Chapter 23: Former Love

Just as Gu Qiulan was lost in thought outside the Imperial Academy, the examination inside Qunxian Hall had already begun.

Qin Muchuan was seated near the wooden window on the left, and diagonally behind him was Zhou Tianyou. Sun Ruosi, for reasons unknown, did not appear at the examination today.

Assistant Minister Gu presided as the examiner for the session. As he surveyed the sons of officials before him, each wore a troubled expression, their pens seeming as heavy as gold, prompting him to shake his head and sigh inwardly. His gaze lingered on Qin Muchuan, who, though he had yet to write for a while, appeared calm and composed, standing out like a crane among chickens. Behind him, however, Zhou Tianyou seemed oddly distracted, repeatedly casting glances in Gu’s direction. The assistant minister wondered if there might be ink stains on his official robes and glanced down, puzzled, when Zhou Tianyou suddenly bowed his head, as though inspiration had struck, writing swiftly with an almost divine touch.

At last, the examination concluded. Qin Muchuan let out a long breath; his last-minute preparations had proved somewhat useful, and though his essay was not dazzling, it was at least passable. As he gathered his stationery, Zhou Tianyou approached. “Judging by your demeanor, Brother Qin, you seem quite confident.”

Qin Muchuan hurriedly replied, “Not at all, merely did my best.” While speaking, he quickened his packing, hoping to leave Qunxian Hall sooner. Yet Zhou Tianyou seemed eager for conversation, walking alongside him. “I heard you recently married, Brother Qin. I regret I haven’t visited to offer my congratulations—such a lapse of etiquette.”

Qin Muchuan was caught off guard. Was Zhou Tianyou implying that Assistant Minister Gu’s supervision had been biased today? Though uncertain and uneasy, Qin Muchuan kept a composed smile. “No need to blame yourself, Brother Zhou. The thought alone honors me.”

As they walked and talked, Qin Muchuan found it impossible to shake off Zhou Tianyou. Anxiety gnawed at him, yet he could not confront him outright, especially given the disgraceful incident with Sun Ruosi—two sons of officials sneaking into a gambling den, the place catching fire, and both beaten soundly. It was hardly something to boast about.

“Miss, Zhou Tianyou is coming!” Qiaoyun, ever observant, spotted Zhou Tianyou and Qin Muchuan at once amid the crowd—they were too conspicuous to miss. Gu Qiulan, startled, crushed the fan in her hand without realizing it.

“Has someone from Brother Qin’s household come to fetch him?” Zhou Tianyou’s voice was close by. Gu Qiulan wished she could burrow into the earth and hide—please, husband, do not mention me!

“Yes, my wife was worried, so she came along,” Qin Muchuan replied, rather honestly betraying his companion.

“So it is your esteemed wife,” Zhou Tianyou murmured, gazing at the carriage. Gu Qiulan felt frozen, her breathing growing cautious.

In this dynasty, customs were open enough that women could travel alone, as long as they wore a veil. For those like Gu Qiulan, who were married and accompanied by their husband, there was little need for concern. Yet at this moment, Gu Qiulan had no desire to meet any man outside her family; she was a proper lady of the inner chambers, and such impropriety was unthinkable.

Then—

“Qiulan, how long have you been waiting here?” In a rush, the curtain at the carriage window was lifted, letting in light, and Qin Muchuan’s handsome face appeared before Gu Qiulan, with Zhou Tianyou standing right behind him.

Qiaoyun quietly turned her head, covering Miaomiao’s eyes with both hands.

“I…” Gu Qiulan’s lips moved, but she found herself utterly speechless.

Qin Muchuan sensed something amiss and turned abruptly. Zhou Tianyou was staring at his wife! The gentle gaze had transformed into a stormy intensity. As a man, Qin Muchuan knew all too well what that look meant.

He let the curtain fall heavily and was about to speak when Zhou Tianyou instantly donned a gentle expression, as if nothing had happened, his polite smile unchanged.

“So this is your esteemed wife,” Zhou Tianyou said, seemingly indifferent to the earlier moment. “Truly, seeing is believing.”

“You—” Qin Muchuan was furious at his flippant tone, clenching his fists. “‘Seeing is believing’? My wife has always lived in the inner chambers—where would you have heard anything? Brother Zhou, you are a scholar; mind your words!” No sooner had he spoken than Zhou Tianyou cast him a complicated, almost pitying glance, making Qin Muchuan’s veins nearly bulge in anger.

Inside the carriage, Gu Qiulan wished she could bury herself alive—how had she ever been so blind as to provoke Zhou Tianyou? She’d once thought him a frail young gentleman, never imagining he’d turn out to be a snake in disguise.

“Raised in the inner chambers?” Zhou Tianyou chuckled softly, then suddenly began coughing uncontrollably. His pale face flushed with an unnatural red, and he stepped back, frowning, a sight that must have tugged at the hearts of many women. Despite his cough, the smile on his face took on a wicked edge. “I’ve always heard your wife is famed for her beauty; I’ve admired her from afar for a long time. Now that I’ve seen her, I have no regrets in this life.”

“You little bastard—” Qin Muchuan raised his fist to strike, but caught sight of Assistant Minister Gu hurriedly approaching, and hesitated. Zhou Tianyou, meanwhile, smiled lightly and strode away.

“Damn it! Next time, don’t let me run into him!” Qin Muchuan seethed with humiliation—his wife had been openly flirted with, and he hadn’t even managed to teach that brat a lesson. It was intolerable!

Gu Qiulan sat in the carriage, nervously fiddling with her fingers, when a figure slipped inside. She looked up to see Qin Muchuan, his face dark with anger. Gu Qiulan guiltily averted her gaze, only to feel her waist gripped tightly, as Qin Muchuan pulled her into a firm embrace, his warmth seeping through her clothes. Gu Qiulan blinked—what was happening now?

“Don’t go out again next time,” Qin Muchuan muttered.

“Mm.”

“That Zhou fellow—I’ll deal with him myself. Don’t let today’s incident trouble you. If you’re upset, take it out on me.”

“Mm…”

“Qiulan,” Qin Muchuan looked at her with concern, his hand gently cupping her face. “Were you frightened just now?”

How was she to answer that?

Seeing her sudden silence, Qin Muchuan felt even more tender toward her, and hugged her tighter, his chin resting on her hair. The faint fragrance made him feel that his wife was gentle, wise, and magnanimous. Today, she’d finally ventured out, only to encounter a lecher. His self-reproach deepened. “It’s my fault for misjudging him. I never expected that Zhou, who seems so proper, would turn out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing—a beast in scholar’s robes! Qiulan, don’t be afraid. I’ll always be here to protect you!”

He held her close, as if trying to fuse her into himself. Gu Qiulan could even hear the steady, powerful heartbeat in his chest behind her, and slowly closed her eyes, a delighted smile playing at her lips.

Meanwhile, Zhou Tianyou had returned to his carriage at the mansion.

“Master, did you…see that woman just now?” the attendant asked, worried at his master’s poor complexion.

Zhou Tianyou nodded slightly. The attendant, indignant, shook his fist and whispered angrily, “Despicable! That beastly woman—not even fit to be called a beast! Master, why didn’t you expose her on the spot?”

Zhou Tianyou gazed thoughtfully at the bustling street outside, his eyes cool. Expose her? Hmph, rather than expose her, it would be more satisfying to ruin Qin Muchuan. Isn’t she fond of beautiful men? He’d like to see what Qin Muchuan looked like once that face was destroyed.