Chapter 15: Did You Eat Prince Tofu?

One month later, he entered the Guanxue Academy at the foot of the mountain. Someone had made all the arrangements and would escort her to the mansion once everything was ready. The schedule was slightly beyond his estimation, but with still a month left, it was enough time for him to accomplish his tasks. After that, he would entrust her to take care of herself and recuperate in Jizhou for some time.

The man's robe exuded a cold and refreshing fragrance, and his tall figure enveloped her. It was only then that Jiang Yuan realized that this man was exceptionally tall, not only handsome but also tall and graceful, meeting the current popular standards for a handsome man.

Being approached so closely by a stranger, Jiang Yuan instinctively wanted to dodge and avoid.

Before she could step back, Gu Yan had already lifted a book in his hand, gently lifting her chin with one end.

"Look up."

Without allowing her to disobey, he leaned down, his handsome face stopping just half a foot away from her.

In the room, the two of them seemed intimate, and the setting sun shining through the window enveloped them, adding a warm golden border.

Startled by his words, Jiang Yuan was surprised. If she didn't know her own young age and his calm and composed demeanor, she would have thought that she was being taken advantage of.

Holding her breath, she obediently followed his command and slowly raised her eyes. As soon as their eyes met, she collided with his dark as ink eyes.

The two locked eyes, and the room fell into an unusual silence. She could even sense a hint of unease in her own pure and delicate face reflected in his eyes.

With her cheeks tense and her breath shallow, she was afraid of disturbing him and causing an unexpected reaction.

Feeling uncomfortable, time seemed to pass even slower. It wasn't until she broke out in a sweat on her forehead that he finally broke the silence and asked an unrelated question in a deep voice.

"Do you like to adorn your hair with flower hairpins?"

Gu Yan's gaze fell on her forehead, noticing her fair skin without any makeup. Even her delicately arched eyebrows were lightly drawn, giving her a pure and beautiful appearance.

Taken aback, Jiang Yuan couldn't believe that this man had approached her so intimately, and now, in this situation, he was only asking her whether she liked to wear flower hairpins on her forehead.

Blushing, she felt embarrassed. It was so impolite! How could a man inquire about a young lady's preferences so casually?

Recalling his previous actions, it seemed that there was little that could make him feel apprehensive. Jiang Yuan stiffened her neck and shook her head.

Seeing her discomfort, Gu Yan, with a candid expression, withdrew his hand and stood up straight. His expression seemed to suggest that Jiang Yuan was making a fuss over nothing.

Finally, when he loosened his grip, she moved back, not caring whether she was being ridiculed. Jiang Yuan took a deep breath and discreetly moved back, hiding behind her skirt.

Seeing her denial, it confirmed his suspicions. She didn't like heavy makeup or adorning her face with bright flower hairpins.

A glint of doubt flashed in Gu Yan's eyes as he observed her, and she seemed to be about to excuse herself. Before she could, her leg suddenly twitched, as if a cramp had struck, and she stumbled and fell to the side.

Just as Jiang Yuan was about to excuse herself, her leg suddenly twitched, as if a cramp had struck, and she knelt down, losing her balance.

In a panic, she instinctively reached out and grabbed the person in front of her. His luxurious and soft robe had no support, and she couldn't stabilize herself.

In her confusion, she managed to grab onto something solid. He then leaned down and supported her shoulder, preventing her from falling.

At that moment, the seventh young lady looked pale and frightened, her tassels swaying as she leaned forward, and the golden hairpin in her hair was about to fall to the ground.

Gu Yan's large hand held her arm, and as he looked at her, her fair and delicate neck was exposed. Her disheveled hair was tied at the back, and her long hair fell to the right, revealing a bright red mole the size of a mung bean behind her left ear, captivating and impossible to ignore.

Gu Yan's eyes narrowed, and his doubts vanished. As he looked at her, her eyes seemed even more inscrutable.

"Are you okay?"

Jiang Yuan, still in shock, nodded faintly, biting her lip and using his support to stand up slowly. Her heart was still pounding, and she couldn't bring herself to look at him.

Unseen by her, Gu Yan raised an eyebrow and lightly flicked his fingertip under his sleeve.

He hadn't expected her to be so shallow.

Jiang Yuan had never imagined that her first formal meeting with the son of the Duke of Zhao's mansion would end with her fleeing in embarrassment.

Before she arrived, her heart was full of compromise, but when she left, she was ashamed to face anyone, fearing that he would pursue her. Thinking of the meaningful glance and the gentle touch of the cuff when she resigned, Jiang Yuan blushed deeply, feeling the burning sensation.

"Miss!" Chunying stretched her neck, eagerly waiting for her for a long time. Since being led to the door by Master Zhou, she had been tiptoeing and looking towards the main house.

With only the young lady being summoned by the prince, Chunying was both shocked and afraid. Now that she had seen the person, she finally felt relieved.

"Don't worry, let's go back first." Leading her to bow and thank the cold-faced man on the side, regardless of his reaction, she hurriedly took Chunying back.

The master and servant had a smooth journey and returned to Peach Blossom Cottage, both breathing a sigh of relief.

At home, she felt much more at ease. Compared to the constant turmoil in the east wing, which often left her at a loss, Jiang Yuan felt that she preferred the peaceful and happy days in the courtyard.

"The young lady is back." Aunt Cui was leading people to trim the flowers and trees in the courtyard. After a spring rain, the tender leaves curled up and the delicate flowers fell. The water tank in the courtyard was filled with rainwater, and two golden carp with orange spots were swimming freely, wagging their tails.

The whole courtyard exuded a fresh earthy smell, which gradually made Jiang Yuan feel relaxed. Seeing that person again would have to wait for another month. For now, she would put him out of her mind, and the troubles would naturally not come knocking on her door.

"I've worked up a sweat strolling in the garden, I'll go to the back and freshen up." She smiled and asked Lv Fu to boil water, not needing Aunt Cui to fuss around her, leaving only Chunying to serve her.