The 186th Chapter: In the World's Way—It's Not That I'm Heartless, It's Just That You Misunderstood
Rushing to the residence of the Fourth Elder, they found the Fifth Elder and the Tingsi couple already in the room, speaking to the Fourth Elder's wife, who looked bewildered. "Sister-in-law, don't worry, try to calm your mind. At our age, life and death are destined…"
Gu Tingye and Minglan hurriedly greeted them and apologized for their lateness. The Fifth Elder waved his hand gently, his expression kind, "We live nearby, so we arrived earlier. You are not too late. … Go on in to see your Fourth Uncle."
Madam Xuan led them into the inner room. Gu Tingye's other servants were at the bedside, serving medicine and soup. Upon seeing Minglan and Tingye, they moved aside slightly, sighing deeply, "The doctor said his life is not in danger, but he has suffered a stroke. Now he can't move at all and can't speak…" At this point, her voice choked up.
Minglan leaned in to look and saw the Fourth Elder lying rigidly on the bed, his eyes half-open and half-closed, as if they couldn't fully open or close. His limbs were stiff, his face twisted, and his mouth was contorted at an odd angle. When a spoonful of medicine was fed to him, it spilled out of the corner of his mouth.
Gu Tingye, with an expressionless face, exchanged a few synonymous phrases, and then both of them withdrew with Madam Xuan.
In the main hall, everyone settled down and began to talk.
Gu Tingye asked, "What exactly happened? How did he suddenly fall ill?"
It was a simple question, but Tingxuan hesitated for a while before answering, "...This afternoon we received a letter saying... that the Second Brother had caused trouble in the Northwest again... When Father heard this, he was so distressed that he fell ill."
Minglan turned to Madam Xuan and asked, "Didn't Elder Sister-in-law just say that the Bing brothers had caused some minor issues after the New Year? Is this the same incident? Could it be that the local officials are still not letting it go?"
Madam Xuan sighed repeatedly with a bitter smile: "It's a different matter. The previous issue was nearly settled, but Second Brother couldn't stay out of trouble. He got involved in another dispute and ended up killing someone during the night, and he also got one of his legs broken! The old debts aren't cleared, and now there's a new one. The man he killed was of good status, and the local commander is furious, saying that Second Brother can't return for the rest of his life!"
Minglan silently turned her head back. At this moment, Madam Bing Er began to sob, escalating from low cries to high-pitched wails. She cried to the Fifth Old Master, "I've said before that the Northwest is desolate and dangerous, and most people there are fierce. Your nephew is so honest and straightforward. If he wasn't severely bullied, how could he have gotten into a dispute with someone..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Gu Tingye interrupted, "Second Brother Bing is living in exile, with money and connections arranged. He doesn't even have to do labor, and his food and clothing are all managed by servants. Even if he's idle during the day, he should return at night. How could he have killed someone during the night?"
Upon hearing this, the Fifth Old Master, who had just opened his mouth, shut it again, shaking his head and stroking his beard. Madam Bing Er was at a loss for words and awkwardly said, "Perhaps there was some urgent matter that forced him to go out..."
The Fourth Old Lady suddenly snorted coldly, "He's in exile. What urgent matter could there be? The family is worried sick about him, and he's causing trouble and even dragging his father down!" Growing increasingly enraged, she thought about how she had just arranged a good marriage for her daughter. If her father passed away now, Tingxing would have to observe mourning for three years, and her daughter might become an old maid. Even if the prospective groom was willing to wait, by the time her daughter married, the family might already have born legitimate children.
She was usually gentle and uncontentious, but at this moment, she felt a fierce desire to strangle Gu Tingbing.
The word "filial piety" weighed heavily, and Madam Bing Er, feeling anxious, blurted out, "But you can't blame him entirely. Recently, Father's health has been poor. It's all because of the new addition to the household..."
Gu Tingye began to cough loudly, his face reddening. Madam Bing Er quickly realized she had said something inappropriate and hurriedly fell silent.
"That's true," Gu Tingye said slowly. "I also found it strange. Fourth Uncle has always been robust, and Second Brother Bing's incident shouldn't have led to such severe illness immediately. Why did it result in such a grave condition?"
When these words were spoken, everyone from the Fourth House bowed their heads. The Fourth Old Lady looked exhausted and disheartened, while the Tingxuan couple appeared embarrassed and awkward. Madam Bing Er, sitting to the side, kept nervously shifting her gaze.
After a long pause, the Fifth Old Master stroked his beard and said, "They say family disgrace should not be aired publicly, but today we are all family, so there's no harm in speaking frankly." He sighed and continued, "When the eldest brother and sister-in-law were around, Fourth Brother could be restrained to some extent. Since the division of the family, he has become increasingly reckless. Recently, Fourth Brother even took a thin horse from Yangzhou as a new concubine, spending all day in pleasure. My nephew was worried and asked me to persuade him, but Fourth Brother wouldn't listen, leading to this outcome."
The words were veiled but clear enough for everyone in the room to understand.
Ming Lan lowered her head and translated it into a sarcastic version: *"At his age, still feeling invincible, constantly indulging himself day and night. If he had just been with the household maids, it would be understandable—after all, they're from a good family, and the variety is limited. But he went and got a professional, probably even needed some medicine. After days of non-stop action, he must have emptied himself. Last night, he probably just finished a marathon session, had an extra round at noon, and then, hearing the terrible news about his beloved son in the afternoon, of course, he couldn't handle it."*
Gu Tingye might have wanted to cover up for his father a bit, but Madam Xuan showed no intention of defending the old man who wouldn't rest.
The Fifth Old Master turned to the couple, offering gentle consolation: "Fourth Brother was foolish, but what can you, as his children, do? If you don't comply with him, it would be considered disobedience. Nephew and niece-in-law, everyone is clear-eyed and will not blame you."
Gu Tingye tearfully replied, "Thank you, Fifth Uncle, for your understanding. We... we... are also powerless in this situation…"
"Life and death are predestined. At our age, the King of Hell has long been keeping an eye on us." The Fifth Old Master smiled and continued, "The doctor said that life is not in immediate danger, so take good care and he will gradually recover."
His words were warm and open-minded, calm and clear. Ming Lan couldn't help but glance at the Fifth Old Master.
In just a few months, the Fifth Old Master seemed like a changed person. The lofty and arrogant demeanor he once had was completely gone. Although still old, he appeared to be in good spirits, speaking kindly and sincerely, and was very understanding.
Gu Tingye also seemed a bit puzzled, glancing sideways at Ming Lan before agreeing, "What Fifth Uncle says makes sense. As long as there is hope, we should take good care of him." Then he turned to address the others, "If you're missing anything, please let us know."
Madam Xuan wiped her tears and smiled, "Thank you both for your kindness." On the other side, Gu Tingdi also stood up, saying, "If there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask, Brother and Sister."
The TingYe couple expressed their gratitude and appreciation once again.
Madam Bing Er, seeing that everyone was engaging in various conversations and seemingly forgetting about Ting Bing's situation, grew increasingly anxious. With a quick glance, she whispered a few instructions to a maid, who then nodded and left.
Gu Tingye turned back to Fifth Old Master with a smile, saying, "It's been a while since we last saw you, Uncle. I'm delighted to see you looking so much better than before." Ming Lan silently remarked—"You just wanted to ask, 'Uncle, why the sudden change in demeanor?'"
Fifth Old Master chuckled, "Since you didn't ask, I'll tell you anyway." He paused and sighed, "Since that scoundrel left, I've been thinking deeply day and night and suddenly realized that my life has been a waste. I've achieved nothing in my studies, my career was unsuccessful, the family business didn't prosper, and I didn't raise my children well. Sigh, it's all been in vain…"
Gu Tingye remained silent, privately he had mocked this uncle of his countless times for his self-styled scholarly airs. Perhaps the old man had finally come to terms with it in his later years.
"Uncle, don't say that…" Gu Tingye interjected, then abruptly stopped, likely intending to say, 'You're far better than my old, disreputable father,' but halted mid-sentence.
Fifth Old Master, seemingly indifferent to the reactions of those around him, shook his head with a sense of openness: "I've made up my mind. In a few months, when the weather cools down, while Ting Di and his wife are taking care of things in the capital, I'll take your Aunt and the children to Dingzhou."
This announcement shocked everyone in the hall.
Madam Xuan, being of an impatient nature, was the first to speak: "Dingzhou? That's quite far. Uncle, what will you be doing there?"
Gu Tingye was completely baffled, unable to make sense of it. Gu Tingye remained thoughtful and silent. Ming Lan pondered for a moment and softly said, "I've heard that Dingzhou is known for its beautiful mountains and clear waters, and its literary culture is well-regarded. The Moni Mountain Academy there is famous throughout the world. Could it be that Uncle…"
Mr. Zhuang had once studied there.
Fifth Old Master nodded and smiled: "My in-laws are far superior to me. Not only are their sons all accomplished, but their daughters are also well-educated." After smiling, he continued, "I once had a classmate who is now a professor at the Moni Mountain Academy. I plan to seek him out. While my knowledge may not be enough to produce scholars and officials, it can still be useful for teaching the basics and finding a good teacher for Xun'er. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."
"But, Uncle, you are quite old…" Gu Tingye said hesitantly. Gu Tingdi, who had been silent until now, also spoke up: "Cousin is right. Father, you should think this through."
"There's no need to say more." Fifth Old Master said with a smile and a wave of his hand, "I have achieved nothing in this life. If I don't do this now, it would truly be a wasted life."
The sudden announcement left everyone speechless, but Fifth Old Master seemed quite invigorated, speaking and laughing as if he were ten years younger.
At that moment, a heart-wrenching cry suddenly rang out. Aunt Liu, disheveled and with tears streaming down her face, leaned against the doorway and wailed, "Please, all of you uncles and brothers, save my Bing'er!" As she spoke, she dropped to her knees.
Aunt Liu, showing all the signs of old age, was nonetheless unrestrained: "I know Bing'er has caused trouble, but considering that he is from the same family, please don't ignore him!"
Her outburst was abruptly cut off. Everyone was taken aback, and Fifth Old Master frowned at Aunt Liu, clearly displeased: "Stop this disgraceful behavior and get up. Tingbing is indeed a member of the Gu family, and we will certainly take action. But if he's so stubborn and unrepentant, he should suffer some consequences!"
Aunt Liu kept bowing to Gu Tingye, repeatedly knocking her head on the ground: "Bing'er was thoughtless before and offended the Marquis. I beg the Marquis to be magnanimous and forgive him, at least for the sake of the late Marquis. Please save him!"
—Why should we consider the late Marquis? Is Gu Tingbing the son of Gu Yan Kai? Minglan almost laughed out loud.
Her words were irrelevant and repetitive, and everyone was getting tired of the same old clichés. Just as Madam Xuan was about to have Aunt Liu dragged away, Gu Tingye coldly spoke up: "Since when did the servants in Fifth Uncle's household have the right to speak like this?"
Since Aunt Liu had been favored by Fourth Old Master from the moment she entered, everyone in the household had treated her politely. Even Fourth Old Mistress had endured her arrogance and never been spoken to like this before, so she was stunned.
"How Bing'er turns out is a matter for Fifth Uncle and us brothers to decide. What does it have to do with you? Relying on Fourth Uncle's kindness, you dare to act so recklessly here?" Gu Tingye's gaze was cold, and he cast a subtle glance at Fourth Old Mistress.
Aunt Liu was so enraged that she almost fell over but refused to give up. She crossed her legs and sat down on the floor, crying out loud: "Though I am a lowly person, I have endured for thirty years in this house and have helped the Gu family grow. Now, before the old master has even passed away, someone comes to demean me like this! I can't live anymore, I can't live..."
Madam Xuan saw that it was becoming intolerable and immediately ordered for Aunt Liu to be dragged out.
At that moment, Fourth Old Mistress suddenly stood up, her voice icy and sarcastic: "It would have been better not to have given birth to such an unfilial son who defies both the law and his father and brothers. This wretched troublemaker has caused endless problems for the family. Now, do we still need to thank you, Aunt Liu, for your contribution?! If you dare to make another sound, I will ask the Marquis to expel him from the ancestral hall and be done with it."
Everyone was astonished; they hadn't expected the usually gentle Fourth Old Mistress to act this way. However, the effect was immediate—Aunt Liu immediately dared not continue her crying and wailing, collapsing on the ground, trembling.
Seeing the situation turn dire, Second Aunt Bing hurriedly stood up and cried out to Madam Xuan: "Are you trying to force us to death? Do you expect to see Tingbing die out there and wait for the old master to pass away before you deal with us at will?!"
At this moment, Gu Tingye suddenly said: "I will intervene in Bing'er's matter."
Second Aunt Bing, forgetting to even wipe her tears, was overjoyed: "Really?"
"However, let me be clear. Bing'er is a convict and has killed a law-abiding citizen. Even with the greatest favor, he'll face at least ten years of punishment. If you and Aunt Liu want a lighter sentence, you'll need to seek another solution." Gu Tingye said slowly, "But given Bing'er's repeated offenses, even the king of heaven couldn't help him. I suggest sending someone to the northwest to stay close, both to take care of him and to offer guidance."
When the crowd heard that Gu Tingye was willing to help, some were surprised while others were pleased. However, hearing that it would take at least ten years and that someone would need to be sent to accompany him, their gazes gradually shifted to Aunt Liu and Second Aunt Bing, making both women uneasy.
Second Aunt Bing, who had previously been so bold, now shrank back: "They say an elder brother is like a father. Tingbing listens to his older brother. Why not have the older brother go?"
Madam Xuan nearly laughed in anger. Stepping forward, she said: "Sister-in-law, think clearly before you speak! The elderly are old, and the sick are ill. The only ones left are the women and children. If even Tingxuan goes to the northwest, who will support this family? The so-called unity of husband and wife—our parents have us to care for. You should pack up and go to the northwest to accompany Second Brother!"
Second Aunt Bing repeatedly shook her head, her face turning pale with fear: "The child is still young. The northwest is a place of harsh conditions; one cannot live there well, nor can one find good teachers. It would delay his studies."
"Filial piety comes first among virtues!" Fourth Old Mistress said with disdain, "High-ranking officials, who give up their positions to observe filial piety, are praised for it. What's more important—fame or filial piety? Hmph, it's people like you who don't understand manners and have ruined good children!" She then turned her gaze to Aunt Liu, "Since that's the case, as mother and child are connected by heart, why not send Aunt Liu instead?"
Aunt Liu, showing some courage, gritted her teeth and said, "Alright! We will go, and we'll take the child with us. But since we don't know when we'll return, how about we divide the family assets first?" The silver and business dealings of the Fourth House had originally been in Gu Tingbing's hands. After his banishment, the past two years had seen the Tingxuan couple taking over almost entirely. She wanted to ensure the division of assets while she was still clear about the details, to avoid being in the dark later.
"Impudence!" Fourth Old Mistress was exceptionally fierce today, as if determined to suppress them. She scolded, "The old master is still in good health. How dare you speak of dividing the family? Are you cursing him to die soon?"
Fifth Old Master also scolded, "You lowly maid, who gave you the right to meddle in such a major issue as dividing the family?! Dividing the family twice in three years—do you want to stab the backbone of the Gu family?"
Fourth Old Mistress added, "Wait until the old master has passed away, and then you can divide the family if you wish. Either Tingbing comes back, or his eldest son, or Crown Prince—then I will make the decision to divide the family! Otherwise…" She sneered coldly, casting a scornful glance at Second Aunt Bing, "The child is still young and cannot make decisions on his own. With a mother who won't endure hardships alongside her husband, even if the family assets are divided, who knows what will become of them?"
The words were extremely harsh, almost like calling the other person "fickle" to their face. Second Aunt Bing immediately burst into tears. Fourth Old Mistress coldly observed her, not explaining further, waiting to use the situation against her in the future.
Gu Tingye, being kind-hearted, seemed reluctant to watch this, and was about to say something, but was stopped by a tug on his sleeve from Madam Xuan. She used her eyes to signal him to be quiet. Second Aunt Bing continued to cry, unsure of what to do, while Aunt Liu, kneeling on the floor, looked around at everyone in the room and gradually realized that with Fourth Old Master's illness, her family was now at the mercy of others.
Having been a powerful concubine for most of her life, Aunt Liu now faced the prospect of suffering in her old age, leaving her feeling completely lost.
...
Ming Lan quietly watched this scene unfold, remaining silent as she followed Gu Tingye back to their residence. It was now late in the evening, and after changing clothes and taking baths, they dismissed their servants and closed the door to their room.
The carved square table by the bed was originally dark-colored, but under the dim yellow candlelight, it faintly revealed a hint of dark red. On the table sat a small, white porcelain teapot with blue floral designs. Its delicate spout curved slightly upward, and the flickering candlelight cast shadows that danced across the surface. Ming Lan, wrapped in a thin satin robe, sat on the edge of the bed, quietly observing for a long while before finally looking up.
Gu Tingye lay back against the head of the bed, his moon-white silk robe draped loosely over the edge, its dark sleeves falling long and straight to his chest. Tonight, he had not taken up a book as a pretense; instead, he stared directly at Ming Lan, observing her with an expression of deep curiosity and a hint of restrained amusement. Normally, he would have proactively addressed her concerns, but tonight he wanted to see if she would ask.
A barely noticeable smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth, almost self-deprecating.
He watched her silently, noting her struggle between asking and remaining silent, and waited.
"Yu… Yuhong…" Ming Lan felt as if she were struggling to breathe. Under the dark shadow of the canopy across from her, the man's deep gaze seemed to bind her like chains. "…Is it Gu Tingbing?"
A terrifyingly long silence followed.
The man's demeanor turned serious, his voice as cold and unyielding as ice: "He won't be coming back for at least thirty years."
Minglan's mind went blank, and she stammered, "But… why is this?" She had imagined many scenarios, and always thought it would be someone bold and daring, but she never expected it to be Gu Tingbing, who was always scheming for power and wealth!
"For the money," Gu Tingye said with unusual calm.
Minglan's heart sank. The truth was even uglier than she had anticipated; the motive was even less of a pretense.
"The Yu family's dowry was substantial. Aside from the estates and shops, Yan Hong had at least twenty thousand taels of cash. After Yan Hong's death, when the dowry was returned to the Yu family, this sum of money disappeared. Naturally, under the circumstances at the time, the Yu family did not pursue it."
"… Gu Tingbing had long coveted Yan Hong's dowry. However, without a pretext, he could only act after I had left. Everyone said I would not return, so he took the opportunity."
"It's a pity that the scheme was exposed too early. He only managed to pocket the cash, and those shops and estates are still untouched…"
The tone of the narration was calm, as if describing a cruel farce.
Minglan felt a heavy oppression in her chest. "Did Fourth Master know about this? What about Liu Yiniang?"
Gu Tingye replied slowly, "Initially, it was their mother and son who plotted it. After the first sum of money was acquired, even the old man found out."
"Didn't Fourth Master try to stop it?" Minglan asked, her anger palpable.
Gu Tingye did not answer, merely giving a sarcastic smile.
A thought flashed through Minglan's mind. She abruptly asked, "Does Fourth Master's illness have anything to do with you?"
"It does. And it doesn't." The man's smile was enigmatic. "I had someone send a message to those old friends of his, telling them that although Fourth Master and I are separated, we are still family and should not be neglected."
After a pause, Minglan asked again, "Why did Fourth Aunt agree to help you?"
"She's not helping me; she's helping herself, and her daughter."
"Your sister's marriage…?!" Minglan was shocked.
"That marriage was arranged at my request."
Seeing Minglan's astonished and worried expression, the man smiled. "Don't worry; it's with a reputable family. Considering the situation of the Fourth House after the separation, it's actually Tinging who is marrying up."
—This explains the unusual behavior of the Fourth Old Lady today.
"Since your sister's marriage is imminent, you… you still… Fourth Uncle…" Minglan struggled to speak, her urgency evident.
Gu Tingye frowned slightly. "This was unexpected; Fourth Uncle's behavior was far too reckless. Fortunately, no one lost their life."
The initial plan was for Fourth Old Master to gradually 'fall ill' after Tinging's marriage. However, the old lecher's impatience led to the situation being revealed prematurely. Fourth Old Lady must have been quite frightened.
"After your sister's marriage, I suppose Fourth Aunt will have more time to 'take care' of Fourth Uncle." The man smiled with interest.
Minglan realized that, much like patients who have been bedridden for years, Fourth Old Master would likely never recover and would remain in his condition until his death.
From today's perspective, it seems that the Tingxuan couple was initially unaware of the situation. However, as the situation developed, it was clear that the eldest lady, Fourth Old Lady, would need to be on their side if they wanted to completely suppress the Fourth House, especially since Fourth Old Master was incapacitated. To achieve this, they would have to ally with Fourth Old Lady.
It's difficult for a son to deal with his father's longtime concubine, but the legitimate wife has every right to act. A younger half-brother far in the northwest requires the older brother and sister-in-law to be considerate of their plight, but Fourth Old Lady can be disciplined by her elder status. Similarly, Fourth Old Lady, who has no sons, and the married Tingying also need the support of the Tingxuan couple.
It's a mutually beneficial arrangement.
In time, Fourth Old Lady could take care of Fourth Old Master as she pleased. After today, she even had leverage over the wife of Tingbiao—if she wasn't obedient, she could be sent to the northwest to join her husband. As for Liu Concubine… with her son gone and the man incapacitated, Fourth Old Lady could vent her frustrations.
Minglan felt a pang of fear. "The northwest... it won't cause trouble, will it? If people find out it's because of you…"
"What do you think I did?" Gu Tingye laughed heartily.
"When Gu Tingbiao was exiled to the northwest, his elder brother sent four servants and two maids along. I added two more guards. I've frequently reminded those servants and maids to serve well, follow the master's orders, and make sure he's comfortable, promising them rewards upon his return. I also instructed the guards to protect him well, as the northwest is known for its fierce people, and not let anyone harm him. That's all."
Minglan stared at Gu Tingye for a long while, dumbfounded.
Yes, he really hasn't done anything directly; he merely aligned with everyone's inclinations and slowly wove a spider's web.
Fourth Old Master, who was lecherous and foolish, and spent his days in the company of similar people, was treated with the finest of everything when Gu Tingye sent word. People, eager to please the Gu Marquis, naturally brought the best to entertain Fourth Old Master—what's wrong with that message?
Once Fourth Old Lady became involved, she could only follow Gu Tingye's lead and couldn't say anything. It was just a cousin caring for his younger sister and finding a marriage match for her—nothing more.
As for Gu Tingbiao, Gu Tingye knew him very well; he was the kind of greedy, opportunistic man who, once the threat to his life was gone and with people serving him well, wouldn't stay quietly in exile. No, he would be restless. Given Gu Tingbiao's previous behavior in the capital—occupying other people's ancestral property, coveting their businesses, and causing death—would he behave any differently in the northwest? His nature was hard to change, and with two capable guards, he would certainly act recklessly if no one was there to counter him.
With the spider's web properly spun, Gu Tingye only needed to say some ambiguous things and then patiently wait for the desired results to unfold.
"Back then, when I was down and out, they disregarded our kinship and ruthlessly insulted and bullied me. Now, it's only right that they face retribution." Gu Tingye's expression darkened, his eyes revealing an uncontrollable bitterness.
The humiliation of being wronged and betrayed by family members must have been a profound source of pain and anger for him at that time.
Thinking about how the man before her could endure this silently, knowing full well the actions of the Fourth House's father and son, yet not revealing a hint of it over these two or three years while secretly plotting and arranging—Ming Lan felt a chill run down her spine. Hugging the blanket, she trembled and said, "I—I never, never did…"
Her chin was grasped firmly.
Gu Tingye leaned in, cupping her face, casting a shadow over her features.
"Since you married me, you've always been kind to me, considerate and thorough, smart and clever. You've done everything expected of you without a hitch, and the things you shouldn't ask about, or the things you think might upset me, you haven't asked a single question."
In the dim light, his brows and cheekbones appeared even more sharp and sinister. For some reason, Ming Lan felt an inexplicable fear.
"No matter how many difficulties you face, you always weigh them yourself. No matter how many doubts you have, you suppress them, never bringing them up yourself. How long have you kept the matter of Yanhong hidden in your heart? Hmm… Tell me, on the day you gave birth to the child, when things were so perilous, yet when you woke up, you still never asked a single question… Were you afraid of making me uncomfortable? But in my heart, what could be more important than you and the child? What does a little embarrassment matter?"
His breathing grew heavier, as if he could no longer control his anger.
"In these years, whatever you wanted to do, whatever you wanted to know, haven't I complied? But you just couldn't be at ease, wary and guarded against me, secretly speculating about me, not letting a single word or action go unnoticed! Fine, fine, I indeed got myself a good wife!" He slammed his fist heavily on the bed, causing Ming Lan to feel the earth shake, her eyes welling up with warm tears.
Seeing her face wet with tears and filled with fright, Gu Tingye gradually calmed down, wiping away her tears and holding her and the blanket tightly in his arms.
Ming Lan turned her head slightly to look up, from this angle only seeing his tightly clenched jaw and his expression of gritted teeth.