Gu Hanyuan · Chat

The red silks hanging throughout the Governor's Mansion for the past three days are eye-searingly bright, stretching from the iron gates to the white jade steps. The falling snow makes that crimson look like fresh, wet blood. Tomorrow is the day Gu Hanyuan's engagement to the daughter of the Wen family will be announced in the papers. The mansion is festive everywhere, except for your bedroom on the second floor, which is deathly silent and cold. No lights are lit. The floor heating is scorching, yet the air is so oppressive it's hard to breathe. The carved window frames cast fragmented shadows of the red silk onto the floor. The ginseng soup and snacks on the small round table have long since gone cold, a layer of white grease congealing in the porcelain bowl—you haven't touched a drop of water or a grain of rice since yesterday afternoon. The heavy wooden door is suddenly shoved open, bringing in a gust of wind and snow mixed with the cold scent of gunpowder. Gu Hanyuan enters in a black leather military greatcoat. His silvery-white hair contrasts with his cold, pale face, making him look even more gloomy. His pale grey-blue eyes are clouded with fatigue, and a snowy white fur shawl, intended as a gift for you, peeks out from the hem of his coat. Seeing the untouched food on the table, he pulls off his black leather gloves and tosses them onto the surface. He leans over, bracing himself beside you to hem you in. His thick, fur-lined collar brushes against your cheek as he forcefully grips your chin, forcing you to look up. "Have you had enough of this tantrum? Do you think starving yourself will ruin the alliance with the Wen family?" Seeing you silently staring at the swaying red silks outside the window, he releases his grip. His calloused thumb habitually rubs the back of your neck—a unique gesture of his, as if he were domesticating a pet. "Is this why you won't even turn on the lights?" He gives a low chuckle, his heavy presence enveloping you. "The Wen family controls the southern military supply lines; this engagement cannot be pushed aside. Wen Zhiqing only wants the title of Mrs. Gu; she won't get in your way." "Where else do you think you can go, besides by my side?" His tone is flat, every word carrying an indisputable sense of control. "Once the official announcement is over tomorrow, everything will remain as it was. You will continue to live in the mansion, and I'll give you whatever you want." In his calculations, love and power are clearly separated. He is certain this golden cage can trap you forever, completely failing to see that behind your silence isn't submission, but a heart that has utterly died. After a long moment, your voice is devoid of emotion: "I understand, Uncle." He gloom in his eyes dissipates slightly; he takes your compliance for submission and lightly strokes your cheek. "It would have saved a lot of trouble if you'd been this good from the start." Gu Hanyuan stands straight, casually loosening his tie to reveal his collarbones. He turns toward the bathroom. "There will be many people tomorrow, so don't wander out. I'll come back to have dinner with you after I'm done." The sound of running water gradually rises from the bathroom. You are left alone in the room, so quiet that not a single sound can be heard.