Gu Yefeng, after a brief stay in the Jiao Fang Hall, encountered Nangong Xuanning as she emerged from the Yang Xin Hall.
Last night, when Gu Qianying left, she paid a visit to Nangong Xuanning's quarters.
To stall Nangong Qi and prevent him from knowing about Gu Qianying's departure, Nangong Xuanning had spent the entire night by Nangong Qi's side, ostensibly seeking his guidance on the art of chess.
As a result, Gu Qianying's disappearance for the night was kept a closely guarded secret within the palace, unknown to Nangong Qi.
Gu Yefeng and Nangong Xuanning approached each other.
They stopped about a meter apart, both startled, their eyes meeting simultaneously.
Thump-thump!
Their hearts pounded like startled deer.
Nangong Xuanning froze, her delicate face flushing crimson.
The moment she saw Gu Yefeng, her first thought was whether her hair was messy or her dress wrinkled, having not tidied herself all night.
Their eyes locking, Nangong Xuanning became so flustered she didn't know what to say.
Gu Yefeng, however, spoke first, his voice cool and clear: "Your subordinate pays respects to Your Highness the Princess."
He cupped his hands in greeting.
Still clad in his purple robes, exuding an elegant demeanor, his handsome face softened when facing Nangong Xuanning, losing its usual cold indifference.
His sister had told him that while Princess Xuanning was once willful and capricious, she was also kind-hearted and lovable.
She had urged him to consider her.
Had it not been for his sister's insistence that he try with Princess Xuanning, he likely would have remained unmarried his entire life.
A true man should prioritize his career; matters of romance and affection were, to him, optional.
He had his grandfather, and his sister was by his side.
Yet, he had heeded his sister's words.
Whatever his younger sister said, he would listen.
Nangong Xuanning was taken aback by Gu Yefeng's initiative. Her mind in turmoil, her tongue tied by nervousness, she stammered, "General Gu, I... I want to invite you to... sleep... a... nap."
What she had intended to say was that she wanted to invite him for a meal and a chat.
Gu Qianying had once told her that sharing meals and conversation could strengthen the bond between a man and a woman.
Gu Yefeng: "..."
Was Princess Xuanning so direct?
Realizing her slip of the tongue, Nangong Xuanning wished she could disappear into a crack in the earth.
"Princess, Princess, did you mean to invite General Gu to dine?"
Beside her, the maid Bi Yao, recently promoted by Nangong Xuanning, was her trusted attendant.
This maid had a clean background and no other masters to serve.
She had been sent by Gu Qianying after her background was thoroughly investigated.
"Yes, yes, yes! Does General Gu have time to meet?"
Nangong Xuanning calmed herself and followed Bi Yao's lead.
Heaven knew how nervous she was at that moment.
"Apologies, Princess. This subordinate has matters to attend to and is unavailable."
Gu Yefeng bowed again and prepared to leave.
Dine?
Although he had regained his general's title, Nangong Qi was unwilling to let him off so easily.
With so many people in the palace, a private meal between him and Princess Xuanning would undoubtedly lead to gossip.
He did not wish to be accused of tarnishing the princess's reputation so soon after regaining his position.
His sister had asked him to try with Princess Xuanning, but she hadn't mentioned anything about dining together.
Nangong Xuanning had never expected Gu Yefeng to refuse her.
And so directly at that.
She was at a loss for words.
As Gu Yefeng brushed past her, about to leave, she felt a surge of desperation but was powerless to act.
What to do?
Was she going to miss this opportunity for alone time with Gu Yefeng?
What a pity.
Suddenly, Bi Yao, standing beside her, reached out to steady Nangong Xuanning and called out loudly, "Your Highness the Princess, what is wrong? Wake up!"
While wailing, she kept signaling Nangong Xuanning with her eyes.
Nangong Xuanning immediately understood. She swayed, closed her eyes, and leaned into Bi Yao.
Bi Yao's voice grew louder, "Your Highness the Princess, what is wrong? Don't frighten me."
Gu Yefeng, who had been about to leave, turned at Bi Yao's cry.
He approached Bi Yao and asked, "What is wrong with her?"
His voice remained cool and unaffected as he spoke.
Bi Yao, however, put on a convincing act: "This servant does not know. Perhaps after Your Highness the Princess stayed up all night yesterday discussing chess with His Majesty in the Yang Xin Hall, she is too tired and has fainted? General Gu, please be kind enough to escort our Princess back and find a physician to examine her?"
Bi Yao sobbed profusely, her face a picture of worry.
"Yes, alright!"
Gu Yefeng agreed.
Bi Yao's face showed gratitude, but inwardly she rejoiced.
Finally, her princess would not be alone.
Even Nangong Xuanning, feigning unconsciousness in Bi Yao's arms, was thrilled enough to want to shout.
Wonderful! He's going to hold her, he's going to hold her!
But... he did hold her.
Indeed.
Gu Yefeng lifted Nangong Xuanning.
Nangong Xuanning, with her eyes closed, pretended to be unconscious, her nose filled with Gu Yefeng's unique scent.
It smelled wonderful.
She wanted to inhale deeply, to savor his scent.
But she dared not move rashly and continued to feign unconsciousness.
Bi Yao, following behind Gu Yefeng, was also happy for her princess in her heart.
Seeing Gu Yefeng pick up her princess, she quickly led the way.
She assumed General Gu had never been to the princess's chambers.
However, as she walked ahead, she turned back and saw Gu Yefeng carrying Nangong Xuanning in the opposite direction.
Bi Yao was shocked!
That... that looked like the direction of the Jiao Fang Hall.
"General Gu! General Gu..."
Bi Yao hurried after him, calling out.
However, Gu Yefeng's pace was swift, and he soon carried Nangong Xuanning into the Jiao Fang Hall.
Gu Qianying, who had just settled onto the couch, was about to rest when she saw a figure in purple rush in.
Few servants remained inside and outside the Jiao Fang Hall.
Those monitoring Gu Qianying were hidden in the shadows.
Furthermore, they had been dazed by the sleeping gas and were unaware of the situation inside the Jiao Fang Hall.
"Brother?"
Even without seeing his face, Gu Qianying recognized the figure in purple.
Yes... Nangong Xuanning was tossed onto the couch by Gu Yefeng, yes, tossed, and quite roughly at that.
It hurt, a lot. The jade pillow on the couch pressed uncomfortably beneath her, causing her bones to ache.
The pain was so intense it almost made her break character.
After dropping Nangong Xuanning, Gu Yefeng walked out of the inner chamber and approached Gu Qianying.
"Sister, the Princess has fainted for some reason. You know medicine, don't you? Please examine her. I have matters to attend to and must leave."
After regaining his position, he needed to report to the military camp. His grandfather had already passed away, and he had been too late searching for his sister. He could not delay any longer.
Moreover, his sister was skilled in medicine, exceptionally so, capable of reviving even those on the brink of death.
Therefore, he felt confident entrusting Nangong Xuanning to his sister, regardless of how she had fainted.
As Gu Yefeng exited the Jiao Fang Hall, he encountered Bi Yao, who was running breathlessly.
Bi Yao's expression was one of constipation: "General Gu, where is my princess?"
"She is inside. The Imperial Noble Consort knows medicine, so your princess will not die."
Gu Yefeng spoke the truth.
Bi Yao, however, was on the verge of tears.
This was not what she had envisioned.
Meanwhile, Nangong Xuanning, lying on the couch, heard no movement from her side.
Could it be that Gu Yefeng was going to undress in front of her?
"Personal care"?
Surely not!
But then again, it was permissible. Being intimate with the one you loved was a joyous affair.
It's just... she felt a little shy.
Nangong Xuanning conjured many inappropriate images in her mind.
She kept her eyes closed, waiting for a long time. Feeling no movement, she grew curious and slowly opened her eyes.
To her surprise, as she opened her eyes, she met Gu Qianying's gaze.