Of course not.
Gu Sui'er knew that lying would not work.
No matter how round her lies were, as long as he glanced at her with that see-through look, she would be exposed immediately.
So she still lowered her head and walked into the yard obediently, like a little maid who had done something wrong.
As soon as he entered, he saw a man sitting under a green bamboo.
Under the green bamboo leaves, a man in a loose white robe was sitting on a bamboo chair. He held a book in his slender and handsome hand and was looking down.
He must have just bathed, and his hair has not yet dried. He has a purple ribbon inlaid with gems tied on his forehead. The purple ribbon is draped over his shoulders together with his long ink hair, embellished on the soft white robe. .
When the autumn wind occasionally blows, the bamboo leaves rustle, and the corners of his robe, which are as white as snow, are quietly lifted up and then fall down.
His long and beautiful fingers gently lifted up and opened a page of the book.
At this moment, Gu Sui'er forgot to breathe.
She stood there, staring blankly at the man in front of her.
She didn't know that a man could wear a white robe so beautifully, nor did she know that someone could look so elegant and noble just by sitting there.
Her mind was confused and she could only look at him. At this moment, heaven and earth no longer existed. She herself had also disappeared. He was the only one in the world.
"Come here." At some point, the man put down his hand and raised his head to greet her.
She didn't move.
She heard it, but her feet couldn't control her. She looked at him stupidly.
"Come here." The man still had the same look, the same tone, and said the same words.
This time, Gu Sui'er finally came back to her senses. She managed to find some strength, raised her feet, and walked closer.
The man raised his head slightly, stared at her, and looked her over.
Gu Sui'er always felt that his eyes were like the water of the Black Dragon Pond behind the mountain.
But now, she realized that it didn't seem to be the case. There was fire in his eyes. The fire burning on top of the cold water was so hot that it could melt people.
Her heart contracted slowly and clearly, and she clenched her fists, not knowing what to do.
That day, his lips brushed against her face.
She thought he would do something next.
I was looking forward to it.
Because of the anticipation, whenever she gets close to her, her heart beats loudly.
But later she discovered that he had done nothing.
It was as if that day never existed, as if his lips brushing against her face were just a coincidence.
His scorching eyes looked at her. Her face was burning, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at him again.
"Wipe my hair." The man retracted his gaze, looked at the swaying bamboos on the side, and whispered.
His voice was different from the usual coldness. It was a little hoarse now, as if he had just woken up.
"Um."
Only then did Gu Sui'er notice a handful of Hanyang white towels hanging next to her. She took it and wiped his hair carefully, separated it strand by strand, dried it, and then combed it.
After the cleaning was almost done, Gu Sui'er looked at Xiao Heng carefully and saw that his eyes were slightly closed, not knowing whether he was asleep or awake.
She didn't know what to do, so she stood there, not daring to disturb him.
Who knew that his figure moved slightly, and one side of his face touched hers.
His face was right against hers, gently, and his dark hair was close to her waist.
Gu Sui'er's body was a little stiff at first, and she didn't know what to do with the sudden movement. Then she slowly recovered and looked down.
The man was so good-looking that she didn't even know how to describe his good-lookingness to others.
She would always think of the snow in winter, holding it in her hands, its clean beauty and ice-cold beauty. Maybe this was the feeling Xiao Heng gave her.
At this moment, the tadpole in the belly arched its body, as if turning over.
Xiao Heng seemed to feel it and stopped moving at that moment.
The tadpole in his stomach gently kicked Xiao Heng in the face.
Xiao Heng didn't move at first, but then he rubbed his face.
Through her belly, Gu Sui'er could really feel that the father and son were pushing each other, one was rubbing lightly on the outside, and the other was kicking and thrusting freely inside.
She stared down at him, his eyelashes were lowered with his eyes closed, his eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and he was concentrating.
In fact, she was a little tired with such a waist, but she still bit her lip and tried to endure it.
He seemed to like this very much, and so did the tadpole.
At this moment, Xiao Heng raised his hand, gently put his arm around her waist, and supported her body.
The wind blew through his dark hair, and the purple brocade ribbon fluttered in front of her eyes. She looked motionless at him pressed against her belly.
She felt that she could stand like this for a long time, for a lifetime.
"Why aren't you moving?" Xiao Heng suddenly asked hoarsely.
"...Maybe he's tired." Gu Sui'er guessed.
"Um."
After a low hum, he stood up, held her hand, and walked to the study without saying anything else.
After walking a few steps, he saw the clothes on her body, and his gaze stayed for a moment.
She felt guilty and avoided his eyes.
"Huh?" He raised his eyebrows.
"I was wrong..." She quickly admitted her mistake and said in a low voice.
Seeing her obediently admitting her mistake, Xiao Heng said nothing and led her into the house.
He wanted to check her literacy progress.
First, he took out the words he had recently taught her and asked her to identify them one by one. She read them all in a low voice.
He didn't say anything, but Gu Sui'er knew that she read it correctly.
Xiao Heng asked Yanmo to practice calligraphy again.
After learning for a while, her handwriting has become somewhat familiar. Although it is still raw and immature, she can write both horizontal and vertical strokes correctly, and she can also write dozens of characters.
Xiao Heng took out another poetry collection and read it to her. According to Xiao Heng, this was a collection of poetry compiled by the previous dynasty. She slowly learned to read it and listened to Xiao Heng's explanation.
In fact, after listening to it, she still didn’t quite understand it. It was full of desert wind and sand, and it was all about a sword shining on Kyushu. She didn’t know what the desert looked like, let alone what the sword looked like. As for where Kyushu was, she didn’t know. Understand.
But she still carried it seriously.
Xiao Heng would occasionally compliment her lightly: "You learn very quickly."
She shook her head: "I'm too stupid."
Xiao Heng glanced at her and said nothing. Instead, he walked to the bookshelf and took out another book of poetry: "Memorize these again."
Gu Sui'er's shoulders suddenly dropped.
She finally finished memorizing one book, and there was another one
**********************
Xiao Jin was looking forward to going to Guiyuan and went back and forth to listen to Zhuyuan many times.
Sometimes Xiao Heng was actually not at home at all, and Xiao Jin came over, just sitting there boredly, talking to Gu Sui'er. Occasionally he stood at the door of the yard, admiring the bamboo, reading a book, and even teasing the cats and dogs.
Recently, the girls’ school was on break, and she had plenty of time, so she really spared no effort to come and listen to Zhuyuan.
Gu Sui'er treated her cautiously at first, for fear of dissatisfying the eldest lady Xiao Jin, but later, she always had a vague feeling.
In fact, Xiao Jin came to listen to Zhuyuan not to play with her, but for other reasons.
But what are the others
After all, sometimes Xiao Heng is not at home.
Gu Sui'er stood in the yard and looked through the Tingzhu Garden, but still couldn't find anything that might make people like Xiao Jin like it.
In the end, she could only think that maybe she just preferred those bamboos. After all, didn't she like the bamboo handkerchief she embroidered for her
Just as he was thinking wildly, he saw the figure not far away, Jiang Zheng.
Since some time ago, Xiao Heng's two guards have not entered the courtyard and have been waiting outside. Later, even if Xiao Heng was not at home, there was always someone standing outside, who could be considered a gatekeeper
The person taking the shift today is Jiang Zheng.
Jiang Zheng and Xiao Heng were about the same stature, standing straight in the distance without moving their eyes.
Looking at Jiang Zheng in front of her, Gu Sui'er suddenly remembered what she had done in the countryside.
It was Jiang Zheng who picked her up from the village, and it was Jiang Zheng who sent her to the mansion. It could be said that seeing Jiang Zheng reminded her of the way she came.
Jiang Zheng seemed to feel her gaze and bowed respectfully to her, then continued to stare at her intently.
Gu Sui'er smiled, held her belly and went back to her room.
She discovered that in addition to still thinking about her parents and younger brother, she had gradually forgotten about that period of time.
Just as Xiao Jin was looking forward to coming over from time to time to listen to the walking around the Bamboo Garden, the day to go to the Guiyuan finally arrived.
On the first day of departure, Grandma An became busy.
She began to prepare various soft mattresses, spittoons, etc. She also said that when the weather was cold, she had to prepare hand heaters to keep her warm and not to freeze the little lady.
Gu Sui'er's belly was no longer small, and she felt clumsy when walking. She felt that it was better not to go. Naihe mentioned it to Xiao Heng, but he ignored it at all.
It seems... I have to go.
Gu Sui'er also started to pack and prepare herself. She found that it was really troublesome for a pregnant woman to go out, so she spent a long time getting ready before going to sleep.
Early the next morning, a large carriage drove into the vicinity of Tingzhu Garden, with Jiang Zheng and Hu Tie waiting beside it.
Aunt An led a group of maids to help Gu Sui'er get into the carriage.
As soon as we got on it, Nanny An couldn't help but like it: "This carriage is spacious, more spacious than the ones used by ladies in ordinary mansions."
At this time, Hu Tie outside heard this and said, "I'm afraid you don't know, but this is specially brought by Third Master. This one is spacious and stable, and it won't be bumpy when walking."
Jiang Zheng was a down-to-earth person who didn't like to talk much, so he winked at Hu Tie. Hu Tie quickly restrained himself and stood aside like a wooden man, without speaking.
Nanny An became even more happy and whispered to Gu Sui'er secretly: "Little madam, the third master is so kind to you."
Gu Sui'er also felt that Xiao Heng was good to her. Her face turned red, she pursed her lips and touched her belly, all she thought about was Xiao Heng.
Nanny An still smiled: "My old lady is very lucky to follow my little madam!"
As she spoke, she asked her maid Jingyue to follow her in the carriage and wait on her while Yaoguang stayed at home to look after her. As for the precious duck Golden Fu, she naturally stayed at home.
Baoya Jinfu stood there eagerly, somewhat disliking it, but he didn't dare to say anything.
Ever since Xiao Heng embarrassed them because of Gu Sui'er, they have become more respectful in front of Gu Sui'er.
After the carriage left Tingzhuyuan, the door was opened all the way, and even the threshold was moved away, just so that Gu Sui'er didn't have to get out of the car.
After walking out two doors, they saw Lu Qingyi and Xiao Xu coming over.
Lu Qingyi didn't bring her maid, but Xiao Xu did.
"I think the second sister is taking the maid with her. Sister-in-law, you have to take care of me even though you are pregnant. I'm afraid there won't be room in the carriage."
Gu Sui'er appreciated Lu Qingyi's thoughtfulness and said with a smile: "This carriage is spacious and can accommodate a lot of people."
Lu Qingyi took a look and saw that it was indeed spacious, bigger than the car she owned at home.
Now everyone got on the bus, Gu Sui'er and Lu Qingyi were leaning against the left window, Xiao Xu and Nanny An were leaning against the right window, and Xiao Xu's maids Mei Hong and Qing Yue were waiting behind them, responsible for serving tea, water and things.
There were six women in total. The carriage was very spacious and did not feel crowded at all.
When the carriage left the house and walked on the road, it was indeed very safe.
When Gu Sui'er was in the countryside, she had only ridden in an ox-cart and a donkey-cart. The country roads were very bumpy, and there was no comparison with this kind of horse-drawn carriage.
She sat here comfortably, enjoying Nanny An's attentive service, but suddenly she remembered something.
"Did this carriage leave the Marquis' Mansion?"
"Yes, this is the south door of the Hou Mansion." Lu Qingyi said with a smile; "Look, that's the main entrance over there, but the main entrance is usually not open."
Gu Sui'er looked through the car curtain, and sure enough, this street seemed familiar, as if it was the road where Jiang Zheng brought her here.
She has been here for more than a month, and now is her first time out of the Marquis' Mansion.
"We have already left the Hou Mansion, why didn't the eldest girl come up?" She wondered, Xiao Jin was obviously looking forward to going to Guiyuan the most.
"Her, ride a horse!"
"Huh? Riding a horse?"
This was something Gu Sui'er didn't expect.
"Well, Xiao Jin loves riding horses the most. She usually rides with her cousin when she goes out. Now there are three cousins taking her with her. Of course she doesn't want to squeeze in the carriage with us."
"so… "
Gu Sui'er looked outside the curtain and saw that one of the people in front of her was Xiao Jin.
She was dressed differently today than in the past. She lacked the cumbersome skirt, was neat and refreshing, and rode a bay-red horse beside Xiao Heng, looking at her with a different kind of heroism.
"The big girl is really amazing." She couldn't help but sigh: "She is different from us ordinary women."
"What's the big deal? We can also ride, but we are not as flamboyant as she is!" Xiao Xu suddenly interjected, quite disdainfully.
Lu Qingyi glanced at Xiao Xu, but did not argue with her. She smiled lightly and then explained slowly: "Our Jokhang Kingdom has set up girls' schools since the time of Emperor Gaozu, and also allowed women to ride horses and shoot arrows. In recent years, although this custom has not been as good as before. In the past, most women stayed at home to look after their husbands and raise children, and they traveled by horse-drawn carriage, but most of them were able to ride horses, so there is nothing wrong with riding once in a while."
Only then did Gu Sui'er understand: "So that's it."
Lu Qingyi and Xiao Xu can also ride horses, but as women, they must be careful and will not ride with their brothers.
The carriage continued to move forward, and when it reached the turn at the entrance of the alley, the curtain swayed, and Gu Sui'er looked outside through the curtain.
I saw Xiao Heng riding in the middle.
Xiao Heng was wearing an indigo robe today. He stepped on the horse's scree with both feet and held the reins in one hand, looking very heroic.
While she was watching quietly, Xiao Heng suddenly looked back and looked over here.
She was a little embarrassed, so she quickly put down the curtain and hid in the carriage.