Chapter 16: Whose Person?

Gu Family’s Old Mansion Main Courtyard. Old Sir Gu was determined to keep Qiao Yuxian, so he played chess game after game. When Old Sir was in the hospital, Qiao Yuxian often played chess with him and understood him quite well. Therefore, whether Qiao Yuxian won or lost each game, her moves were always skillful, bringing joy to the Old Sir. It wasn’t until eleven o’clock that Old Sir said he was tired and wanted to sleep. "Then... shall we battle again next time?" Old Sir’s eyes glowed with anticipation. Qiao Yuxian obediently smiled and said, "Sure. Grandpa, whenever you want, I’ll be here to accompany you." "It’s settled then." Old Sir’s gaze passed over the Peace Pendant on her wrist, "Let them escort you back to the East Courtyard." "I know the way, I can go back by myself." Qiao Yuxian said. "Let them escort you." Old Sir insisted, "The lights in the yard are somewhat dim, let them accompany you, so you won’t be scared." Qiao Yuxian nodded obediently but thought to herself: You’re afraid I’ll run away, aren’t you? Old Sir Gu looked at the person standing at the doorway, "Accompany Yu Xian over." "Yes." The person at the doorway replied. Leaving the main hall, Qiao Yuxian walked toward the East Courtyard. She told the person beside her, "Go rest, I can manage on my own." "It’s no trouble. This way, please." All the people at the old mansion were men, cooks, cleaners, bodyguards, drivers were all male. The person guiding Qiao Yuxian appeared to be around thirty, tall and robust, with steady steps. He was likely a bodyguard of the old mansion. "Be careful." The man said, "The road is a bit uneven." "Thank you." Qiao Yuxian followed him. The man slightly turned his body, maintaining a suitable distance from her: "The lights are dim and it’s a gravel path, you’ll get used to it after you come a few more times." "Hmm." Qiao Yuxian responded. After walking some distance, the man added, "Miss Qiao, there’s an artificial mountain and pond here, it’s a beautiful sight at night. Over there is a cement road, which is more even." Qiao Yuxian glanced at him. The man smiled, "I noticed you’re wearing high heels, it’s inconvenient to walk on gravel." Qiao Yuxian blinked her eyelashes lightly and said, "Then, thank you." "You’re welcome." The man gestured for her to proceed, "This way." Qiao Yuxian kept up with him. The area around the artificial mountain was surrounded by willow trees, walking here at night felt like wandering in a secluded little garden. But the view was indeed beautiful, many small night lights. Not only was the road even, but the area was brighter. Beneath the artificial mountain was a pool, under the small night lights, you could see the water flowing down from the mountain. Listening to the murmuring water at night, it had a unique charm. Qiao Yuxian slightly tilted her head, taking in the scenery as she walked slowly. As she approached the middle area of the artificial mountain, the man ahead suddenly turned, reaching out to grab her neck. It happened very suddenly and quickly. Qiao Yuxian raised her eyes to look at him, lifting her hand to precisely grasp his wrist, pulling forcefully. The man staggered forward, his vicious expression instantly turned to fear. Simultaneously as he stumbled forward a step, Qiao Yuxian kicked his leg. The heel of her shoe fiercely stabbed, making the man kneel down in pain. At that moment, seven or eight people dressed in black appeared around them. Qiao Yuxian gripped the man’s wrist hard, dislocating it. Then she tossed his arm away like trash. Casually dusting her skirt, she looked at the eight people surrounding her, and said calmly, "Whose men are you?" No one spoke. Qiao Yuxian let out a soft laugh, her gaze like a blade, "Acting inside the Gu Family’s Old Mansion can’t possibly be because my enemies followed me here, right?" Her words made things quite clear. They were from the Gu Family, sent because of Gu Yanjing. Still, no one spoke, they directly made a move. One against eight, Qiao Yuxian handled them with ease. She blocked incoming attacks and quickly chopped the side of her hand against opponents’ necks with a fierce gust of wind. Then, punched another’s arm and elbowed an assailant’s face. Utilizing the gap, Qiao Yuxian grabbed a nearby willow branch, broke it, and held it in her hand. Wearing a dress limited her ability to kick, she resorted to close combat. With the willow branch in hand, she prepared to swiftly settle them. As she advanced, hurried footsteps sounded behind, and suddenly a figure appeared beside her. Kicking the person in front of her away. The force was so strong that the person flew horizontally, crashing into another. Qiao Yuxian turned her head to look at the person beside her. Gu Yanjing’s cold eyes scanned her up and down. Shang Chen took care of the remaining people. Qiao Yuxian and Gu Yanjing exchanged glances for two seconds, threw away the willow branch in her hand, and rushed to his side, acting terrified. She said, "Good thing you arrived in time, scared me to death." Gu Yanjing glanced at the allies she had knocked down: "......" "Luckily, I learned self-defense." Qiao Yuxian said with lingering fear, "Thanks to my vigorous counterattack, I wasn’t subjected to any harm." Gu Yanjing looked at her. Qiao Yuxian pointed at the man guiding her, accusing, "Him, he tried to grab my neck. If I reacted even a little slower, I would be gone now." Gu Yanjing glanced at her slender neck, then at the fluttering sleeves of her dress. Retracting his gaze, he paused, took off his suit jacket, and draped it over Qiao Yuxian’s shoulders. Feeling the weight on her, Qiao Yuxian was momentarily stunned, looking at Gu Yanjing, "I’m fine, not cold." "Wear it." Gu Yanjing left two words. "Oh." Qiao Yuxian gathered the clothes with her hands, feeling surrounded by some cool fragrance. She smiled and said, "Thank you." Gu Yanjing looked ahead without speaking. Shang Chen knocked all the men down, stood among them, kicking each one before asking one in better condition, "Who ordered you?" The questioned person didn’t speak. Shang Chen didn’t get an answer, so he took out a dagger from behind his waist, unsheathed it, and stabbed it directly into the man’s shoulder. Qiao Yuxian watched the sharp dagger gleaming under the night lights, but she didn’t see where it stabbed. Because her eyes were covered. Suddenly engulfed in darkness, Qiao Yuxian instinctively clenched the hand of Gu Yanjing that covered her eyes. It took time to adjust to the dark, so she gripped tightly. Gu Yanjing’s arm wrapped around behind her, covering her eyes, as if pulling Qiao Yuxian into his embrace. He simply glanced at Qiao Yuxian’s firm grip, then inadvertently noticed her lips moving. Her lips subtly moved as if expressing dissatisfaction with her view being obstructed. Gu Yanjing watched, his own lips subconsciously moved slightly. After a moment, he diverted his gaze, lightly frowning after a couple of seconds. Shang Chen squatted beside the man being interrogated, gently twisting the dagger, "Just confess quickly, it’ll be easier for you and me." Lying on the ground, the man groaned, fingers digging into the earth, sweat streaming down his forehead before he finally said, "It’s the second, Second Young Master." Qiao Yuxian’s lashes fluttered lightly. It was Gu Shuluo, Gu Yanjing’s half-brother. Her lashes grazed Gu Yanjing’s palm, causing him to lightly clench the hand hanging by his side. "Explain thoroughly." Shang Chen said in a cold voice. "Second Young Master had us inside the old mansion, told us to keep an eye on the mansion’s movements." The man confessed, "Tonight, tonight Miss Gu is here. We reported it. Second Young Master... told us to find an opportunity to take her away and use her to threaten Mr. Gu." Qiao Yuxian: "......" Shang Chen pulled out the dagger, stood up straight, and looked at Gu Yanjing. Gu Yanjing’s gaze fell on the man who had guided Qiao Yuxian, "That one, take his hands." "Yes." Shang Chen walked over. Qiao Yuxian could only guess Shang Chen’s approximate position as she listened attentively. Suddenly, the man shouted in agony, startling her. Gu Yanjing glanced at her, released his hold, and led her away by the wrist.