Chapter 167: Pretentious

Gu Huaizhi’s brow twitched slightly. Su Wan was angry now.

This was no different from disaster striking out of the blue.

Gu Huaizhi, feeling helpless, turned back to his carriage and followed after Su Wan’s carriage, neither too fast nor too slow.

“Master, we’ve caught up,” Mo Yuan reminded him. Just then, Gu Jingyun’s head poked out of the carriage window, looking in their direction, only to be grabbed by the scruff of his neck and pulled back inside: “…”

“Ouch—” Gu Jingyun tumbled onto the floor, not hurt at all. He quickly flipped himself back up like a carp and scooted over to Su Wan. “Sister-in-law, big brother’s chasing after us.”

Su Wan didn’t respond but sternly scolded him, “Don’t stick your head out of the carriage window. If someone rides a fast horse or a carriage passes by at high speed, your head will be separated from your body.”

“Sister-in-law, I was wrong,” Gu Jingyun said pitifully, all the while thinking about his older brother. “Big brother didn’t pay attention to that woman; he was warning her not to tarnish his reputation.”

Gu Baozhu nodded in agreement. “Yes, yes! Big brother even said he’s afraid of his wife.”

She curiously asked, “Sister-in-law, what does it mean to be ‘afraid of your wife’?”

Gu Jingyun quickly answered, “Silly! It means being scared of your wife!”

“Uh…” Su Wan had a headache.

Cao Suxue had once been in a matchmaking meeting with Gu Huaizhi. Though nothing came of it, she still hadn’t given up her intentions.

Seeing the two of them standing together made Su Wan feel particularly irked.

She knew very well that Gu Huaizhi was innocent, but with Cao Suxue approaching him, and out of courtesy due to Lord Cao’s presence, he had to exchange a few words. However, there was a nameless fire burning in her heart. She couldn’t remain rational, and she couldn’t help but feel angry, not wanting to speak to him.

Su Wan retrieved a jug of water from the wall cabinet, drank two sips, and only barely managed to suppress the sour feeling churning inside her.

“Sister-in-law, don’t be mad. If you don’t want to talk to big brother, we won’t pay him any attention today.” Gu Baozhu easily switched sides, siding with Su Wan. She pulled a small paper packet from her sleeve, opened it, and inside was a piece of slightly melted candy. She held it up to Su Wan’s mouth and softly said, “When I was young, our family was poor, and it was hard to come by sweets. Whenever I was hurt or missed father, mother would bring out a piece of candy, break it up with the back of a knife, and give some to me and my second brother. She said that when you’re unhappy, a little bit of sweetness will make you feel better, and you’ll forget about the bad things.”

Su Wan held the candy in her mouth, and the sweet taste went straight to her heart. She hugged Gu Baozhu, resting her head on her shoulder.

When life is too bitter, even candy can’t mask the bitterness. The sour taste only multiplies.

That saying was just a way to console oneself.

“Sister-in-law, are you feeling better now?” Gu Baozhu gently patted Su Wan’s head.

Su Wan smiled. “Yes, I feel better.” Though, it’s really my heart aching for you all.

But Gu Huaizhi’s mood, I’m afraid, is even worse.

He clearly had the ability to improve the family’s situation and spare his younger siblings from hardship, but due to Gu Jingyun’s status, he didn’t dare act too boldly. A single misstep could result in the family’s destruction.

“This candy is very sweet,” Su Wan said as she lifted her head, her fingers brushing against the scar on Gu Baozhu’s temple—the one left by the original owner of this body. There was still a faint pink mark.

After some time spent recuperating, Gu Baozhu had gained some weight, and her skin was slowly becoming fairer.

Gu Baozhu smiled happily. “I have lots of candy left.”

She placed the rest of the candy in the carriage’s wall cabinet, her eyes gleaming with joy. “Sister-in-law, whenever you want some, just take a piece.”

“Alright,” Su Wan’s mood lightened considerably.

She rubbed her cheeks, feeling as though she was regressing—being coaxed by a child of all people.

In her heart, she began planning to develop an ointment to remove the scar on Gu Baozhu’s forehead.

Apart from greeting Gu Baozhu and Gu Jingyun at the beginning, Xiao Tao had been sitting quietly in the corner the whole time. Seeing the siblings getting close to Su Wan made her genuinely happy.

Gu Jingyun was leaning against the window, keeping an eye on the carriage behind them. Suddenly, he noticed that it had fallen behind.

He widened his eyes and was about to stick his head out to get a better look, but remembering Su Wan’s warning, he could only feel anxious in his heart, hoping that his big brother would return home soon and resolve the misunderstanding.

In the midst of Gu Jingyun’s silent prayers, the carriage stopped in front of the Gu residence.

Xiao Tao was the first to get down, preparing to fetch the wooden ladder.

Su Wan jumped off the carriage herself and lifted Gu Baozhu down.

Standing on the shaft of the carriage, Gu Jingyun looked toward the end of the long alley, but there was no sign of his brother’s carriage. His heart sank—could it be that big brother was angry too?

With a bitter expression, he looked toward Su Wan.

Su Wan, as if not noticing his disappointment, held out her hands toward Gu Jingyun. “Hurry up.”

Gu Jingyun’s face turned red, and he awkwardly said, “I can get down by myself.” He slipped to the other side and climbed off the carriage.

Su Wan laughed, teasing him, “You’re small, but you sure have a lot of little thoughts.”

As he was blushing even more, Gu Jingyun turned and ran into the house.

Gu Baozhu quickly chased after him.

“Young lady, the young master just returned to the capital. He might have other matters to attend to,” Xiao Tao said as she slung her bundle over her shoulder, speaking up on behalf of Gu Huaizhi.

She bit her lip, seemingly thinking of something, and couldn’t help but touch upon a sensitive topic with Su Wan: “The young master will eventually enter officialdom, and situations like today’s are only the beginning. Many successful men end up taking a couple of concubines.”

“If I have to share a husband with another woman, I’d rather live alone,” Su Wan glanced at the alley entrance, frowned slightly, and headed toward the main courtyard.

She had thought about this issue before. She wondered if, on the day when she and Gu Huaizhi fully understood each other’s hearts, he would be willing to stay loyal to her alone for the rest of his life.

If Gu Huaizhi couldn’t make that promise, Su Wan would be able to make an agreement with him. If he ever took another woman, he should be honest with her, and they could part ways peacefully.

After all, no one can predict the future.

What mattered most was living well in the present.

Xiao Tao didn’t dare say more and silently followed Su Wan back to the inner courtyard.

Su Wan pointed to a few rooms on the southern side, gesturing toward the one in the middle. “This one is vacant. It has all the necessary furniture. You’ll stay here.”

“Understood, I’ll settle in first,” Xiao Tao replied and headed to her side room.

Su Wan walked to the main house, pushed open the door, and the light from behind spilled into the room.

Gu Huaizhi was seated upright in a huanghuali wood chair.

Su Wan raised her eyebrow slightly.

Gu Huaizhi stood up, poured Su Wan a cup of water, and said warmly, “I took a shortcut and came in through the back door.”

“Afraid I wouldn’t let you in?”

Gu Huaizhi placed the teacup on the table and took a few steps toward Su Wan, his voice warm and deep, “Wanwan, even if you’re going to pass judgment, I should at least be given a chance to appeal.”

“You haven’t done anything wrong.” It was just that she couldn’t control her emotions and had been acting overly sensitive. She added, “I didn’t stop you from entering.”

Seeing her calm expression, which didn’t seem like she was angry, Gu Huaizhi didn’t quite feel relieved.

“You’re sleeping in the room next door tonight. I’ll have Xiao Tao tidy it up for you in a bit.” Su Wan picked up the cup of tea, took a sip, and casually walked to the writing desk. She sat down and began writing a letter to Cao Wanqing.

Given the words she used to threaten Cao Suxue earlier, whether or not Cao Suxue tells Cao Wanqing, Cao Suxue would already assume she had informed her. Since that was the case, Su Wan had no reason to hide anything.

Might as well give Cao Suxue something to occupy her time, so she doesn’t get too bored and focus all her energy on trying to steal what isn’t hers.

“Alright,” Gu Huaizhi agreed smoothly, going along with her decision.