Chapter 25

Zhao Changdu gave a cold laugh and said, "Gu Ying, take this saddle. It's yours."

Huo Qiyan's eyes brimmed with tears, wanting to cry but holding back. Her grievance was mixed with some resentment.

Gu Ying felt a little embarrassed. Wanting to avoid any more issues, she smiled and offered the saddle to Huo Qiyan, "Lady Huo, please don't feel wronged. This saddle is yours. I'll pick out another one later."

Zhao Changdu said nothing, his gloomy and cold appearance making people feel uneasy.

Gu Ying's heart thumped rapidly under his icy stare, but she still bravely smoothed things over, "Ha, I didn't really like this saddle anyway. It's good I can give it to Lady Huo."

Huo Qiyan glared triumphantly at Gu Ying, then looked timidly at Zhao Changdu, "Cousin, since Miss Gu gave this to me, can I take it?"

Zhao Changdu's expression was cold. Staring at Gu Ying's lowered brows and eyes, he suddenly felt this timid little woman was not a good match for him. He gave a soft, disdainful laugh, "Do as you wish."

With that, his dark, cloud-patterned cloak swished as he turned and left Zhou Ji's shop, trailing an icy chill.

With the imposing man gone, the tense atmosphere in the shop lightened considerably.

Yanzhi was furious and wanted to confront Huo Qiyan. But Huo Qiyan was a well-read and sensible young lady. She would never bicker in broad daylight with a girl of low status and lose face. With a look, she signaled to her maid.

The maid yanked the saddle from Gu Ying's arms.

Huo Qiyan wiped her tears and gave Gu Ying a polite smile. "Here in Bianjing, people pay attention to equal status. What kind of saddle suits what kind of horse. I'm sure Miss Gu understands?" My cousin holds an important position. His status is not something you should be thinking about."

Gu Ying smiled wryly, "I understand."

This was her way of calling Gu Ying a toad. If it were anyone else, Gu Ying would let it go. But she was willing to indulge Huo Qiyan this once because of the young marquis' kindness to her.

Satisfied with Gu Ying's reaction, Huo Qiyan said, "That's good that you understand. I'll remember you."

After Huo Qiyan and her entourage left, Yanzhi was still upset. Gnashing her teeth in anger, she said, "My lady, how can you let her bully you like this? She's just someone of higher status. She's not as pretty as you. Everyone says men judge women by their looks. You're so beautiful, the young marquis must like you more than her. She's obviously jealous."

Gu Ying smiled helplessly. "It was just a saddle. We can pick out another one later. Why get so angry over a stranger?"

"She's no stranger. She's the young marquis' cousin. You'll probably see more of each other in the future." Yanzhi said indignantly. She felt her lady should fight back and win the young marquis. "My lady, the young marquis isn't just anyone. He's your fiancé. Why shouldn't we compete?"

The carriage and horses gradually disappeared into the snowy mist.

But Gu Ying felt strangely calm. She suddenly remembered she didn't have much of an impression of Huo Qiyan in her past life, and didn't see her often either.

Even a lady as noble as Huo Qiyan nearly lost her reputation at the winter hunt.

The taller the tree, the stronger the winds it faces. Making so many enemies would be her downfall.

"My lady, should we still compete for the young marquis?"

"What's there to compete over? I don't remember you being so competitive before."

Gu Ying took her maid's hand and walked out of Zhou Ji. The swirling snow was beautiful. Lifting her snowy face, she said softly, "Yanzhi, Lady Huo was right that the young marquis is not someone I should be thinking about."

"But—" Yanzhi stamped her feet anxiously.

"Don't worry. Your lady will find you a good husband."

"Huh?" Yanzhi was dumbfounded. One picks a husband like picking vegetables at the market?

Gu Ying just smiled mysteriously. Since she had transmigrated, she would never follow the same path as before.

She didn't care for glory, riches or fame. She just wanted someone who understood her, knew her, loved her, protected her, even if he was just a commoner with nothing.

She already had her sights set on a few candidates among the capital's elite sons. She would look for a chance to meet them at the winter hunt and probe further.

"Just wait, silly girl."

...

Huai An sensed his master was in a bad mood today. Ever since they left Zhou Ji, his master's eyes were icy and his gaze cold. "Young master, Miss Gu she—"

"Don't mention her again starting now."

His voice was distant and aloof, with a hint of chill. He seemed nonchalant, but each word conveyed ruthless authority.

Huai An shut his mouth and couldn't help but shiver in the freezing wind. He really didn't understand how Miss Gu had offended the young master.

Zhao Changdu leaped onto his horse. Gripping the reins in his large hand, his tall frame leaned back slightly. With slanted brows and deep-set eyes, he was devilishly handsome yet cold. With an imperceptible turn of his head, he could still see her petite figure bowing and scraping to Huo Qiyan through the swirling snow.

"Humph."

A cold snort escaped through his nose.

He couldn't help mocking himself. He thought he had found a wayward little alley cat after returning to Bianjing, one he could marry into his family to discipline those unruly members who didn't know their place.

He didn't expect the ladies nurtured on silks and delicacies in this flourishing capital were all accomplished actresses who coveted vanity, trampled on their inferiors, and changed their words and behavior according to their company.

This time, he had clearly misjudged.

The spirited steed galloped past in a blast of cold wind.

Gu Ying raised her sleeve to shield herself from the wind and snow before she saw the young marquis' retreating figure.

Yanzhi finished settling the bill and came out carrying the saddle.

Coincidentally, she saw Huai An standing at the entrance in his jet black uniform, sleeves folded.

"Oh, why are you still here?"

Huai An called out in his deep voice, "Miss Gu."

Gu Ying turned to see the clear-featured Huai An with his solemn expression. "Sir, does the young marquis have anything else to tell me?"

Huai An had followed his master from the borderlands and didn't understand all the etiquette of Bianjing. Seeing these Bianjing ladies who seemed as delicate as perfume, he couldn't help grinning awkwardly. "Miss Gu can just call me Huai An."

Gu Ying readily smiled. "Huai An."

Huai An had always been surrounded by men. This was the first time he had taken the initiative to interact with such a soft and pretty young lady. Somewhat embarrassed, he scratched his head. "My master...I mean...the young marquis didn't have anything to tell you. He was preoccupied with his cousin just now and was rude to you. My master isn't good at dealing with women. I hope Miss Gu can be more forgiving."