C17 He Headed Towards Duke Lin Mansion

"Miss, you're expecting now; it's best if you stay home and rest," Xiaoxi urged, genuinely worried about her safety.

Gu Zhuohua waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine. There are some things I need to handle personally. Xiaoxi, come with me to the Duke Lin Mansion."

The mention of Duke Lin Mansion made Xiaoxi react instantly. "What? Miss, you want to go there? You know what kind of person Duke Lin is. If Second Young Master and the Prime Minister find out..."

Gu Zhuohua frowned slightly at her. "If you don't tell them and I don't tell them, how will they know?"

Besides, she wasn't going to Duke Lin Mansion because of any lingering feelings for him; she was going to settle a score.

Thinking about how Miss had almost lost her life at the gates of Duke Lin Mansion last time, Xiaoxi was filled with dread. She couldn't let her take such a risk again. Steeling herself, she stood in front of Gu Zhuohua. "Miss, you can't go. Second Young Master instructed me to look after you. If anything happens to you, how will I explain it to him?"

Hearing this, Gu Zhuohua's expression turned cold, her narrowed eyes sending a chill down Xiaoxi's spine.

She spoke slowly, her voice devoid of blame but cold enough to bring tears to Xiaoxi's eyes. "Are you my person or my brother's?"

"I... I'm naturally yours, Miss," Xiaoxi replied, her voice choked, knowing that her mistress was upset.

Even if Miss was angry with her, she couldn't let her get hurt.

Gu Zhuohua sighed, realizing her tone had been harsh. Xiaoxi still treated her as if she were the original Gu Zhuohua, and that wouldn't do. She'd have to let her go eventually.

"Fine, Xi'er will come with me. You stay here and think it over. We'll talk when I get back." With that, Gu Zhuohua twisted the last strand of her long hair into a mature bun and secured it with a jade hairpin.

Her figure had been specially altered, with cotton pads added to her back and chest to disguise her shape. Her face was painted in a peculiar manner, instantly transforming her into a woman in her twenties. Xiaoxi looked at her mistress's transformation with tears in her eyes, opening her mouth but unsure of what to say. Gu Zhuohua didn't have time to explain and led Xi'er toward the back door.

Though young, Xi'er was always obedient and well-behaved. Perhaps because she didn't spend much time close to Gu Zhuohua, her eyes always held a hint of admiration when she looked at her. "Xi'er, aren't you curious about what your mistress is up to?" Xi'er smiled with crescent-shaped eyes, revealing two small canine teeth. "Curious, every time you go out, I'm especially curious because you always do things that surprise me."

As she spoke, her eyes sparkled with excitement. Gu Zhuohua raised an eyebrow, a classic case of personal admiration. "Aren't you afraid the place I'm taking you might be dangerous?" Hearing this, Xi'er thought carefully and then shook her head. "With the Prime Minister and the young master looking out for you, you won't be in danger."

Gu Zhuohua's eye twitched; it seemed her current label was the Prime Minister's daughter, rather than Gu Zhuohua. Although Xi'er's thinking was simple, she was good at following orders. As they exited the back door, a guard descended from above. Xi'er was startled but quickly adapted. The guard's eyes lit up at the sight of the strangely dressed Gu Zhuohua. If he hadn't been stationed there, he wouldn't have recognized her.

"Miss, the carriage is ready." "Alright, let's go." With Xi'er, she boarded the carriage, and Guard Lin drove them straight toward Duke Lin Mansion.