Chapter 365

At noon the next day, Gu Cheng dressed appropriately, took the gift he had bought for Princess Changping, and left the separate residence.

This time he did not ride a horse but hired a carriage and headed toward the Reflecting Shadow Pavilion in the suburbs.

The great clans of Southern Qi each had their own ways of indulging in pleasure.

They even opened this restaurant on Peach Blossom Mountain in the suburbs, built against the hills, and outside the little pavilions the scenery is beautiful.

The guests in the pavilion all need to reserve in advance; they are either rich or noble, the dishes are exquisitely prepared, but also expensive.

The location is rather remote, making it a pleasant spot for a few close friends to gather in the mountain pavilion to discuss affairs, drink wine, and enjoy the view.

To be safe, Gu Cheng splurged to rent the entire Reflecting Shadow Pavilion for a day, which cost over a hundred taels of silver.

Gu Cheng did not dare use the premier's carriage; instead he went to a carriage shop to hire one.

Soon Gu Cheng arrived at the mountainside, stopped below the Reflecting Shadow Pavilion, and saw that an ordinary carriage was already parked there.

Gu Cheng's mind stirred; indeed, that woman was so stupid she would do whatever he told her to do.

He had her come to the appointment; no matter how busy she was, she had to come.

Upon thinking of this, Gu Cheng couldn't help but curl his lips in mockery; he was fed up with the pursuit of that foolish woman.

He still wanted to marry a woman he admired, preferably from a great clan.

Although Princess Changping could bring him wealth and honor, she was also willful and foolish to the point of being deadly.

Now seeing Princess Changping's carriage arrive earlier than his, Gu Cheng felt a bit more pleased.

He got out of the carriage and walked toward the Reflecting Shadow Pavilion, then cautiously felt the packet of medicine hidden in his sleeve.

It would be best not to use it today, for if he married Princess Changping, they would still have to grow old together.

However, that woman was simple‑natured; a few coaxing words would make no difference.

Gu Cheng strode straight into the Reflecting Shadow Pavilion; following his earlier instructions, the proprietor personally attended to him.

Only two boys to serve the dishes and the cook in the back were left.

The rest were sent away, after all Gu Cheng had rented the entire Reflecting Shadow Pavilion at great expense.

The proprietor also didn't bother with whom Gu Cheng invited; such leisurely concerns were not his concern, after all, making money is the way.

"Young Master Gu has arrived?"

The proprietor of the Reflecting Shadow Pavilion personally went out to greet Gu Cheng with a bow.

Gu Cheng nodded and walked in, asking as he went, "Have the guests I invited arrived?"

"They have come, they have come, they arrived long ago."

"I have arranged, as you instructed, a seat on the third floor, farthest east."

"Fruit and snacks have already been served; we are just waiting for you to order dishes."

Gu Cheng said coldly, "No need for trouble; just send in the dishes I previously told you to prepare. Also, do not let anyone approach that room."

"Yes, yes, I will be vigilant; no one may approach that room. Please proceed this way."

Gu Cheng then went up to the third floor and arrived outside the most elegantly furnished room.

The curtains of the private booth were made of crystal beads, which tinkled softly in the breeze.

Gu Cheng's steps paused at the booth's entrance, then he lifted the curtain and entered.

Before him stood a slender woman accompanied by two palace maids.

Hearing Gu Cheng's footsteps, Princess Changping abruptly turned to face him.

Afterward, Princess Changping had the two bothersome palace maids roll out.

Those two maids had long endured Princess Changping's violent temper, and with Consort Duan gone, the princess took out her anger on the entire palace staff.

Now none of those attending her were uninjured; upon hearing her words, the attendants all withdrew from the booth, fleeing far away.

Only Gu Cheng and Princess Changping remained in the booth.

Princess Changping's face was utterly wan; she lifted her eyes to Gu Cheng, wondering how she could look any worse.

The two stood there for a moment, at a loss for words.

Princess Changping never imagined that the usually refined man would deteriorate to this extent in just a few days.

Princess Changping faintly felt a strange thought arise: the man she had always considered cultured and handsome was, after all, nothing special.

Now Gu Cheng had been reduced to commoner status by the emperor, lost his office, and even within the Gu family he had no standing.

He was, after all, born of a concubine.

Sometimes it is truly strange: when he shone brightly, people saw only his good side.

When he was down and out, his flaws were magnified without limit.

When Princess Changping arrived, she still harbored a hint of resentment; the imperial edict had already been issued, ordering her to marry into Bei Di.

Whenever Princess Changping thought of that barbarian of Bei Di, she felt dislike.

Now seeing her beloved reduced to this state, Princess Changping suddenly felt she no longer liked him either.

Instead, she thought that marrying the Crown Prince of Bei Di might one day allow her to become empress dowager, ruling the world.

Moreover, her mother's death was inextricably linked to the Gu family.

If it were not for Gu Shijie, who sold Chen Fu'an to ransom his eldest son, her mother could not have died so miserably.

During those days Princess Changping's life was unbearable; she was tormented to the brink of madness.

In that brief instant, Princess Changping's thoughts had turned several times.

Now Gu Cheng is nothing; naturally he cannot bring her wealth and noble status.

Actually, at this moment Princess Changping had already made her choice; nevertheless, after loving that man for so long, coming to see him for the last time also counts as fulfilling that past affection.

Princess Changping's complexion gradually faded, she lifted her gaze and stared fixedly at Gu Cheng: "Young Master Gu, I suppose you also know the decree in the palace."

"In a few days I may have to go to Bei Di, and then I will never see you again."

"Now I, too, am taking great risk to come see you for the last time; after all, I once liked you, but I cannot continue to accompany you in my future life."

Gu Cheng heard Princess Changping's words, and the fingers hidden in his sleeve twitched sharply.

A chill spread from his spine throughout his body, making him almost unable to stop trembling.

Ha ha, truly ridiculous, utterly ridiculous, even this lowly woman wants to abandon him?

His father despises him; this fool wasn't the one who previously chased after him saying she liked him.

What do you mean now? Gu Cheng gritted his teeth in silence; how could he let you have your way?

Now you must like him even if you don't.

Gu Cheng's complexion remained normal, without the slightest movement, as he slowly turned and walked to the table.

His angle was rather cunning; with his back to Princess Changping, he picked up the wine pot on the table.

He took out the medicine he had bought earlier from his sleeve, poured in half a packet and added half a jug of wine.

Only then did he lift the wine jug, fill the cup to the brim, and turn to look at Princess Changping.

"I am here to make amends to the Princess, because my father is the Noble Consort……"

"Never mind, I won't say more. This second cup is to speak a few heartfelt words to the Princess; previously I didn't dare accept her affection because I felt my status was low and knew I wasn't worthy of her……"

Princess Changping stared, startled; she had pursued Gu Cheng for so long, yet he had never responded.

As it turns out, Gu Cheng also likes her.

Her heart fluttered at once, yet a hint of pride arose.

Gu Cheng steadied his words: "Princess, let's drink a cup to put an end to this."

"I wish the Princess a bright future."

Princess Changping gazed at his heroic brows and eyes, her heart stirring slightly.