Chu Yuan naturally kept Gu Qingwan’s matters in mind.
However, there was an order of urgency. He needed to settle matters regarding the Crown Prince and the Dragon Egg before dealing with her.
Turning around, Chu Yuan returned to his bed to continue his cultivation. Before that, he needed to properly stabilize his foundation.
—
Gu Qingwan did not know how she had returned to her bedchamber.
She only knew that when she regained her senses, she was already sitting on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the solitary candle flame on the table.
Her jade-like hand pressed against her full chest. Gu Qingwan gritted her teeth; her chest still hurt.
But she could no longer tell if it was the pain of her illness or the pain in her heart.
Raising a slender finger, Gu Qingwan touched the corner of her glistening lips. The blood had already dried, leaving a dark red mark on the back of her hand when she wiped it.
At the thought of Chu Yuan truly not looking back, Gu Qingwan’s eyes grew hot. She bit her lip, trying desperately to endure it.
‘No! I can’t cry. Perhaps Chu Yuan just didn’t see me! He still has me in his heart!’
Gu Qingwan comforted herself repeatedly. However, tears fell uncontrollably, one after another. She covered her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling slightly, causing her full figure to heave.
Just then, a Sound Transmission reached her ears:
【…Fairy Gu? How did it go?】
After bidding farewell to the two at the gates of the Gu Manor, Chu Yunlan had been invited to a feast by the Gu Family Matron.
The banquet was set in the main hall, with long tables arranged and fine delicacies laid out. During the meal, the Gu Family Matron’s smile was exceptionally bright.
After all, in today’s Realm of True Emotions, there was already a saying: “Xuanyuan in the East, Yunlan in the West.” With the two great future stars of the generation both in her home, the Gu Family Matron felt extraordinarily honored. For this reason, she personally accompanied them, her conversation being extremely attentive yet respectful of boundaries.
However, the Gu Family Matron noticed that both of these rising stars seemed a bit distracted.
Chu Yunlan was currently pondering the strategy he had given Gu Qingwan earlier. He believed that if the plan went smoothly, the two would have already successfully reconciled. On this night with a bright moon and sparse stars, it was even possible for the two of them to be alone in a guest room, sparks flying…
But considering Fairy Gu’s soft and cowardly nature, things likely wouldn’t go that smoothly. At the very least… it should be enough to mend their relationship.
‘So… how did it go?’
The more Chu Yunlan thought about it, the more restless he became. Deploying his Divine Sense at the peak of the Clarity Realm, he couldn’t help but search the Gu Manor, only to find that the guest room where Chu Yuan was staying was shrouded in mist. Chu Yunlan’s Divine Sense could not penetrate it; a formation had clearly been set up.
At the same time, a solitary figure was nearby. Looking at her appearance, Chu Yunlan was puzzled.
‘Could it have failed?’
Once Gu Qingwan returned to her bedchamber, Chu Yunlan secretly pinched a jade token to send a Sound Transmission:
【Fairy Gu? How did it go?】
Hearing this, Gu Qingwan lifted her head, her eyes blurred with tears as she stared at the ceiling of her room. Her voice was as raspy as if it had been rubbed with sandpaper.
“Young Master Yunlan, he… he ignored me…”
【He ignored you?】
Chu Yunlan was surprised. Based on his Divine Sense probe, it wasn’t hard to notice the blood on Gu Qingwan’s chest. He asked:
【Fairy Gu, did you have an episode just now?】
“Yes…”
Chu Yunlan grew more agitated as he asked:
【Did you spit up blood?】
“Yes…”
【Did he see it?】
That last question made Gu Qingwan’s tears flow even more fiercely.
“I… I was right behind him. As long as he looked back—as long as he turned around, he would have seen… but he… he…”
She couldn’t bring herself to say the words “shut the door.” Those words were too heavy, like a stone pressing down on her heart.
Learning of the situation, Chu Yunlan felt deeply perplexed.
‘Strange. Too strange. Aren’t they childhood friends? Don’t they have the affection of growing up together? How could he remain indifferent after seeing his childhood friend suffer an episode and spit up blood? Could it be…’
At this thought, he subconsciously muttered, 【Could that kid really have no feelings left for her at all?】
As soon as those words were spoken, Gu Qingwan wailed and cried even louder.
Chu Yunlan grew frustrated:
【Don’t be like this! Fairy Gu, this is just my speculation! Pull yourself together!!!】
His thoughts spun rapidly as he hurried to comfort her:
【Fairy Gu, think about it! If he truly didn’t like you, why would he agree to come to the Gu Manor today? He could have clearly stayed by the Crown Prince’s side, or simply returned to the Chu Clan to accept his punishment. But he chose to come to the Gu Manor, which shows he still cares to some extent. Or rather… perhaps Brother Chu didn’t see it?】
“Didn’t see it?” Gu Qingwan was stunned. “Young Master Yunlan, what do you mean by that?”
Chu Yunlan continued his analysis:
【He might have… simply not seen it. It’s late at night, the corridor was dim, and he was in a hurry to rest. It’s possible he was momentarily negligent.】
“Didn’t see it…” Gu Qingwan murmured the words, hardly daring to believe them. “Is that true?”
【Of course!】 Chu Yunlan’s voice pulled her back from the edge of a breakdown. 【If Brother Chu truly detested you, it would be impossible for him to come to your home. By the same logic, if he was interested in the Crown Prince, he wouldn’t have come to your home either. Looking at both facts combined, he might be crying out to you for help but doesn’t dare to say it openly.】
“For help?” Gu Qingwan’s whole body trembled. “Young Master Yunlan, are you serious?”
【I am! He ignored you today perhaps because Her Highness was nearby. He doesn’t dare to get too close to you for fear of implicating you. So, even if he saw you having an episode, he wouldn’t dare to check on you personally. After all, that Highness regards him with special favor. If he showed concern for you in front of her, wouldn’t that make things awkward for the Crown Prince?】
Gu Qingwan was dazed. “Is that so? Was it because… he was wary of the Crown Prince??”
Chu Yunlan continued to lead her on:
【Fairy Gu, if you truly want him to change his mind, you must keep your composure. If it doesn’t work once, then look for another opportunity. One day, he will see your sincerity. If you give up now, then there truly will be no more chances.】
After speaking, his heart roared: ‘Pull yourself together, Fairy Gu! If you don’t keep this trash occupied, how else will I get close to the Crown Prince?!’
Gu Qingwan bit her lip, looking at the candle flame that had begun to burn brightly through her teary eyes.
‘Yes! I can’t give up! If I give up, I’ll truly have nothing left.’
Gu Qingwan made up her mind. Those years, those memories, that boy whose eyes used to be filled only with her… she couldn’t just let him go like this.
Sniffling, she finally managed to calm her emotions. “Then… what should I do?”
A hint of a smile entered Chu Yunlan’s voice:
【No rush! The timing isn’t right yet. Fairy Gu, you just need to remember… no matter what happens, I will lend you a helping hand!!!】
Gu Qingwan nodded, even though she knew he couldn’t see her. She wiped away her tears and took a deep breath, trying her best to calm down. The night was deep outside, and the candle flame flickered in the wind. She looked at the closed window and silently whispered that name in her heart.
‘Chu Yuan…’
Gu Qingwan’s resolve hardened. “Thank you! Young Master Yunlan, I will not give up!!!”
Hearing Gu Qingwan’s tone soften, Chu Yunlan finally let out a sigh of relief:
【Good! Then rest well and heal tonight. We will discuss this further tomorrow.】
After ending the Sound Transmission, Chu Yunlan looked toward the red-haired Crown Prince at the head of the banquet and thought to himself:
‘Once this pair of childhood friends reconciles… Your Highness, you will know who your most loyal ally truly is!!!’