What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?

Chapter 445 - 441: Master Tao’s Innate Goodness—Tao Gu Side Story (Part 7)

Since that day when she fled from outside the Ministry of Justice Prison, Gu Qinglan had led a life of seclusion and simplicity.She not only didn’t leave the house, but she also seldom left her own room.

This unusual behavior caught the attention of her Aunt Lu.

"Madam says she hasn’t seen Fifth Miss in several days and asks her to come over for a chat," said the maid sent by Lu.

Gu Qinglan had no choice but to go.

As she walked slowly along the corridor, with occasional fallen autumn leaves, Gu Qinglan seemed a bit absent-minded.

Suddenly, a familiar voice reached her ears, and she stopped in her tracks.

"It’s Xinfeng’s Master Tao, here to visit our Seventh Son," the maid explained.

Gu Qinglan responded with a simple "Hmm," without speaking or moving.

The maid assumed she stopped to avoid the unfamiliar man and silently waited alongside her.

Through a few autumn trees, the conversation between Tao Fen and Gu Ling continued to flow—

"Thank you, Writer Gu..."

"I don’t deserve such thanks, but Miss Zhong’s delicate nature took a toll from all the running around..."

"Indeed, she was quite frightened this time..."

"..."

Gu Qinglan turned around with a slight smile, "Let’s take another route!"

Taking another route would be better.

...

After that time, Gu Qinglan never encountered Tao Fen again.

Not at home, and not even when she occasionally went out.

Quite strange.

Someone she used to meet often just suddenly seemed to vanish from her life.

It wasn’t until three months later that Gu Qinglan heard about him again.

"Brother Tao is serving porridge outside the city gate, want to go take a look?" Second Miss Tang asked.

Gu Qinglan was momentarily surprised, "Serving porridge?"

"Yes! Just returned from Xingzhou and is already busy serving porridge. I wonder if he’ll be able to take the imperial exams next year," Second Miss Tang sighed.

So he went to Xingzhou...

Gu Qinglan smiled and said, "Your brother is truly a great man!"

"Isn’t he! In October, when the earthquake hit Xingzhou, he donated a lot, went there personally with my elder brother to aid disaster relief, cleared rubble, built new homes, all hands-on, and even helped catch a group of bandits!"

Gu Qinglan listened attentively and inquired with concern, "I heard that during great disasters there are often fierce bandits, no wonder the court sent troops, were those bandits dangerous? Is Cousin Tang all right?"

"My brother is quite skilled in martial arts, and with so many personal soldiers protecting him, how could those bandits hurt him? But Brother Tao, it’s said, suffered a minor injury..."

Gu Qinglan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Injured...

...

The porridge-serving area was chaotic, not a place for young noble ladies like them to visit.

Second Miss Tang was merely suggesting, not actually intending to go.

However, after leaving Duke Yan Mansion, Gu Qinglan inexplicably found herself heading to the West Market.

The West Market wasn’t far from the West City Gate.

Upon approaching, Gu Qinglan lifted the curtain to take a look.

Although it wasn’t far, she couldn’t see the scene outside the city gate.

Her heart sank, as she was about to put down the curtain, when suddenly, something caught her eye at the corner.

Focusing her gaze, she saw a group of people walking into the city.

There were about a dozen people, with Tao Fen in the very center.

Seeing him, Gu Qinglan felt he seemed slimmer, making him appear even taller.

So tall that, as soon as he raised his eyes, he saw her.

Tao Fen’s gaze momentarily froze, and he halted his steps.

Instinctively wanting to hide, Gu Qinglan restrained herself, clenched her palms, smiled and nodded at Tao Fen, and then unhurriedly lowered the curtain.

As the light dimmed, she exhaled a gentle breath, silently recalling whether her recent conduct was graceful and proper—

...

Pretty graceful and proper, thought Tao Fen, at least she didn’t retract immediately without a word.

Indifferently lowering the arm he had lifted intending to greet, inexplicably, his eyes couldn’t part from that carriage.

The carriage turned and entered the West Market.

Tao Fen mused, this little girl does seem a bit heartless.

Ever since he helped her retrieve the sachet, she had ignored him.

Yet the day he was released from prison, he clearly saw her again.

Sneaking around, her glance met his, and she ran off.

He found it amusing every time he recalled.

Even now.

"Tao, what is it you’re smiling so cheerfully about?" a companion asked.

Tao Fen waved with a chuckle, "You all carry on, I’m injured, not suitable for drinking!"

Thus, parting with his companions, he turned toward the West Market as well.

The West Market lined with countless shops, crowded with pedestrians, the carriage of the Fifth Miss Gu was nowhere in sight.

Tao Fen smirked wryly, strolled leisurely toward the familiar Wenren Bookstore, but unexpectedly saw the Fifth Miss Gu’s carriage outside the bookstore.

Seeing him, Fifth Miss Gu displayed a moment of surprise, then regained a gracefully proper smile.

Tao Fen felt a slight awkwardness, approached, and greeted, "Fifth Miss, it’s been a long time."

She returned the salute, "I heard from Cousin Tang that Master Tao recently went to Xingzhou for disaster relief, was slightly injured, and despite not fully recovering served porridge at the outskirts of the capital, your chivalrous spirit is truly admirable."

The girl’s voice was soft, her tone measured, a delight to the ears.

Tao Fen grinned at her, "So Fifth Miss knows everything!"

If he hadn’t come today, she wouldn’t have even given him that "admiration".

Gu Qinglan, slightly flustered by his teasing, blushed, but maintained a dignified demeanor, "Master Tao’s benevolence is known to all."

The jade complexion tinged with blush, yet she maintained an earnest tone, making Tao Fen couldn’t help but laugh, "Known to all, I thought Fifth Miss didn’t know! Helping you regain your sachet was arduous and didn’t even warrant a thanks, but when you see me, it’s like seeing a ghost, turning and running; someone who doesn’t know would think I’ve offended you, Fifth Miss!"

Gu Qinglan’s face turned increasingly red, and finally, she couldn’t help but retort, "When you were imprisoned, I ran around many times for you, did you ever thank me?"

Tao Fen was suddenly taken aback.

Having said that, Gu Qinglan’s face completely flushed, her eyes seemingly brimmed with tears, her expression both shy and indignant, as if she was about to cry.

Tao Fen, afraid she would run again, instinctively held her wrist, explaining, "I didn’t know about that!"

This time, Gu Qinglan showed no intent to flee.

With tears still glistening in her eyes, her expression calmed markedly in an instant.

She wrenched her wrist slightly.

Realizing his rashness, Tao Fen quickly released her.

She rubbed her wrist, kneeled slightly in salute, "Master Tao has been so kind to me many times, I thank you on behalf of Gu Five—"

Tao Fen looked at her, somewhat bewildered.

He didn’t really want her to thank him...

"Regarding the archery field incident, my eldest sister once said, the Gu Family and the Shen Family would remember this kindness; since Master Tao is in trouble, both in emotion and rationale, the Fifth of Gu wouldn’t stand by, treating it as repaying Master Tao an act of kindness, will also give her all!"

Tao Fen’s temples twitched, feeling a bit anxious.

A thanks is enough, must there be repayment?

Is she really trying to establish clear boundaries with him?

The little girl, having been stirred emotionally by him just now, seemed to mature instantly.

Even though her face showed embarrassment, she remained graceful and composed, "My earlier outburst, I apologize to Master Tao."

Tao Fen was not the type to bully or tease young girls, but at this moment, he couldn’t help but retort, "What if I don’t accept the apology!"

Ever-graceful Fifth Miss Gu instantly widened her eyes.

Tao Fen burst into laughter.

Now he felt relieved!

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