Chapter 24. Peach Blossom Gu Sui: It’s Just Playing Hard to Get, Who Can’t Do That…

During the New Year, what’s important is social interactions. The General’s Mansion held a high position and great power, so naturally, there were numerous visitors.

However, Gu Sui was puzzled. They came to pay New Year’s greetings, but why did each of them prepare a separate gift just for him?

From the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Xue Ying said: “On New Year’s Eve, my younger brother greatly offended the Young General. When I learned of this, I was deeply ashamed. It was entirely due to my failure in educating my younger sibling. Today, I offer this humble gift, hoping the Young General will forgive us. It’s better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. Please don’t let this harm the relationship between our two families.”

Gu Sui thought: What relationship? Please, hide your ulterior motives!

From the Minister’s Mansion, Ji Huanian said: “The Young General’s status is noble, like a gentleman of jade. Huanian has admired you for a long time. That day at the Jade Dew Pavilion, I deeply regretted not catching the embroidered ball. But seeing that the Young General is still unmarried, I assume something unexpected happened. If you don’t mind, Huanian is willing to propose with a generous bride price. I will not let you down.”

Gu Sui thought: …That’s really not necessary!

The current Tanhua, Ying Xuanyue, said: “One song of ‘Chasing the Deer’ encompasses the spirits of millions of heroes at the border. Although I am a scholar, I greatly admire people like the Young General who protect our country. If I could become friends with the Young General, it would be my great fortune for three lifetimes.”

Gu Sui thought: Although it sounds noble, why does it still feel ill-intentioned!

Had he stumbled into some kind of peach blossom den recently?

Ah, how exhausting!

Xue Ying and Ji Huanian weren’t content with just sending gifts; they also frequently sent invitations, inviting Gu Sui to banquets.

Gu Sui refused promptly, but these two didn’t seem to give up. Instead, they became even more persistent, giving Gu Sui a headache.

Left with no choice, he arranged to meet both of them at the Dou Xing restaurant to speak frankly.

“Xue Ying, I don’t care about Xue Song’s matter, and there’s no special relationship between us. Ji Huanian, I’m not that desperate to get married, so you don’t need to say all those unnecessary things. Understand?”

After the two left, looking dejected, Gu Sui had just let out a sigh of relief when a clear, mellow voice sounded.

“If even one of these two refuses to give up, I’m afraid the Young General will hardly find peace.”

Ying Xuanyue, dressed in plain clothes with her hair tied up with a wooden hairpin, walked in gracefully.

Gu Sui’s brows furrowed tightly. “Why is that?”

“The Minister of Rites, Ji Jingying, has been part of the Ninth Princess’s faction for three years, while Prime Minister Xue Chi only supports legitimate rulers. The Minister of Rites’ position is light but powerful, while the Prime Minister’s is the opposite. They’ve always been balancing each other out. Now, with the conflict between the young Emperor and the Regent, neither Xue Ying nor Ji Huanian will allow the other to gain the Gu family’s support without a fight.”

Gu Sui raised an eyebrow, his peach blossom eyes scrutinizing the person before him.

“What about you? What exactly do you want?”

Ying Xuanyue smiled slightly. “The Young General is overthinking. I’m just a small Tanhua, how could I be worthy of the Young General marrying down to me? Xuanyue truly just wants to be friends with the Young General.”

Her demeanor was like an orchid, with a soothing restraint, like polished jade without any sharp edges, making it impossible to dislike her.

But Gu Sui remained vigilant.

“Then what do you think would make those two give up?”

If she really had ulterior motives, Gu Sui felt he would always have a way to uncover them.

“If the Young General finds it troublesome, you could certainly find someone else to help you resolve it.”

Gu Sui’s peach blossom eyes narrowed, his gaze falling darkly on her face.

Showing her hand so quickly? He thought she would hide it deeper.

“At the New Year’s Eve banquet, your duet with the Regent wasn’t as simple as a spur-of-the-moment thing, was it?”

Ying Xuanyue continued speaking, and Gu Sui’s half-open lips paused.

He had initially thought that the “someone else” she mentioned was herself, but it turned out to be Mu Jiulu?

This Ying Xuanyue…

Could it be that she really just wanted to be friends with him?

“Since that’s the case, as an observer, can you analyze something for me?”

Gu Sui sat up straighter, his expression serious. Hearing this, Ying Xuanyue also retracted the smile from the corners of her lips.

“What is it?”

“You know that Mu Jiulu snatched my embroidered ball, but she’s been dragging her feet on completing the final step. What do you think is the reason?”

Gu Sui’s casual use of the Regent’s name surprised Ying Xuanyue inwardly, but she maintained her composure outwardly.

“Just with this information, it’s hard to analyze anything. Are there any other details?”

“Hmm… She saved me from an assassin once, appearing at just the right time. That day, she brought me here and even snatched the cat that the Empress Dowager gave me, keeping it at the Wang Mansion. She even changed its name to Suisui, no, now it’s called Gu Suisui, taking my surname. Also, I sent her a birthday gift, but I was drunk at the time and don’t know exactly what happened, but later she said she liked it very much…”

Gu Sui rambled on, while Ying Xuanyue silently looked at him.

She had heard before that the Young General was a man of few words, cold and unfeeling. Now it seemed that rumors indeed couldn’t be trusted.

After listening, Ying Xuanyue pondered for a moment and said thoughtfully.

“The Young General is well-versed in military strategies, so you must be familiar with the tactic of ‘letting the enemy take the bait’.”

A white light flashed in Gu Sui’s eyes, and he slammed his fist on the table, standing up.

Ying Xuanyue felt her understanding of him had broadened a bit more.

Indeed, those in the military don’t bother with trivial matters.

“Thanks, friend. When I succeed, I’ll invite you to drink at my wedding.”

Gu Sui patted Ying Xuanyue’s shoulder and then hurriedly left the private room.

Ying Xuanyue: “……”

After returning home, Gu Sui had Sui Yu gather all the invitation cards sent by Xue and Ji in the past few days, bundle them up, and send them to the Regent’s Mansion.

Before this, Gu Sui had never thought of asking Mu Jiulu to help him solve his romantic troubles.

In his mind, these were things he should handle himself, how could he trouble his girlfriend?

But now, hmph, if Mu Jiulu wanted to play hard to get, he’d like to see how she could let go!

At the Regent’s Mansion, Mu Jiulu received a package sent from the Gu family. After opening it, she only took one look before her expression turned cold.

Suisui, who was lying by the table, suddenly stood up and ran away.

Mu Jiulu flipped through those invitation cards one by one, then pulled out a letter from the desk, scanning it quickly. Her cool voice slowly emerged.

“Ji Huanian, Xue Ying, Ying Xuanyue!”

*

On the Lantern Festival, the streets were bustling with people coming and going, lanterns were everywhere. Even before nightfall, it was already noisy.

There was a gathering at the Jade Dew Pavilion today, organized by Tanhua Ying Xuanyue, inviting literary friends and colleagues to discuss chess.

Ji Huanian and Xue Ying had indeed been more restrained since last time, but neither had given up.

Hearing that Gu Sui would also be at this gathering, they prepared early to showcase their talents in front of him.

Not only that, but they also wanted to outshine each other.

However, before the gathering even began, an unexpected guest arrived.

“Greetings to the Regent!”

The arrogant woman in a crane-patterned robe pushed open the door and entered. Everyone hurriedly bowed, kneeling down with a rustle.

Only a young man lazily leaning by the window cast a light, smiling glance over.

“Come out, Suisui misses you.”

The faint voice rang in everyone’s ears. People were puzzled and slightly raised their heads, only then noticing the small white cat in the Regent’s arms.

“I just sat down, I don’t want to go out. You bring it over here.”

The young man’s voice was lazy and casual, surprising many people.

Mu Jiulu narrowed her eyes and coldly snorted, flicking her sleeve.

“There are too many people here, aren’t you afraid of scaring Suisui?”

“Suisui isn’t that timid, quickly bring it over.”

Mu Jiulu lowered her gaze to look at the useless cat in her arms, secretly gritting her teeth.

“Are you determined to stay here?”

“Yes.” Gu Sui’s eyes turned, and he suddenly said, “If you think there are too many people, why don’t you take Suisui and leave first? I’ll play for a while and then go see it.”

It’s just playing hard to get, who can’t do that!

Mu Jiulu’s expression was as cold as ice. The room that was warm as spring just moments ago seemed to instantly return to the depths of winter. People on both sides shivered.

“Today is a festival. If the Regent doesn’t mind, would you like to stay and discuss chess with us?”

Ying Xuanyue suddenly spoke up. Mu Jiulu’s gloomy gaze swept over, cold and arrogant.

Then, this gaze swept over Ji Huanian on the left and Xue Ying on the right. A cold snort escaped from her red lips as she stepped forward.

Mu Jiulu walked to the window and found an empty seat, which happened to be next to Gu Sui.

Gu Sui’s lips curled up slightly, and without any reservations, he took Suisui into his arms, hugging it and taking a big sniff.

“Meow”

“Suisui missed me, I missed you too.”

“Meow meow”

“Suisui is so cute.”

“Weren’t we going to discuss chess? When do we start?”

Mu Jiulu said impatiently. Ying Xuanyue calmly replied.

“Regent, please don’t be impatient. We’ll start right away.”

The first match was between Ji Huanian and Xue Ying. The two were evenly matched in chess skills, but their styles were quite different, creating an interesting battle.

Gu Sui, who didn’t understand much about chess, stroked the cat while eating melon seeds, pretending to be interested as he watched the two play, his eyes shining.

“Is it interesting?”

A cool voice drifted over from beside him. Gu Sui sensed the gaze falling on his neck but resisted looking over, speaking nonchalantly.

“If it’s not interesting, what else should I watch?”

As if in agreement, Suisui in his arms meowed, lazily swinging its tail.

“See, even Suisui thinks it’s exciting.”

Mu Jiulu: “……”

“Hey, why are you standing up? You’re blocking my view.”

“Where are you going? Are you leaving?”

“What are you going over there for? They’re playing chess!”

Gu Sui said in succession. Before he finished speaking, Mu Jiulu had already walked to the central chess table, looking down at the two players.

Ji Huanian and Xue Ying, who were in the midst of a fierce battle, quickly looked up, swallowing hard.

“What does the Regent intend?”

Ji Huanian suppressed her fear and spoke first. Mu Jiulu coldly said.

“Add another table.”

Ying Xuanyue didn’t understand but complied.

Ji Huanian and Xue Ying had both stood up by now. Mu Jiulu swept her sleeve, and the two chess tables were pushed together.

She sat cross-legged on one side, gesturing for the two to sit opposite her.

“Regent…”

“Does the Regent intend to play against both of them simultaneously?”

Ying Xuanyue spoke up to ask. There was a commotion around them. Mu Jiulu didn’t respond to Ying Xuanyue, only raising her eyes to look at Xue and Ji.

“Sit down, make your moves.”

The commanding voice made it impossible not to submit. The two looked at each other, took a deep breath, slowly sat down, and carefully made their moves.

Almost at the same time, a crimson shadow flashed by, and a white piece was placed in response. Mu Jiulu’s gaze swept over the two.

“Continue, hurry up.”

The spectators around dared not even breathe, enveloped by a thick sense of oppression.

Only Gu Sui, his slender fingers running through Suisui’s back, had a smile on his lips.

From his position, he could see her perfect profile and the cinnabar earring hanging from her left earlobe.

Indeed, baby is the most beautiful.

So mighty and domineering!

A quarter of an hour later.

“Do you want to continue?”

The slightly deep voice softly emerged. Xue Ying, covered in sweat, tremblingly put the black piece in her hand back into the box, making a crisp sound.

“This minister admits defeat.”

“This minister… also admits defeat.”

Total word count of this book: 473,237

“Dare to snatch things from this king, next time it won’t just be a loss.”

A tiny voice that only the two of them could hear was transmitted. Their bodies stiffened, and for a moment, even their breathing stopped.

Mu Jiulu paid no attention to their reactions. She stood up, brushing her sleeves, and walked directly to the window, extending her right hand.

“Let’s go, it’s too noisy here.”

A hint of triumphant smile flashed in Gu Sui’s eyes as he took her hand and stood up.

“It is a bit noisy. Let’s go see the lanterns!”

“Mm.”

The two walked out as if no one else was there. Ying Xuanyue looked around and rubbed her forehead.

In this environment that had sunk into dead silence, how could these two have the nerve to say it was noisy here!