Chapter 228

Chapter 228

The candlelight was dim. Ji Hanyi studied Gu Yan’s face, still as gentle as she remembered, yet her heart slowly chilled. Their childhood affection had long since been altered beyond recognition.

She glanced at the medicine in his hand. Her body remained too weak to move. If it were poison, he probably would not have said so much to her. At last, she nodded.

If she remained helpless, she could only submit to others’ whims.

Gu Yan relaxed and fed her the medicine by the spoonful.

It was intensely bitter. Ji Hanyi had always been healthy and seldom taken medicine. In her weakened state, the bitterness seemed especially harsh. Still, she forced herself to finish it so that she might regain movement.

Heat rose through her immediately, and fine sweat gathered on her brow. Frightened by her body’s reaction, she stared at Gu Yan.

He took out a white handkerchief and gently wiped her sweat. “Don’t be afraid, Cousin Yi. This is how the antidote works. It will pass soon.”

His gaze did not waver, and he did not appear to be lying. Besides, he had drunk half a bowl himself.

Suppressing her unease, she asked, “What time is it?”

Gu Yan paused, then answered honestly, “Past midnight. I brought you out of the city. We are now within Shui County.”

A chill ran through Ji Hanyi.

She had been abducted from the street and taken beyond the city. If word spread, even if Shen Si protected her, life in the Shen Family would become difficult, and gossip would be impossible to silence.

Her heart tightened. How could her situation become any worse?

Shen Si must know by now. For the sake of her reputation, he might already be preparing an explanation.

She looked at Gu Yan and spoke weakly but urgently. “Cousin, take me back. Say that I fell ill while visiting Mother and stayed with her to avoid bringing sickness into the household. Say that you summoned a doctor for me.”

“My reputation will be preserved, and you will have rendered a service. I will pretend none of this ever happened.”

“I only want to return to my husband.”

Gu Yan watched her in silence, lips pressed tight.

His lowered gaze cast shadows beneath his eyes, and a faint gloom hung over him.

Ji Hanyi’s heart pounded with terror.

She had already guessed the truth, but was still wagering upon the affection they had shared since childhood.

Deep down, she did not want to watch Gu Yan take the wrong path and destroy his promising future.

The extreme silence was more frightening than any answer.

Drawing a deep breath, Ji Hanyi forced up her hand and grasped Gu Yan’s wrist.

At the touch of her cool, pale fingers, his entire body stiffened. He stared down at her hand.

Then he looked up. Her eyes were exceptionally bright in the dim candlelight. Breath faintly uneven, she said hoarsely, “Cousin, now that something has happened to me, the Marquis will certainly search for me. If you take me away, he will send men toward Wei County. Can you evade them?”

“Your appointment in Wei County is settled. Refusing to take office is a serious crime. Do you intend to hide for the rest of your life, never able to show your face?”
Gu Yan paused.

He had considered all of this.

For her, he could abandon his future. He had planned to take her east to Dongyi, beyond Shen Si’s reach.

With Ji Hanyi beside him, his life would still hold hope.

Since childhood, his mother had spoken of his duty to the clan. But that burden was too heavy. Only after entering officialdom did he learn how nearly impossible it was for a man of humble origin to rise. Years of scholarship and effort could not equal one sentence from a powerful heir.

He had exhausted himself seeking a post in Wei County. At first, he would have been content merely to become a registrar, yet even for that he had run everywhere, giving gifts and currying favor. His superiors remained indifferent, their appetite for silver bottomless, and still he had to flatter them gratefully.

The Vice Minister of Personnel had never looked him in the eye. Knowing Gu Yan’s father had been demoted, the man mocked him, while Gu Yan still had to smile and offer wine. A scholar’s integrity meant nothing. Even a seventh-rank official could grind him into the mud.

Later, their manner changed to faint flattery. Only after sounding them out did he learn that one sentence from Shen Si had secured him the magistracy of Wei County.

The truth humiliated him. All his diligence, maneuvering, learning, and ambition had been worth less than a great man’s word.

One word had decided his future.

And that future was merely charity from a nobleman who despised him and wanted him sent far away.

Perhaps Shen Si would suppress him forever, leaving him trapped in Wei County and never permitting his return to the capital.

What ambition remained?

He had no future left.

He even wanted revenge upon Shen Si.

Shen Si had banished him, yet Sister Yi would ultimately belong to him. What did overwhelming power matter? What did it matter that Shen Si could decide his fate? Gu Yan still would not lose.

After a long silence, Gu Yan looked at Ji Hanyi. “Do you know how many enemies Shen Si has made at court?”

“How many people want to destroy him and see him dead?”

“Do you know who abducted you?”

“He is the Son of Heaven’s blade, but one day a blade may turn upon its master.”

His voice rose. “Even if I return you this time, you may not be so fortunate next time, because I will not be there.”

“Come with me, Cousin Yi. I promise you a peaceful life. You will not need to live in fear within the Shen Family.”

“With your background, you will never live easily in a great household with so many rules. It will be just like the Xie Family.”

Ji Hanyi stared at him, enduring the discomfort rising through her body. “Who abducted me? What is your relationship with them?”

Gu Yan pressed his lips together. “The person who ordered it is highly placed, beyond your power to offend. I obtained you from those men only with great difficulty.”

He met her eyes. “I cannot tell you who it is. If I reveal the name, they will not spare the Gu Family.”

Increasingly alarmed, Ji Hanyi questioned him every way she could, but he refused to disclose a word.

Realizing she would learn nothing that way, she changed her question. “Then how did you come into contact with that person?”