Chapter 302: Gu Jingyun Returns to the Capital

The sky, which had been bathed in endless hues of rosy light just moments ago, was now shrouded in heavy clouds, with rumbling thunder echoing through the air.

A spring rain began to fall, pattering softly.

Inside the room, a slender leg peeked out from beneath the crimson bed curtains, only to be pulled back by an arm. The dampness in the air seemed to meld with the spring rain outside, while the bed curtains swayed gently.

Meanwhile, Qi Sixteenth, who had left earlier, returned once more. As he stood at the doorway, his hand paused mid-air before knocking. His face flushed crimson, and without another thought, he turned and fled into the rainy night.

——

The Next Day…

After the heavy rain, the sky was a clear, washed-out blue, streaked with clouds of varying shades. Soft golden sunlight poured into the room, illuminating every corner.

Su Wan groggily opened her eyes. As she turned over, a sharp pain made her hiss, and sucking in a breath. She propped a hand against her waist, wincing.

Memories of the previous night flooded back, and Su Wan closed her eyes.

“Awake?” Gu Huaizhi wrapped his arms around her, pressing his forehead against hers. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“My waist hurts.” Su Wan gazed into his deep, dark eyes. “Don’t you have to attend morning court today?”

“It’s my day off today.” Gu Huaizhi gently massaged her waist.

Su Wan nestled against his chest, breathing in his familiar, crisp, and cool scent. It seemed that after their newfound intimacy, his presence had become even more overwhelming—seeping into her senses, leaving no room for escape.

The corners of her lips curved slightly. As she listened to his heartbeat, it felt as if it were pulling at her own, making it thump faster.

“Feeling better?” Gu Huaizhi lowered his gaze to the person nestled in his arms.

Su Wan tilted her face up. “Much better.”

Gu Huaizhi’s eyes lingered on her fair, radiant cheeks, where a delicate flush bloomed like clouds at dawn, carrying a hint of youthful shyness. He smiled faintly, pressing a soft kiss on the tip of her nose before capturing her lips once more.

“Sleep a little longer.” Gu Huaizhi got up.

Su Wan pulled the blanket up to her chin, her gaze fixed on his well-defined, smoothly contoured physique, with a hint of appreciation in her eyes.

He hadn’t always looked like this—back then, his body had been much frailer. It seemed that after recovering from his illness, he had been secretly training.

Su Wan stretched out a finger and playfully poked his defined mermaid line.

Gu Huaizhi froze, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Wanwan, don’t dig your own grave.”

Recalling how she had been thoroughly exhausted the entire night before, Su Wan shrank back, utterly lacking courage. She quickly pulled the blanket over her head, burying herself beneath it.

Seeing her like this, Gu Huaizhi’s lips curved into a smile. He took the undergarment from the wooden rack and put it on, covering his lean yet toned body.

Then, he pulled down the blanket that was covering Su Wan’s head. She struggled a few times but was ultimately exposed, her face flushed red from holding her breath.

With a hint of helplessness in his eyes, he said, “Don’t suffocate yourself. I have to head to the office later.”

Su Wan tugged at his sleeve. “Do you want children?”

“We’ll talk about it once you’ve fully recovered,” Gu Huaizhi replied, worried she might overthink it. He gently brushed his fingers against her cheek. “Master Mingjue said that although the gu poison was removed, it damaged your vitality. You need proper care. On the journey back to the capital, you also fell ill. Right now, it’s not the right time.”

Su Wan nodded in agreement. She also felt that she was still too young—it would be best to wait until she was past twenty before having children.

“Alright, then let’s wait a few years.”

For now, she would focus on her career.

Gu Huaizhi tucked the blanket around her properly before stepping out of the room, only to see a maid with a flushed face calling out softly, “Young Master.”

“Go to the kitchen and prepare a bowl of shredded chicken porridge for the Young Madam.”

“Oh, right away!” The maid hurried off.

Gu Huaizhi returned to the room and headed straight to the washroom. After freshening up, he instructed Mo Yuan to prepare the carriage.

Just as he reached the shadowed corridor, a figure suddenly rushed toward him.

“Big Brother! I’m back! I missed you all so much!” Gu Jingyun threw himself at Gu Huaizhi, wrapping him in a hug while complaining, “You only brought Baozhu back and left me alone in the mountains. Don’t you feel bad for me?”