Gu Shengyin began with a blush, even though she hadn't experienced it herself, everyone present knew what that sound meant.
But soon, Gu Shengyin's face turned pale. She recognized the two voices, which were surprisingly familiar!
Without caring about her shyness, she glanced in that direction, and with just one look, her face turned deathly white: the woman with her gown half-open, revealing her fragrant shoulders and her cheeks flushed with the promise of spring, was none other than her half-sister, Jiang Yunsan, and the man leaning over her was the Crown Prince Ji Ye, to whom she was verbally engaged!
Ji Yu watched Gu Shengyin who seemed to have received an enormous blow, her expression distressed and her figure staggering.
A wave of pity rose uncontrollably in his heart, and without regard to propriety, he steadied her, "Do you know these two people?"
Gu Shengyin felt it might have been an illusion, but she sensed a faint scent of lotus coming from Ji Yu. This season was not the time for lotuses to bloom.
Hearing Ji Yu's question, Gu Shengyin just clenched her lips and shook her head slightly.
Seeing this, Ji Yu asked no further. He gestured to the two equally shocked women behind him, and they quietly withdrew.
The group walked in silence, with Ji Yu escorting them to the exit at the back of the mountain.
By then, Gu Shengyin's expression had returned to calm, and she gave Ji Yu a bow, "Thank you, member of a religious."
Ji Yu saw her calm demeanor but noticed her eyes were somewhat unfocused, knowing her mind must be in a haze. Without further talk, they exchanged a few words and said goodbye.
Back inside the Bamboo Building, Ji Yu closed the door, and his expression changed abruptly.
He had very fine features and usually wore an indifferent expression that suggested he was the Exiled Immortal, content to live with nature, far from worldly strife. But now, the compassionate smile was gone, and his gentle eyes unexpectedly showed an intimidating sternness.
"Find out who the women who came today are, and also, who is that woman who has had improper relations with my Imperial Brother without a matchmaker," his voice was cold and firm, devoid of emotion.
From a corner came an almost imperceptible "Yes," followed by a breeze that seemed to sweep through, returning the Bamboo Building to peace.
Ji Yu poured himself a cup of tea and slowly sipped it as he sat in a wicker chair.
He thought back to the woman he had encountered during the day.
In fact, long before Gu Shengyin arrived at the Bamboo Building, he had noticed her, captivated by her eyes.
It wasn't feigned innocence or naiveté, but a genuine curiosity about all things that shone through those eyes.
He watched her alone, marveling at a strangely shaped plant, startled by a small insect that suddenly jumped out of the flowers, and then observing it intently with interest—all seen through the expression in her eyes, for Gu Shengyin's behavior had been impeccable from start to finish, even maintaining the perfect composure of a high-born noble lady.
It was this contrast that piqued Ji Yu's interest. Of course, he didn't know that there was a term for this phenomenon in a faraway world, called "gap moe."
By nature indifferent and having been thrown into this place by his biological father to live alone for over a decade, he had developed an emotionless disposition, seldom stirred by people or things.
Gu Shengyin was one of the few who did.
However, considering her reaction today, it seemed she had some connection with his second brother. Ji Yu furrowed his brow.