Male Lead Is Always That Heartless

Chapter 50 

Before Youshi (5-7 pm), the warm winter sun has already sunk to the west. 

The lights were on in the Zhou Clan’s tea garden outside the city. The night wind was cold, and the four-cornered lanterns outside the wooden building swayed slowly.

Zhou Long took advantage of this time and said: “If you guys do not mind, let’s have a meal in this tea garden. The garden has been prepared for the New Year. It’s rare for you guys to come, so let’s ask the kitchen to roast a lamb.” 

Gu Changtong’s eyes glanced at Xiao Yan. When he saw him nodding, Gu Changtong smiled and said, “In that case, let’s do it as you say.” 

In the wooden building, the servants of the Zhou family put the dishes on the food table. A bamboo cage bonfire was set up in front of the building, and two chefs with thick arms and big shoulders began to slowly turn the iron wheel on which the lamb was hung. 

After a while, the sound of crackling could be heard, and the aroma gradually rose.

Zhou Long laughed and said: “How can you eat roasted lamb without wine? Come on, bring the wine!” 

Several jars of aged wine were opened and brought onto the table, and the intense aroma of wine assaulted the nose. 

Zhou Long boldly drank a bowl of wine first, “I would like to toast Mr. Wang, Mr. Gu, and Mr. Huang!” 

After he drank, Zhou Tinghe also raised his cup and drank it all. The old wine was spicy, but Zhou Tinghe’s face remained as calm as Zhou Long’s.  

Xiao Yan was surprised and said, “Mr. Zhou looks weak but is a good drinker.” He raised his cup and drank it all. 

After several rounds of toasts between the guests, the roasted lamb was finally served on the table. Zhou Long divided the lamb and pushed the first plate to Xiao Yan, “Mr. Huang came to Fuzhou for the first time. Try this, Fuzhou’s yellow sheep.” 

Xiao Yan remained calm when he saw him jump over Gu Changtong and Wang Zibo and hand the lamb to him. Zhou Long had been in business for many years; if he hadn’t had this kind of eyesight, how could he navigate between several states? 

Xiao Yan took the silver tray, “I’m sorry to bother Boss Zhou.” 

Zhou Long guessed that he must be Wang Zibo’s superior and that he should be a significant figure in the Ministry. Laughing, he said, “Mr. Huang is too polite.” 

All of them eat meat, drink wine, and talk happily. 

Zhou Long was very knowledgeable, talking about the curves and roundabouts on the business path in bits and pieces, which was extraordinarily interesting. Xiao Yan turned his eyes to Zhou Tinghe, who was drinking silently and had a pale face. He asked, “Young Master Zhou, have you ever been to Qingzhou?” 

Zhou Tinghe met his dark brown pupils and saw his eyes seemed to contain a smile, but the peak of the eyebrows was harsh, and the temples laid a shallow scar. His heart sank, and he replied softly: “I’ve been there years ago –” 

Xiao Yan chuckled, “Oh? How does Young Master Zhou feel about Qingzhou?” 

Zhou Tinghe momentarily contemplated, frowned, and said, “Qingzhou used to be a beautiful place, but now the powerful have emerged, and King Shen is recruiting soldiers; it has become a mess.” 

When this statement came out, the room was suddenly quiet. Gu Changtong and Wang Zibo both put down the cups in their hands. Xiao Yan laughed aloud and changed his words, “Has Young Master Zhou ever taken the imperial examinations? Do you have the heart to serve?” 

Zhou Tinghe slowly shook his head, “I’m not talented and unknowledgeable. It’s better to be a businessman.” 

Xiao Yan laughed softly without words. Zhou Long got up and filled the crowd’s cups with wine again, “Come on, serve more wine; we must enjoy ourselves tonight!” 

Haishi (9-11 pm). 

Drunk, Zhou Long patted Gu Changtong’s shoulder and said, “Mr. Gu, we haven’t seen each other for a long time. We’ve become unfamiliar with each other. Our two families haven’t had contact for over half a year. It’s all my fault — It’s all my fault…”

Although Gu Changtong became confused after drinking, his brain was still evident. When he heard this, he became alert and hastily digressed to the topic, saying, “Manager Zhou, your words are too heavy. Officials and people are of the same mind. In the future, Fuzhou’s tax reform will rely on Manager Zhou as a role model.” He then said a lot of nonsense about the day’s occasion.

Zhou Long drank too much and wanted to say affectionate words; he waved his hand, “What Lord Gu entrusted, I must help!” He spoke and stood up smoothly. Holding the wine bowl, he suddenly bowed towards Gu Changtong, “I have offended you in the past, and I hope you will forgive me.” 

Gu Changtong’s heartbeat was suddenly turned fast. He also stood and reached out to help Zhou Long, “Manager Zhou, what you’re saying –” 

Before the words fell, Zhou Long eagerly bowed, “Lord Gu! It’s all my Zhou family’s fault! It’s Tinghe who is unlucky and not worthy of Miss Gu! I failed Mr. Gu’s intention and spoilt Miss Gu’s kindness. The matter of love letter –I will replace him to –“

The words did not fall, “Uncle!” Zhou Tinghe’s sharp voice interrupted! 

Zhou Tinghe immediately got up, holding Zhou Long’s staggering body, and gave a long bow, “Lord Gu, please don’t mind. My Uncle is drunk!” 

The fright awakened Gu Changtong’s drunkenness, and a layer of delicate beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Xiao Yan was sitting on the other side of him, but he didn’t even dare turn his head to look at him. He swallowed a mouthful of water and laughed dryly several times: “Boss Zhou is drunk. It’s better to return to the house and rest early.” 

Wang Zibo side-eyed Xiao Yan’s expression. He saw that his face was still smiling, but if one looked closely, one would shocked to find that his face was like a thin layer of mask; there was no joy in his eyes.

Wang Zibo did not dare to look again, but his ears heard him laugh softly and asked: “Are Young Master Zhou and Miss Gu old acquaintances?” 

Zhou Tinghe knew he could not lie. He nodded, “Yes. I had the honor of meeting her several times.” 

Xiao Yan laughed again. Gently stroking his lower jaw with his index finger, he looked at him intently and smilingly asked, “Manager Zhou just said about a letter. Is it true?” 

Zhou Tinghe slowly closed his eyes. His heart had guessed his identity, and for a moment, he did not know how to answer. 

Xiao Yan stopped smiling and turned his head to ask Zhou Long, “Manager Zhou, what do you say?” 

Zhou Long was drunk, but he also realized the weirdness of the atmosphere at this moment. He shook his head, avoiding the importance of saying: “These are just some jokes from the youth… Young Master, there is no need to take it to heart…”

“Jokes?” Xiao Yan looked toward Zhou Tinghe, “Did Young Master Zhou still remember those jokes?” 

Zhou Tinghe’s fists clenched in his sleeves. Remember, of course, he remembered. 

The reeds by the river are green, and the autumn’s dew is frosty. 

Going against the current for him even though the road is long and dangerous.

He always remembered Gu Yi’s past affection.

Watching him turn silent with nostalgia on his face, Xiao Yan was furious.

Gu Yi was in love with this person and once sent a love letter to this person. The maiden has the intention, but the gentleman has no love. Therefore, Gu Yi entered the palace — 

The anger of being fooled, the ridiculousness of being sentimental, and the boundless jealousy that arose after seeing Zhou Tinghe’s hesitation churned in Xiao Yan’s chest. He closed his eyes and then opened them again. After silent for half a moment, he coldly said, “Let’s stop here.” He got up and left immediately.

In his heart, he was already thinking of killing, and he was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he would kill Zhou Tinghe. However, the Zhou family’s people could not be killed now. 

Gu Changtong was like received an amnesty and immediately got up to follow. A group of people hurriedly returned to the Gu Mansion. 

On the way, Xiao Yan was silent, unable to tell if he was happy or angry. Gu Changtong hated that he could not leave his soul and flew to Gu Mansion first to inform Gu Yi. There was no voice in the carriage, and he wanted to say a few words to persuade and comfort him, but he didn’t dare. He looked up and carefully observed the Emperor’s expression, which seemed angry but not very angry. In the past few days, the Emperor had a humble temper and treated people with tolerance.

Gu Changtong comforted himself by saying that it was only childish love. Gu Yi had long been a concubine, and the Emperor should not care much.

A bright moon rose to the middle sky. 

Gu Yi looked out of the window. Everything was quiet, and she couldn’t tell if it was already past midnight.

Gu Changtong sent a servant back in the evening to tell them they were having dinner outside so they didn’t have to wait. But Gu Yi spent the whole afternoon making apricot pastry. She finally made a plate of pastry with good color and fragrance. She was unwilling to give up. 

Let’s wait a little longer —

Four snow-white apricot pastries dotted with red bean paste were stacked on the silver plate. Gu Yi had practiced dozens of times, and these four cakes were the roundest and most beautiful ones. She put the silver plate on top of a charcoal basin, and the copper stove Gu Zhao had sent inverted with candlesticks, warmly baking the apricot blossom pastries. 

Gu Yi tapped it with her index finger, and it was still warm to the touch. She fiddled with the copper stove in boredom, and the silver chain shook and swayed up, clattering softly. 

Steps were finally heard outside the porch. Gu Yi got up in surprise and immediately pulled open the door quickly. The two servant boys were leading the way with white lanterns, and when she looked closely, she saw that the people behind them were none other than Gu Changtong and Xiao Yan. Both had leather boots on their feet and wore dark-colored cloaks. 

Gu Changtong’s cheeks were flushed as if he had been drinking wine, but Xiao Yan’s face was pale. 

Gu Yi bowed and said, “Young Master has returned ……” 

But Xiao Yan did not make a sound. 

Gu Changtong dryly laughed twice, “Today’s road is long, and the night is already deep. Young Master, rest early.” While he was speaking, his eyes went straight to Gu Yi. 

However, Gu Yi was oblivious. She only stared at Xiao Yan, not even noticing Gu Changtong’s eagerness. She staggered slightly to welcome Xiao Yan into the room. He traveled from the cold night, and his cloak was full of frost. When he passed her, it seemed like a gust of cool breeze.

Gu Yi saw he had entered the room, so she closed the door. She turned around and smiled: “Is Young Master tired today? I made apricot pastry in the afternoon and left a few. It is still warm now. Do you want to taste it?” 

Xiao Yan turned his eyes to see snacks on the silver plate. However, he had no appetite and was not interested. He only removed his cloak and casually left it next to the bed. Gu Yi, the slow learner, saw that he had been silent and noticed a hint of something unusual. She smiled curtly and asked softly, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” She was so nervous for a moment that she forgot to change how she addressed him. Then she speculated, “Did you encounter something troubling during the day?” 

This was the only explanation! Last night, Xiao Yan was still fine! 

Xiao Yan saw her cautious look and laughed aloud, “Today, I went to a tea garden outside the city. I shared a drink with the owner, the young gentleman of the tea garden, and heard an interesting story.”