The Fall of the Gu Family

The Su fire was large, but fortunately no one died.

The house was only one of several properties Father bought so he could visit me often.

What hurt was that many things I had just moved from the Gu family had burned.

I searched through the ruins, hoping to find useful items.

“Miss, what are you looking for?” Cherry appeared behind me.

“The nanmu box I told you to bring back. Where did you put it?”

Cherry’s face brightened.

“Miss, because you sounded urgent, I guessed it was important. I hid it in the well.”

Looking at the soaked box, my heart chilled.

Inside were documents.

Wet, but not hopeless.

Cherry and I worked all night spreading them out to dry.

Father came sometime later.

“Nannan, what are these?”

“These are letters between the Gu family and the Northern Border.”

“Nannan, you…”

“Father, I know that if I submit these, I may also be punished for not reporting earlier.”

“But the Gu family already wants all of us dead.”

“If not this time, there will be a next.”

“This time, I must go.”

Father’s face turned pale.

After a long time, he patted my shoulder.

“Nannan has grown up. Father is happy.”

For several days, I stayed inside drying and organizing documents.

I missed the Gu family’s show.

Cherry rushed in breathless.

“Miss! Rest first. The Gu family—something happened!”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know the details. They say the Third Prince impeached General Gu. He found evidence that General Gu colluded with the Northern Border and sold military weapons.”

“Also, the woman General Gu brought back was a Northern spy!”

“She stole the city defense map and ran the night before the summons.”

“City defense map?”

“Yes. Fortunately, the Third Prince discovered it in time and ordered guards to stop her. I heard she’ll be executed tomorrow.”

“Did Gu Yuzhi not plead for her? She was carrying his child.”

At this, Cherry burst into laughter.

“Miss, you don’t know! That spy faked the pregnancy. There was no child at all. General Gu’s face turned green when he found out.”

I shook my head.

Even smart people become blind in love.

A few days later, I went to the tea house.

As expected, I met the Third Prince.

“Greetings, Your Highness. Thank you for what happened.”

He seemed unsurprised and smiled for me to sit.

“Miss Su, those words are unnecessary. The Gu family deserved it. I merely did what I should.”

Our eyes met.

His heart was loud.

Nannan, praise me more! I was super brave this time. I nearly got hurt when arresting them. Nannan, please hug me.

I laughed.

The prince looked at me expressionlessly.

Ahhh, Nannan’s smile is so gentle and beautiful! I like her so much! No, endure. Xiaoliu said Nannan likes cold men.

I almost could not hold my laughter.

Was this really the legendary prince who avoided women?

“Your Highness helped the Su family greatly,” I said. “If there is anything you want, I will do my best to obtain it.”

The music in the tea hall stopped.

His spoken voice and inner voice entered my mind together.

“Do not spend money. If Miss Su truly wishes to thank me, may I hear one piece played by you?”

Nannan! I want Nannan. When can I tell her I like her?

It was not the first time I had heard such words from him.

But it was the first time I had heard someone say he liked me.

I did not know what to do.

The man before me wore expensive robes.

His features were elegant and bright.

A noble prince, gentle as jade.

I stared for a moment too long.

“Miss Su,” he said, “I was rude. Please forgive me.”

I returned to myself.

“Your Highness helped my family. A single song is nothing.”

“But I have one question.”

“We had never met before. Why did Your Highness help me so much?”

The air quieted.

Music resumed.

His inner voice became low.

Sad… Nannan doesn’t remember me… sad… leaving now wuwuwu.

Then he truly clutched his chest and left.

I remained seated.

Fine.

I should not have asked.