Chapter 127: Heading to the County Seat

Seeing her flee in such a flustered state, Chu Chengjin decided not to bring up what happened yesterday. After all, it wasn't just she who had found pleasure in it; it was a shared experience, so it was best to let the matter rest.

When Mother Li and Gu Xiaoshu woke up, they found it strange to see Gu Xiaoyao slipping into the storage room.

"Xiaoyao, why are you sneaking into the storage room so early? Are you looking for something in there?"

Gu Xiaoyao emerged from the room and, hearing Mother Li’s question, shook her head before retrieving a basket from the kitchen. Since she had to go to town today, her brother would have to handle the chores in the fields in her stead.

"Xiaoshu, I’m heading into town to take care of some business, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the fields."

"If anything comes up that needs attention, just talk to Chu Chengjin, or wait for me to return."

She didn't plan on staying in town for long anyway. Once the bean sprouts were sold and a steady customer was secured, she could return immediately.

"I understand, Sister. Don't worry, I’ll keep a close watch on the fields."

Gu Xiaoshu wouldn't let his guard down just because the Chu brothers had helped out yesterday; he was certain they still had ulterior motives.

"Go to town without a worry. If anything happens, I’ll talk to Brother-in-law, and Mother is here too!"

Hearing her son mention her, Mother Li waved her hands with self-awareness. She knew her own nature; she wasn't good at handling affairs, and even if a problem were placed right in front of her, she wouldn't know how to resolve it.

"I can't do it. If anything really happens, just leave it for your sister to handle when she gets back. I’m no good at dealing with such things."

Seeing her mother undermine him the moment he spoke, Gu Xiaoshu could only offer a helpless smile.

During breakfast, Gu Xiaoyao acted as if nothing had happened the previous night, eating with complete composure. Watching her calm demeanor, Chu Chengjin found it amusing; he followed suit, pretending nothing had happened while persistently piling food into her bowl.

"Eat this. You don't like this dish? Have some more."

As he reached out to serve her, a mark on Chu Chengjin's neck was revealed. Among those at the table, Mother Li saw it most clearly. Naturally, she also understood exactly what that mark meant. Startled, she nearly dropped her chopsticks.

After finishing the meal, each lost in their own thoughts, Gu Xiaoyao filled two baskets with bean sprouts from the storage room and covered them with cloths.

"Xiaoyao, come here. Mother wants to ask you a few things!"

Seeing the mark on Chu Chengjin’s neck had made it impossible for Mother Li to feel at ease. Seeing that no one was nearby, she pulled Gu Xiaoyao aside to whisper.

"What is going on between you and your husband? What happened last night? Why is his neck all bruised and purple? You two didn't get into a fight, did you?"

Although she briefly wondered if they had simply been too "vigorous" during their intimacy, she dismissed it as impossible. Her daughter simply wasn't that kind of person. Could it be that her daughter had been tipsy last night and they had ended up brawling?

"No, of course not. How could we fight? We slept very well last night, there were no problems at all."

Hearing Mother Li pry into the events of the previous night, Gu Xiaoyao quickly replied and began acting as if she were in a great hurry.

"Oh, that’s right—I need to get to town quickly, I can't delay any longer. Don't worry, Mother, we didn't fight or argue. Don't overthink it."