Chapter 4: A Heroine Saves a Beauty

The banquet hall was bustling with clinking glasses and brilliant lights. Outside the hall, Gu Xinyao inadvertently overheard a snippet of conversation that caused her to furrow her brow, a vague but unsettling premonition stirring in her heart.

Turning her gaze back to the hall, she looked toward Dugu Yi, seated in a corner. His transparent glass was empty, and the gaze he cast upon it was somewhat dazed, as if uncertain about everything—a look she had never seen on him before during her previous observations.

“Hey, move out of the way! Don’t block the path! Didn’t you see the third young lady of the Shangguan family is coming through?” The voices behind her startled Gu Xinyao from her thoughts. Concerned about Dugu Yi’s condition, she was about to ignore everything and rush in to warn him when the commotion came closer. Turning around, she saw a group of women with red-dyed hair, dressed in short sleeves, surrounding a woman whose hair remained its original black. Her face was fairly attractive, but her slightly clouded eyes and the crooked curve of her mouth left a bitter impression, making it impossible to find her beautiful.

The Shangguan family? Gu Xinyao recalled the name mentioned by those women—“the third young lady of the Shangguan family.” The Shangguan clan was one of the four great founding families of the nation, alongside Dugu, Duanmu, and Ji. The Shangguan family was indeed a prominent house, but regrettably, by the fourth generation, it lacked talent. The men and women of the family spent their days indulging in pleasure and neglecting their duties, relying solely on the prestige and privileges their surname carried without any other achievements to boast of.

They had been invited to the banquet tonight, and their representative was this so-called “hell-raiser” third young lady, Shangguan Lü. Shangguan Lü had taken time out of her revelry to attend, precisely because the aloof beauty Dugu Yi was present. Usually, Dugu Yi never attended such events, but since this banquet was hosted by the Duanmu family, he had no choice but to appear. This made it the perfect opportunity for Shangguan Lü to make her move.

When Shangguan Lü saw the woman standing by the entrance in a simple white T-shirt and light blue jeans, her expression grew even more haughty. After Gu Xinyao stepped aside to clear the way, Shangguan Lü swaggered in confidently.

Gu Xinyao hurried after them, but before she could step into the foyer, a waiter blocked her path.

“Excuse me, madam, do you have an invitation?” The waiter’s question made Gu Xinyao glance anxiously toward the corner, only to find Dugu Yi no longer there. Shangguan Lü and her entourage were likely mingling with the host by now.

“I don’t have an invitation. Ah, but I’m from the Shangguan household. Something urgent came up, and I’ve been sent to fetch her,” Gu Xinyao said quickly, pointing toward Shangguan Lü, who was still chatting with the host.

The waiter looked skeptical but, considering the Shangguan family was noble, he couldn’t just dismiss her. “Please wait here. I’ll check with the third young lady,” he said, walking toward Shangguan Lü.

Seizing the moment, Gu Xinyao slipped along the wall inside the hall. The Duanmu estate was vast; the hall alone could hold hundreds. After searching for a long time without finding Dugu Yi, her anxiety deepened. She glanced around and noticed a small door nearly blending into the wall on the left side of the hall. Ignoring caution, she hurried toward it and pushed open the slightly ajar door.

Beyond it lay a long corridor lined with brown wooden doors. From the polished handles to the frosted glass panes, it was clear the owner valued privacy highly.

Walking along the right side of the corridor, she came to two doors facing each other at the end. Unlike the others, these doors bore signs—the left marked for men, the right for women—obviously restrooms, designed with exquisite taste.

Standing outside the men’s restroom, Gu Xinyao hesitated. Whether to enter or not was a difficult question. Fortunately, it was quiet, and no one seemed to be coming in.

Just as she wavered, the door opened from the inside. Looking up, she saw none other than Dugu Yi emerging. He froze momentarily when he saw her, but the surprise was brief.

“The women’s restroom is that way,” he said, nodding toward the opposite door. His voice was low but pleasant. Unlike others who might sneer at a woman dressed so simply in a T-shirt and jeans, he simply gave her a normal, matter-of-fact direction.

“I’m not… I came to tell you to be careful…” Gu Xinyao’s heart warmed by his tone, she wanted to warn him about Shangguan Lü. But before she could finish, the waiter who had stopped her earlier arrived with security guards.

“That’s her! She even lied to me, claiming she’s from the Shangguan family,” the waiter accused angrily, leading the guards forward.

Before Gu Xinyao could react, the guards roughly grabbed her arms. The waiter, still not satisfied, said, “Take this liar to the police station. She needs to be taught a lesson.”

“Wait! She’s my friend. Let her go!” Dugu Yi’s voice rang out just as the guards were about to escort Gu Xinyao away. His words surprised the waiter and guards, who exchanged doubtful glances between him and Gu Xinyao.

“Don’t even doubt my word. Let her go!” Dugu Yi’s face darkened. He didn’t want to trouble anyone, but if a mere waiter dared to question him, he wouldn’t hesitate to assert his identity.

Though unaware of the exact relationship between Dugu Yi and the young lady of the house, the waiter dared not offend a man with the surname Dugu, so she bowed respectfully. “Yes, yes. It’s not that we don’t trust you, Master Dugu, but we’re just worried she might hurt you.”

“She came only to see me. There’s nothing wrong. Escort her out,” Dugu Yi commanded. The waiter nodded obediently and signaled to the guards, who began to lead Gu Xinyao away.

With her arms restrained behind her back, Gu Xinyao still worried for Dugu Yi. His recent actions had deepened her fondness for him. Struggling fiercely, she turned back and shouted, “Be careful of the third young lady of the Shangguan family!” Angered by her resistance, the guards tightened their grip, allowing her only enough breath for that single warning.

Watching Gu Xinyao disappear down the corridor, Dugu Yi’s expression grew complicated. He didn’t understand why she warned him about Shangguan Lü, but he took her words to heart. After drinking a few cups with familiar companions earlier, his head began to ache. Not a strong drinker by nature, he only came because Duanmu Feng insisted. Feeling dizzy, he shook his foggy head and slowly made his way toward where Gu Xinyao had left.

Meanwhile, Gu Xinyao was pushed outside the banquet hall, standing on the steps but unwilling to leave so soon. She was uneasy about leaving Dugu Yi alone; the third young lady of the Shangguan household was no simple character. Though lacking firm financial backing, it was clear she was not as reckless as she appeared from how warmly she mingled with other nobles. Resolute, Gu Xinyao decided to wait until Dugu Yi left safely.

The night in Connelly was not cold; on the contrary, it was more pleasant than the daytime. Leaning against a wall, she waited patiently.

The stars overhead shone larger than those of her era, and the air carried the faint scent of night-blooming jasmine. The moon was especially large and round, its bright light illuminating the courtyard’s fountain, making the water sparkle like crystal.

Minutes ticked by, and music drifted from the banquet hall—soft and rhythmic, perfect for a slow dance. Closing her eyes, Gu Xinyao savored the melody, momentarily transported back to carefree days when her parents were still alive and her home was filled with happiness.

Suddenly, a discordant voice echoed faintly through the hall’s corridor.

“Beauty, don’t resist. Soon you’ll see I’m a hundred times better than Duanmu Feng in bed. Don’t feel wronged; men need women after all. Your family of good-for-nothings… once I become a Dugu wife, naturally…” The slovenly, somewhat excited voice was unmistakably Shangguan Lü’s.

Gu Xinyao’s eyes snapped open, and she sprang to her feet. She dashed toward the hall’s corridor and soon spotted two figures leaning against the money tree.

Shangguan Lü was supporting a limp Dugu Yi as they moved out. From a distance, it might look like a couple, but it was far from it.

The women who had accompanied Shangguan Lü earlier had disappeared, likely deciding she alone could manage the drugged Dugu Yi without them.

This gave Gu Xinyao a chance. Clenching her fists, she wanted to rush forward but hesitated—if Shangguan Lü was stronger than expected, they might fail to save him, and she could get hurt too.

Looking around, she spotted a large floral pruning shear beside the money tree. Seizing it, she strode toward Shangguan Lü and Dugu Yi with determination. Shangguan Lü, focused on Dugu Yi, hadn’t noticed her approach.

“Let him go!” Gu Xinyao shouted, raising the pruning shear and pointing it at Shangguan Lü’s throat.

Startled by the sudden threat, Shangguan Lü halted abruptly, the blades just an inch from her neck.

“Who are you?” Shangguan Lü’s face twisted with annoyance as she recognized the woman who had blocked the hall entrance earlier. Her composure shattered, and a cruel sneer appeared as she gritted her teeth. Inside, a thousand lions roared—where were her lackeys? Why hadn’t they cleaned up the scene? Who was this wild woman obstructing her plans?

“Never mind who I am. Let him go, or I’ll cut you open right here,” Gu Xinyao threatened in a gritty tone, channeling the brashness of a rogue. For Dugu Yi’s sake, she was willing to risk everything.

Though subdued, Dugu Yi’s consciousness seemed clear. His usually pale face was flushed unnaturally, and his lips moved silently.

“Hmph! You’re ruthless!” Shangguan Lü grudgingly admitted. Although reluctant to lose such an easy prize, life was more precious than beauty. Facing the sharp pruning shear at her neck, she chose to yield.

Having lived independently for ten years, Gu Xinyao was no fragile girl. She tightened her grip on the pruning shear, pressing it firmly against Shangguan Lü’s throat while supporting the weak Dugu Yi with her other arm.

“You’re coming with us,” she ordered, moving the shear slightly. She didn’t want to release her and risk her summoning reinforcements.

Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Shangguan Lü cautiously turned her body and began to follow.

Gu Xinyao had no idea what poison Shangguan Lü had given Dugu Yi; he was now as limp as cooked noodles. Apart from his still relatively clear eyes, he had no strength to move on his own and had to be dragged along by Gu Xinyao.

After leaving the Duanmu estate some distance behind, Gu Xinyao used a ribbon from Shangguan Lü’s clothing to tie her securely and left her in a corner. The Shangguan family was well-known and respected; leaving her there ensured she wouldn’t freeze to death, and someone would soon come looking for her.

Discarding the pruning shear, Gu Xinyao straightened the slumped Dugu Yi on the cart and began to push it away. She decided to take him back to her place first. Given his noble status, it would be unwise to return him home in this state—there might be news headlines by morning.

Loving someone meant caring for them, after all.

The cart rolled steadily along a winding path. The man atop it had his eyes closed, breathing shallow, as if deliberately suppressing his distress.

Gu Xinyao could almost guess his thoughts and quickened her pace.

***

Fortunately, the grocery store where she lived was not far from the Duanmu estate. With her effort, they arrived in less than fifteen minutes.

Her home was a modest house in the alley behind the store—belonging to Qin Rou and Ge Yue. Since several rooms were vacant, Gu Xinyao lived there, enjoying both company and convenience.

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