Chapter 44

Chapter 44: I Like You Most

Chun Zhi had promised Yu Zhu to never speak of her and Young Master Gu, so she hurried to pour a cup of tea for Huo Zheng and change the topic, asking: “What did you tell Young Master Gu just now? Did he agree not to take Yu Zhu away?”

Huo Zheng saw her little ploy at once. He took the cup from her and sipped slowly, saying: “You will not tell me what you know, yet you ask what I said to Gu Yuan Jia. How does that make sense?”

Chun Zhi went quiet: “…” [He is right. I have no reason.] [Fine, I will stop asking.]

Thinking that, she looked through the lattice window at Gu Yuan Jia and Yu Zhu.

The moment Gu Yuan Jia lifted the curtain and entered, Yu Zhu stood and bowed, saying: “Eldest Young Master.”

Her body remembered the rules down to the bone.

Yu Zhu feared Gu Yuan Jia. She was afraid he would discover the secret she was hiding, so she did not dare meet his eyes and kept her gaze on the floor.

Gu Yuan Jia called her name in his usual calm tone, saying: “Yu Zhu.”

Yu Zhu’s body trembled before she could stop it.

That night of force still burned clear in her mind and would not fade.

Gu Yuan Jia stepped toward her, and Yu Zhu staggered back until her spine hit the bedpost. She had nowhere to go.

Gu Yuan Jia looked confused as he asked: “Why have you become so afraid of me?”

Yu Zhu had sold herself to the Gu Family four years ago and had served at Gu Yuan Jia’s side for all four years.

She had gone from doing rough chores to becoming a first-class personal maid.

She knew his likes and dislikes, understood his ambition and goals, and could read and paint.

Gu Yuan Jia had always taken her for the one who pleased him most. He had even thought about keeping her by his side for life.

But Yu Zhu did not think the same.

Gu Yuan Jia never imagined that one day, while he was away from home, Yu Zhu would ask his mother for mercy and redeem herself out of the manor without him knowing.

“Y-young Master,” Yu Zhu tried to make herself look less afraid of him, but she could not control her body. Even her breathing was hard.

She said in a trembling voice: “I have served Young Master for four years. I do not want to be a maid anymore. I also saved enough silver to buy my freedom. I was afraid that if I saw Young Master, I would not bear to leave, so I waited until Young Master was away and asked Madam for mercy.”

“So you mean I should blame myself for giving you too much silver, letting you save enough for your freedom in only four years,” said Gu Yuan Jia.

His tone sounded the same as usual, but Yu Zhu, who knew him well, understood he was angry.

“Young Master,” Yu Zhu knelt at once and said: “Young Master is unmatched and brilliant. Many people want to serve by your side. I only sold myself because I had no choice. All these years, I have always wanted to redeem myself and return to a good name. Please grant my wish.”

Gu Yuan Jia frowned a little and said: “Why are you kneeling? Get up.”

Yu Zhu did not dare to rise and said: “Please set me free.”

“Yu Zhu, your heart is so cruel,” Gu Yuan Jia said as he lifted her chin with his folding fan, forcing her to meet his eyes. His stance was firm, but his voice softened a little as he said: “You know very well that I like you most, and that I cannot bear to be without you.”

He said: “How dare you, how could you ask me to let you go free?”

Yu Zhu’s face went pale as she begged: “I beg you, Young Master.”

“Stand up,” Gu Yuan Jia said as he gripped her arm and pulled her to her feet. “You can return to a good name, but before I agree, you must stay by my side. If you miss your family and friends, it is fine to live here for a few days, but you must give me a date to return to the manor.”

Yu Zhu bit her lip and said nothing.

Gu Yuan Jia had already decided and asked slowly: “Three days?”

Yu Zhu knew she could not resist at all and said in a shaking voice: “T-ten days.”

Ten days should be enough time to end the pregnancy and rest a few days to recover.

“Ten days is too long,” said Gu Yuan Jia. “Seven days. No more.”

Yu Zhu answered softly: “All right.”

“That is my good girl,” Gu Yuan Jia said as he gently pinched her soft earlobe. “Have fun these days. I will wait for you to come back.”

Yu Zhu said: “Mm,” and fell silent.

She kept her belly drawn in on instinct. The child was only two months along, so she did not show, but she still feared that Gu Yuan Jia would notice.

Gu Yuan Jia took the money pouch from his belt and handed it to her, saying: “If you are out to enjoy yourself, then enjoy it. Buy anything you want.”

Yu Zhu knew his temper well. She knew that what he gave, he would not take back. She took it in both hands and said softly: “Thank you, Young Master.”

He was satisfied at last and turned to leave.

Yu Zhu walked him to the door. Gu Yuan Jia looked back at her and said: “Do not forget. Seven days.”

Yu Zhu nodded and said nothing.

Gu Yuan Jia walked to Huo Zheng’s side and cupped his hands, saying: “Then I will take my leave, Brother Huo.”

Huo Zheng nodded and said: “Please.”

Gu Yuan Jia left with his retainers and kept the chest with one hundred taels of gold behind for Chun Zhi.

Chun Zhi said at once: “You should take this gold back with you.”

Gu Yuan Jia looked back and said: “I said this gold is a gift for Miss. Why would I take it back? Please accept it.”

With that, Young Master Gu left with his men in high spirits.

Chun Zhi stared at the gleaming chest and hurried to close the lid. She asked Huo Zheng: “So much gold, and he just gives it like that?”

Huo Zheng smiled lightly and asked: “Is it much?”

“It is,” said Chun Zhi. “I have never seen this much gold in my life.”

“That is because you have seen too little,” said Huo Zheng.

Chun Zhi thought: “…” [As if you have seen this much.] As she thought that, a burnt smell reached her nose.

“Oh no, I was talking and forgot the medicine.”

She ran to lift the medicine pot off the fire.

The brew was burnt and could not be drunk. She had to throw out the dregs first.

“Why are you suddenly drinking medicine?” Huo Zheng walked over, glanced at the dregs, and named several herbs, saying: “Motherwort, angelica, ligusticum, peach kernel, safflower. These all move the blood and bring on the period. Is this for an abortion?”

Chun Zhi did not expect Huo Zheng to recognize the herbs. She lowered her head, pretended to be busy washing the pot, and did not answer.

Since she kept silent, Huo Zheng simply watched her.

Unable to stand his gaze, Chun Zhi said in a low voice: “Do not look at me. We only, well, did that a few days ago. It cannot be that fast. I would not need an aborting brew.”

A pregnancy takes at least over a month to confirm.

Even if Chun Zhi did not want a child, she should drink a birth-control soup right after, not an aborting brew days later.

Huo Zheng knew that basic fact.

He understood at once and asked: “Is this aborting brew for Yu Zhu?”

“Hush,” Chun Zhi said as she covered his mouth. “You can know, but do not say it out loud.”

[No wonder Gu Yuan Jia chased a maid all the way to Linshui Town,] Huo Zheng thought. [There was more to it.]

Chun Zhi whispered to him: “You must keep this a secret.”

“To keep a secret is possible,” Huo Zheng said, his gaze dark as ink as he looked at her. He raised a brow and asked: “What will you use to seal my mouth?”