Miss, who do you care for now?

Gu Fei did not attend the banquet at Dragon Phoenix Pavilion. She instructed her maid, Nightingale, to inform Feng Lizhi that she would be leaving early and returning to the residence on her own.

As she approached the entrance, she happened to see Ah Da, the servant of Le Qingbo, returning. Gu Fei cast him a cold glance as they passed each other. She was certain that his earlier troublemaking at the Gu family’s shop was instigated by Le Qingbo. Judging from Le Qingbo’s emotional reaction upon seeing her today, it was unlikely he had been feigning—he must not have known she was sheltering at the Gu family until now.

Ah Da noticed Gu Fei out of the corner of his eye as she walked past him. He kept his head slightly bowed, the gray at his temples adding to the weathered look of his middle-aged face.

“Ah Da, the young master wants to see you,” called the maid Fengyue from the second-floor balcony in a clear voice when she saw him standing still.

Ah Da nodded and made his way upstairs. Yet as he moved, he turned to glance in the direction Gu Fei had gone. His eyes narrowed, his hand clenched, and a fleeting, hidden murderous intent flashed in his gaze.

You Hu was slowly pushing the wheelchair. He glanced down at Gu Fei’s hair ornaments with a meaningful smile.

Gu Fei stroked the armrest of her wheelchair. That spot had been polished to a shine by her hand, the wood grain now more distinct. “You dare to laugh? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”

As she spoke, she reached up and pulled the black gold obsidian fox hairpin from her dark hair. The gleaming jet-black hairpin spun between her pale fingers. She snorted coldly, “I don’t care what your intentions are. Next time you try your little schemes on me, don’t blame me for being rude.”

With that, she handed the hairpin back to You Hu.

Taking the hairpin, You Hu ran his fingertip over the carved fox. “You make it sound as if I’ve gained some great advantage. If you truly wished to form an alliance with Le Qingbo, you wouldn’t have allowed me to swap your hairpin. In the end, does this mean your affections have shifted? That you no longer care for him?”

“Shut up!” Gu Fei snapped icily.

You Hu ignored her and continued, “Since you no longer care for him, I am curious—who do you favor now? There are only a few men around you. Mo Yuhua is out of the question, and Feng Lizhi doesn’t see you as a woman at all—he probably isn’t sure himself. That leaves only…”

He leaned in, eyes narrowing with a foxlike glint, voice low and insinuating, “So, is it me you like now?”

Gu Fei’s face was as cold and still as water, a chill like shattered ice radiating from her, thick with distance. Her pink lips parted and she uttered just one word: “Leave!”

As the word fell, Gu Fei gripped the wooden wheel of her chair, refusing You Hu’s assistance, propelling herself toward the Gu residence.

You Hu paused, standing half in the harsh sunlight, half in the shadow at the edge of the street—half in light, half in darkness. He watched her stubbornly push her wheelchair, his porcelain-pale face unreadable.

He knew he shouldn’t have teased her when she was in such a mood. After all, he was merely an advisor and had no authority over Gu Fei’s affairs. But when he thought of Le Qingbo and Gu Fei’s reaction upon seeing him, he couldn’t help feeling unsettled.

Women are often soft-hearted, which is why there are so many fickle men in the world. Softness leads only to indecision. Gu Fei had been ruthless with Mo Yuhua, but that didn’t mean she could be equally heartless with Le Qingbo—especially since Le Qingbo and Mo Ge Yi, the eldest son of the Mo family, were friends.

That was why he’d switched her hairpin. With Le Qingbo’s sharp eyes, he’d surely notice that the fox hairpin was for men, not women. Its presence on Gu Fei’s person spoke volumes.

He stepped forward, taking hold of the wheelchair again, and asked straightforwardly, “I want to know what your intentions are. If you return to the capital, my brother and I will have to change our plans.”

Gu Fei sneered, “What, already looking for another patron before I’ve even left?”

Without waiting for a reply, she continued, “If that’s your worry, you can rest easy. I won’t return to the capital for at least a year. Le Qingbo is Le Qingbo, and I am myself.”

Her answer did not reassure You Hu. He knew her mind too well; she was adept at speaking in layers, saying one thing and meaning another, even with the same words.

He shook his head, not having gotten the answer he sought, and let the matter drop.

Gu Fei didn’t want to discuss Le Qingbo further. She recalled another matter. “This time, Mo Ge Yi had Le Qingbo bring a shipment to Yizhou. Go find out what it is.”

With the Merchant Guild’s grand annual gathering approaching, and the Gu family’s shops squeezing out the little Mo family’s business, she needed to press her advantage before Mo Ge Yi arrived. The coming gathering would surely bring fierce competition, and any blow to the Mo family beforehand was worthwhile.

“No need—I received word this morning,” You Hu replied. “It’s a large batch of rare and collectible ink cakes, intended to make the Mo family shine at the gathering. Ideally, they want to attract the likes of Master Feng Puyu to their side and thus dominate Yizhou’s ink-making industry.”

Gu Fei frowned. “I’ve heard some of the Mo family’s ink cakes are crafted by Master Feng Puyu. But I thought the connection was through the Mo family in the capital. Why would they speak of bringing them under their banner?”

You Hu explained, “You may not know, but Master Feng Puyu has a good relationship with someone in the capital’s Mo family. The little Mo family happened to know this person and asked for the favor. Besides, the number of ink cakes Master Feng Puyu supplies the Mo family each month is fixed; other families occasionally receive one or two to sell as well.”

Gu Fei understood. This explained the Feng family’s income and Master Feng’s considerable influence in Yizhou’s ink trade—even Feng Lizhi commanded respect because of it.

As the gates of the Gu residence came into view, Gu Fei lightly traced the hem of her skirt with her fingernail. “Master Feng’s ink cakes are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship. They have their own style, and he maintains his passion year after year. His works possess a unique spirit.”

She paused, her eyes steely. “Mo Ge Yi is truly ambitious.”

You Hu caught her meaning at once and smiled handsomely. “So, do you plan to thwart Mo Ge Yi’s ambitions?”

“Of course,” Gu Fei replied, as if it were only natural. “A master of Feng’s caliber should not be subordinate to anyone. Ink masters possess their own pride.”

She used the term “ink master,” not just “ink maker,” which surprised You Hu. “You’re not officially an ink master yet, but you have quite the pride yourself.”

It was a flattering remark, and coming from You Hu’s naturally composed manner, it didn’t feel forced or off-putting.

Gu Fei snorted in response, tacitly accepting the compliment.

You Hu smiled wryly; clearly, she was still holding a grudge for his earlier impertinence. He changed the subject. “Since this is your idea, let me ask: do you want a shortcut, or do you want to take the harder path?”

They had just reached the gate of Qingmo Courtyard. To their surprise, You Er—a burly man like an iron tower—was squatting at the entrance like an abandoned puppy, gazing at them pitifully.

Gu Fei glanced at him and asked without much interest, “What’s the shortcut? What’s the hard way?”

You Hu, noticing You Er as well, smiled and replied, “The shortcut is to start with Le Qingbo. He brought the shipment to Yizhou; he knows exactly what it is and where it’s stored.”

Before he finished, Gu Fei shook her head. “I don’t want to scheme against him. Think of another way.”

You Hu’s eyes darkened, a faint light flickering at their corners. Even his voice turned colder. “Understood.”

With that, they fell silent.

You Er, seeing the pair ignore him and walk past, scrambled up and dragged his feet to Gu Fei, complaining, “Miss, it’s not fair to have me work and not feed me.”

Gu Fei was baffled. “What are you talking about?”

You Er continued, “You said if I pounded fifty ink cakes in the ink room, I’d get meat to eat. I finished sixty, but when I came out, there was no one here—where’s the meat?”

Gu Fei was speechless. She rubbed her brow, thinking this man was really simple-minded. His elder brother was as cunning as a fox, but this younger one was a fool. “How could no one be around? Wasn’t Nanny Ku here? And Bailu?”

You Er waved his hand. “No one! No one! They weren’t here.”

Gu Fei was puzzled. There was always someone at Qingmo Courtyard. Only You Hu and Nightingale had gone with her to Dragon Phoenix Pavilion, and she’d returned early. In just over an hour, how could the courtyard be empty?

You Hu chuckled. “Silly brother, if you wanted meat, why didn’t you tell me? Come, I’ll take you to eat. Don’t bother Miss—she’s tired today.”

You Er hesitated, glancing at Gu Fei before shuffling over to You Hu. Behind her back, his face was on the verge of tears.

Just then, Nanny Ku’s voice called out. She came in carrying a bolt of smoky-colored fine cloth, looking surprised. “Miss, you’re back so soon?”

All eyes turned to her, Gu Fei’s gaze lingering on the fabric in her arms.

Nanny Ku explained, “I’d just gone to the main house. After you left, the Madam sent word that the eldest young lady, Gu Wanting, will be marrying soon. She specially sent this fine cloth for you to have new clothes made for the occasion.”

Gu Fei narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, clearly skeptical. “Oh? How generous of her?”

Nanny Ku shook her head. “I thought the same. It’s likely that Madam Cui is just putting on a show because the eldest young master, Gu Min, is returning. She wants you to let your guard down.”

Such matters were not for You Hu to comment on, so he led You Er out.

Gu Fei didn’t wish to dwell on it; she understood enough. “Alright, I get it. Nanny Ku, handle it as you see fit.”

With that, she wheeled herself to the ink room.

Nanny Ku let out a quiet sigh of relief behind her. She had followed Gu Fei to Dragon Phoenix Pavilion, and on the way back had conveniently bought a bolt of cloth as a pretext. What she hadn’t expected was that, with her out, no one had gone to buy groceries, so Bailu had left to do the shopping. Thus, when You Er emerged from the ink room, he found no one.

As it happened, Gu Fei hadn’t stayed for the banquet and returned early, nearly catching them in their little ruse.

Thinking of how wary and untrusting Gu Fei was, Nanny Ku felt her excuse had been clumsy. Such a small matter was enough to arouse the girl’s suspicion.

ps:
Finally climbed up—what a struggle.