The Man She Couldn't Sleep With

She also discovered that once the apprentices learned their craft, the master would starve: all four concubines played very well.

Even the dimwitted Fourth Concubine played better than she did.

When Gao Lan arrived, the concubines all stopped at once, visibly growing nervous.

Only Gu Wanning, who wanted for nothing,

was a salted fish,

and had given up trying, asked casually, "What's wrong with him this time?"

Xu Weibei's childishness had truly given her a whole new understanding of him.

He'd hit someone, so what? What was he so smug about?

He'd hit Gu Anqi and then eagerly sent someone to tell her. What, did he expect her to applaud and cheer, or he wouldn't be satisfied?

What an idiot.

Gao Lan also thought Xu Weibei was being a little childish, so he stammered as he spoke.

"He wants me to cut ties with the Gu family? He won't let me acknowledge my father? What, does he want to be my father?" Gu Wanning rolled her eyes.

The four concubines wanted to laugh, but they all held it in.

When immortals fought, innocent bystanders had better not get caught up in it.

Gao Lan's face flushed scarlet. Marquis, you really know how to put a man in a difficult position.

Madam's mouth wasn't a mouth at all; it was a knife that killed the heart as well as the person.

As a grown man, he was already breaking the rules by entering the inner courtyard.

From now on, whoever wanted to carry messages could do it. He certainly wouldn't.

How was he supposed to respond to that?

"Go back and tell him that if he's got what it takes, he can take it up with my father and brothers. If he really can't stand the sight of me, then we can divorce. Don't waste my time with this nonsense." Gu Wanning dug in her ear. "You may go."

Every grievance had its source, every debt its debtor. Why was he trying to make his presence felt in front of her?

Did she have the word "fool" written on her forehead?

"Yes." Gao Lan retreated in defeat.

More importantly, he couldn't repeat her words verbatim, or wouldn't that be pouring oil on the fire?

He merely told Xu Weibei that Gu Wanning was unwilling.

"Marquis, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I'm afraid no one would agree to this in her place."

Wasn't a woman's natal family her support after she married?

If she cut ties with her natal family, wouldn't she be at her in-laws' mercy?

Xu Weibei said, "I just want her to know that the Gu family and I can't coexist under the same sky. She'd better conduct herself accordingly."

"Madam doesn't seem able to do much either..."

"Hold your tongue."

Gao Lan didn't dare say another word.

Meanwhile, Gu Wanning stretched and said, "Let's stop here for today."

The outspoken Fourth Concubine blurted, "Madam, are you getting scared now that it's over?"

Gu Wanning reached out and flicked her on her smooth, full forehead. "You and your big mouth. I'm worried the Grand Princess will come and find us lazing around like this. It wouldn't look proper."

"The Grand Princess is coming?" Fourth Concubine grew nervous.

She was terribly afraid of the imposing Grand Princess.

"She probably will."

Of everyone, the Grand Princess was the most anxious about and invested in her marriage to Xu Weibei.

It certainly wasn't her the princess cared about, but the Gu family.

Though she was a princess, she had been so affectionate toward Gu Wanning. Wasn't that just to show goodwill to the Gu family?

Yet Xu Weibei, that unfilial descendant, had gone and beaten Gu Anqi.

This wasn't going to be easy to settle.

The Grand Princess would probably come now and make a show of scolding Xu Weibei. She might even give Gu Wanning a few things to placate her.

She had already opened her bag and was ready to receive them.

"Madam, will we play again tomorrow?" Fourth Concubine was reluctant to stop, having completely forgotten how she'd complained to Xu Weibei earlier, ready to go down together with Gu Wanning.

What a child.

"Yes."

She just hoped that when the Grand Princess came, nothing strange would happen.

Sure enough, just as Gu Wanning had expected, she had barely returned and changed her clothes when the Grand Princess arrived.

Xu Weibei led everyone in the residence out to welcome her.

The Grand Princess gave Xu Weibei a thorough scolding.

Xu Weibei knelt on the ground, his back straight and his face expressionless. Where was there the slightest sign of remorse?

Unable to save face, the Grand Princess snapped in fury, "If you still refuse to correct your mistakes, I'll invoke the family punishment on your father's behalf and teach you a lesson!"

Something briefly flickered in Xu Weibei's eyes, but it vanished so quickly that Gu Wanning thought she had imagined it.

Xu Weibei straightened his back.

"Someone, bring me the punishment board!" the Grand Princess said, beside herself with anger.

All four concubines knelt.

Gu Wanning, however, lowered her head and looked at the jade pendant at her waist without saying a word.

Two eunuchs came in from outside, carrying heavy rosewood boards.

Gu Wanning thought, How wonderful!

What excellent family discipline.

Go ahead and beat him.

Chapter 17: The Man She Couldn't Sleep With

Gao Lan looked at Gu Wanning, repeatedly signaling to her with his eyes, pleading for her to speak up on Xu Weibei's behalf.

Gu Wanning simply pretended she was blind.

What a joke. Didn't she have a position of her own?

Although her natal family was unreliable, they were still a matter of face for her in front of the Grand Princess and Xu Weibei.

Xu Weibei hadn't considered her when he hit someone, and had even deliberately come to flaunt his power before her and disgust her. So why on earth should she plead for him now?

Did she have the words "saintly woman" written on her face?

"Wait," Xu Weibei said.

Gu Wanning saw the Grand Princess breathe a sigh of relief.

Clearly, she couldn't bear to punish her grandson either; it was just that Xu Weibei refused to give her a way out.

Yet Xu Weibei said, "I'm wearing my official robes. Since this is a family punishment, naturally I shouldn't wear them."

With that, he stood, took off his official robes, and handed them to Gao Lan. Then, wearing only his thin inner garments, he lay facedown on the ground and said coldly, "Come on. Show no mercy."

It was midsummer, so Xu Weibei's trousers were all right, being gray, but his upper garment was thin gauze—it was see-through.

Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and smoothly defined lean muscles were half visible, with a few faint scars left by old wounds.

Tsk, tsk. The tension shot straight to its peak, and the whole room was thick with the scent of hormones.

She didn't know what anyone else thought, but as far as Gu Wanning was concerned, the sight was thoroughly satisfying.

Second Concubine really did know quality when she saw it, offering such a high price.