Chapter 623 - 625: Going Home

Chapter 623: Chapter 625: Going Home

Xu Nuo didn’t entirely believe those words. In her eyes, everyone had people they were close to and people who were more distant. How could anyone help an outsider bully their own family?

However, she didn’t let it show, simply offering a smile. "Le Huan is great. He wouldn’t bully me."

Jin Qianqian was merely stating her position. "That’s for the best. We all just want to see you two happy together.

You’ve both been so busy running around these past few days."

Gu Lehuan replied, "Seventh Uncle and Aunt Seven took great care of me in the past. This is something we should be doing.

But Housekeeper Xu and the others are just too competent. We couldn’t even help if we tried."

Everyone in the estate was overjoyed. The difference between a manor with masters and one without was immense.

But they also knew the masters were exhausted from the long journey. As soon as a senior maidservant came to announce that water for washing was ready, everyone immediately dispersed to let them get some rest.

By the time Gu Wenheng and his family had freshened up, the sky was already dark. They shared a simple meal before retiring to their respective rooms to rest.

Anything that needed to be addressed could wait until they were fully rested.

* * *

The next day, Gu Wenheng went directly to the Ministry of Personnel to report for duty. The officials there gave him a warm reception, but they remained tight-lipped about his future assignment.

Gu Wenheng didn’t press the matter. Once he had completed all the formalities, he turned to leave.

He didn’t expect that just as he reached the main gate, a eunuch would be waiting there to summon him to the palace.

Without even turning back, Gu Wenheng could hear the sharp intakes of breath behind him. He simply followed the little eunuch away.

"Good thing we didn’t give him any trouble just now. He’s really on another level, getting summoned the moment he’s back."

"We don’t have any grudges against him, why would we make things difficult for him?

Still, this Mr. Gu is truly fortunate. Looks like he’s in for a major promotion. We can’t even compare."

"Oh, stop being so jealous. The man has real skill. If you were sent to a place like Lu City, it’s a question of whether you’d even make it back alive."

"Why are you spouting such harsh truths? We should be thankful we weren’t sent there. Forget about glory; even if we didn’t lose our lives, we’d probably be punished for incompetence."

...

On the way, Gu Wenheng found an opportunity and slipped a small purse to the Chief Eunuch.

After a few probing, indirect questions, his steps became more assured.

That day, no one knew what the emperor and his subject discussed. The many spies planted in the palace found out nothing; they couldn’t even get a glimpse of the expressions on the two men’s faces.

Upon returning to his estate, Gu Wenheng closed his gates and announced he would be resting for three days. The official reason given was that he needed to recover from the arduous journey.

By the time three days had passed and people were hoping to pry for information?

The man had already packed up his family and left for his hometown to visit relatives.

* * *

Gu Wenheng leisurely gazed at the passing scenery, his eyes frequently drifting to his wife and two children playing inside the carriage.

"Qianqian, when we get back this time, we should have the two boys attend the village’s private school for a while."

’Relationships are built through spending time together. In this era, it’s impossible to completely detach from one’s clan.’

’Since that’s the case, we might as well use this time to let the younger generation cultivate their familial bonds.’

Jin Qianqian naturally understood his reasoning. "I was thinking the same thing. The two of them are really lacking playmates. We should arrange for some children their age to be around them in the future."

"I’ll see to it," Gu Wenheng agreed, though he was already wondering, ’Are there any suitable candidates among that last batch of people we hired?’

"How long can we stay home on this trip?" Jin Qianqian had forgotten to ask in the rush of their departure.

"If there are no deviations from the plan, we should be able to stay for about ten days.

It’s just that I still have some matters to attend to back in Shangjing. If you want to stay in Fu County for a while longer, that’s fine too."

Jin Qianqian thought it over for a moment before shaking her head. "No, let’s return to the capital together.

We also need to visit the few families we’re on good terms with. Even though we’ve always exchanged the proper courtesies, you grow distant if you don’t see people for a long time. This is a good chance to reconnect.

You’ve been as silent as a clam since you got back yesterday. Can you really not tell me where you’ll be posted next?"

Gu Wenheng sighed. "I only have a general idea of the place. I’m still waiting for the specifics.

This is a rare time of peace for our family. Let’s not be troubled by such things."

Hearing this, Jin Qianqian didn’t press him further. She guessed it wasn’t a pleasant topic.

She turned, saw her children still fiddling with their toys, and joined them with a smile.

Gu Wenheng stared at the scenery outside, lost in thought. ’This young emperor is incredibly ambitious. He wants to use me as his blade, and I don’t have a choice in the matter.’

As he watched the bustling pedestrians and the farmers toiling in the fields, he finally sighed. ’I have to be that blade whether I want to or not. And I have to make myself sharp.’

"Don’t just sit there enjoying the peace and quiet by yourself," Jin Qianqian said suddenly. "Since we have this rare free time, come and play with the children.

Our Luo Luo doesn’t have to study today, so you don’t have to use your brain either. Come and be silly with them for a while."

Gu Wenheng thought he had concealed his worries well, but it seemed she had seen right through him.

He gave his wife a bright smile and lowered the carriage curtain. A moment later, peals of laughter drifted out from within.

Outside, the guard Lin Dapeng broke into a knowing smile. The better the atmosphere among the master’s family, the more smoothly their duties would go.

After a two-day journey, the convoy finally arrived at Gaoling Village.

Looking at the familiar scenery, both Gu Wenheng and Jin Qianqian were suddenly overcome with a sense of belonging.

Without even realizing it, they had come to see this place as their true home.

As they reached the village entrance and saw their familiar house, Jin Qianqian couldn’t wait any longer. She jumped down from the carriage, startling Lichun and the other maids who rushed forward to help, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Look at you, so reckless! You’re setting a terrible example for the children."

Seeing her jump down, Gu Wenheng grabbed each of his children by the back of their collars, afraid they might suddenly try to copy their mother.

Jin Qianqian turned back with a grin. "It wasn’t that high. It’s nothing for me. Have you forgotten I’ve learned a few moves from Luo Luo’s Master Wu?"

Gu Wenheng, now on the ground himself, kicked a few loose stones out of the way. "You still have to watch where you’re stepping. What if you’d landed on one of these and twisted your ankle? Then you’d be sorry."

Jin Qianqian glanced down at her feet. "...I wasn’t paying attention. I just saw that we were home and got a little excited, that’s all."

Gu Wenheng looked at the house they had built with their own hands and broke into a wide smile. "Yes, it’s hard not to get excited about being home."

This was, in a way, the first home they had ever built, the one they had poured the most heart and soul into.

Seeing how clean and tidy the area outside the gate was, they knew someone had been looking after the place regularly.

"Let’s go to Mother’s place first. We don’t have a key right now." Staring at the home that made their hearts ache with longing, they were forced to face the reality of the situation: they couldn’t actually get in.