Volume One, Chapter 19: Called Gu A Yuan, Gu Likes

Qin Tingxian’s legs naturally slid down to kneel.

“Your Highness, how could you say such things? It must be that woman who is ungrateful.”

“The Crown Prince is the most honorable son of the Northern Chu Kingdom. Any ordinary woman should be eager to stay by His Highness’s side. Being treated like this by Your Highness is her blessing.”

Hidden on the beam, An San’s mouth twitched; he nearly fell off.

This Young Master Qin truly lives up to his role as the Crown Prince’s companion and tutor—he knows how to flatter His Highness better than any concubine.

Picking up the dagger from the desk beside the memorial, Chu Linyuan lifted his robe, exposing his chest, and impaled the blade expressionlessly.

When he withdrew it again, the tip was stained with fresh blood. He placed the dagger upon the “Heart-Linked Gu” insect box, one drop per insect.

After drinking the blood, the little creatures ceased struggling to find their target, instead wobbling around sleepily as if drunk.

After a while, the two insects found suitable spots and fell asleep.

Seeing them motionless, Chu Linyuan narrowed his eyes.

“Let’s see what’s going on—why aren’t they moving?”

He rose from the floor, walked over to the embroidered box, and explained with his hands clasped politely.

“Congratulations, Your Highness. The foreign merchant said that once the insects fall into slumber, it means they have accepted their master.”

“Next, Your Highness and that woman only need to ingest the Gu together. The merchant said that immediately consummating the marriage after will accelerate the insect’s settlement within the body.”

Chu Linyuan closed the box, glanced at the blood on his chest, and took the jade ointment from the table to apply on the wound.

The cool salve instantly staunched the bleeding.

He looked at his bloodstained robe and adjusted his clothing.

“Leave now.”

“Yes.”

Qin Tingxian tucked his fan back into his robe, bowed, and retreated.

Chu Linyuan sat upright in his chair, picked up the memorial again, and returned to reviewing it with focused attention.

Time trickled by.

“Your Highness, it’s time for dinner.”

The eunuch Laifu knocked on the door.

Finishing the last stroke, Chu Linyuan set aside the brush and rose.

“Laifu.”

“Yes, your servant.”

“Has Lin Qingwan eaten?”

Thinking of that carefree woman, Chu Linyuan longed to shove the Gu into her mouth immediately.

“The maid said Miss Lin just woke up not long ago and is currently sitting in the Chengqian Courtyard, yet to eat.”

“Arrange dinner in the Chengqian Courtyard.”

“Yes, your servant will see to it.”

Holding the embroidered box, he left the study and walked back to the main hall of the Chengqian Courtyard. Upon entering, he spotted Lin Qingwan sitting there.

---

Bathed in the hazy moonlight, the woman gazed off into the distance. Hearing footsteps, she turned and smiled gently.

“Ah Yuan is here.”

Her glance back was enchanting, full of allure.

Those words echoed in Chu Linyuan’s mind.

His grip on the embroidered box nearly loosened as he hurried forward, grasping Lin Qingwan’s shoulders with a joyful expression.

“Wan’er, what do you call me?”

Lin Qingwan recalled the name she had just blurted out. She quickly stood, intending to kneel, but the man stopped her and pulled her into his embrace.

“Forgive me, Your Highness.”

She couldn’t fathom his nature—he was like the man from her past life, yet not quite the same.

Leaning against him, she cherished his warmth but feared her fate would again be one of fiery death.

“Wan’er, what fault have you committed? From now on, when we’re alone, you may call me that, alright? Call me Ah Yuan. I like it.”

She pressed her face against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Alright. Perhaps Your Highness doesn’t know, but I once loved you very deeply.”

Stepping away from his shoulder, Lin Qingwan decided to reveal her true feelings to Chu Linyuan.

“What do you mean by that?”

He looked at her tenderly, but inwardly wondered why this woman would say anything just to leave him.

“You only need to know that Qingwan once loved you with her life.”

This life felt like a gamble too; she only hoped he would not betray her again.

Not understanding her meaning, Chu Linyuan pulled her close and gently patted her back.

“I like Wan’er so much that I wish to spend every moment outside court with you in bed. How could I ever betray you?”

“If not for your frail health, I’d fear for you. I’d make you know what it’s like to be unable to leave the bed for three days and nights.”

Chu Linyuan did not know she had already experienced that feeling in her past life.

Lin Qingwan lifted her eyes.

In the moonlight, she couldn’t clearly see his face, only feel the gentleness of his embrace.

Noticing the wetness on his chest, she looked at her tears flowing.

“Wan’er hates me so much? Thinking of being with me brings such painful sorrow that you cry?”

Chu Linyuan clenched his teeth, suppressing the anger deep inside.

He still liked to see her moved to tears beneath him.

He wanted to kiss her, spoil her.

To make her heart and eyes belong to him alone.

Lin Qingwan clung to him, shaking her head quickly but unable to find words.

She only felt that everything now was so beautiful it was like a dream.

Chu Linyuan sat on the stone bench, pulled her fully into his arms, and pressed a fierce kiss upon her.

---

Fearing he might lose control, Lin Qingwan hastily pulled away.

“Your Highness, not here in the courtyard.”

“Do you now even hate my kiss so much?”

Seeing him with reddened eyes, as if enraged, Lin Qingwan wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

The irritable man softened like a tamed beast, sitting gently and holding her waist.

Afraid she might tire from kissing, he shifted lower.

Seated on his lap, Lin Qingwan was pressed against his waist by his movements.

Startled, she tried to leave but was held tightly in his embrace.

“Wan’er, don’t move. Are you trying to seduce me here?”

Blushing, she leaned against him.

She waited for him to calm down but felt his body growing hotter, a steady warmth radiating from him.

“Maybe I should leave first?”

Shrinking, she tried to pull away from Chu Linyuan’s waist but was caught by his large hand, which gripped her tightly.

“If you say ‘leave’ one more time, I’ll keep you here for three days and nights.”

Frightened, Lin Qingwan buried herself in his embrace, afraid to move or speak, waiting for him to release her.

“The dagger at Your Highness’s waist is poking me…”

Blushing deeply, she hoped he would loosen his hold, but he held her firmly still.

Chu Linyuan sneered, watching her shy, coquettish face under the moonlight like a bewitching enchantress.

“Wan’er, have you heard of the Heart-Linked Gu?”

?

Rising from his embrace, her cheeks burning, she lightly touched her face and shook her head.

“Wan’er does not know.”

Chu Linyuan caressed her cheek, his gaze unwavering, voice commanding.

“If Wan’er wants to leave with Lady Lin, you must swallow this Gu.”

“This Gu comes in male and female forms. After you and I take it, our minds will be linked; there will be no other for this lifetime. Do you dare?”

Lin Qingwan was puzzled by his words, but her heart raced uncontrollably.

Her hands encircled his waist, and she nodded resolutely.

“Wan’er can do it. Wan’er is not afraid. But Your Highness is the Crown Prince—how can there be only Wan’er?”