm has passed?"
He deliberately emphasized the word "deep affection," his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
Jiang Jin'an glanced at him, ignoring his teasing, and led Shen Jingshu directly to the table.
Shen Jingshu felt a little embarrassed by his gaze. She pulled her hand away, gave Jiang Jin'an a reproachful glare, and whispered, "Everyone's watching, you should tone it down."
Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of coquettishness, which made Jiang Jin'an's heart flutter.
Jiang Jin'an held her hand, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "What are you afraid of? He's not an outsider."
Gu Changyi took in the interaction between the two, his smile widening. He said slowly, "You two are so inseparable, I really can't bear to watch."
Shen Jingshu's cheeks flushed slightly. She glared at Gu Changyi and said irritably, "If you can't stand it, go back to your Duke's mansion. Nobody's stopping you."
"No, please," Gu Changyi quickly waved her hand, "I'm waiting to hear you talk about serious matters."
He looked at Jiang Jin'an, "What exactly happened to you? How did news suddenly spread that you were either dead or injured?"
Jiang Jin'an looked up at him. "This is a long story, I'll explain it slowly later. As for you, have you discovered anything?"
Gu Changyi's teasing expression vanished, and he said seriously, "I used Shiyi and those other excuses to go to my brother's courtyard several times, but I didn't find any trace of Chu Xiangling. However, I discovered that he has purchased a residence in the west of the city."
"The west side of the city?" Jiang Jin'an frowned slightly. "When did he acquire it?"
Gu Changyi recalled, "It's been quite some time. There are several old men guarding him there, all of whom my father arranged for my elder brothers. They are all highly skilled, and my men can't get in. I once thought of going to investigate myself, but my father has been making me go to the army to report for duty lately, so I really can't be in two places at once."
Jiang Jin'an pondered for a moment and said, "If we can't get in, let's put it aside for now. There's no need to rush."
Gu Changyi nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Although those old guys are keeping a tight watch, I can always find a way. It's just that the roll call in the army did take up a lot of time, but I already have some ideas, and I should be able to get away in a few days."
Faced with a feast of delicacies, Jiang Jin'an served Shen Jingshu first. He picked up a piece of fish belly meat, carefully removed the bones, and placed it in Shen Jingshu's bowl. "This sea bass is fresh and tender. Try it."
Looking at the tender white fish in the bowl, Shen Jingshu also picked up a shrimp dumpling for him, saying, "You eat too."
Watching from the side, Gu Changyi felt that this meal was particularly unpleasant, and couldn't help but complain, "Hey you two, can't you consider me, a lonely person?"
Jiang Jin'an knew that Gu Changyi was joking, so he went along with him and said, "This fish tastes really good, you should try it."
As she spoke, she placed a piece of fish on his plate.
Gu Changyi didn't stand on ceremony, picking up a piece of fish and putting it in her mouth, saying as she ate, "Hmm, it's really delicious, but it's still a bit lacking compared to your sweet and tender meal."
Shen Jingshu wanted to ask him several times if he knew about Wen Yin, but she didn't know how to bring it up.
Wen Yin was in love with Gu Changyi, a fact she already knew, but what about Gu Changyi?
Although she had reminded Gu Changyi after their last parting at the Duke's mansion, it was ultimately inappropriate to ask such a question directly.
Does he also have feelings for Wen Yin? Or is he not interested at all?
If I were to speak rashly, wouldn't that embarrass Wen Yin and upset him?
The news that Wen Huaiqing intended to take Wen Yin as a concubine weighed heavily on her heart, making her restless and unable to eat or sleep. Now, seeing Gu Changyi's expression, she felt even more uneasy, fearing that he and Wen Yin were destined to be apart.
After dinner, Gu Changyi set off back to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
The carriage of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion rumbled along the long street and stopped in front of the vermilion gate. Gu Changyi got off the carriage and stepped into the mansion. He wanted to go straight back to his own courtyard, but was stopped by the steward, who said that the madam was waiting for him in the main courtyard. Gu Changyi was impatient, but he could only follow the steward to the main courtyard.
In the main courtyard, Madam Jiang was leaning against a soft couch, listening to her maid report on the day's trivial matters in the manor. When she saw Gu Changyi enter, she hurriedly asked, "Did you go to the Jiang residence? Did your cousin really come back?"
Gu Changyi sat down beside her and nodded. "You're back, perfectly fine, without missing any limbs. Mother can rest assured."
Hearing this, Gu Zhong, who was sitting to the side, also breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense expression relaxed.
Jiang was also relieved, patting her chest, "That's good, that's good. I've been feeling uneasy and anxious."
Gu Changfeng stood to the side, and upon hearing the news that Jiang Jin'an was unharmed, a shadow of gloom flashed in his eyes.
As night deepened, a private bathhouse in the Rain and Dew Garden, connected to an inner room, was filled with steam and rising water vapor.
Several old women brought in the heated water and scattered various flower petals into the bathtub, instantly filling the room with a sweet fragrance that was refreshing and delightful.
Yaoqin and Jinse were about to help Shen Jingshu bathe and change when Jiang Jin'an stepped forward and stopped them, saying, "Madam is tired. There's nothing for you to do here. You may leave now."
Yaoqin and Jinse were stunned.
The lady is tired, so they should come to serve her in bathing and changing clothes.
Yaoqin, being quick-witted, reacted immediately. She secretly glanced at Jinse and gave her a meaningful look. Jinse understood, and the two of them immediately curtsied and said respectfully, "Yes, sir."
Having said that, he left the courtyard, leaving the two of them alone.
Seeing Jiang Jin'an's actions, Shen Jingshu felt a sense of foreboding.
What is this person going to do now?