Chapter 2

Gu Nanjin withdrew her gaze and did not say another word to Cui Ping. Seeing the lifeless look on her face, Cui Ping did not know what else to say. The room fell into silence for a moment before Gu Nanjin finally broke it. “For the next few days, just tell everyone that I caught a chill after falling into the water. I won't be going anywhere, and I won't receive any visitors.” Cui Ping's pupils contracted. “What about Welcoming Pine Hall?” Ever since Miss had married into the Prince's residence, she had never once missed her morning and evening visits to pay her respects. There were two reasons for this. First, it gave her an opportunity to see His Highness. Second, the Princess Dowager was gentle and kind, and Miss genuinely enjoyed keeping her company. This was the first time Miss had decided not to go to Welcoming Pine Hall. “I'm not going there either.” “Miss...” Cui Ping hesitated for a long while before cautiously asking, “Are you angry with His Highness?” Ever since the incident in which Miss fell into the water, she had felt that there had been a subtle change in the way Miss treated His Highness. Perhaps she felt that His Highness had been too partial toward Miss Yun? “Angry?” Gu Nanjin carefully pondered the word. In the past, she had been completely infatuated with Jun Mo and was terrified that he might dislike her. She had always accommodated his preferences in everything, naturally never daring to throw a tantrum. Now that she had decided to let go of her feelings for him, she would never allow herself to be affected by him again. So how could the word “angry” possibly apply? “No.” Gu Nanjin calmly shook her head. “Then what are you planning to do, Miss? You only said those things to His Highness yesterday, and now you're avoiding him at every turn. What if you anger him? Your days won't be easy either.” Cui Ping was genuinely worried about Gu Nanjin, and her tone inevitably became a little anxious. Gu Nanjin did not blame her. In her previous life, whenever Yun Tan had made her look miserable, Cui Ping had always remained by her side. That alone proved how loyal the girl was. She was simply a little too impulsive. “His Highness is a man who values rules. As long as I remain the Princess Consort of this residence, he will never mistreat me. You don't need to worry.” Gu Nanjin was telling the truth. Although Jun Mo did not love her, he had always given her the respect and dignity she was entitled to. The only thing he could never give her was his heart. And yet, in her previous life, that was precisely what she had been obsessed with. Her mind had been filled with thoughts of winning his heart, which was why she had repeatedly suffered at Yun Tan's hands and eventually fallen seriously ill from years of accumulated sorrow. Looking back now, she realized how foolish she had been. Very few married couples could truly remain devoted to each other without suspicion. If two people could treat each other with mutual respect and courtesy, that was already something rare. Why should she expect herself to be one of those fortunate few? Therefore, ever since her rebirth, she had thought things through clearly. The marriage between her and Jun Mo had been decreed by the late Emperor. According to the law, there was absolutely no possibility of divorce unless the late Emperor himself came back to life. But she was destined never to win Jun Mo's heart. Rather than becoming hysterical like she had in her previous life and ultimately dragging her family into trouble as well, she would simply make her heart as still as water and live an ordinary, peaceful life. “I'm not worried about that. I just don't want to see you suffer, Miss.” A faint glimmer of tears appeared in Cui Ping's eyes. She still vividly remembered how, six months ago, Miss had merely muttered a few complaints about Miss Yun in front of His Highness, only to be treated coldly by him for two whole months. Even now, Cui Ping could not forget how haggard Miss had looked during that period. She did not want to see Miss become so lost and heartbroken again that she developed an illness from her sorrow. Seeing that Cui Ping was on the verge of tears, a smile appeared on Gu Nanjin's face. She gently reassured her, “Don't worry. I won't.” The suffering she had endured in her previous life was still painfully vivid in her memory. There was no way she would make the same mistakes again. At that moment, Cui Ping seemed to see a completely enlightened Gu Nanjin. She stood there in a daze for a moment. In the end, she said nothing more and turned around to carry out Gu Nanjin's instructions. At the same time... Jun Mo sat in Welcoming Pine Hall with an unreadable expression, and the entire room was filled with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere, as though a storm were about to break. In the end, Princess Dowager Chen was the one who broke the silence. “Mo'er, your aunt sent word that she will be bringing Rong'er and Pei'er over in a few days. If you're not too busy, go to the city gates and welcome them on my behalf.” Princess Dowager Chen was kind and amiable. She never put on airs in her daily life, and when she spoke, she sounded more like an ordinary elderly woman from a common household. Normally, Jun Mo would have agreed without hesitation. But today, he already had something weighing on his mind, making him unusually resistant. “I have quite a few important matters to deal with lately. Let the Princess Consort handle it.” At the mention of the Princess Consort, he frowned and glanced at the spot where Gu Nanjin usually sat. It was still empty! For some reason, irritation began to rise within him, making his features even sharper. “Where is the Princess Consort?” He was asking Su Yuan, the attendant standing behind him. Su Yuan was just about to answer when he suddenly noticed Cui E, a maid from Jiangxue Pavilion. Cui E was Cui Ping's sister and had a calmer temperament. She entered according to proper etiquette and, after Princess Dowager Chen asked her about Gu Nanjin, she replied solemnly, “Princess Dowager, Your Highness, the Princess Consort has been in poor health ever since she fell into the water. She is unable to come here to pay her respects today. Please forgive her absence.” Hearing this, Princess Dowager Chen immediately said, “Her health is what matters most. I still have some fine-quality ginseng here. Take it back with you and have it prepared for Nanjin.” Cui E thanked her before lowering her head and withdrawing. Jun Mo remained silent from beginning to end, his lips pressed tightly together. Seeing this, Princess Dowager Chen let out a soft sigh. “You've always been a man of few words, and normally I wouldn't say anything about it. But Nanjin is ill now, and this is precisely when she needs care and concern. Shouldn't you at least show a little concern for her?” “She has physicians to tend to her. If that's not enough, there are imperial physicians.” After saying this, Jun Mo no longer wanted to remain seated. He rose, cupped his hands in farewell, and left with a sweep of his sleeve. Watching his departing figure, Princess Dowager Chen helplessly shook her head. “That boy really has a head of wood.” “Your Highness, everyone under heaven praises His Highness the Prince for his intelligence and decisiveness,” Mama Zhao said with a smile, trying to comfort her. The worry between Princess Dowager Chen's brows eased slightly, and she smiled. “Those are merely exaggerated compliments from outsiders. All I wish for is peace and harmony within the household.” After leaving Welcoming Pine Hall, Jun Mo somehow found himself standing in front of Jiangxue Pavilion. He turned around and questioned Su Yuan, “Why aren't we going to the study?” Su Yuan was speechless. You are the master, and I am the servant. Surely you're not expecting me to decide where you should go? Before Su Yuan could answer, Jun Mo was about to turn around and leave. But after thinking about it, he realized that this was also his residence. He immediately stepped inside. No one had expected him to suddenly appear here. Even Cui Ping froze when she saw him. Once he entered the room, he immediately saw Gu Nanjin sitting in a relaxed and casual posture. In the past, Gu Nanjin had always maintained a refined and proper demeanor in order to win his affection. She had never once appeared as lazy and carefree as she did now, looking almost like a pampered cat raised by its owner. Jun Mo couldn't help but stop in his tracks. During that brief moment, Gu Nanjin noticed him. She rose unhurriedly and bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness.” Her tone was indescribably perfunctory. The faint stirrings that had just risen in Jun Mo's heart instantly vanished, replaced by an overwhelming irritation like a raging storm. “As for what happened at Lotus Garden, I'm still investigating it. I will definitely uncover the truth!” Hearing the gritted determination in his voice, Gu Nanjin assumed he was warning her not to slander Yun Tan. She did not even lift her eyelids. “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.” Jun Mo's expression darkened further, his voice seemingly coated in ice. “My aunt will be coming in a few days. Have someone prepare several courtyards for them.” At his words, Gu Nanjin's memories quickly came flooding back. In her previous life, this aunt of his had been a frequent guest at the Prince's residence. Back then, Gu Nanjin had treated her and her two daughters exceptionally well, thinking that they were relatives and should naturally be treated with kindness. Yet they had never thought highly of her. In fact, the things they had done to her had been even more outrageous than Yun Tan's schemes. This time, she absolutely would not throw herself at them again!