Chapter 765: Chapter 601: Anxious
"Sir! The ship has docked!" Dashun entered the room and reported to Gu Chengyu.
Ming Mo and Ming Yan had already packed everything, including Gu Chengyuâs frequently used items and clothes.
Jingyuan Prefectureâs specialties and large items were on the ship at the back, yet still, Ming Mo and the others had taken quite a bit.
"Go and help out the old master and madam, they have a lot of stuff."
On this trip to the capital, his mother had brought many things. The ancestral home was being rebuilt, so many large items were moved to Gu Chengyuâs residence, and the remaining ones were brought to the capital.
Dashun took orders and left. Gu Chengyu thought about it but was still worried, so he too left the room to go to his parentsâ room.
"Father! Mother!" Gu Chengyu entered the room and saw that everything was being organized in an orderly manner.
Dumb Granny was directing two maids to tidy up, occasionally helping when things seemed amiss.
"Xiao Bao! We have so many things, Iâm not sure if the carriage can hold them all."
Seeing Gu Chengyu, Mrs. Lv felt her initial fear of coming to the capital fade a little.
"Donât worry, Mother! I sent a letter to a colleague earlier, asking him to inform the mansion. We have a lot of people this time, and weâd need seven or eight carriages to fit everything."
Gu Chengyu pondered that if everyone squeezed in a bit, plus the luggage, about seven or eight carriages should be sufficient.
The steward, Manager Chen, was meticulous and very prudent. Ye Zhiqiu had already conveyed his intentions, so Manager Chen naturally knew how many carriages to arrange.
By the time Gu Chengyu and the others disembarked, everyone else had already gotten off the ship.
When Gu Chengyu boarded, County Magistrate Li insisted on sending him off, so both the steward and passengers on the ship knew there was an official on board, accompanied by family.
Typically, ships canât linger at the dock, but this time they made an exception for Gu Chengyu and his family.
"Mr. Gu! Be careful as you disembark!" The steward on the ship nodded and bowed to Gu Chengyu, grinning ingratiatingly.
Thanks to Gu Chengyu being on board, their journey went smoothly without any obstructions.
The officers guarding the checkpoints knew there was an official on board, so not only did they not collect taxes, but they also respectfully bowed when the credentials were shown.
Not having to pay taxes, the steward was eager to curry favor with Gu Chengyu. Having an official on board provided them with plenty of convenience.
Ye Zhiqiu watched from afar as the ship docked, seeing everyone disembark but Gu Chengyu and his family, and he grew anxious.
The dock was crowded at this moment, and as Ye Zhiqiu tried to squeeze his way towards the ship, Steward Chen held him back.
"Lord Ye, please donât worry. Iâve already sent someone onto the ship to look. Perhaps the official and his family have too many people and luggage, and are preparing to disembark later."
Manager Li felt anxious seeing no sign of Gu Chengyu and his group coming down.
He knew the officialâs temperament and understood that with so many people accompanying Gu Chengyu this time, they couldnât get off the boat crowded with common folk.
"Oh? Isnât that them?"
Steward Chen finally saw Gu Chengyu appear on the dock and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Quick! Quickly help the official move the luggage!" Steward Chen promptly called the accompanying servants to carry the luggage.
"Jinyu, over here!" Ye Zhiqiu waved toward Gu Chengyu, feeling a surge of excitement.
"Youâre finally back, it took you over two months this time!"
Ye Zhiqiu beamed with joy, genuinely happy to see Gu Chengyu.
They used to commute to the Hanlin Academy together in a carriage, and with Gu Chengyu gone for over two months, he naturally missed him.
After exchanging a few words with Gu Chengyu, Ye Zhiqiuâs attention shifted to the people behind Gu Chengyu.
"Big Sister, Brother-in-law!"
Sister Ye stepped forward, grabbed Ye Zhiqiuâs hand, looked him up and down, and with a slightly choked voice said, "You havenât lost weight since coming to the capital, even gained some."
This made Ye Zhiqiu embarrassed as he touched his head, "Mother always told me to eat more, so Iâve gained weight."
"Alright, letâs catch up when we get back, too many people around here," Gu Chengyu advised.
He knew they hadnât seen each other for a long time and must have a lot to talk about, but here was not convenient.
"Youâre right! Quick, onto the carriage." Ye Zhiqiu urged Sister Ye and the others onto the carriage.
"Sir! Old Master, Madam..."
Introduced by Ming Mo, Manager Chen, with the servants, bowed to the crowd.
"Letâs go home first! We can get acquainted later!"
Gu Chengyu then remembered the three Ye Family youths and instructed them, "Go with your master back home."
The three immediately stepped forward to salute Ye Zhiqiu, who recognized them as family at a glance.
"No need for formalities!"
By the time Gu Chengyu and the group returned to their mansion, it was already past 5 PM.
The moment they got back, there was a flurry of activity arranging accommodations and organizing the courtyard.
"This residence is quite spacious!" Doctor Li, an old acquaintance of Gu Chengyu, admired while stroking his beard, surveying the mansion.
Once everyone was settled, the courtyard was filled.
Initially, there were few people in the residence, so each courtyard was quite large; some smaller courtyards even had partitions.
Even though there were many people this time, they managed to fit in.
After dinner, Doctor Li called for Gu Chengchi.
"Chichi, now that weâre in the capital, have Xiao Bao keep an eye out for shop prospects for you."
Gu Chengchi was somewhat surprised, as they had just arrived, and his master was already eager to arrange a shop?
"Master, Xiao Bao has just returned and has to report back to the Hanlin Academy tomorrow; heâll be busy for a few days."
Doctor Li frowned, "He doesnât need to find it himself; let the servants look out for it. While Iâm still in the capital, Iâll help you settle the medical office, as I need to head back to Shangling Village sooner."
That caught Gu Chengchi even more off guard.
"Master, weâve just arrived in the capital, why the rush? Is it inconvenient to stay at Xiao Baoâs mansion? Rest assured, Xiao Bao wonât mind."
Gu Chengchi sensed anxiety in Doctor Liâs demeanor but couldnât grasp the underlying reason.
He glanced at Mrs. Yao, only to find her staring into space, oblivious to their conversation, adding to his confusion.
"I know Xiao Bao doesnât mind, but you canât stay at your brotherâs house indefinitely now that youâre in the capital. Youâve already separated from the family, and if you wish to settle here, you need your own medical office and residence. Shop prices in the capital are dear; I have some savings over the years, you can lease a shop, then weâll get the medical clinic running."
"How can I use Masterâs money? Rest assured, I have enough." Even if it wasnât sufficient, he would first borrow a bit from Xiao Bao.
He didnât voice the latter, fearing his master would insist on giving him his savings.
His master had no sons, and his daughter wasnât nearby; he needed to keep some money for security, so how could he use his masterâs funds?
"You must focus on finding a shop; buying a residence can wait, but the medical office is crucial."
Doctor Li had a plan in mindâif the shop price was high, he wouldnât hesitate to invest his own savings.