After Time Traveling, I was Forced to Marry a Wealthy Family

Regarding the task assigned by Gu Huai, although Bai Ling’s IQ was not high, it did not prevent him from finding someone with a high enough IQ to help. As long as he relied on the power of the Gu family, it was not difficult to find an expert familiar with the history of the Yi Dynasty. Bai Ling quickly contacted a well-known history professor and asked him about Ji Yunshu.

There were very few records about Ji Yunshu in history because he was not a prince or aristocrat, nor particularly famous for great achievements. There was no reason for historians to record him in the history books.

Fortunately, the professor was thorough in his research on the Yi Dynasty and quickly provided Bai Ling with a rough list of Ji Yunshu’s life. Bai Ling then gave the report to Gu Huai.

“One thing worth noting is that Ji Yunshu once served as Mu Ci’s personal bodyguard for three years.” Bai Ling paused, “Later, Mu Ci was framed and committed suicide by jumping into a well. Ji Yunshu was then transferred elsewhere.”

Gu Huai frowned, “Judging from Mu Ci’s reaction, the two of them must have been close. How come Mu Ci is dead, and he can still live with peace of mind?”

“…Maybe their relationship isn’t as we imagined.”

Gu Huai clasped his fingers on the desk and thought carefully.

Because Mu Ci had never expressed dislike for Ji Yunshu, Gu Huai did not consider Ji Yunshu’s betrayal of Mu Ci. He thought maybe Ji Yunshu lived to avenge Mu Ci or that their relationship was more complicated than assumed.

No matter the reason, in Gu Huai’s knowledge, Mu Ci loved Ji Yunshu wholeheartedly. This realization made him very angry, and his knuckled fingers tightened unconsciously.

“Then, what else?” Gu Huai suppressed his anger; his eyes were light and cold.

Bai Ling flipped through the document and continued: “Historically, after Mu Ci’s death, Ji Yunshu was transferred to a new position and slowly rose in status. By his thirties, he already had a good position in the court.”

It was precisely because of this that Ji Yunshu could barely leave his name in the history books. Otherwise, a mere guard would not have left a trace if not promoted later.

“Although his official career was stable, the strange thing is that Ji Yunshu died at forty-five. The history books say he died in depression, leaving three sons and two daughters behind.”

Bai Ling thought for a moment, then bravely asked: “Young Master Gu, do you think Ji Yunshu died early because he missed Mu Ci? His career was smooth; there’s no reason for him to die in depression.”

Without raising his eyes, Gu Huai lit a cigarette and said angrily: “Bullshit. If he liked Mu Ci so much, he should have followed Mu Ci when he jumped into the well. I guess he probably did, wanting to use Mu Ci as a springboard to get promoted. When that didn’t work, he looked for another way out. It’s definitely not a good thing for him to reach such an official position at a young age.”

Bai Ling hesitated, wanting to say, “Young Master Gu, haven’t you achieved a high position at a young age? Are you a good person too?”

The answer was obvious and required no further discussion.

Bai Ling secretly looked at Gu Huai’s gloomy face and felt a little gloating: ‘You always scold me in the past, but now retribution comes readily. The person you like not only doesn’t like you but also likes someone else. Go ahead and cry!’

.

Every time Ji Yunshu was mentioned, Gu Huai’s mood turns extremely sour. He was essentially a powder bomb ready to explode, and no one dared to cross him during these moments.

So, when Gu Huai returned to the bedroom at night, his expression remained gloomy. His features, usually sharp and defined, were intimidating when he was angry, especially his almost unsettling eyes that dared anyone to meet their gaze.

Mu Ci was leaning on the bedside, reading by the bedside lamp. When he looked up and saw Gu Huai, he reflexively shrank back.

Finding it amusing, Gu Huai’s anger lessened a bit. He grabbed Mu Ci and kissed him hard a few times, “Why are you so afraid of me? Weren’t you quite proud a few days ago?”

Mu Ci frowned.

He hid his eyebrows, unabashedly grabbed the corner of the quilt, and wiped his mouth, “Don’t kiss me casually.”

There was a reason for Mu Ci’s fear. A few days ago, Mu Ci refused to sleep in Gu Huai’s bed at night. After initially going to bed with Gu Huai, he sneaked back to his room to sleep, only to be discovered by Gu Huai.

Gu Huai believed to punish any disobedient to make sure it didn’t become habits. If someone made a mistake, they must expect consequences.

That day, Mu Ci found himself confined to the big bed in the bedroom by Gu Huai, who didn’t release him for seven hours.

Everyone had their limits, and Mu Ci was no exception. But how could someone as noble as him admit to such vulnerability out loud?

Eventually, his face turned red, and his eyes filled with tears. Unable to endure it any longer, he suppressed his cries and begged for mercy, promising never to sleep in another room again. Gu Huai finally let him go and allowed him to use the bathroom.

Now, Mu Ci had a lingering fear of handcuffs, getting scared whenever he sees them. Gu Huai’s method worked; Mu Ci never dared to return to his original bedroom and instead climbed into Gu Huai’s bed every night.

Thinking of that embarrassing and aggrieved memory, Mu Ci’s face instantly darkened. He put down the book, turned around, and pulled the quilt over his head.

A few strands of his long hair fell outside. Gu Huai played with them fondly for a while, then got up and went to take a shower.

.

When he returned fifteen minutes later, he saw that Mu Ci was still in the same position, barely moving.

Gu Huai went over, rubbed the tips of Mu Ci’s thin ears, and said teasingly, “It’s only this time; you won’t read anymore, huh, my diligent student?”

In reality, Mu Ci only read ordinary novels; academic ones were too challenging for him. He couldn’t understand those books yet, but Gu Huai always liked to tease him like this, making fun of him and enjoying his blushing and lip-biting reactions.

Gu Huai was always in a good mood at these times, as if they were just a regular, normal couple who would occasionally quarrel.

But this time, Mu Ci ignored him, not even emitting a hum.

Thinking he might be asleep; Gu Huai dimmed the bedside lamp and took out his tablet to read today’s report.

About half an hour later, Gu Huai suddenly heard Mu Ci’s low voice: “I want to go to work.”

“Huh?” Gu Huai asked tepidly, without looking away from the screen, “Go work where?”

Mu Ci wasn’t sure if Chen Jie’s path was still available, but he urgently needed money, as well as the capital and experience to survive in the outside world. Since arriving in this world, Mu Ci had never ventured out alone.

Occasionally, Gu Huai took him for a walk or dinner, but most of the time, Mu Ci’s activities were confined inside the Gu family mansion, relying on the internet and books for information about the outside world.

Even if he managed to escape from the tightly guarded Gu family, it would be challenging for him to establish himself in society. Mu Ci was not impulsive; he needed careful plans to live a decent life.

Mu Ci opened his mouth, his shoulders shrinking weakly, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Gu Huai raised his eyebrows with interest, “Let me be honest, no reputable place would hire an unknown gangster unless you want to enter a nightclub. The only option would be Hanhai.”

Mu Ci couldn’t help but shrink into the quilt, biting his lip, “I can go to Mr. Chen Jie’s place.”

He said this with his back still facing Gu Huai. If Gu Huai hadn’t heard his voice, he might have thought Mu Ci had fallen asleep.

Gu Huai chuckled, deliberately embarrassing him, “Are you asking for something from me now, Mu Ci? Is this your attitude when talking to your future boss?”

Mu Ci frowned, lifted the quilt, sat up slowly, and finally raised his beautiful eyes to look directly at Gu Huai. His hair was a bit messy, so Gu Huai stretched out his hand to straighten it, catching a hint of shampoo fragrance on his fingertips.

But this fragrance lingered only briefly. Mu Ci was always elusive, impervious to external influences.

Only that day, when Gu Huai got him drunk, pressed him on the table, and asserted his dominance, Mu Ci carried a bit of his scent. Only on that day did this man blushed, cried unabashedly beneath him, clutching his strong arms, and pleading for mercy.

Gu Huai’s lower body tensed, and the corners of his mouth curved with malice. He felt he already knew what bargaining chip to use in exchange for Mu Ci’s compliant.