I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 57: Keeping One’s Word

Gu Lan’s serene expression slightly stiffened as she looked around.

Because she was ill, her vigilance had diminished, and she hadn’t noticed there were other people around.

Then, she saw Xie Yun, whom she had met briefly last night, leaning against the ancient tree in the neighboring courtyard, with its branches blown thin by the rain, leaving only a few leaves.

It seemed to be a magnolia tree, except its flowers had wilted and scattered, and the air carried a faint fragrance of magnolia.

Xie Yun looked at Gu Lan, his eyes gentle and lips curled into a slight curve: "Nice to meet you again, Lan."

Gu Lan looked at Xie Yun in bewilderment, perhaps understanding why Rong Heng always looked at her as if she were a fool.

— Climbing trees and scaling walls really does make one look silly.

Even if Xie Yun had an unparalleled handsome face, she still thought he looked a bit foolish.

Seeming to sense the disdain in Gu Lan’s eyes, Xie Yun explained, "I didn’t come here on purpose. I live next door now."

Gu Lan furrowed her brows and said, "Even if you move in with Gu Changting, you’re not allowed to influence him; he’s the eldest of our Gu Family."

She felt something was off about this man spending every day with Gu Changting.

Xie Yun: ...

Why do all the Gu Family members keep thinking that way about him?

"Young Master misunderstood. I’m not living with Changting; this place is originally the ancestral home of the Xie Family. The flood washed away my home, so I temporarily moved here, while Changting actually lives a bit further."

Xie Yun paused and explained quite seriously.

Gu Lan gazed into the distance, finally seeing that there was indeed another wall, and felt relieved.

It’s good Xie Yun doesn’t fancy Gu Changting, or else Mrs. Wang might break down and be unable to make her those small snacks.

Besides, this man is handsome, and she’s worried Gu Changting might not be able to resist.

She lowered her head, sorting the remaining candies by flavor and placing them into their respective jars, ignoring Xie Yun.

No matter if Xie Yun was the first young master or the future prime minister, someone who could make it to the end wouldn’t simply be a gentle gentleman, she felt dizzy today and wasn’t in the mood to deal with him.

After a while, Gu Lan began practicing martial arts and stance training.

A few days ago, she requested the Gu Family’s heirloom secret martial arts manual, which was straightforwardly named Spear Technique of the Gu Family, from the Old Madam Gu.

After flipping through the manual several times, Gu Lan had already memorized the spear technique moves.

However, her favorite part was the Qinggong within the Gu Family Spear; she felt that once she trained well, she would be able to run as quickly as Yuan, who chased her last time.

Gu Lan was indifferent to those around her while practicing, and Xie Yun continued to lean on the tree branch, watching her train until she was drenched in sweat, his expression from calm turning to surprise, and finally admiration.

A hint of heartache flashed in his eyes as he silently watched.

At that moment, Gu Lan picked up a wooden spear and performed the initial move of the Gu Family Spear—fast as the wind.

The spear swept horizontally, like wind weaving through;

Dark hair like clouds, gaze unrestrained.

Xie Yun gazed intently at the youth in white in the courtyard, spear blazing.

From Gu Lan’s figure, he saw a familiar sharp silhouette, the two merging together.

Both full of youthful vigor, with eyes bright as stars, seemingly overlooking the world’s heroes.

Xie Yun quickly regained his composure, clasped his hands: "Apologies, please forgive Jingqi for glimpsing the Marquis Mansion Spear Technique, Jingqi shall leave at once."

With that, he immediately leaped down from the tree in a few swift moves.

Gu Lan didn’t mind. She practiced the spear at her own will, occasionally mixing in the killing skills from the past organization, which Xie Yun might not completely understand. Even if he did see and remember, the initial move of the spear wasn’t some wondrous secret manual.

Separated by a wall, Xie Yun looked up at the vast, azure sky.

His lips slightly pursed, his clear eyes reflecting the color of the sky, conveying warmth and a sorrowful reminiscence.

If Sister Luan saw how diligently little Lan worked like this, he wondered what she would think.

Xie Yun took a deep breath, resolute determination flashing in his eyes, then turned back to the house, picked up a pen, and started drafting a memorial.

He didn’t know how she would feel, but he wouldn’t forget what he’d promised—to protect little Gu Lan and let her grow up safely and happily.

His word was his bond.

Gu Lan hadn’t even completed half the spear routine when Zijin grabbed her for a rest.

Zijin said angrily: "Young Master finally got some time off, was feverish last night, why are you still practicing so hard today?"

Gu Lan: "To exercise, of course."

Zijin helplessly stuffed her mouth with a piece of pastry: "This is Mrs. Wang’s newly developed chestnut cake."

"It tastes quite good." Gu Lan nodded in praise, "I’ll take a piece for Brother Hang when I return to the palace."

Zijin whispered: "Young Master, you keep mentioning Brother Hang every day, have you really taken yourself for a man?"

Gu Lan lifted Zijin’s chin, approached her red lips, and whispered, "Zijin, I’m upset if I don’t want to be a man, and you’re upset if I do. Do you want me to show you what a real man is?"

Zijin:... She still lost to Shameless.

"Young, Young Master... Sister Zijin, what are you doing?" You’er walked over with a cup of tea, witnessing the scene, almost dropping the tea, eyes wide open.

Zijin blushed and said nothing, feeling ashamed to explain.

Gu Lan casually withdrew her hand, unfazed, shifted the topic earnestly: "By the way You’er, isn’t Second Uncle living next door? How come I saw Xie Yun?"

Zijin curiously said: "Young Master Xie lives at Second Young Master’s house?"

"Xie... Young Master Xie and Young Master Changting live together!?" You’er repeated in shock, with a somewhat low voice.

Zipei, who had just come over, repeated fearfully: "Xie Yun and Young Master Changting slept together!?"

Gu Lan: Now she finally understood how rumors spread.

After Gu Lan’s explanation, everyone realized that a new neighbor had moved next to the Marquis Mansion, Xie Yun.

Zijin recalled and then said: "I remember, indeed, there are two families next door to the Marquis Mansion, one is Second Young Master’s family, the other has been vacant for years. If it’s the Xie Family, it’s possible."

Ever since she could remember, she knew Second Young Master Gu’s family lived next door, aware there was also an unused courtyard.

Gu Lan pressed her brow and asked: "What’s Xie Yun’s background?"

In the book Xie Yun had a bunch of fangirls, and when she inadvertently clicked open the comment section while reading, she saw comments praising him as the friend of women, the light of Dayan men, creating quite a buzz.

Unfortunately, Xie Yun appeared in the latter half of the original book, which she automatically skipped.

Zijin teased: "Xie Yun is our Dayan’s first young master, yet Young Master doesn’t know him?"

She thought the madam previously worried about things like her daughter naive and lovestruck getting deceived, impulsively deciding lifelong companionship with some scoundrel, were overthinking.

Young Master’s favorite pastimes now seem to be dressing as a man and teasing young ladies.

What a ridiculous thought.

Gu Lan earnestly: "I’m a man, why should I know about the first young master."

Zipei chimed in: "But I’m also a man, and I know about him!"

Gu Lan: "You can choose not to be a man; do you want me to help you?"