They say that those women were almost burning holes through the walls with their longing glances; if uncle ever went to that courtyard, the women inside would explode before he even set foot in the doorway, each of them looking like they wanted to tear him to pieces.
So terrifying, no wonder uncle dares not go. Even the most favored concubine in the legends is summoned by sending a servant to call her out to serve.
After soaking for a while, the bathwater began to cool, and Gu Youyou called out, "Xiang Chun, add some hot water."
There was no response from outside, nor any sound at all.
Gu Youyou found it a bit strange and listened carefully.
Just now, she heard Xiang Chun talking with a few maids outside; now there was no sound.
Gu Youyou frowned and called out loudly again.
Could she have gone outside the courtyard?
But that wasn’t likely; knowing that Youyou was bathing and might call for her at any moment, Xiang Chun would have stayed outside.
In the end, she had no choice but to get up herself.
The water was already cooling, and she feared she might catch a chill if she soaked any longer.
As she was about to get out of the water, a figure flashed into view, startling her into retreating back into the barrel subconsciously.
Gu Youyou peeked out with just her head, looking at the person standing by the barrel.
Clad in black attire, which contrasted against his porcelain-white skin that faintly glowed in the light.
Who else could it be but Jin Ziyuan?
Gu Youyou, shocked, lowered her voice and scolded angrily, "Why are you still in Beijing? There are notices all over the city for your arrest. If you don’t want to live, fine, but please don’t drag me down with you!"
Jin Ziyuan stared at Gu Youyou for a long while, his face turning slightly red, and only averted his gaze after hearing her angry rebuke.
"What do I care about those good-for-nothings? Whether I stay or go is not their business to control."
Gu Youyou was left speechless by his retort.
Fine, you look down on those good-for-nothings, but please don’t come looking for me. Besides, it’s not only the Emperor’s power here, but also the Dao Family’s, right? Truly recklessly courting death.
"This is the Lin Family’s place. If someone sees you here, I won’t be able to explain it no matter what I say, and neither would my uncle. Your actions amount to rebellion; are you trying to get me killed?"
"You knew?" Ziyuan raised an eyebrow.
Youyou snorted, "Even though the Emperor ordered your family’s affair to be covered up, as you well know, you can’t hide fire with paper. If I wanted to find out, naturally, I could."
Giving him a once over, Gu Youyou noticed his clean appearance, not at all like someone who had been on the run with no fixed abode, and she asked out of curiosity, "Where have you been hiding these days?"
"Me?" Jin Ziyuan paused, looked at Gu Youyou, glanced and then looked away, his face turning red to his ears, and said in a low voice, "I have my places to hide. But the reason I came to you is for a serious matter... Are you... available right now?"
Gu Youyou was speechless. Do you think I look available in my current state?
"Why don’t you step out and wait a while? Or is there something else?"
"No need, I’ll just tell you what it is." He seemed somewhat nervous, looking uncomfortable, "I’ll have to leave Beijing in a few days and... that medicine of yours worked well. Give me some more."
Fine, if he wants to leave Beijing, that’s good. I’ll just consider the medicine a way to dispatch him.
"Inside the house, the third drawer. Everything is there; take it all. I’ll make more."
"Oh, okay!" Jin Ziyuan briskly agreed and swiftly moved to the outer bedroom.
Gu Youyou heard the sound of the drawers being rifled through. In a little while, however, she saw him come back in.