RPAGF Chapter 768 She has begun, step by step, to see this world clearly.
Chapter 768 She has begun, step by step, to see this world clearly.
"Did I scare you?" His smile remained. "Then consider it an apology for my offense."
He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, but his eyes clearly held a mocking glint.
Gu Qingchen glared at him, annoyed: "Don't give me that!"
"Alright, I'll stop teasing you." Qian Zhenyun straightened up, his expression gradually becoming serious.
"I'll remember the favor you owe me for now. But when I need your help in the future, you can't refuse."
"Of course!" Gu Qingchen agreed without hesitation. "As long as I can do it, I'll go through fire and water for you!"
Her tone was firm, her eyes clear, carrying her consistent sense of justice and purity.
Qian Zhenyun's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, a complex emotion flashing across his eyes before finally settling back into calm.
"Okay," he said softly. "I'm relieved to hear you say that."
He didn't mention the palace banquet from last night again, nor did he ask about her marriage to the Crown Prince, as if it were all just a passing cloud.
He simply stood there, quietly keeping her company, letting the winter wind blow, but it couldn't dispel the unspoken understanding between them.
Gu Qingchen looked at him and a warm feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.
She knew that no matter what happened, he would always stand silently behind her, becoming her strongest support.
"By the way, you came to see me just to talk about this?" Gu Qingchen suddenly remembered something and asked.
Qian Zhenyun shook his head: "No. When I was paying my New Year's visit just now, I heard the Duke say that you got up early this morning and took a walk in the courtyard."
"I figured you must not have slept well last night and were feeling down. So I came to talk to you."
He looked at her with concern in his eyes: "Are you still thinking about how to deal with the entanglement between the Empress and the Crown Prince?"
Gu Qingchen sighed and nodded: "Yes. I can't quite figure out the Empress's attitude. She seems to have suppressed this matter, but she has left me room to maneuver, as if to tell me that she can make a comeback at any time."
"Moreover, I always feel that her attitude towards me is different from before. She used to be so good to me, but now it seems like she only sees me as a tool to be used."
As she spoke, her voice carried a hint of grievance and confusion.
Qian Zhenyun's gaze softened.
He knew that although she was usually lively, carefree, and fearless, she was still an inexperienced young girl when faced with the complexities of human relationships.
"Qingchen, do you still remember?" Qian Zhenyun asked softly. "When we were little, the Duke taught us to play chess. He always said that the chessboard is like life, and every move must be made with caution."
Gu Qingchen nodded: "I remember. But what does that have to do with the present?"
“Of course it’s related.” Qian Zhenyun smiled. “Every move the Empress makes is deep and shrewd. She’s holding back now not because she’s giving up, but because she’s waiting for the best opportunity.”
"The best time?" Gu Qingchen looked at him in confusion.
“Yes.” Qian Zhenyun’s gaze drifted into the distance, a glint of wisdom flashing in his eyes. “She’s waiting for the storm between us to completely subside, and for no one to discuss this matter anymore.”
"At that time, she can find another reason to betroth you to the Crown Prince, and it will be a matter of course, and no one will dare to object."
Gu Qingchen's heart sank.
She had vaguely guessed it before, but when Qian Zhenyun so clearly dissected the Empress's intentions, she truly felt that helplessness and despair.
"Then, what should we do?" She grabbed his sleeve in a panic, her voice trembling slightly.
"Don't panic." Qian Zhenyun took her hand in return, and the warmth of his palm calmed her racing heartbeat.
“We still have time,” he said gently. “If we can find a reason that the Queen cannot refute during this time, forcing her to give up the marriage, then we will win.”
"But what reason could make the Empress give up?" Gu Qingchen's eyes were still filled with confusion.
Qian Zhenyun's gaze was deep. He looked at her and said, word by word, "One reason that forced her to give up."
He didn't say it explicitly, but Gu Qingchen sensed something unusual in his eyes.
Looking at his gentle face, she suddenly realized that he was far more unfathomable than she had imagined.
Just then, a crisp sound broke the tranquility of the courtyard.
"Qingchen, my little sister!"
Gu Qingchen turned around and saw Gu Lanxin walking over from the covered walkway, her face showing just the right amount of concern and worry.
She changed into a pale yellow jacket and skirt, and wore a small pearl flower in her hair. She looked much more energetic than she had in the morning.
However, her eyes were somewhat evasive.
Gu Qingchen's gaze lingered on her for a moment, then he glanced discreetly at the small door behind her.
She hadn't forgotten Gu Lanxin's hurried figure in the early morning, or the small bundle she had hidden behind her back.
"Sister Lan," Gu Qingchen replied calmly.
Gu Lanxin walked up to Gu Qingchen, her gaze sweeping over Qian Zhenyun, but she quickly composed herself, curtsied to Qian Zhenyun, and softly called out, "Young Master Qian."
Qian Zhenyun simply nodded slightly and said nothing more.
"Qingchen, are you alright?" Gu Lanxin held Gu Qingchen's hand, her tone concerned. "I heard about what happened at the palace banquet last night. Please don't take it to heart. Those rumors will eventually pass."
Gu Qingchen felt her icy fingers and his heart stirred.
Looking into Gu Lanxin's seemingly worried eyes, she always felt that there was something hidden in them that she couldn't understand.
"Thank you for your concern, Sister Lan. I'm fine." Gu Qingchen withdrew her hand, her tone distant.
A moment of stiffness flashed across Gu Lanxin's face, but she quickly regained her smile.
"It's alright, it's alright." She said softly, "I... I just went to pay my respects to my aunt. She said there are many guests at the mansion today, and asked me to ask Qingchen if she needs any help?"
"No need," Gu Qingchen refused directly. "There are servants in the manor, no need to trouble you, sister."
Gu Lanxin's smile froze completely.
She bit her lip, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
"In that case, I won't disturb your reminiscing any longer." She forced a smile and turned to leave.
Gu Qingchen watched her departing figure, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
She felt that Gu Lanxin was acting strangely today.
"What do you think of her?" Qian Zhenyun suddenly asked, breaking the silence in the courtyard.
Gu Qingchen withdrew his gaze and looked at Qian Zhenyun: "What are you referring to?"
"Her character," Qian Zhenyun said, "Do you think she's someone you can trust?"
Gu Qingchen paused for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't know. She's always been very good to me, but..."
She paused, then didn't continue.
“But you always feel that there’s something wrong with her, right?” Qian Zhenyun continued her words.
Gu Qingchen nodded: "Yes. I always feel that she is a little too cautious, and sometimes her eyes make me feel that she is hiding some secret."
A knowing glint flashed in Qian Zhenyun's eyes.
"Have you ever considered that she might have ulterior motives for being so nice to you?" he asked.
Gu Qingchen's heart skipped a beat.
She had considered this idea before.
Especially after Chu Ruohan's words last night, she began to re-examine everyone's "kindness".
"You mean..." Gu Qingchen's tone was somewhat hesitant.
“I’m just reminding you.” Qian Zhenyun didn’t answer directly. He just looked at her with a meaningful look in his eyes. “Human hearts are complicated. Sometimes, the people closest to you are not necessarily the most trustworthy.”
A storm raged in Gu Qingchen's heart.
She suddenly remembered Gu Lanxin's hurried figure that morning, and the small bundle she had hidden behind her.
What exactly is inside?
Where did she go?
Gu Qingchen's mind conjured up Lin Jiayou's gentle and refined face.
She knew that Gu Lanxin had always had some unusual feelings for Lin Jiayou.
Could it be that……
A bold guess gradually took shape in Gu Qingchen's mind.
She looked at Qian Zhenyun with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
Qian Zhenyun simply looked at her calmly, without saying anything more.
He knew that there were some things she needed to discover and figure out for herself.
Only in this way can she truly grow.
"Zhenyun, do me a favor." Gu Qingchen suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of determination.
"Go ahead," Qian Zhenyun said without hesitation.
"Help me find out who Gu Lanxin has met and where she has gone recently." A cold glint flashed in Gu Qingchen's eyes. "Especially, where did she go this morning?"
A subtle, almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of Qian Zhenyun's lips.
“Okay,” he replied softly. “I’ll take care of this.”
He knew that she had begun, step by step, to see the world more clearly.
And he will always stay by her side and protect her.
Whatever she has to face.