Yang Ruxin smiled. She knew this man wouldn’t be as superficial as the others, and the feeling of being supported was really... nice. She couldn’t help but bite her lip, "Thank you," she said before reaching out for a hug.
Gu Qingheng’s body stiffened for a moment, but he relaxed quickly. However, just as he was about to hug her back, she had already let go of him. He couldn’t help but sigh; he had been too slow to react and missed an opportunity for a closer moment.
"Gu Qingheng, you’ll definitely get better," Yang Ruxin said out of the blue.
Gu Qingheng was startled for a moment, then smiled, "I think so too."
"I’m leaving."
"Xinxin," Gu Qingheng called out hastily.
Yang Ruxin turned around.
"I have to remind you... there have been women beaten to death for trying to establish their own households..." Gu Qingheng sighed gently, "It’s a difficult path."
Yang Ruxin’s face paled for a moment, but she ultimately nodded, "I understand, thank you Little Hengzi. Still, no matter how difficult, I have to try..." If she truly didn’t make it through, she might return, but she couldn’t say that.
"My name is Gu Qingheng. You can call me Qingheng or Gu Qing, or even Brother Qingheng if you like," Gu Qingheng frowned, Little Hengzi? What kind of nickname was that? Did she think he was Gu Yao?
"It’s just a name. Why worry about it so much?" Yang Ruxin said indifferently, waving her hand.
"Xinxin, whatever you want to do, just think it through and go ahead," Gu Qingheng advised from behind Yang Ruxin, "Don’t have any reservations; everything will be okay with me here!"
"Okay." Yang Ruxin replied, then turned and walked away.
Gu Qingheng listened to her departing footsteps, couldn’t help but touch his nose, and then smiled.
"Big brother, is she trying to establish her own household?" Gu Yao came over, shocked.
Gu Qingheng nodded. Although their interactions had been brief, he knew clearly that she was a woman with plans. Since she had said it, she was definitely going to do it.
"But, with her petite frame, not to mention twenty lashes, even ten..." Gu Yao suddenly stopped talking. He couldn’t continue.
Gu Qingheng’s expression grew slightly grim as he turned his wheelchair and entered the room, having learned to navigate the courtyard with ease over the past two years.
Gu Yao hurriedly followed him.
Once Gu Yao was inside, Gu Qingheng spoke, "Open the chest at the head of the kang bed. There’s a brocade box underneath. Take it out."
Gu Yao did as he was told, placing the brocade box in Gu Qingheng’s hands.
Gu Qingheng opened the brocade box, felt around inside, and took out a yellow piece of paper. He caressed it for a moment, then handed it to Gu Yao, "Take this and turn it in."
"Big brother..." Gu Yao became anxious, "How can you do this? That’s for your protection, left to you by Madam..."
"It’s exactly because I need to protect myself that I have to turn it in," Gu Qingheng said with a smile. "Since I’m choosing a side, I have to do it thoroughly. Why do you think the Crown Prince wants to win me over? Do you really think it’s just because he appreciates my talents? If I don’t show some sincerity, how can I make the Crown Prince fully trust me?"
"You never wanted to get involved in court affairs before, but now for her..." Gu Yao’s expression became very troubled. His good impression of Yang Ruxin vanished in an instant; his brother was sacrificing too much for her.