GTB Chapter 183

Chapter 185: Guessed It

Jiang Jiuchu nodded, watching Ji Shutíng’s anxious expression, wondering what relationship a courtesan could have with Ji Shutíng.

“I know her, but she’s no longer alive. What’s wrong?”

Ji Shutíng was stunned. No longer alive? That’s indeed what Gu Changxuan said.

She didn’t answer Jiang Jiuchu’s question, but directly asked, “Who is she?”

“She was a courtesan at Mo Feng Pavilion. She even performed on stage at the auction this spring.”

Jiang Jiuchu’s words were like a thunderclap striking Ji Shutíng’s mind, instantly making her stiff, unable to recover for a long time.

She didn’t expect that the person Gu Changxuan had lied to her about was not only deceased but also a courtesan.

“What’s wrong? What’s your relationship with her…?”

Jiang Jiuchu didn’t know how to ask. It was obvious that Shutíng didn’t know this girl at all, but Shutíng’s expression was clearly not simple.

Ji Shutíng eased the emptiness in her chest, took the painting from Jiang Jiuchu’s hand, and slowly rolled it up, her voice hollow.

“I found this painting in Changxuan’s study. He told me it was his sister who passed away a year ago.”

Jiang Jiuchu’s face was shocked when she heard this. She thought, a sister who died a year ago? How could that be? They didn’t even look alike!

Besides, the courtesans at Mo Feng Pavilion are all orphans; they have no relatives.

Also, this girl has only been dead for half a year, not a year!

The two of them almost simultaneously remembered that Gu Changxuan was also present at the Mo Feng Pavilion auction that day. Could it be that they…?

“No, I have to go back and ask him clearly!”

Ji Shutíng said, about to get up, but Jiang Jiuchu grabbed her.

“Sit down first. Let’s analyze the situation. It’s not a good idea to go back and ask him impulsively like this!”

“After all, this girl has already passed away; the situation is different.”

Ji Shutíng sat back down when she heard this, looking at Jiang Jiuchu and asking in a low voice, “You also think their relationship was unusual, right?”

Jiang Jiuchu nodded, thinking, Gu Changxuan has already lied to her; the relationship must be unusual.

Ji Shutíng smiled bitterly, “Actually, if he had said she was a sister he had been separated from for many years, I would have believed him today. But his excuse doesn’t match at all.”

She said, looking at Jiang Jiuchu, “How do you know this girl? Did Brother Fu tell you? What’s her name?”

Jiang Jiuchu sighed, “In this regard, it’s really a coincidence for the two of us. Her name seemed to be Yu Qin. She was brought back to the residence from Mo Feng Pavilion by my prince.”

“She was brought back to the residence from Mo Feng Pavilion by the Seventh Prince?” Ji Shutíng looked at Jiang Jiuchu in surprise. She really didn’t expect that the girl was not only related to Gu Changxuan but also to Shí Yan.

Jiang Jiuchu nodded, a slight feeling of jealousy rising in her heart, “Yes, but before I entered the residence, that girl was murdered.”

“Then how did you know about this and recognize her at a glance?”

“Did your prince take the initiative to tell you?” Ji Shutíng thought, it couldn’t be that he was still missing her and the Seventh Prince hid her painting to remember her, only to be discovered by Jiuchu, right?

Jiang Jiuchu told the truth, “This matter… it’s a long story. I had some interactions with her at the Qingyin Temple blessing ceremony this year.”

“She was targeted and murdered by villains at Qingyin Temple. Later, after I married into the Seventh Prince’s residence, I learned that she was from the Seventh Prince’s residence.”

“Then your prince also…” Ji Shutíng didn’t expect that she and Jiang Jiuchu could have such a coincidence.

Jiang Jiuchu spoke honestly, “He… he said that he brought that Yu Qin back to the residence not because he liked her, but because he felt like she was an old acquaintance, so he helped her and brought her back to the residence.”

“Do you believe it?” Ji Shutíng, listening to Jiang Jiuchu’s description, felt that Shí Yan’s statement sounded like an excuse.

“I believe him.” Jiang Jiuchu said seriously, “He spoke about this matter very proactively and in detail, and his attitude was sincere, so I believe him.”

“And the more important reason is my feeling. Don’t you often say that feelings are important? It’s that kind of feeling. Maybe I can’t be 100% sure whether what he said is true or false, but I can be sure that he loves me.”

“Yeah.” Ji Shutíng nodded. She sighed inwardly. If Changxuan loved her wholeheartedly at the moment, she wouldn’t bother with a dead person.

But the problem is that he kept her painting and placed it under the books he often read, which means he still misses her.

In that case, will he still love her wholeheartedly?

In the past, she seemed very certain, but now that she doubted, she suddenly wasn’t so sure in her heart.

She looked up at Jiang Jiuchu, “Jiuchu, do you still like Brother Fu now?”

Jiang Jiuchu was stunned when she heard this, and after a moment of silence, she raised her eyes and said:

“Let me put it this way! If I had the opportunity in the past, I would have divorced and chosen Song Fuge, but now… I would choose Shí Yan.”

“But Brother Fu is my savior. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to sit here properly now. So, he is now like a brother in my heart, nothing more, and there will be nothing more.”

“Yeah.” Ji Shutíng nodded. She knew that everyone was different, but listening to Jiang Jiuchu’s words, she felt a little better in her heart.

She immediately changed her decision and didn’t plan to question Gu Changxuan anymore. After all, things were already very clear. What could she do by asking?

Her marriage with Changxuan was not a political alliance but a voluntary union. Her feelings must be real. That girl was just his past and was no longer alive. It was normal for him to still have feelings for her.

She believed that with time, he would completely forget that girl, and in the future, his memories would only be of her.

Grand Tutor’s Residence.

Fan Yuwan, listening to the maid’s report, asked with a look of surprise, “Is it really like this?”

The maid nodded, “It’s true. This servant even saw the Seventh Prince go in!”

“This is not surprising. After all, everyone knows that Xiao Li personally went to the residence to find the Seventh Prince.”

“Presumably, the Seventh Prince and Seventh Princess must have had a disagreement because of this, so now she’s living outside.”

Fan Yuwan sneered in her heart when she heard this. Sure enough, even the most steadfast man can be worn down by a persistent woman.

At the banquet, the Seventh Prince refused so decisively, but now it seems that he can’t resist a woman’s persistence either.

In just a few days, the Seventh Prince’s mind has been changed by being pestered to death.

It seems that she needs to change her approach. Perhaps it’s because she’s too dignified. After all, someone like the Seventh Prince is probably unlikely to take the initiative with women. Maybe if she takes the initiative, the situation will be different.

Lan Zhu Courtyard, Xiao Yi sat in the courtyard drinking tea, crossed his legs, and praised the scenery in front of him:

“This Shí Yan is really someone who knows how to enjoy life! He actually has such an elegant courtyard.”

He said, looking at Xiao Li beside him, “Tell me, since you don’t plan to choose the Seventh Prince, why do you keep running to the Seventh Prince’s residence?”

“Look at this Seventh Prince. In order to keep you from coming, he’s actually providing me with such an elegant and beautiful courtyard. Don’t disturb the Seventh Princess.”

Xiao Li glanced at Xiao Yi, “Anyway, you’ve already moved in. Older Brother the Crown Prince said that he can’t persuade me. Can that Seventh Prince still let you move out?”

Xiao Yi put down the teacup in his hand, “You’re not choosing any of the princes, and you go to see the Seventh Princess every day. Could it be that you really have a problem with your preferences?”