The Rebirth of an Orphan

Chapter 158 Awkwardness

No, absolutely not. Zhao Xihua knew that she was just a wandering ghost between heaven and earth, and the green lamp and the Buddha's shadow were her final destination.

She quickly stepped back and said to Gu Lun, "You are tired today. Go to bed early. I won't disturb you." After that, she left the study without giving Gu Lun any chance to speak.

Since Gu Lun thought so and felt that she rejected him because she liked Sun Xiao, she didn't want to explain more and just let him think so.

But when he was only a dozen steps away from the study, he heard the sound of miscellaneous things coming from the study. Zhao Xihua couldn't help but smile bitterly. This guy has a really bad temper and ordinary people can't afford to offend him.

For several days in a row, the entire Gu family was relatively peaceful, but the number of invitations sent to Zhao Xihua's East Garden was increasing. Although Zhao Xihua had handed over the family's account books to Mrs. Hua, the managers of each room went to her East Garden more frequently.

They were afraid that Zhao Xihua wouldn't be able to see them, and that they would become estranged, and the future mistress of the house would not remember them.

Zhao Xihua looked at the invitations sent by the noble ladies from the aristocratic families in Kyoto. Some were for full-month banquets, some were for birthday parties, some were for flower viewing, and some even wanted to become her sworn sisters...

Zhao Xihua understood that these people had looked down on her because she came from the countryside, and also looked down on Gu Lun, the bastard of the Gu family. It was only because Gu Lun now had the Xuantie Order and was the future real head of the Gu family that they rushed to curry favor with her.

Therefore, Zhao Xihua's Dongyuan was even busier than when she was the housekeeper before. Gu Lun was so busy that he did not return to Dongyuan for several days. Zhao Xihua knew that he was jealous and angry again and was throwing a tantrum at him.

"Sister," Zhao Xihua was resting with her eyes closed. When she heard Pingshui's voice, she slowly opened her eyes and saw a golden invitation card in front of her, which was more gorgeous than ordinary invitation cards.

The most eye-catching thing was the word "Ling" outlined in gold powder. This was the invitation from the Ling family. She was not a person who was good at pleasing others. Even though she had been valued by the noble ladies in Kyoto recently because of the Xuantie Order, she still declined with various reasons. However, it should not be so easy to refuse the invitation from the Ling family now.

Pingshui looked at Zhao Xihua and asked, "Sister, Madam Ling's personal servant is still waiting outside. Do you want to meet him?"

Zhao Xihua nodded: "Let her in."

Soon, Pingshui came in with a capable woman in formal clothes. After coming in, the woman politely stood in front of Zhao Xi's painting and said with a smile: "Madam, tomorrow is the plum blossom banquet held by our master's family. My mistress specially invited you to attend it."

Zhao Xihua smiled and looked at the woman in front of her and said, "Normally, Madam Ling has invited me twice, so I should go. However, I am no longer the head of the family, so I need to talk to the head of the family about this."

The woman understood what she heard. After all, the news that the Gu family's mother-in-law could not tolerate the young mistress of the family had already spread all over Kyoto, and the Ling family was even more aware of the situation.

The woman also smiled and said, "Young Madam is indeed a thoughtful person, but my mistress has already sent an invitation to Madam Hua. Madam Hua said that the plum blossom viewing banquet is a place for children to play, so she will not go. Young Madam can go if she is free."

Zhao Xihua thought that Madam Ling was really thoughtful and had already considered the problem of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law's discord. She had no choice but to go, so she accepted the invitation and said with a smile: "Since it is so respectful, I will definitely go tomorrow."

Mrs. Ling has already done this, if she doesn't go, she will be hypocritical. Besides, Gu Lun is now the head of the Gu family. Even if some people dislike them, they have to give Gu Lun some face. She can just deal with it when the time comes.

That night, the sky was darker than usual, and soon it began to snow heavily. It was already late, but Gu Lun still hadn't come back. Zhao Xihua was a little worried, so she stood in the corridor outside the yard waiting for Gu Lun.

It's already the fifth day, and no one knows why this guy is still making a fuss. She knows that she can't help him or make him any promises, but he still insists on forcing her like that.

"Miss, why don't you go back and let us wait here." Pingshui and Chunfeng couldn't help feeling worried when they saw the thin Zhao Xihua standing in the corridor.

"I'll wait a little longer. If he still doesn't come back, you don't have to wait any longer. Go to bed early." Although Zhao Xihua's voice was cold and calm, the worry and concern in her tone could not be deceived.

Pingshui and Chunfeng couldn't understand what their young lady was thinking. The uncle was so good to the young lady, but the young lady still wanted to sleep in a separate room from the uncle, and they would quarrel every few days. If it were an ordinary family, such a well-matched young couple would have a little master in their belly. But there was no point in them being anxious about this matter.

But as luck would have it, as soon as Zhao Xihua finished speaking, she heard the rustling sound of boots stepping on snow on a path not far away, and then the tall figure of Gu Lun wearing a military coat slowly appeared in front of Zhao Xihua.

Zhao Xihua's eyes suddenly lit up, and then returned to normal.

Gu Lun went out to drink with Deng Xiao tonight and drank a little too much. He originally wanted to hide outside for a few days and ignore the heartless woman at home, but he couldn't help missing her, especially on a snowy night like this, he missed her so much.

He looked at Zhao Xihua standing in the corridor, looking even more graceful against the backdrop of the snow. But how could she stand here in such a cold day? Was she taking revenge on him for not coming home for a few days? Was she punishing herself like this?

He quickly stepped forward, took off his coat and wrapped it tightly around Zhao Xihua. However, he had drunk too much tonight and his steps were not steady. He took advantage of the situation and hugged Zhao Xihua in his arms, saying in a hoarse voice, "You little bastard, you are not a human being, Zhao Xihua, you are really nothing."

The faint cold fragrance from Gu Lun's body mixed with his strong smell of alcohol hit Zhao Xihua's face. The top of her head was hit by Gu Lun's hard chin and it hurt a little. Zhao Xihua looked at Pingshui and Chunfeng who were standing aside in shock and said, "You two should quickly prepare the bathing supplies and the sobering soup." Then she helped the staggering Gu Lun into the room.

Gu Lun was really drunk and unconscious. He grabbed Zhao Xihua's hand and kept talking nonsense. He didn't fall asleep peacefully until midnight.

After Zhao Xihua covered Gu Lun with the quilt, she prepared to take a nap as she had to go to the Ling family for a banquet the next morning. Even if it was just for the occasion, she still needed to be fully alert to cope with the situation at the Ling family.