Chapter 33 Be Casual

Ziyan felt aggrieved. On one hand, she thought she hit Gu Qiang too hard. On the other hand, it was because of Shen Qianshan’s attitude towards her.

Since Gu Qiang appeared, Shen Qianshan had become colder to her, though he didn’t treat her nicely before either.

“I won’t go back!” Ziyan began to cry suddenly. Looking at Gu Qiang in Shen Qianshan’s arms, she felt extremely terrible.

Shen Qianshan intended to take Gu Qiang away. Hearing what Ziyan said, he paused, walked to her, and looked at her coldly.

Scared by Shen Qianshan’s imposing manner, Ziyan didn’t dare to say anything. She stood there silently and looked at the ground.

Shen Qianshan told Ziyan, “You heard what I said. Empress Dowager is seriously sick. She loves you so much, but you are still making a scene here instead of returning to look after her. Don’t you think it’s shameful? Don’t forget you are an infanta.”

Then Shen Qianshan flew away towards the Xiaoyao Mountain with Jin Ye.

Ziyan was left there and couldn’t help crying aloud. She was worried about Empress Dowager, but Ziyan only adored Shen Qianshan after she had lived outside for such a long time. However, in his eyes, she was inconsiderate and didn’t look after Empress Dowager. He didn’t give her a chance to explain.

A servant girl came forward to Ziyan and gave her a handkerchief. She flung it to the ground, waved and told others, “Let’s go back to the palace.”

The Xiaoyao Mountain was located at the edge of the capital. It towered over clouds. A magnificent palace perched on the top of it. The location of the palace showed the status of the owner.

Shen Qianshan was sitting on a chair. Gu Qiang shifted to another position on a nearby comfortable daybed. Then he put powder onto a piece of cloth and bandaged her simply.

Jin Ye stood aside and still felt complacent because he called Shen Qianshan over in time.

Shen Qianshan turned around and looked at Jin Ye coldly. He sent Jin Ye to protect Gu Qiang, but she was hurt, so he couldn’t dissociate himself from it.

Frightened by Shen Qianshan’s eyes, Jin Ye left instantly.

Gu Qiang rose and touched the gauze on her hand. Then she turned around to look at Shen Qianshan and said, “Your Highness, you saved me again. I don’t know how to show my gratitude.”

Shen Qianshan washed his hands in a basin and wiped them with a towel. He did it quickly. Then he said casually, “Now that you don’t know how to show your gratitude to me, I have a suggestion. How about marrying me?”

Gu Qiang stared at Shen Qianshan in surprise. When he said that, he seemed to talk casually and was not serious at all.

A breeze blew past Shen Qianshan. His white clothes fluttered in the breeze. With no expression on his face, he picked up items casually on the table and put them aside, which seemed to be slow motion.

Gu Qiang held her handkerchief and perhaps wanted to say something. However, she didn’t know how to say. After all, Shen Qianshan seemed to be joking. If he was really joking, she would seem self-sentimental.

With such a thought, Gu Qiang grinned embarrassedly and said to Shen Qianshan, “Anyway, thank you, Your Highness. Please allow me to leave, because I have something to do.”

Then she stood up immediately, adjusted her clothes and went out of the pavilion.

Shen Qianshan turned around and looked at Gu Qiang. Such a short distance was far enough to torment her. She felt Shen Qianshan’s eyes stuck on her back, making her sweat on the back and feel terrible.

After she walked a few steps, Shen Qianshan, who had no response originally, rose suddenly, rushed to Gu Qiang, held her arm and said with a smile, “Look out.”

Gu Qiang lowered her head and saw a lotus pond near her feet. If Shen Qianshan hadn’t held her, she would have fallen into it.

It was probably because she was absent-minded just now. She turned around and was greeted by Shen Qianshan’s robust chest. She flushed, showed her gratitude in a low voice and then left instantly.

She didn’t stop flushing until she had gone far.

After Gu Qiang went far, Shen Qianshan talked to himself, “Why is there still a strong fragrance of pear blossom?”

Receiving no answer, Shen Qianshan laughed. Then he returned to his seat and began to drink tea with a calm and even casual expression.

The Xiaoyao Mountain was too far from the capital. Gu Qiang mounted the horse and felt limp and numb all over. The wound on her head caused by Ziyan still hurt. She almost couldn’t stand it, but she had to go back, because she had to inform her brother about Song Yu.

The horse sped on the road. The wind blew past her. She was not wearing enough clothes, so she felt cold.

The next morning, she got to Gu Huaian’s medicine shop and gave the horse to a footboy at the gate.

Hearing that his sister arrived, Gu Huaian stopped working, rushed out and saw Gu Qiang clearing the horse.

“Qiang, what brought you here?” Gu Huaian held Gu Qiang’s hands, looked at her with concerned eyes and tightened her clothes.

Gu Qiang turned around and winked at him, as if signaling him to drive away the surrounding servants.

Gu Huaian took the hint, of course. He took her to the main hall. No one was there. It was decorated with precious plants on both sides. Chrysanthemums, which were in bloom in autumn, were placed on the table.

Behind a jade screen, Gu Huaian severed Gu Qiang a cup of tea and said, “You arrived here in the morning. Did you come out last night? Do you know how dangerous it is on the way? If you want to come here again, tell me in advance and I will send someone to pick you up.”

Gu Qiang was moved while looking at Gu Huaian. She was clear how dangerous it was on the way, but to tell him the latest news, she had to take the risk.

“Brother, I just came from Gu Family. I have a piece of news for you. Ye wanted to marry Jiang Min’s daughter to you. What can you do?” Gu Qiang asked. The tea had been cool, but she didn’t want to drink at all.

Gu Huaian was astonished. He had moved out of Gu Family for many years, and the medicine shop had been developing well. Gu Family cut off the relationship with him a few years ago, but now Ye had such a trick.

Thinking of it, Gu Huaian laughed coldly and said, “Ridiculous! I’m not a member of Gu Family now. Why am I considered in this situation?”

“But father always agrees with Ye. If she is determined to marry Song Yu to you, I am afraid you won’t have a chance to say No.” Gu Qiang said worriedly.

If there was a chance, Gu Qiang would seize it. But if not, she hoped her brother could be unyielding. She didn’t believe that Ye wasn’t scared of Gu Huaian at all.

“I know how to deal with it. Don’t worry. I won’t let Ye succeed. You didn’t greet Ye this morning. She must know something already. I’ll ask someone to send you back. Don’t stay here any longer, understand?” Then Gu Huaian urged Gu Qiang to leave.

Gu Qiang knew her brother was worried about her. Though he had moved out of Gu Family, she stayed there. Therefore, he was cautious and hoped Gu Family wouldn’t put his only dear sister in a tough spot.

“See you, brother. Remember that don’t go on a journey no matter who asks you to during the three months.” Gu Qiang warned him again. It was most important. She hoped Gu Huaian could keep it on his mind.

Gu Huaian nodded. Then he thought of something and took out a pouch from his pocket. The pouch was embroidered with red plum blossoms and filled with something. He gave it to Gu Qiang and said, “You are always treated harshly in Gu Family and don’t have much money. What’s worse, Ye deducts a large part of it. Take the money just in case.”

Weighing the money on her hand, Gu Qiang knew it was a large sum. Her brother must have accumulated it for a long time. It was heavy. She smiled and said, “Brother, don’t be joking. It’s the duty of Gu Family to raise me, rather than yours.”

When did his sister become so considerate? The sincerity in her eyes when she said moved Gu Huaian. Sure enough, his efforts were rewarded. The relationship between siblings was indeed different.

“Don’t you believe me? I’m wealthier than you imagine. No matter what happens to you, just tell me, and I can help you. Don’t bear it by yourself.” Then Gu Huaian waved and a man in black came forward.

Gu Qiang mounted her horse. The man in black mounted another one next to her. Gu Huaian smiled at her and she left.

Gu Huaian stood there. Looking at his valiant sister, he felt delighted.

Gu Qiang’s visit was already moving. It made him feel warmer that she came for something about him. He was determined to believe Gu Qiang this time and protect himself.

In fact, Gu Qiang had come here several times to warn him about it. It meant that it was very important. Though he didn’t know what had happened to her, he had to make sure his security for her so that he could protect her.

At noon, Gu Qiang returned to Gu Family. She dismounted from her horse. As she went back to her yard, she saw Ting Feng and Chui Xue pacing up and down nervously. When turning around and seeing Gu Qiang, they ran up to her excitedly and checked her hands for fear that she would be injured. After they found her head was bandaged, they were scared.

“My Lady, what’s the matter? As it turns out, you can’t go out without us. Look at you.” Ting Feng complained.