Chapter 19: Preventing Your Dishonesty

After a meal filled with twists and turns, they managed to eat enough in the end.

Gu Yunfeng continued reading his book.

Ziling and Qianqian, on the other hand, explored the backyard, their laughter echoing in the tranquil space.

Gradually, the voices faded away.

Gu Yunfeng shifted his gaze from the book and asked, "Did they leave?"

One of the guards replied, "Madam took the maidservants to familiarize themselves with the front yard, Young Master."

Gu Yunfeng continued reading, but he couldn't concentrate as he did before. He felt like something was missing in his ears.

He put the book down, preparing to get up, when he heard a series of light footsteps approaching.

He picked up the book again and casually flipped a page.

Ziling stepped into the room and smiled brightly, "Still reading?"

"Is there something you need?"

"I've already explored every corner of Chenxiang Pavilion. But outside of Chenxiang Pavilion, I still need the Young Master Gu to show me around."

Young Master Gu...

Everyone called him that, but it sounded jarring coming from her mouth.

He glanced at Ziling and said, "It's time for you to get familiar with the Duke's Mansion."

He put the book down and stood up.

Neither of them spoke as they walked side by side.

Once they left the backyard, Gu Yunfeng naturally took hold of Ziling's hand. She struggled for a moment but couldn't break free, so she went along with it. Publicly displaying affection had its benefits for her.

Ziling's brutal act during the tea ceremony had already spread throughout the Duke's Mansion.

Gu Yunfeng's doting on her was also well-known.

The maidservants had fully accepted this fact and were no longer shocked as they had been in the morning. They even started ignoring them.

Perfect.

Ziling was satisfied.

The Duke's Mansion was grand and magnificent. Every pavilion and tower exuded exquisite craftsmanship. It far surpassed the Eastern Ling Marquis Mansion. Inside the garden, various rare flowers bloomed, with more than a hundred different species. The Eastern Ling Marquis Mansion... let's not mention it.

Miss Gu Jinyu and Miss Gu Jinlan were originally enjoying the flowers in the garden, laughing continuously. However, as soon as they saw Ziling and Gu Yunfeng approaching, their laughter abruptly ceased, and they quickly walked away from the white jade bridge.

Their avoidance was evident.

As for the maidservants, well, they were the master's daughters of the Duke's Mansion and Gu Yunfeng's blood relatives. It was unfair for them to ignore her like this.

Ziling chuckled, "Is it that you had poor relationships to begin with, or did I completely ruin them for you?"

"...Could it be that they have discerning eyes?"

"Tell me the truth."

"Half and half."

"..."

When two unlikeable people come together, they simply ignore each other.

"It's good this way. I hope it continues," Ziling said cheerfully.

Gu Yunfeng glanced at her, seeing her satisfied expression on her delicate face. He couldn't help but feel a sense of exasperation. This woman's way of thinking is different from others. He had never seen someone who was not well-liked be so happy about it.

After a long day of wandering, it was time for dinner.

After being threatened once, Ziling learned her lesson and dinner went smoothly. Not only were there no setbacks, but there wasn't even a ripple.

The obedient Gu Yunfeng felt a bit uneasy. He didn't know what tricks Ziling had up her sleeve.

After observing and pondering all night, Gu Yunfeng saw on Ziling's face the expressions of enduring for a while and then settling the scores later, waiting for the opportune moment to strike, and eventually dealing with this fool.

Because Ziling maintained a smile throughout, Gu Yunfeng didn't confront her. Neither of them took any further steps, and naturally, everything was peaceful... until bedtime.

After a day of walking, Ziling was somewhat exhausted. After taking a bath, she sat on the bed, yawning and her eyelids nearly sticking together. Because the issue of separate beds hadn't been resolved, she had been forcing herself to stay awake.

Gu Yunfeng returned after taking a shower, and he looked as imposing as the peak of a snow-capped mountain, like a snow lotus adorned with morning dew. His beauty made people itch to climb up and pluck the flower.

He walked towards the side of the bed, and Ziling quickly dismissed the idea of ruining the flower in full bloom and tossed the blanket to him.

Gu Yunfeng took the blanket and frowned. "What's this for?"

"You'll sleep on the floor tonight."

Gu Yunfeng was displeased. "Rest assured, I won't do anything to you."

Ziling fell silent for a moment and said, "I'm afraid I might do something to you."

Gu Yunfeng "..."

His frown deepened, but he found it somewhat amusing. "You don't trust yourself, so you want me to sleep on the floor?"

Ziling blinked and said, "You're a grown man. Can you bear to let a woman like me sleep on the floor?"

"A female bandit," Gu Yunfeng corrected.

"A female bandit isn't considered a woman?" Ziling retorted.

"She's a woman, but she doesn't possess the delicacy of a woman."

Ziling glared at him.

She couldn't argue back. After all, she was a female bandit. Wherever she went, the notion of delicacy automatically took a backseat.

What's the big deal about sleeping on the floor?

It won't kill anyone!

Ziling stepped on her shoes and got off the bed, muttering to herself. Gu Yunfeng's face darkened as he asked, "What did you say? Say it again."

His voice was loud, but Ziling wasn't afraid of him. She obediently repeated, "A fierce female bandit abducted a delicate and pampered husband, doting on him, coaxing him, indulging him, and treating him like a treasure."

As she went to get the blanket again, Gu Yunfeng stopped her. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes as he muttered through gritted teeth, "Who's delicate and pampered?"

Ziling smirked. Was this guy confused? Didn't he just give her the bed?

"Who's sleeping on the bed, who's delicate and pampered, alright?" Ziling replied.

Gu Yunfeng was infuriated, and he threw the blanket at Ziling. "Make two beds, we both sleep on the floor."

Ziling paused, speechless.

When two evenly matched opponents fight, it benefits the third party.

Taking a deep breath, Ziling smiled and asked, "Are you sure you want both of us to suffer?"

Gu Yunfeng glanced at her, resolute in his attitude. "With a fierce bandit like you, I'm afraid the delicate and pampered bed won't be able to withstand it."

This man!

He didn't spare a thought for her, the person who saved his life, but he cared about his bed!

I wonder if he cares about the floor in his house.

Taking another deep breath, Ziling smiled again, revealing her eight friendly teeth. "Are you sure the delicate and pampered floor in your house can handle the ferocity of this young lady?"

Gu Yunfeng remained silent.

"Leaving the bed untouched, if your reckless maidservants were to barge in and see, they might think we have some peculiar preferences."

Gu Yunfeng remained silent.

Turning around, Gu Yunfeng sat down to drink tea. He was afraid that if they continued the conversation, this woman would start using explicit language. No, she already had!

Ziling's pleasant smile couldn't be suppressed. Oh, you think you can compete with me? You're still too inexperienced.

Having gained the upper hand, Ziling was in a good mood. She even added another blanket for him. Last night, she failed to get a blanket, but tonight the maidservants willingly brought her several. They were quite obedient.

Although the dish was a bit difficult to handle, Gu Yunfeng had to hold onto it tightly and couldn't let go.

Ziling glanced at Gu Yunfeng and a dish name flashed through her mind: Sizzling Beef Rolls.

She was getting a bit hungry.

She swallowed her saliva, and with Gu Yunfeng's darkened face, she turned her head away. Sleeping on the floor didn't necessarily mean safety.

And so, Ziling slept on the bed while Gu Yunfeng slept on the floor.

After a tiring day, Ziling quickly fell asleep on the bed, while Gu Yunfeng, on the other hand, couldn't find any comfort. He had married a wife, but instead of enjoying a peaceful and loving relationship, he had reached a point where he couldn't even protect his own bed...

Tossing and turning, he couldn't fall asleep.

...

The next day, Ziling felt an itch on her neck and wanted to scratch it, but her arms were pinned down and she couldn't lift them. She suddenly opened her eyes and saw a breathtakingly handsome face.

She was being held in the arms of Gu Yunfeng, who was frowning at her as if he was disgusted and asked, "What's wrong?"

What's wrong?

She wanted to ask him the same question!

"Who let you climb onto the bed?!" Ziling said irritably.

Gu Yunfeng remained calm and said, "The floor with two blankets was too hot, and one blanket was too hard. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to sleep on the bed. If you really want to do something to me, I'll accept it."

He threw a blanket onto the small couch and told Ziling that his master struggled but failed.

Ziling "...!!!"

Is this guy planning to give up completely?

Big brother, where did your indomitable spirit and refusal to yield go?

Ziling burst into tears.

She had nothing to say in response.

Inside the room, there was silence for a while. Ziling suddenly realized that she was still being held by someone and she said angrily, "Fine, sleep on the bed, but who told you to hold me?!"

The sleeping position clearly indicated that he took the initiative to hold her. The evidence was conclusive, irrefutable.

Gu Yunfeng released his arm and threw a few words at Ziling.

"To prevent you from being dishonest," he said calmly, even with a sense of righteousness.

Ziling "..."

"Although I was mentally prepared, it's still better if it doesn't happen," he said in a dull tone, as if struggling on the verge of death.

This reason...

It was so ridiculous that Ziling almost sprayed blood on his face.

She didn't doubt for a moment that if he decided to force himself on her one day, he would tell her that it was for her own good, saving her from embarrassment by taking the initiative!

Damn it!

This was what they called a sly fox!

She hadn't even detoxified herself yet. Once she did, would she have any room to fight back?