Chapter 1629 - 594: The Fake True Heiress (Part 15)

Gu Jingyuan emerged from the main courtyard, feeling a hollow emptiness inside.

Images of his time spent with "He Dian" kept flashing through his mind.

This is how people are; perhaps everyone has a tendency to be dismissive—

When the other person was around, there was never any cherishing.

Once they’ve gone, you start recalling their goodness, overwhelmed with longing and reluctance.

Recently, Gu Jingyuan had been captivated by the Capital City’s splendor and the social circles of the nobility, forgetting about his "wife" temporarily.

Now that the novelty had faded, he successfully reintegrated into the idle young noblemen’s circle in the city.

Upon returning to "family," he found that his loved one had disappeared!

That sense of loss, that regret, gnawed at Gu Jingyuan’s heart like worms.

He returned to the Pagoda Courtyard and involuntarily stepped into the East Cross Court.

The small courtyard was still there, yet the enchanting presence was gone.

No more than an empty building!

The servants didn’t do it on purpose, but the daily cleaning gradually erased traces of life lived here.

Staring at the familiar yet strange room, Gu Jingyuan was increasingly tormented.

"Ah Dian, you, you have such a ruthless heart. Did you just leave me like that?!"

"It’s often said ’a hundred days of kindness for a day as husband and wife,’ but we spent several months as husband and wife, and I’ve long considered you the most important person in my life. And yet—"

Gu Jingyuan grew more sorrowful the more he thought; he knew he owed Ah Dian, but he did have his reasons.

He’d just come back, needing time to acclimate.

Once everything settled, he’d explain to Ah Dian.

But she didn’t even give him that time!

"However, I know that surely you’re reluctant to leave me!"

"...Ah Dian, you misunderstood me. I didn’t intentionally neglect you; I just wanted to adapt to the identity of a wealthy young Master!"

Sitting on the bed that now had new bedding, Gu Jingyuan desperately tried to find traces of He Dian’s lingering aura.

He didn’t wholly blame He Dian, as he could somewhat understand her feelings.

The more he understood, the more he couldn’t bear to let go!

With a sudden burst, Gu Jingyuan stood up, ignoring the Marchioness’s recent warning, and left the Marquis Mansion on his own accord.

He found that shop on West Street, a place with a front shop and back courtyard.

The shop’s front door was shut, giving the impression it wasn’t open for business.

Yet noises emanated from the courtyard behind.

Loitering around the front, he checked the position and directly rounded the alley to locate the courtyard corresponding to the shop.

The courtyard door was closed, but it was no barrier for Gu Jingyuan.

His martial arts, though not as good as his elder brother’s, were enough for his role in the Qianniu Guards, allowing him a decent level of martial prowess.

He focused his Qi Fortune Dantian, tapped his toes, and lifted his body two to three feet off the ground.

Next, he kicked against the wall, leveraging the force, and soared several more feet high, reaching for the top of the wall with his hand.

Swiftly, he flipped his body and descended over the wall.

Thud!

Though his skills weren’t top-notch, Gu Jingyuan was reasonably agile.

He tried hard to control his landing, but still made some noise upon touching down.

Feeling a bit guilty, not for disturbing He Tiantian inside the house, but for attracting neighbors’ attention.

Pausing his steps, holding his breath, Gu Jingyuan cautiously listened for any nearby reactions—

Ah, no response!

The neighbors continued cooking, eating, or educating children, all preoccupied with their tasks.

No one noticed the heavy landing noise amid the evening hours.

Even "He Dian" inside seemed unaware.

Sighing in relief, Gu Jingyuan lifted his garment hem, crept silently toward the candlelit room.

Arriving at the door, he considered pushing it open.

He placed his hand on the door, but hesitated without making a move.

He pondered on what to say upon seeing Ah Dian.

Apologize?

Blame?

Or share his heartfelt emotions?

None seemed quite right.

After a dozen days apart, especially after his deliberate distancing, even as self-centered and self-justifying as Gu Jingyuan was, he couldn’t face "He Dian" without any guilt!

His hand lingered on the door, hesitating repeatedly, yet still not knocking.

Moments later, he gave up on knocking or barging in, instead peeking through the door panel’s gap to observe the scene inside.

Underneath the dim candlelight, the room appeared to be cloaked in a warm-toned filter.

In this setting, a slender woman was preparing medicinal herbs.

Focused, she lowered her head, revealing a delicate neck as she washed, cut, or crushed skillfully and orderly.