Chapter 267: Letter
Gu Yan dismounted at the second gate of the villa and strode forward, heading straight for the study courtyard.
In the study courtyard, Chang Ping, a trusted attendant of Prince Rui, sat in the doorman’s room, sipping osmanthus soup.
“The Young Lord has arrived,” the servant on duty in the study courtyard called out, peeking his head out. Chang Ping quickly put down his soup bowl, tidied his clothes, and stood with hands clasped at the entrance of the doorman’s room.
Gu Yan’s footsteps didn’t falter. He glanced at Chang Ping and ordered, “Come in and speak.”
“Yes,” Chang Ping replied, following closely behind Gu Yan into the side room.
“What happened?” Gu Yan surveyed Chang Ping, who was dressed as a low-ranking attendant of the Prince’s Estate.
He heard that Chang Ping had brought a letter from his father, so he rushed back immediately. Chang Ping was one of his father’s most trusted men; his father wouldn’t send him to deliver a message unless it was extremely confidential and important.
“The Prince only ordered me to deliver a letter and to hand it to the Young Lord personally. Everything is well at the Prince’s Estate, and all is well in the Capital City,” Chang Ping replied, taking out a slender copper tube from his inner pocket and presenting it to Gu Yan with both hands.
Gu Yan took it, examined it carefully, and with a forceful pinch, flattened the copper tube. The seal cracked open, and Gu Yan poured out the paper scroll inside. After reading it, he remained stunned for a moment, then sighed. He lifted the incense burner lid and watched the paper scroll burn to ashes, then replaced the lid.
“Tell Father I know and to rest assured. You should rest for a night and return as soon as possible,” Gu Yan instructed Chang Ping.
“Yes.”
Watching Chang Ping leave, Gu Yan walked to the doorway with his hands behind his back, looking up at the grey sky. After a while, he lowered his head, left the side room, and walked slowly outside.
Gu Yan exited the courtyard and walked about a hundred paces. He roughly planned what needed to be done, quickened his pace, and beckoned to Shi Gun, “Go to my uncle’s estate.”
“Yes,” Shi Gun replied and immediately instructed the servants to prepare a horse and to quickly inform the Wei Educational Commissioner’s residence.
The Wei family ate dinner early. At this time, the Wei family had just finished dinner, and Mrs. Fu was sitting in the warm pavilion, enjoying the rare leisure of watching the spring scenery outside.
These days, Li Xiaonan was lecturing at the Prefectural School, and the Young Lord was also in Hangcheng. With the early spring festival and many affairs, she was busy from morning till night almost every day.
“Madam, Madam!” an old woman hurried in. “A message came from the doorman saying the Young Lord will arrive shortly, but they didn’t say why.”
Mrs. Fu was taken aback. Why would he come at this time?
“Madam, Madam!” another old woman rushed in. “The Young Lord has arrived!”
“Quickly invite him in!” Mrs. Fu ordered, quickly standing up to greet him.
What could have happened? He’s arriving so urgently!
Gu Yan’s steps were swift. As Mrs. Fu descended the steps, Gu Yan had already entered the courtyard gate.
“Why are you here so urgently?” Mrs. Fu blurted out, then quickly smiled, “Have you had dinner?”
“It is a bit urgent, please forgive me, Aunt,” Gu Yan said, bowing slightly.
“There’s nothing to forgive. Come in quickly and talk. You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?” Mrs. Fu smiled and invited him.
“Let’s just enjoy the view here in the warm pavilion,” Gu Yan said, entering the warm pavilion.
Mrs. Fu, following behind Gu Yan, couldn’t help but look him up and down.
There was something not quite right about him. What had happened?
Gu Yan entered the warm pavilion but didn’t sit. He stood by the window facing the spring scenery of the courtyard, not looking at the view, but at Mrs. Fu, with a half-smile. “I just received an urgent dispatch from the Capital City.”
“Oh?” Mrs. Fu looked at Gu Yan’s expression, feeling a sense of unease.
“Regarding A Nan’s matter, did Aunt tell Mother?” Gu Yan glanced sideways at Mrs. Fu.
“What?” Mrs. Fu was astonished. “Your Mother knows? Was the urgent dispatch from the Capital City from your Mother? I didn’t tell your Mother about this.”
“I only discussed my plan with Aunt. I know, Aunt knows, but who else?” Gu Yan seemed quite resentful.
“Aunt really didn’t tell your Mother about this.”
“Then who? Uncle? Did you tell Uncle?” Gu Yan continued to look sideways at Mrs. Fu.
“Your Uncle…” Mrs. Fu’s tongue got tied. It must have been her Uncle! She really shouldn’t have been so talkative!
“What did your Mother say?” Mrs. Fu changed the subject.
“What else could she say? She’s urging me to get engaged.” Gu Yan suddenly opened his folding fan, then snapped it shut, looking extremely annoyed.
“What are your plans?” Mrs. Fu probed.
“Let Fourth Sister accompany A Nan to the Capital City. They should depart as soon as possible,” Gu Yan said with a troubled expression.
“And you?” Mrs. Fu pressed.
“I have a task… Can’t Uncle change his habit of being so talkative?” Gu Yan seemed full of resentment.
“It’s already happened. You must go back. If you don’t go back, who will Miss Li entrust her affairs to?” Mrs. Fu quickly steered the conversation back to business.
“I’ll think of a way. You talk to Uncle properly! I’m leaving!” Gu Yan turned and left in extreme displeasure.
Mrs. Fu chased a few steps, then stopped and stared for a moment. She beckoned to an old woman, “Send someone to ask the Master to return quickly! He really knows how to stir up trouble!”
Gu Yan left the Wei residence and instructed Shi Gun, “Please invite Miss Li to the villa to talk. Tell her it’s urgent. Have her use Fourth Mistress’s carriage, and also tell Fourth Mistress to come back, as her mother has an urgent matter.”
Shi Gun agreed and quickly made the arrangements. Gu Yan headed straight back to the villa.
Li Xiaonan, accompanied by Wan Jing, hurried along. By the time they entered the villa’s study courtyard, she was already sweating.
“What happened?” Li Xiaonan looked at Gu Yan, who appeared quite relaxed. He didn’t seem like someone with urgent matters.
Gu Yan gestured to the servant who had followed Li Xiaonan in.
“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Let’s eat first. All your favorite dishes are here.”
“Nothing’s wrong? It’s just dinner?” Li Xiaonan looked at Gu Yan suspiciously.
“There is something. Eat first.” Gu Yan took a hot handkerchief to wipe his hands.
Li Xiaonan wiped her hands and sat down. As she ate, she occasionally glanced at Gu Yan. Gu Yan’s expression was normal, but she felt something was off about him.
Dinner was eaten quickly. The bowls and plates were cleared, and Shi Gun brought tea. Li Xiaonan craned her neck to look outside; it was already getting dark.
“Is something really wrong?” Li Xiaonan looked at Gu Yan, who was lowering his eyes and sipping tea.
“Yes,” Gu Yan put down his cup and looked at Li Xiaonan.
“Why are you looking at me like that? If there’s something, just say it!” Li Xiaonan felt uncomfortable under his gaze and stood up, moving to a chair further away.
“Sit here,” Gu Yan said, pointing to the chair next to him.
“I can hear you from here,” Li Xiaonan didn’t move.
“This is the study. There’s a soundproof partition built at the back. I’m talking to you here precisely because it’s a confidential matter. How can I talk to you if you’re so far away? Should I shout?” Gu Yan tapped his fingers on the high table, making a drumming sound.
“Isn’t there a soundproof partition?” Li Xiaonan remained seated.
Gu Yan let out a long sigh, stood up, and sat down next to Li Xiaonan.
“We need to return to Jianle City as soon as possible.”
Gu Yan’s words made Li Xiaonan’s eyes widen.
“Didn’t you say we’d wait until autumn, after you’ve sorted out the Maritime Tax Bureau? What happened?” Li Xiaonan asked.
“I’ve been hesitating whether to tell you the truth. I don’t want you to worry too much, and besides, there should be no false pretense between us. But…” Gu Yan paused, looking at Li Xiaonan with a serious expression.
Li Xiaonan straightened her back.
“What we can discuss between us is only between us. You must be able to keep your mouth shut.”
Li Xiaonan nodded.
“I just received a secret letter from Father. The Emperor’s pulse is weak, and he likely won’t last until next year. I must depart for Jianle City as soon as possible,” Gu Yan said in a very low voice.
Li Xiaonan nodded.
Gu Yan looked at Li Xiaonan, who clearly hadn’t fully understood, and explained, “This is a confidential matter of national importance. In Jianle City, only the Crown Prince, Father, and a few high officials likely know. I need to rush back, and I’ll have to find another excuse so that no one suspects anything unusual.”
“Wei Educational Commissioner doesn’t know either?” Li Xiaonan asked cautiously. Seeing Gu Yan nod, she hesitated and then asked, “Why?”
“This is your first lesson, so to speak. If you marry me, you will have many responsibilities to bear in the future, and many more things to know. Our burdens must be borne by us alone. As for why, let’s use this as an example: if you and I were not planning to marry, and you knew that national mourning would occur this year, wouldn’t you make some preparations? For instance, stocking up on plain white cloth?”
Li Xiaonan thought for a moment and nodded.
She had studied the propriety during national mourning periods, where certain things were forbidden. If she could have known in advance, there would have been so much to prepare.
“Officials think even more deeply. If my uncle knew, he would certainly make preparations. If I abandon the Maritime Tax Bureau to rush back to Jianle City, and my uncle also makes preparations, there are many intelligent people in Hangcheng. Besides, if I can tell my uncle, he can then tell the people he holds dearest and wants to take care of the most. Everyone has their own closest and most cared-for people, don’t they?” Gu Yan continued.
Li Xiaonan nodded and sighed.
“I’m using Mother urging me to get engaged as an excuse. You need to depart for Jianle City as soon as possible, with Fourth Mistress accompanying you,” Gu Yan added.
Li Xiaonan was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
