Zhu Qingyu only gave him a brief hug before letting go. To avoid any lingering hesitation, she didn't even look at Gu Zhao again, walking straight out of the guest room.
Even after Zhu Qingyu had left the room and disappeared from sight, Gu Zhao remained frozen in place, his arms still raised as if to embrace her. His expression was dreamlike, as if his mind had short-circuited like a stalled robot.
What just happened?
Did she just kiss me?
Did she actually just willingly kiss me?
She made the first move! She made the first move! She made the first move!
She kissed me! Kissed me! Kissed me!
Gu Zhao touched his face with his fingers in disbelief. The smile on his face grew uncontrollably, blooming wide like a flower in full blossom.
The sensation of her touch still lingered on his cheek—so soft, so light. So light that he couldn't even tell whether it was his imagination or if it had truly happened.
The air still carried the faint fragrance of Zhu Qingyu's presence. Because of that gentle kiss, Gu Zhao found himself dizzy and thought fuzzily:
"What did she just say to me? Ah, she told me to take care."
Take care!
She was leaving!
No!
The smile on Gu Zhao's face instantly froze into panic, and he rushed out like a whirlwind.
Zhu Qingyu had already reached the stairs. Hearing the chaotic footsteps behind her, she knew it was Gu Zhao chasing after her, but she didn't turn back. Instead, she quickened her pace down the stairs.
She had already said her goodbyes. This was the proper end.
They were never on the same path anyway. Better to part ways here—she would go to the Northern Frontier, and he would return to the capital. Each would live their own life. That was the right course.
Gu Zhao charged down from upstairs, vaulting over the railing to land in front of her. He grabbed her hand, his tone urgent, panic and confusion spreading across his face as he said helplessly:
"Don't go! Don't go!"
Zhu Qingyu tried to pull her hand away, but Gu Zhao only gripped tighter:
"You're not allowed to leave!"
They were supposed to depart at the Chen hour. With time this tight, Zhu Qingyu and Gu Zhao clearly weren't the only ones rushing to set out.
Someone behind them shouted excitedly:
"Whoa!"
Zhu Qingyu turned around. At the entrance to the second-floor stairwell, the Eldest Grand Princess stood expressionless, watching the two of them.
Behind the Eldest Grand Princess were the two young ladies of the Wen family. The First Miss Wen appeared composed and silent, while the Second Miss Wen was far more lively, poking her head out with the eager look of someone witnessing a rare spectacle, watching the two of them tussling and called out again:
"Whoa!"
Because the Eldest Grand Princess was present, Gu Zhao let go of Zhu Qingyu's hand and bowed in greeting.
Zhu Qingyu also bowed to the Eldest Grand Princess and said:
"Greetings to Your Highness."
The Eldest Grand Princess nodded at Zhu Qingyu, then turned to Gu Zhao and said:
"Vice Minister Gu, I have already reviewed the document you submitted regarding the procurement of military medical supplies. The Northern Frontier is vastly different from the capital. Certain aspects will need to be adjusted according to local conditions. Since you're in a hurry to depart, let's discuss it in the carriage."
Zhu Qingyu began to feel something was off. Why wasn't the Eldest Grand Princess sending Gu Zhao away? It almost sounded like she was inviting him to travel with them.
From what the Eldest Grand Princess was implying, Gu Zhao had come here on official business? Could it be that he was going to the Northern Frontier because of his work?
So, he was just here for business, and they happened to be going the same way. And she had mistakenly assumed he had come specifically for her, and had been trying to send him away the whole time?
Given the Eldest Grand Princess's status, few people in this world dared to walk ahead of her. As the Eldest Grand Princess descended the stairs, Zhu Qingyu and Gu Zhao stepped back to either side of the railing, waiting for her to pass first.
After the Eldest Grand Princess led the two Miss Wen out, Zhu Qingyu finally risked asking Gu Zhao with a sliver of hope:
"You're going to the Northern Frontier? On official business?"
Military supply procurement was merely an excuse Gu Zhao had picked from his current duties to follow her to the Northern Frontier, so he hadn't specifically told Zhu Qingyu about it.
But since Zhu Qingyu asked, Gu Zhao nodded casually, though his mind was still fixated on the fact that she was leaving. He asked:
"Yes, I have been ordered to go to the Northern Frontier to procure military supplies. Qingyu, about just now—"
He was actually going to bring it up!
Zhu Qingyu felt like she was about to break apart. Her actions just now had been a complete impulse—she had hugged and kissed him in a moment of spontaneity, thinking they would never see each other again.
And yet, she had made a huge blunder. The two of them would have to travel together for months on end.
And he still wanted to ask! Did he expect her to explain the reason for that gesture?
Ah, this was too awkward, too embarrassing!
There was no way she was going to explain it. How could she? Was she supposed to say she was acting out of compassion, doing a good deed for the day, and that he shouldn't take it to heart?
Because she didn't want to explain, Zhu Qingyu glared at Gu Zhao:
"Don't ask!"
With that, Zhu Qingyu hurried off in the direction of the Eldest Grand Princess to find the caravan.
Her carriage was the third in the line, quite close to the front. Aunt Zhuyue was even waiting beside the vehicle with some attendants.
So Zhu Qingyu spotted her carriage immediately. She rushed over as if being chased from behind, climbed on, and threw herself onto the carriage blanket, feeling as though she were about to die of embarrassment.
Back behind her, Gu Zhao experienced a morning of wild ups and downs, elation and despair. It felt as if the sky were about to collapse.
She was about to leave, so of course she wouldn't let him ask.
Gu Zhao trudged over pitifully and knocked on her carriage window:
"I brought you some medicine. I'll have it decocted and sent to you shortly."
Zhu Qingyu buried her face in the carriage blanket, drowning in regret. But when she heard him voluntarily change the subject without pressing her about what had just happened, she let out a sigh of relief and replied:
"Okay."
Gu Zhao had left in a hurry yesterday. Like his last trip to Yangzhou, he had traveled light—only a few guards, two carriages, and very little luggage.
Xie Ze, being a habitual runaway from marriage, was even more carefree than him. He had simply ridden his little donkey and followed along, bringing neither guards nor luggage.
When Gu Zhao went to retrieve the medicine from his luggage for Zhu Qingyu, Xie Ze had already commandeered his carriage, lying inside, sighing to himself in self-pity.
"What a useless wretch."
Gu Zhao was very displeased. He had brought Xie Ze along expecting him to be of some use. So he prodded him:
"She's right there. Why don't you go talk to her?"
Go ahead. If your marriage goes through, mine is ruined. Perfect.
But the usually carefree Young Marquis, when it came to matters of the heart, was reduced to a lovesick wreck, tied up in knots. He sighed:
"I can't. She'll scold me."
Useless piece of work. Gu Zhao was starting to regret bringing Xie Ze along. He couldn't be of any help at all.
Since his companion was incompetent, Gu Zhao decided to handle things himself. Otherwise, if news of the marriage negotiations between him and the Wen family reached Zhu Qingyu, how terrible would that be?
He started a fire to decoct the medicine for Zhu Qingyu. After arranging for Xiong Kun to watch the stove, Gu Zhao went to find the Eldest Grand Princess to discuss the arrangements for the medical supplies.
The Eldest Grand Princess didn't beat around the bush. Setting aside the official documents for the moment, she asked directly:
"Vice Minister Gu, are you aware that our two families are in marriage negotiations?"
The Eldest Grand Princess had actually brought it up herself!
A golden opportunity not to be missed, Gu Zhao seized the moment and immediately knelt to reply:
"That is merely the wish of the elders in my family. As Your Highness can see, I already have another in my heart. I am unworthy of the First Miss Wen and cannot consent to this betrothal. I humbly beg Your Highness to withdraw this arrangement."
