Chapter Twenty-Six: Truth and Falsehood

Zhou Tianyou saw Gu Qiulan fall silent, feeling a surge of satisfaction. He was about to add another mocking remark when Gu Qiulan, shaken but not defeated, regained her composure. She fixed Zhou Tianyou with a deep, lingering gaze, her eyes traveling from his face down his neck and lower—“I truly don’t know if you’ve got what it takes or not. Why don’t you show me?”

Zhou Tianyou: “……………”

He realized he’d misjudged her; he thought he’d mastered the art of verbal sparring, but no one could have anticipated just how shameless Gu Qiulan could be. Her audacity was like a river flowing into the sea, waves crashing endlessly—a herd of alpacas galloping across the hopeful prairie with a thousand hooves.

“Come now, who are you trying to be lewd with?” Gu Qiulan smiled. “There’s no one around, so why not strip and show me? I won’t do anything to you, after all, I don’t have what you do.”

Zhou Tianyou felt that a person shouldn’t sink to such depths of shamelessness! But he’d forgotten—could Gu Qiulan truly be called a person? She was a beast!

Gu the Beast flicked her bangs aside and, seeing that Zhou Tianyou wasn’t about to undress, sighed in disappointment. “See? Whether you have it or not, does it matter to me?”

Zhou Tianyou silently turned his head away; he really didn’t want to discuss this topic anymore. Could they talk about something else?

Gu the Beast, considerate as ever, patted Zhou the Beauty’s shoulder and kindly stepped back a few paces.

“Xiao Tian, don’t make a fuss. It’s true that my recklessness caused your fall into the icy pond when the horses were startled. But if I hadn’t appeared that day, those bandits raiding the Zhou estate wouldn’t have retreated so quickly. And yes, later I did… develop some ill intentions toward you, but all these grievances have nothing to do with Qin Muchuan. He went to the gambling house out of brotherly loyalty, and at the time, he didn’t know Sun Ruosi had troubled you. Speaking of which, I’m reminded—what happened between you and Sun Ruosi? Did that brat do something to you? Want me to give him a beating?”

The moonlight poured forth, transforming this small courtyard into two distinct worlds—one shadowed, one bright. Zhou Tianyou stood beneath the wall in darkness, silent for a long while. He hated Gu Qiulan, hated everything he had endured in Yan Prefecture, and this woman had almost ruined his life. Yet, she was right—her intentions were not pure, but she had saved him. For three years, these conflicting thoughts tormented him daily. Just as he’d managed to find some peace, news broke this Qixi festival that the Duke’s household and the Minister of Rites were now in-laws. His heart, once calm, surged again with turmoil.

“You exaggerated the events at the eastern city gambling house and told the imperial concubine.” His words were a statement, not a question. Gu Qiulan stared straight into Zhou Tianyou’s eyes. “Then the concubine relayed it to His Majesty. But do you know what came of it? The emperor did not seem angry; instead, he intends to grant my husband an official post or two. Xiao Tian, you were never skilled at schemes or reading people’s hearts. Overthinking is a beauty’s greatest enemy. Relax, and you’ll be even more beautiful.”

“I am not a woman!” Zhou Tianyou finally snarled through clenched teeth, “Nor am I some decorative pillow like Qin Muchuan!”

“Heh… Why must beauties be divided by gender? Can a man not be born beautiful?” Gu Qiulan replied. “Looking pleasing brings others comfort, and isn’t it delightful for you to see your own reflection every day? Come now, don’t be angry—look, your eyes are glaring again. I came tonight only to tell you this: if you’re dissatisfied with me, come at me directly. I won’t dodge or hide. But if you drag innocent people into it, don’t blame me for forgetting our past friendship! You know I fiercely protect my own.”

“Fine.” Zhou Tianyou said slowly, “Next time, I’ll tell everyone in the capital about your deeds in Yan Prefecture. Rest assured, I won’t mention that Qin the Great Beauty of yours.”

To his surprise, Gu Qiulan agreed with delight, “Go ahead. If you want to, do it.”

Suddenly, the moonlight in the courtyard dimmed. Gu Qiulan looked up at the moon, half-shy, half-hidden among the clouds.

“It’s late. I must go.” Gu Qiulan laughed softly, “Take care. Until we meet again!”

Zhou Tianyou was momentarily stunned. In the blink of an eye, her figure leapt over the courtyard wall, vanishing into the vast moonlit night, never to be seen again. Was it truly… of no consequence now? Heh…

Back at the mansion, Gu Qiulan was surrounded by her three family members, interrogating her about what she’d been up to tonight! After Gu Qiulan briefly explained, Miaomiao gazed at her with admiration, “Boss, your heart is truly broad. For the sake of the great beauty, you’re willing to offend the little beauty.”

Gu Qiulan: “…Miaomiao, have you really been studying lately? Why are you still speaking so nonsensically?”

Miaomiao bit her lip and looked aggrievedly to Qiaoyun and Madam Zhuang for help. “Did I say something wrong? Boss, you’re willing to make yourself a target for the great beauty. If that little beauty really tells everyone about Yan Prefecture, what will you do?”

Qiaoyun sighed deeply, “You think your boss is too kind.”

Sure enough, Gu Qiulan lounged in the grand master’s chair, legs crossed and swinging lazily back and forth, playing with her round fan in a roguish manner, replying smugly, “So what if he spreads the word? The tyrant in Yan Prefecture was Gu Zhongyun—what does that have to do with Gu Qiulan? Everyone in the capital knows that the Minister of Rites’ daughter was raised in seclusion, gentle, filial, tranquil, and virtuous, never envious or quarrelsome. Is Zhou Tianyou really going to take a portrait and travel a thousand miles to Yan Prefecture to find witnesses? Even if he does, do you think people will believe that the Minister’s daughter is an utter scoundrel, or will they believe Zhou Tianyou, harboring resentment against my husband, is slandering the lady of the house with vile tricks?”

The more Gu Qiulan spoke, the more pleased she became. “I said I don’t care if he tells, oh, how clever I was at the time. Miaomiao was moved by my words, let alone Zhou Tianyou. I know that little beauty well—sharp-tongued, soft-hearted. With such beauties, retreating is the best strategy.”

Qiaoyun could no longer bear it—so every word from this woman was nothing but calculation! Truly, Zhou Tianyou deserved better! When she first arrived at the Duke’s estate, she thought Qin Muchuan, the decorative pillow, was unworthy of Gu Qiulan. Now it seemed… anyone willing to take in Gu the Scoundrel ought to burn incense in thanks!

The next morning, before dawn, Qin Muchuan staggered out of the ancestral hall, his knees weak from hours of kneeling, needing to pause every few steps for support. Doctor Ning was already waiting, quickly applying ointment to soothe his aching joints, kneading them until Qin Muchuan finally felt alive again.

Duke Qin was already dressed in court robes. Seeing Qin Muchuan ready, he nodded, indicating it was time to set out. Qin Muchuan, without rank or title, could only kneel outside the hall. He sighed inwardly—so be it, more kneeling. Despite the discomfort in his knees, he felt a cold sweat break out down his back, but within the palace, he dared not show any sign of pain, maintaining a composed and dignified appearance.

Suddenly, a figure beside him seemed familiar. He stole a glance—what a coincidence! Zhou Tianyou was kneeling there, right beside him. Qin Muchuan straightened his back, a surge of spirit rising. Zhou Tianyou was distracted, paying him no mind.