Chapter 127: Persuasion
As Gu Yan dismounted at the main gate, the steward on duty hurried out to meet him, reporting with his hands clasped: “Reporting to Young Lord, Miss Shi is waiting for you in the Wan Qiu Pavilion beyond the second gate. She said she has something to tell you.”
Gu Yan frowned slightly, “Did something happen?”
“I don’t know, sir.” The steward pointed to another steward behind him, waiting to report. “I just took over from Steward Cui.”
Gu Yan looked at Steward Cui.
Steward Cui quickly stepped forward and reported with his hands clasped: “Reporting to Young Lord, an hour and a half ago, Prefect Liu of Pingjiang Prefecture came to see Young Lord. When he heard that I didn’t know when Young Lord would return, Prefect Liu left a message: Huang Xianzhou, the County Magistrate of Kunshan, has been ordered to assist the Maritime Tax Bureau in the investigation.”
“When Prefect Liu left, he happened to meet Second Madam and the young ladies returning to the manor. Second Madam and Miss Shi asked Prefect Liu what was the matter…”
Steward Cui reported the conversation at the main gate in detail to Gu Yan.
Gu Yan gave a faint “Oh,” ascended the steps, and headed straight for the Wan Qiu Pavilion.
In the Wan Qiu Pavilion, Madam Shi leaned against a goose-neck chair, her fair neck slightly bowed as she read a book. Two head maids, who served Miss Shi, stood on either side of the entrance. Upon seeing Gu Yan, they lowered their eyes and curtsied.
Gu Yan ascended the steps, stood at the entrance of the Wan Qiu Pavilion, cupped his hands in a salute, and smiled, “Sister, you were looking for me?”
“Mm.” Madam Shi stood up, curtsied, lowered her head, and clasped the book scroll in her hands, turning it slowly twice. Mustering her courage, she said, “I just returned from watching opera with Second Aunt and met Prefect Liu at the entrance.”
Gu Yan slowly fanned himself with his folding fan, looking at Madam Shi, waiting for her to continue.
Madam Shi lowered her head and remained silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up at Gu Yan, “Did Huang Xianzhou, the County Magistrate of Kunshan, offend Cousin?”
“Mm?” Gu Yan raised his eyebrows in surprise, then smiled, “What makes you say that?”
“Prefect Liu came specifically to say that Huang Xianzhou, the County Magistrate of Kunshan, has gone to the Maritime Tax Bureau to assist with official duties. He came to report to Cousin, didn’t he?” Madam Shi looked at Gu Yan.
“You think too much about everything. I am carrying the task of the Jiangnan Imperial Inspector. The movement of a county magistrate naturally requires me to be informed,” Gu Yan said with a smile.
“Cousin didn’t answer my question.” Madam Shi lowered her eyelids. “Cousin said he was too familiar with me, and I am no less familiar with Cousin. Cousin cannot deceive me.”
Gu Yan’s eyebrows twitched slightly, and he remained silent.
“Regarding Cousin’s temper, it’s not just me who speaks to you; Prince and Princess Consort have also advised Cousin many times. With Cousin’s status, it is most important to be magnanimous. When looking at local officials, one should see if they are competent, not act on temper or preference,” Madam Shi said, lowering her eyes.
“Mm, you are absolutely right. I have learned a lot.” Gu Yan bowed and cupped his hands.
Madam Shi looked up, surprised to see Gu Yan.
Based on her past experience, he would always explain and argue with her. Each time, she had to exhaust her words to convince him. This time, he accepted her advice before she had even finished speaking?
While Madam Shi was stunned, Gu Yan cupped his hands and smiled, “Madam, please rest assured, I will certainly keep it in mind. Thank you for your concern, Madam.”
Madam Shi stared blankly at Gu Yan, who was quickly descending the steps. After a long moment, she slowly descended the steps herself, walking back in a daze.
Cousin was very different from before. This difference made her feel an unprecedented sense of unease and bewilderment.
Gu Yan strode forward, turned two corners, and suddenly stopped, looking up at a group of chattering sparrows in a tree.
He had always admired Madam Shi’s perceptiveness, and he still did.
Her advice was not wrong. He had indeed been ill-tempered before, and she didn’t know he had improved, still advising him as she did when he was ill-tempered. It was right!
But he was in a bad mood.
It was the same in the past. Her advice was always correct, but after he admitted his mistakes and accepted her advice, he would feel depressed and irritable, just like now.
“Prepare the horses. I’m going out for a ride,” Gu Yan turned and walked out.
He walked quickly to the main gate, and Gu Yan suddenly gave another order, “Go call Wan Jing!”
Wan Jing ran so fast that she was almost out of breath. As she rushed out of the gate, a guard quickly stepped forward, forming a platform with his hands for Wan Jing. Wan Jing leaped forward from the steps, placing one foot in the guard’s hands. The guard then lifted her, helping her onto the horse.
At the front of the procession, Gu Yan cracked his horse whip and rode out.
It wasn’t until she dismounted at the Cai Lian Lane entrance that Wan Jing finally caught her breath.
Only Mei Jie was at the Li Family residence, sitting on a mat sewing a quilt. Seeing Wan Jing, she smiled and said, “She went out this morning to Wujiang County, to Wuqiao Town in Wujiang County.”
“Thank you,” Wan Jing replied with a smile, turned around, and hurried down the steps.
As Mei Jie watched Wan Jing turn, she suddenly realized that every time she came to find A Nan, A Nan would give instructions about this and that before leaving, and then add a reminder to prevent Eldest Sister from knowing.
“Hey!” Mei Jie quickly stood up and chased after her, but Wan Jing was already out of sight.
“Alas!” Mei Jie slapped her forehead.
A Nan had gone to Wujiang County in the same cart as her Eldest Sister!
It’s okay, it’s okay, Mei Jie comforted herself, waving her hands. That noble person was so distinguished; it was impossible he wouldn’t find her here and would have to go all the way to Wujiang County.
It’s okay, it’s okay! It will definitely be okay!
In the tea house, after hearing Wan Jing’s report, Gu Yan immediately walked out, “To Wujiang County.”
Li Xiaonan and Li Jinzhu were in the carriage, while A Wu and Wang Yuting, each on horseback, were slowly making their way back.
From a distance, the sound of horses’ hooves grew urgent, and dust rose.
A Wu immediately stood on his horse, cupped his hands to shield his eyes, and gazed into the distance. After a moment, he sat back down on his horse, his face excited, “It looks like it’s Young Lord and his party. I’ll go take a look!”
“Don’t go! What business is it of yours! What are you looking at!” Li Xiaonan immediately stopped him.
“Young Lord!” A Wu glared at Li Xiaonan.
“What business is Young Lord to you? You get excited every time you see Young Lord. What, are you going to get some official position?” Li Xiaonan said impolitely.
“What’s wrong with getting an official position? To learn martial arts and literature and sell them to the imperial family is only natural!” A Wu retorted.
“With your mediocre kung fu, can you even be considered martial arts and literature? You are not allowed to go!” Li Xiaonan reiterated.
Li Jinzhu was sewing a shoe sole, smiling as she watched the two of them.
She had long been accustomed to Li Xiaonan and A Wu’s bickering on these trips out.
“It really is Young Lord,” Wang Yuting also stood on her horse to look, then sat down and smiled.
“See? Cousin also says it’s Young Lord!” A Wu pointed at the cloud of dust.
“I didn’t say it wasn’t your Young Lord, I said you’re not allowed to go.”
“Can you control me?” A Wu flicked his whip forcefully.
“Mm!” Li Xiaonan affirmed with absolute certainty.
A Wu glared at Li Xiaonan, and after a long pause, managed to say, “I won’t argue with you.”
Li Jinzhu chuckled.
In the space of a few words, the urgent sound of horses’ hooves was already very close. Wang Yuting, with her feet on the stirrups, stretched her neck to look, and A Wu also stood up on the stirrups.
Gu Yan, who was at the forefront, reined in his galloping steed, charged forward a few steps, then smoothly turned around and approached.
“Look…”
A Wu’s excitement was interrupted by Gu Yan’s voice, “Is that Miss Li?”
“She’s looking for you,” A Wu sat back down with a thud.
Li Xiaonan stood up from the carriage. Li Jinzhu quickly inserted her needle into the shoe sole and craned her neck to look at Gu Yan.
“Madam,” Gu Yan nodded slightly at Li Jinzhu. “I have a few words to say to A Nan. I’ll escort her back.”
“Oh,” Li Jinzhu responded subconsciously.
A guard led the bay horse closer to the carriage. Li Xiaonan stepped from the carriage onto the horse and waved to Li Jinzhu, “Eldest Sister, don’t worry, I can ride.”
“Escort Madam back safely,” Gu Yan tapped A Wu with his horse whip, gave an order, reined in his horse, and turned onto another path.
The bay horse followed Gu Yan’s horse obediently, its tail swishing as they trotted away.
A Wu watched the group quickly disappear into the distance and sighed, dejected.
She always felt that she would be bossed around by this little girl A Nan for the rest of her life!
“Eldest Sister, don’t worry, it’s fine. Young Lord is a very good person,” Wang Yuting said, looking at Li Jinzhu, whose eyes were full of worry.
Li Jinzhu hummed in response, picked up the shoe sole, and with her head bowed, continued sewing the shoe sole with a heavy heart.
The better Young Lord was, the more worried she became about A Nan.
