Chapter 7. ‘Really Nice’ ‘Gu Sui, you offered yourself.’……

Gu Sui walked to the warm chamber, the carved door half-closed. He looked left and right, surprisingly finding no one guarding here.

After thinking for a few seconds, Gu Sui knocked on the door with his knuckles.

“Enter.”

The familiar voice came through, and Gu Sui gently pushed open the door and walked in.

The room was filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance, mixed with the warm atmosphere.

Gu Sui walked around the landscape screen and saw the woman seated in the center.

She had her eyes closed, resting her chin on her hand. A ray of morning light leaked through the window, coating her cold and beautiful face with a layer of pale gold.

The cinnabar earring on her left earlobe glimmered, melting away some of the coldness around her.

Gu Sui moved closer, his breath becoming shallower at that moment.

He admitted that when he first saw her, he was somewhat attracted by her appearance. He had never seen such a stunningly beautiful face before.

As if carefully sculpted by God’s hand, her exquisite features blended perfectly together, both aloof and alluring.

Just one glance, and it was unforgettable.

But Gu Sui didn’t get to admire for long.

“Where’s the tea?”

Her perfectly shaped lips parted slightly, cold syllables pouring out.

She still hadn’t opened her eyes, naturally giving orders. Gu Sui puffed his cheeks.

No wonder no one was guarding outside, and she just let him come in directly.

Turns out she thought he was a maid.

He walked to the table and picked up the kettle. There was hot water, but no tea leaves.

Gu Sui simply poured her a cup of plain water, placed it on the small table beside her, then stood in front of her with his arms folded, his slender fingers tapping lightly.

He wanted to see how long it would take her to notice him.

Mu Jiulu seemed too lazy to open her eyes, taking the teacup and bringing it to her lips.

She wore a red robe embroidered with gold, the wide sleeves hiding her movements. Gu Sui couldn’t see that her lips curled up slightly when she touched the cup.

Mu Jiulu drank the tea with a normal expression, showing no reaction at all. Gu Sui’s brow furrowed slightly.

What was wrong with her? Had she lost her sense of taste?

Couldn’t she distinguish between tea and plain water?

“What time is it?”

Her clear voice came out. Gu Sui didn’t answer, then heard her ask again.

“Has the Emperor arrived?”

Gu Sui still didn’t react.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

The Regent seemed to become a bit displeased, but her eyes remained closed.

Gu Sui gritted his teeth and lowered his voice.

“Mu Jiulu!”

He was certain she had noticed something was off long ago!

With her keen senses, how could she possibly still think he was her maid?

Only then did Mu Jiulu slowly open her eyes, a hint of confusion flashing in her ink-black pupils.

“Young Master Gu? Why are you here?”

Gu Sui: “……”

Go ahead, keep pretending.

“I knocked, and you told me to come in.”

His voice carried a hint of anger. Mu Jiulu removed the hand supporting her chin and leaned back.

With her eyes open, there was a touch of mischief in her expression.

“Oh? This King thought it was Yan Wu.”

She fingered her ring, looking up at the young man with parted lips before her, a barely perceptible look of amazement in her eyes.

Perhaps Gu Sui thought cutting his long hair like this wasn’t conspicuous.

But to others, he was particularly special, even more so in Mu Jiulu’s eyes.

He was out of place in this world.

Even his gaze was proud.

“What did Young Master Gu come to see this King for? Still want to snatch the embroidered ball?”

Mu Jiulu looked him over brazenly, asking casually.

Gu Sui wasn’t bothered by her gaze, but he didn’t like her unfamiliar tone.

There were always emotions flashing in her eyes that he couldn’t understand, gone in an instant.

He thought, could there be something deep in her mind that she remembered, to make her act this way?

“I said I’d leave it with you for safekeeping first. I keep my word. Have you eaten breakfast?”

Gu Sui raised a warm and sunny smile.

Mu Jiulu was momentarily dazzled, only nodding in response.

Gu Sui took out the paper package from this morning from his sleeve and handed it to her.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Try this, I remember you like it.”

During the time they were roommates, Gu Sui was responsible for three meals a day, so he naturally knew what she liked.

He remembered the first time he fried peanuts for her, she just glanced at it and expressed disgust at the brown things with white specks in the dish.

However, after Gu Sui’s persuasion to try one, Mu Jiulu immediately fell silent.

That day, Gu Sui only got to eat one-third of that plate of fried peanuts in the end.

“Young Master Gu has gone to great lengths to inquire about this King’s preferences. How thoughtful.”

Mu Jiulu glanced at the simply wrapped paper package, her expression unclear.

“Hmph, are you going to eat it or not?”

Considering she didn’t remember, he wouldn’t quibble with her.

“How could I refuse Young Master Gu’s kind gesture?”

Mu Jiulu reached out her hand, and Gu Sui handed her the package of peanuts.

As their fingertips inadvertently touched her palm, he unconsciously stroked it twice, like a cat’s teasing.

Mu Jiulu’s eyes shot up, instantly catching the lingering mischievous look in his peach blossom eyes.

Hmph, Mu Jiulu sneered inwardly.

Now he knows to try and please her.

Where was that stubbornness from before, when he always left her alone at home, not coming back for nights on end, and even shouted about breaking up when she asked where he’d been and what he’d been doing?

If she hadn’t gotten into a car accident on her way to find him, and then suddenly returned, she would have tied him up and locked him at home no matter what, to see if he’d dare do it again!

As for now, a year had passed, and she had to let him know the price of not knowing how to cherish what he had.

“Eat, it’s delicious, I guarantee you’ll fall in love with it after one bite.”

Seeing her lost in thought, Gu Sui, thinking his little trick had succeeded, spoke with a smile.

Mu Jiulu collected her thoughts, unwrapped the paper package, and showed the same disgusted expression as three years ago.

“What is this? It looks so ugly.”

Gu Sui raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.

It was exactly the same as what she said back then. Why did she have to go through the ‘really nice’ phase again?

“Just try one. If it’s not good, it’s on me.”

Gu Sui coaxed. Mu Jiulu glanced at him.

“How would that be settled?”

“Oh, never mind how I’ll settle it, just eat one!”

Seeing that time was running short and the grand court session could start at any moment, Gu Sui, not having time to argue with her, stepped forward, grabbed a peanut and put it in her mouth, even covering it to prevent her from spitting it out.

Mu Jiulu: “……”

He was still as wild as ever.

If this were three years ago, she could have dragged this audacious man out on the spot.

But now, she was a mature Regent who understood the nuances of romance and the art of playing hard to get.

Mu Jiulu grasped his wrist and lifted it slightly, chewed a couple of times, then made a swallowing motion. Under Gu Sui’s gaze, she said expressionlessly,

“Not good, too salty. It’s on you.”

Before he could react, Mu Jiulu’s thumb had already circled his wrist bone several times.

Just as Gu Sui was about to speak with furrowed brows, she aggressively said,

“Well, how are you going to settle it, hm?”

Gu Sui: “That’s impossible. Everyone who’s tried it says it’s delicious. My mother loves it.”

Mu Jiulu’s expression darkened considerably.

So what she ate was actually leftovers?

Huh, well done, Gu Sui.

“This King said, it’s not good.”

Gu Sui: “……”

Q: What to do when an ex-girlfriend is being too unreasonable?

A: If you want to get back together, you have to coax her.

“Alright, alright, it’s not good. We won’t eat it then. I’ll make something better for you next time, okay? You think it’s too salty? I’ll use less salt next time. Is there anything else not to your liking? Tell me.”

“Nothing is to my liking.”

Mu Jiulu’s voice was low, the end of her words running together, expressing her dissatisfaction.

Gu Sui felt something was off.

It didn’t make sense. Could it be because he used a different kind of oil?

How did she suddenly not like it anymore?

Puzzled, Gu Sui instinctively wanted to scratch his head, but his right hand was still being held by Mu Jiulu. Only then did he realize, and his gaze fell on it.

“What… what are you holding me for?”

Gu Sui asked, tilting his head. Mu Jiulu, far from releasing him sheepishly, instead used some force to pull him in front of her.

At such close proximity, each other’s breath was exceptionally clear. Mu Jiulu saw his Adam’s apple bob noticeably.

“Didn’t you offer yourself?”

The cool, wicked voice sounded by his ear. Gu Sui felt his heart skip a beat violently, certain memories surging up.

‘Gu Sui, you offered yourself.’

Lamplight flickered, an ambiguous and enchanting atmosphere permeated the room, mixed with the mellow scent of alcohol.

They had already confirmed their relationship at that time, and he had actively provoked her.

But after she said those words, he was suddenly pressed down beneath her.

Deep indentations quickly appeared on the soft bed.

“Your Highness, it’s time.”

Yan Wu’s emotionless voice suddenly came from outside the warm chamber. Gu Sui’s pupils constricted sharply. He broke free from her grip and stood up from her body.

His cheeks had somehow turned an unusual shade of red.

Mu Jiulu was curious.

“What’s wrong with Young Master Gu?”

Gu Sui pressed his lips together: “You…”

Mu Jiulu seemed in no hurry, saying leisurely: “Hm?”

Gu Sui shook his somewhat disheveled sleeves and turned around: “Didn’t you hear what she said? It’s time. I’m leaving first.”

He could almost be said to be fleeing in disarray. Mu Jiulu stared at his back, her gaze playful.

Still the same as before.

Acting sophisticated, but actually pure beyond words.

*

At the grand court session, all the officials noticed one thing – the Regent seemed to be in a good mood today.

She had less of her usual sharp edge, and wasn’t as inscrutable as before.

But when it came to handling matters, she was still decisive and efficient.

The young Emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, her small face tense, her mind full of worries.

Ninth Aunt was still so domineering, not waiting for her to speak before resolving the matters reported by the court officials.

Although her methods were indeed more thorough than what she herself had thought of, she wasn’t an Emperor for nothing. Shouldn’t she at least be consulted?

The young Emperor’s gaze shifted, and that young man in the military officials’ ranks stood out particularly.

But after observing for a while, the little girl sighed with an old soul.

Still the same as before, like a puppet. It was said he couldn’t even speak.

What’s the point of marrying someone like that? Not nearly as cute as her soft and obedient younger cousin.

How vexing.

The grand court session lasted all morning. Gu Sui felt a bit bored, so he began to observe Mu Jiulu.

Then he discovered that his ex-girlfriend looked truly beautiful when working seriously.

Capable, decisive, yet unhurried.

As if there was nothing in this world she couldn’t handle.

Hmm… he should get rid of that ‘ex’ as soon as possible.

Standing on the steps in front of the dragon throne, the Regent had a clear view and naturally noticed that gaze from among the crowd.

She allowed his eyes to wander freely over her body, keeping her own gaze straight ahead, only glancing over inadvertently when turning to look at the young Emperor.

He had a wooden expression, as if trying to imitate Gu Sui’s manner.

He looked a bit dumb, adorably stupid.

The Regent’s lips curled up slightly, but instantly flattened when facing the young Emperor, immediately launching into complicated state affairs.

The young Emperor listened until her head spun, but one thing put her mind at ease.

Although the Regent had snatched the embroidered ball, she showed no particular attention to Gu Sui, so the situation didn’t seem too bad.

After the grand court session, the officials dispersed.

Gu Tingsong was just about to take her precious son to eat something delicious when a message suddenly came from the inner palace: the Grand Empress Dowager wanted to see Gu Sui.

With the Grand Empress Dowager’s summons, Gu Tingsong had no choice but to let him go. Gu Sui, his head full of question marks, followed the palace servant who delivered the message.

As Mu Jiulu passed by Gu Tingsong, she narrowed her eyes.

“Is the General-in-Chief so at ease about her son?”

Gu Tingsong immediately became fully alert; clearly, she was more guarded against Mu Jiulu than anyone else.

“The palace guards are impenetrable. My son will surely be safe.”

Mu Jiulu looked at her silently for a few seconds, then laughed.

“That’s for the best.”

***

“How dare you make me love you, only to cast me aside as nothing more than a friend?!? I will never accept that—I will never let you return to him! Even if I have to burn myself to ashes, even if I must shatter my purity, my dignity, my very soul—I will never let you escape me!”

This was the first novel that introduced me to the matriarchal genre. I’ve read it three times already!

At first, the male lead despised the female lead. Later, he misunderstood that she liked him, so he condescendingly and reluctantly reciprocated her feelings.

Then, he suddenly discovered that she was kind to everyone in the same way, and there was already someone she cherished in her heart, and that person was not him.

The male lead couldn’t believe it, he became angry and crazy. He was determined to capture her body and heart by any means necessary.

Synopsis:

Want to see how a green tea bitch male lead falls in love with the female lead?

Want to see how he flirtatiously pursues the female lead?

Want to see how he gets slapped in the face repeatedly?

The male lead is a green tea bitch, a poisonous lotus, jealous, ruthless, unscrupulous, with a venomous heart, and he’s also a delusional maniac.

The female lead is righteous, positive energy-filled, kind, a holy mother.

Let’s see how two people with extreme personalities come together~

_____

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