Chapter 27: The Gu Manor

The Gu Family had operated in Xuanji City for 100 years.

Though their heritage was not as deep as those 1,000-year-old aristocratic families, they still possessed a solid foundation.

Tonight, the entire Gu Manor was lit with Clarity.

From the main gate to the grand hall, over 100 glazed lanterns hung along the path, illuminating the night as bright as day.

Having learned that the Successor of the Immortal Dynasty would suddenly be staying over, the Gu Family Matron personally supervised the servants’ busy preparations.

By the time the Crown Prince’s Divine Phoenix Carriage landed before the Gu Family gates, dozens of people were already waiting.

The middle-aged woman standing in the center, dressed in luxurious clothing, was none other than Gu Qingwan’s mother.

After all, in the Immortal Dynasty, women were held in high esteem; families like the Chu Clan, where men held power, were ultimately the minority.

At this moment, she hurried forward and bowed deeply.

“I did not know Your Highness the Crown Prince was visiting. Please forgive me for the lack of a proper welcome.”

Ji Xuanyuan nodded.

“Visiting so abruptly, it is I who have intruded.”

The Gu Family Matron flattered her, “Not at all! It is an honor for my Gu Family to have Your Highness grace us with your presence. I have already prepared a banquet within the manor specifically to welcome you!”

Ji Xuanyuan gave a polite smile. “Then I shall accept your hospitality.”

The Gu Family Matron was delighted. Just as she was about to welcome her guests into the manor, a sudden fit of coughing came from behind the Crown Prince.

Everyone followed the sound. Chu Yuan stood beside the imperial carriage and cupped his hands toward the Gu Family Matron.

“Matron Gu, I am exhausted from the long journey today and wish to rest early. I hope you will forgive me.”

His voice was neither high nor low, just loud enough for everyone around to hear.

The Gu Family Matron was stunned. Only then did she notice Chu Yuan coming out of the imperial carriage, and a flash of complicated emotion crossed her eyes.

Regarding this childhood friend of her daughter, she had always looked down on this orphan who possessed no talent.

Thinking that the upcoming Medicine King Valley Trial was fraught with danger, she had simply let her daughter’s behavior be.

But why was this abandoned member of a branch family riding in the same carriage as the Crown Prince today?

The Gu Family Matron instinctively looked toward Ji Xuanyuan.

Ji Xuanyuan’s brow furrowed slightly.

It seemed that ever since they left the teahouse, Chu Yuan had begun to deliberately distance himself from her.

Just now in the imperial carriage, he had been silent the whole way.

Chu Yuan’s gaze had remained fixed outside the window, as if the pitch-black night was more attractive than she was.

Now, he was staring intently at the Gu Family Matron but refused to look in her direction.

‘Do you guard against me that much?’

Ji Xuanyuan took a deep breath, forcing down the inexplicable bitterness in her heart.

She certainly knew the reason for Chu Yuan’s defensiveness.

He was likely wary of her using the so-called Yin Yang Harmony Sutra and treating him as “nourishment.”

Ji Xuanyuan desperately wanted him to know she would never do that!

But how could she speak?

‘I won’t harm you.’

‘You don’t need to hide from me.’

‘To me, you are… different from others.’

These words swirled at the tip of her tongue, but in the end, she did not say them.

Would he believe her?

She thought back to her past life, remembering those years when he had silently sacrificed for her while she remained indifferent.

If she were Chu Yuan, she wouldn’t believe in any sudden sincerity either.

The warmth of her breath rose like a mist, blurring her features.

Ji Xuanyuan wanted to speak to ask him to stay.

But when the words reached her lips, she found herself unable to say them.

What right did she have to make him stay?

Using her status as the Crown Prince?

He was only her “guide” and had no obligation to accompany her to social functions.

Using… some other identity?

What other identity did she have?

The affection of their past life was something she had personally destroyed.

The closeness of this life was something he was constantly avoiding.

What right did she have to open her mouth and keep him here?

Ji Xuanyuan lowered her eyes, her voice as calm as water.

“Since you are tired, go and rest.”

There was no discernible emotion in her tone, yet it carried a strange sense of helplessness.

“…Since that is the case, why not let Fairy Gu lead Brother Yuan to the guest room? This is her home, after all.”

Hearing this, everyone noticed Chu Yunlan in the other imperial carriage.

The Gu Family Matron cupped her hands in pleasant surprise. “Young Master Yunlan, thank you for sending my daughter back! If you don’t mind, would you care to join the banquet?”

Chu Yunlan replied with a smile, “It is my honor to participate in Her Highness’s welcome banquet. I simply wonder what Her Highness thinks of the matter?”

Ji Xuanyuan replied formally, “What kind of talk is that, Young Master Yunlan? If you are willing, I naturally welcome you.”

Seeing the future successors of two superpowers gathered at the Gu Family’s banquet, the Gu Family Matron dared not be negligent. She had no interest in minding that waste Chu Yuan and said to her daughter:

“Then… Wan’er, you take Chu Yuan to the guest room to rest first!”

Gu Qingwan nodded vigorously, not forgetting to cast a joyful glance at Chu Yunlan.

Chu Yunlan’s smiling eyes signaled that everything was going according to plan.

In the next moment, she hurriedly led Chu Yuan through the gate.

The two vanished into the night beyond the hall doors.

The night wind brushed through the hallway, swaying the lanterns hanging under the eaves, causing light and shadow to flicker across her face.

‘…Fairy Gu, you just need to find an opportunity to let him see your “fragility.”‘

Chu Yunlan’s words still echoed in her ears.

‘The two of you are childhood friends. If he still has even half a shred of affection for you, he certainly won’t stand by and do nothing when he sees you injured.’

Gu Qingwan bit her cherry-red lip.

She knew she was being despicable.

Faking illness, seeking pity, and using his soft-heartedness to bind him to her side.

How was this any different from those concubines fighting for favor?

But… if she didn’t use these methods, how else could she get close to him?

“A-Yuan…”

Gu Qingwan walked ahead, instinctively glancing at the person behind her.

However, she saw the youth lowering his head in deep thought, her presence no longer reflected in his eyes.

Chu Yuan thought to himself:

‘I finally managed to shake that woman off!’

‘Next is to enter secluded meditation in the guest room.’

‘One night is enough for me to reclaim my cultivation!’

He was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice the gloom covering his childhood friend’s face as she led the way.

Gu Qingwan could clearly feel Chu Yuan’s indifference toward her. He was no longer the boy who would gather herbs for her, but a complete stranger.

‘Could it be that because of the breakup this morning, his feelings could be severed so completely???’

Gu Qingwan opened her mouth to speak but could never find the courage.

Eventually, the two of them stopped before a door.

Chu Yuan suddenly asked, “This is my guest room, right?”

“Mhm…”

Gu Qingwan nodded instinctively.

Chu Yuan immediately opened the door. “Goodbye!”

“Wait… Pfft!”

Gu Qingwan wanted to say something more, but her chest suddenly tightened.

A piercing, bone-deep pain struck without warning, as if an invisible hand had gripped her heart.

She staggered, grabbing onto a pillar as a metallic sweetness filled her throat.

“Pfft!”

A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed out, splashing onto the floor tiles of the corridor—a shocking sight.

It wasn’t that she was intentionally faking an illness; it was simply that when the Nine Yin Severed Meridians flared up, it was always this sudden and excruciating.

But at this moment, this genuine pain unexpectedly fulfilled part of her “plan.”

Gu Qingwan leaned against the pillar, struggling to look up at the doorway.

As long as Chu Yuan heard the sound and turned around, he would see her pale face, the blood trickling from her lips, and her swaying figure.

In fact, Chu Yuan’s footsteps did indeed pause.

A bright light reflected in Gu Qingwan’s eyes.

‘A-Yuan heard me!’

‘He stopped!’

Leaning against the pillar, Gu Qingwan tried to make herself look even more hunched, making her weak posture more obvious.

The blood at the corner of her mouth continued to flow, dripping onto her full chest and blooming into a startling red flower. She thought:

‘As long as he turns his head, he will see it.’

‘As long as he turns his head…’

Chu Yuan, who had stepped through the door, did not hesitate for even a second.

Bang!

The door slammed shut right in front of her.

That heavy thud directly shattered the hope in Gu Qingwan’s heart.

She stood frozen in place, staring at the tightly closed door.

He… didn’t turn around?

He must have heard it!

But he… didn’t turn around?

Why???

In an instant, Gu Qingwan collapsed weakly to the ground, looking as desperate as a dog that had been kicked out of the house.