Chapter Twenty-Three: Feelings Begin to Stir in Secret

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In her dreams, Gu Weiyu drifted like a lone leaf on the water, tossed and turned by unseen currents. When she finally opened her eyes again, daylight was already streaming in from outside. Turning her gaze inward, she surveyed the wounds crisscrossing her meridians and sighed inwardly—her breakthrough had been far too reckless this time.

"Awake?" Gu Qingzhou strode in, his voice as cold and sharp as a blade. "Do you realize you nearly ruined yourself last night?"

Guilt welled up in Gu Weiyu. She lowered her head meekly, silent beneath his rebuke.

"Within the next month, you are forbidden from using your spiritual power again!" Seeing her contrite, Gu Qingzhou’s expression softened slightly. "Here’s a Spirit-Nurturing Pill—take one each day. Come see me again after ten days."

Gu Weiyu took the pill. Her whole body ached so badly she could barely sit up in bed.

Noticing her discomfort, Gu Qingzhou continued, "Stay here for the next two days. Qingfeng!"

At his call, an elderly man in blue robes entered, walking with measured steps.

Gu Qingzhou turned and left. Qingfeng regarded Gu Weiyu with a kindly smile. "Eleventh Miss, are you hungry?"

It was the first time Gu Weiyu had seen Qingfeng; his advanced age made the name ‘Qingfeng’—meaning ‘gentle breeze’—seem oddly out of place. She forced a smile and nodded.

Qingfeng soon returned with a steaming bowl of congee. "Eleventh Miss, have some porridge."

With his help, Gu Weiyu managed to sit up. "Thank you, Grandpa Qingfeng. How is Great-Grandfather?"

"No need for thanks, Miss," Qingfeng replied warmly. "I’ve served the young master for decades—he’s all bark and no bite. Rest assured."

Gu Weiyu nodded and began to eat.

She stayed in Nanshan Residence for two days before being taken back to Emerald Bamboo Court by Yueya, where she began her days of confinement—she was only allowed to remain within the court, with no visitors permitted.

After just three days, she was so restless she could barely stand it. Out of boredom, she took out her jade slips on spells and cultivation basics, immersing herself in study to pass the time.

Each day, her most leisurely moments were the times spent talking through the courtyard gate with Gu Qingyun and Gu Weihuan.

Day after day, time crawled by, and Gu Weiyu counted the days on her fingers.

"From tomorrow, you may return to Yanqi Hall," Gu Qingzhou finally relented, seeing her meridians had fully healed.

Overjoyed, Gu Weiyu bounded out of Nanshan Residence.

"Eleventh Sister, your confinement is lifted?" On her way back to Emerald Bamboo Court, she ran into Gu Qingyun and Gu Weihuan returning from Yanqi Hall together. Gu Qingyun dashed over, his face alight with delight.

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"Eleventh Sister, if you hadn’t come out, you’d have missed tomorrow’s Lantern Festival!" Gu Weihuan chimed in, joining them.

"Haha, but here I am, aren’t I?" Gu Weiyu blinked playfully.

"Eleventh Sister, I missed you so much!" Gu Qingyun piped up, his voice sweet and childish.

They laughed and chatted as they walked, agreeing to go to the Lantern Festival together after cultivation the next day.

At dusk the following day, the younger generation of the Gu family gathered together, led by Sixteenth Uncle Gu Hui and Tenth Aunt Gu Qing, and set off to see the lanterns in town.

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Qixi Festival, was a rare occasion when young men and women were allowed out at night to enjoy themselves. That evening, the streets were filled with fine carriages and the scent of perfume, ornate clocks and silver ewers gleaming under a sky lit by thousands of lanterns, like stars falling in a silvery rain.

Everywhere, lanterns of myriad shapes and colors glowed atop walls and towers, the streets thronged with people, laughter and merriment echoing all around as everyone delighted in the festival.

"Let’s try guessing the riddles on the lanterns!" Gu Weiyu suggested, eager to join in.

"You? You think you can solve them?" Gu Weifang sneered, casting her a disdainful glance.

Gu Weiyu ignored her, pulling Gu Weihuan toward the lanterns, with Gu Qingyun close behind.

They squeezed their way to a display of adorable animal-shaped lanterns. Gu Weihuan’s eyes sparkled as she pointed at a rabbit lantern. "This rabbit lantern is so cute!"

"Let me see the riddle," Gu Weiyu said, turning to read it aloud: "Dressed in a flowery coat, singing croak-croak, catching pests in the fields, a hero at harvest time."

"It’s a bird!" Gu Qingyun shouted.

"No, it’s a pheasant!" Gu Weiyu insisted.

The lantern shop’s assistant smiled and handed her the rabbit lantern. "Miss, congratulations, you guessed right—the lantern is yours!"

Delighted, Gu Weiyu handed it to Gu Weihuan. "Ninth Sister, this lantern is for you!"

"Ah—I want one too!" Gu Qingyun clamored, but Gu Weiyu waved him off. "Don’t worry, let’s keep guessing!"

Gu Weiyu guessed several more riddles, and luck was with her—she won two more lanterns, so each of them had one.

"Eleventh Sister, will you win one for me too?" Gu Qingsong joined in, while Gu Weifang sniffed and turned away.

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"Of course, Third Brother, just wait—I’ll see what I can do!" Gu Weiyu, caught up in the fun, agreed at once.

"Qingyun!" Suddenly, Gu Weifang’s excited voice rang out. The Gu family all turned toward her, and for a moment, everyone was stunned.

Amid the swirl of lantern light and fragrance, a young man in white stood beside a revolving lantern: handsome, with noble features and star-bright eyes, his presence as luminous as an immortal descended to earth.

Gu Weiyu glanced at him and felt her interest wane. As soon as she remembered this was Gu Weifang’s cousin, she lost all desire to look again.

She noticed even Tenth Aunt Gu Qing looking utterly entranced, and couldn’t help but smirk to herself: If only they’d seen her own great-grandfather—this man couldn’t even compare to the hem of his robe!

The young man drew closer, engaging Gu Hui in conversation. Beside them, Gu Qing couldn’t stop sneaking glances at him, her cheeks flushing a rosy red, her heart pounding.

"Ninth Sister, look—they’re setting off fireworks over there!" Gu Weiyu whispered to Gu Weihuan.

Gu Weihuan turned to see the fireworks blooming and the two of them began to whisper and giggle together.

In the end, Lu Qingyun joined the Gu family group and chatted amiably with Gu Hui and the others.

Gu Weiyu pulled Gu Weihuan away for more riddle guessing, both of them thoroughly enjoying themselves.

As the crowds thinned out, Gu Hui glanced at the younger family members, who had played themselves into exhaustion, and said his farewells to Lu Qingyun. "Brother Qingyun, it’s late—we’ll meet again another time!"

Lu Qingyun nodded with a gentle smile, watching as the Gu family took their leave.

"So, isn’t my cousin Qingyun handsome?" Gu Weifang couldn’t resist boasting on the way home.

This time, no one argued—even several others voiced their admiration.

Especially Tenth Aunt Gu Qing, whose eyes positively sparkled at the mention of Lu Qingyun.

Gu Weiyu rolled her eyes inwardly. Handsome? Not even close—her great-grandfather was the handsomest of all!

By the time she returned to her quarters, it was deep into the quiet hours of the night. Gu Weiyu hung her little pig-shaped lantern by her bedside. Lying in bed, she gazed at the lantern’s gentle glow until she gradually drifted off to sleep.