lcionline Chapter 688: From "Playmate" to "Side Character"
Chapter 688: From "Playmate" to "Side Character"
On the way to the East Palace, Gu Qingchen's attention was entirely on Lin Jiayou, asking him about his life over the past ten years, whether he was eating well, and whether he was used to the accommodations...
She didn't notice at all that Qian Zhenyun, who was walking beside the Crown Prince, hadn't said a single word from beginning to end.
As they stepped into the East Palace, Zhao Chen'an lagged half a step behind, standing shoulder to shoulder with Qian Zhenyun, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "That Lin Jiayou is not simple. Gu Qingchen is too easy to understand. Zhenyun, be careful."
Four people sat down in the East Palace tea room.
Zhao Chen'an raised his glass and smiled meaningfully, "It's for the reunion, and also for recognizing people. I hope everyone can see the people in front of them clearly and not be deceived by appearances."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Lin Jiayou before finally settling on Gu Qingchen.
The latter was staring intently at Lin Jiayou, who was pouring tea for her, completely unaware of what was happening.
Lin Jiayou understood the warning in Gu Qingchen's words, but pretended not to understand and respectfully offered him the teacup.
His gaze "unintentionally" fell on Qian Zhenyun's wrist, where there was a thin callus from years of practice.
He asked, feigning concern, "Brother Qian, you seem to have an old injury on your hand? It must be from the hard work of copying documents for His Highness."
Gu Qingchen followed his gaze and indeed saw the thin calluses on the inside of Qian Zhenyun's wrist and the web of his hand.
“Oh, this? I know!” She slapped the table and leaned over to explain with great interest, “When Gun Gun was little, he was timid. His mother, Aunt Song, said that a man should be self-reliant and forced him to learn martial arts, saying that it would strengthen his body.”
"The calluses on his hands were from practicing swordsmanship back then, and he even got injured later!"
Qian Zhenyun's face remained expressionless. Instead, he stretched out his hand and displayed it generously on the table, meeting Lin Jiayou's gaze with a calm tone.
"Brother Lin seems quite curious about me."
He offered no explanation or rebuttal; his composure rendered Lin Jiayou's carefully prepared probing attempt as futile.
Lin Jiayou's smile froze for a moment, then returned to its gentle and harmless appearance.
He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and used a nostalgic tone to cover up his embarrassment.
"I was being presumptuous. Seeing Brother Qian just reminded me of our childhood. Back then, the three of us were always together, inseparable, and had such a good relationship."
He deliberately emphasized the words "the three of us," and turned his gentle gaze to Gu Qingchen.
“I remember,” he continued, his voice filled with just the right amount of reminiscence, “that year it was His Highness’s birthday, and a few of us pooled our money to find the most special birthday gift for His Highness.”
As soon as the topic came up, Gu Qingchen's eyes lit up, instantly being pulled back to that carefree childhood.
“Yes, yes, yes! I remember!” she exclaimed excitedly. “As a result, that old tutor complained to the Emperor…”
When the old stories were brought up, even Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an showed a gentle smile. He looked at Gu Qingchen's radiant appearance with a soft gaze.
"I remember too. You gave me the Startling Bow in the end!"
Gu Qingchen became even more impolite after being told that, "You still have the nerve to say that? That bow belongs to my father. My uncle the emperor really dug a huge pit for me."
Zhao Chen'an: "Didn't I return it to you in the end?"
"I traded comic books for that, and I begged Brother Lu for so long!"
Qian Zhenyun listened quietly, then added casually, "It was Qingchen who said that the Jinghong Bow is unique and most suitable for Your Highness."
His words easily shifted the focus of the conversation back to Gu Qingchen and the Crown Prince.
Lin Jiayou's hand holding the teacup tightened slightly at the fingertips.
He had intended to use shared memories to highlight his intimacy with Gu Qingchen, but unexpectedly, Qian Zhenyun turned this relationship into "a subject offering a gift to his monarch" in just a few words.
And he himself went from being a "playmate" to a "supporting role".
This Qian Zhenyun, after ten years, has become so deep in thought.
A shadow crossed his eyes, but he still smiled and said to Gu Qingchen, "Yes, back then Qingchen was the most daring, always rushing to the front in everything."
"Unlike me, I'm always following behind you and Brother Qian."
He cleverly positioned himself as vulnerable, successfully arousing Gu Qingchen's protective instincts.
Gu Qingchen immediately defended her, "It's good that you're back now. I'll protect you from now on, and no one will be able to bully you!"
She patted her chest and made the same promise as she had made ten years ago, completely unaware that the expressions of the men present had changed in different ways because of her words.
Zhao Chen'an's smile faded slightly.
Qian Zhenyun lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes concealing all the emotions in his eyes.
Lin Jiayou then revealed a satisfied, grateful, and dependent smile.
He knew that he had taken his first step firmly.
The group bid farewell to the Eastern Palace.
Gu Qingchen, like a bird released from its cage, chattered incessantly around Lin Jiayou, excitedly planning how to welcome him back to the mansion, which restaurant to go to, and which opera to watch.
In front of the carriage of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Qian Zhenyun called out to Gu Qingchen, who was about to help Lin Jiayou into the carriage.
"Qingchen".
His voice was very low.
"You can't see into someone's heart, especially in the capital. Think about what happened on the street today."
Gu Qingchen was in a good mood, but he became a little impatient upon hearing this. He waved his hand and said, "Hey, get lost! You're overthinking things! Jiayou isn't an outsider!"
After she finished speaking, she led Lin Jiayou into the carriage on her own.
Qian Zhenyun watched as the carriage curtain fell, obscuring her radiant smile and Lin Jiayou's gentle and harmless face.
He stood there, motionless for a long time.
The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Gu Qingchen jumped out of the car first, proudly pointing to the imposing gate of the mansion, and said to Lin Jiayou who followed him out, "Look, this is my home! From now on, you can live here, and no one will dare to bully you anymore!"
The pride in her words made her seem like a little animal guarding its territory, and Lin Jiayou was the partner she brought back who needed protection.
Just as she was about to pull Lin Jiayou inside, a tall figure emerged from the shadows of the porch.
The newcomer was dressed in simple, close-fitting clothes, with a weathered look in his eyes. He was like a sharp blade sheathed in its sheath, silent yet sharp.
Gu Qingchen's smile faltered for a moment, and his voice lowered as well.
"elder brother."
Gu Xuan's gaze passed right past her, not even lingering on Lin Jiayou for a moment.
He handed a slightly worn cloth bag to Gu Qingchen.
"For Mother."
Gu Qingchen took it; the cloth bag was quite heavy.
She couldn't help but complain, "You always go to the door, why won't you go in and deliver it yourself? It's been so long since that happened..."
"Just send it in when I tell you to," Gu Xuan interrupted her abruptly.
After he finished speaking, his gaze finally fell on Lin Jiayou, as if he were assessing a potential threat.
There was no hostility in that gaze, but it possessed a penetrating insight that could see through the skin and pierce straight into Lin Jiayou's bones.
Lin Jiayou's hand, hidden in his sleeve, involuntarily twitched at the fingertips.