Chapter 272: Just an Excuse
Hong Shi’an and Master Hong followed Li Wenliang, both jogging along as they were led by a servant into the entrance of the post station.
The servant signaled for them to wait outside the main gate and then hurried inside. A moment later, he emerged and gestured for Li Wenliang to follow him in.
Li Wenliang followed the servant into the main room of the post station.
Inside the room, Shi Gun and another close attendant were helping Gu Yan change his clothes.
Li Wenliang dared not look too much and quickly knelt to kowtow.
“Rise,” Gu Yan said, appraising Li Wenliang and smiling, “A Nan told me about you. What are your plans for going to Jianle City?”
“Yes,” Li Wenliang stood up, his body stiff with nervousness, “First, I’ll buy a house, then look at shops and manors.”
“Mm, does A Nan know you’re going to Jianle City?”
“She knows. I saw A Nan and her eldest sister before I left, and we discussed it.”
“Mm, you set off on the sixth, and you’re only arriving here now. That’s a bit slow. When you get to Jianle City, go to the Prince’s Estate first to report. Go.”
“Yes,” Li Wenliang quickly replied, and followed the servant out to the main gate. The cool breeze on his face made him snap back to reality.
The Young Lord said they were a bit slow, and they needed to set off quickly! Li Wenliang turned and looked around for Master Hong, then truly came to his senses. Master Hong had gone in to see the Young Lord, so he had to wait a while.
Li Wenliang slowly exhaled. The Young Lord’s presence was too imposing.
The servant escorted Li Wenliang out, then turned and led Hong Shi’an inside.
Li Wenliang and Hong Shi’an were both tense. As they passed each other, they didn’t even see each other.
In the main room, Gu Yan had already changed his clothes and was selecting sachets and jade ornaments from several boxes.
Hong Shi’an kowtowed and, upon hearing “Rise,” quickly stood up.
“You and your father know the principle of relatives helping each other, which is very good,” Gu Yan appraised Hong Shi’an, “A Nan is closest to her third sister.” Gu Yan paused, a smile in his voice, “A Nan is also most worried about her third sister, saying that among her three sisters, the third sister is the most simple-minded. Please bear with this daughter-in-law, so that A Nan doesn’t worry.”
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare! Oh, yes, yes, yes! Please rest assured, Young Lord.” Hong Shi’an was so nervous he spoke incoherently.
The servant nudged Hong Shi’an, who quickly followed the servant out. It wasn’t until he was outside the main gate that he realized he hadn’t taken his leave from the Young Lord.
Li Wenliang pulled Master Hong about ten steps away and looked back. Seeing the servant go in, he lowered his voice and asked, “What did he say to you?”
“He said A Nan is worried about her third sister.” Hong Shi’an also looked back and exhaled, “The Young Lord’s meaning… I need to ponder it further.”
“The Young Lord said we set off on the sixth, and we’re only here today, which is too slow.” Li Wenliang still spoke in a low voice, “Let’s set off now and talk on the way.”
“Alright, alright,” Master Hong agreed repeatedly, “Then let’s set off. I need to write a letter.”
Before Li Wenliang and Hong Shi’an could return to the inn not far from the post station, Gu Yan, surrounded by a group of guards, sped away.
………………
The Wei family’s fleet stopped in Yangzhou for three days. Li Xiaonan and Fourth Mistress Wei toured the city. The fleet replenished its supplies and set off early in the morning. Just as they left Yangzhou city, a person on horseback galloped after them, waving a small flag at the large ship.
The guard directed the large ship to dock, and the stewardess relayed a message: it was the Young Lord.
Li Xiaonan and Fourth Mistress Wei hurried out. The large group of guards escorting Gu Yan had already caught up to the large ship.
The ship neared the shore, and a gangplank was laid. Shi Gun trotted onto the ship, paid his respects, and said with a smile, “The Young Lord asks Miss Li to come over, saying he has a few words to say.”
On the shore, Gu Yan smiled and bowed to Fourth Mistress Wei, who was looking at him.
Li Xiaonan followed Shi Gun onto the shore. Gu Yan looked her up and down.
“What are you looking at? Is something wrong?” Li Xiaonan also appraised Gu Yan.
His complexion and spirits seemed good.
“To see if you’re alright,” Gu Yan smiled.
“Wan Jing writes you a letter every three days, and Fourth Mistress also writes one every three days?”
“Wan Jing’s letters are very perfunctory. Did you watch her write them?”
“No!” Li Xiaonan answered very quickly.
“Then you read them after she wrote them.” Gu Yan snorted, “Fourth Mistress said you were so engrossed in listening to the storytelling that your mind was shaken?”
“It’s nothing. Did you come for this? I’m fine.” Li Xiaonan subconsciously glanced at the spot where the narrow sword hung at Gu Yan’s waist.
That Commander Sang had more than just shaken her mind! Her current inner turmoil and deep shock made her feel like a tangled mess.
“That storytelling contains a lot of unfounded talk. Don’t take it too seriously,” Gu Yan earnestly instructed.
“Mm, Fourth Mistress said that regarding Commander Sang, that storytelling is the only surviving record?” Li Xiaonan asked.
“How would I know there’s a lot of unfounded talk, right? You’ve improved a lot, learning to be tactful.”
Gu Yan put on a stern face, “Our Prince Rui’s Mansion’s ancestress has no biography. Emperor Taizong and Prince Rui’s Mansion respected her wishes: no portraits, no biographies. The actions of this ancestress were beyond ordinary people to understand. She said: if a record is left, it will inevitably be interpreted, and those foolish commoners will point fingers and say she thought this or that because of this. But she is already dead and cannot refute them, which is unbearable. Therefore, she left not a single word. These words were written in the ancestress’s memorials, and we have copies in our mansion.”
Li Xiaonan’s eyes widened as she listened.
Gu Yan tapped Li Xiaonan’s shoulder with his horse whip, “Our Prince Rui’s Mansion’s ancestress made great contributions to founding the nation. Even without her biography, the memorials of the court officials at the time, Emperor Taizong’s decrees, and the military records of the accompanying armies are filled with accounts of this ancestress. How could they be lost? These hundred thousand Qionghua flowers in Yangzhou were planted by her.”
“Fourth Mistress Wei told me. We went to see the earliest Qionghua flowers.” Li Xiaonan changed the subject, “Did you just come from Jiangnan to here? And happened to meet us?”
“You could say that.” Gu Yan bowed slightly, looked at Li Xiaonan, his expression serious, “After seeing you this once, I will have to rush back to Jianle City day and night. There are a few words I need to tell you. Listen carefully.”
Li Xiaonan held her breath slightly, her expression equally serious.
“Before I came, I met your cousin Li Wenliang and Hong Shi’an. Li Wenliang said you discussed their trip to Jianle City?”
“Yes!”
“Mm, I told them to hurry to Jianle City. Before you arrive, they should be prepared. You don’t need to worry too much about this part; I will arrange it.”
Li Xiaonan nodded. She didn’t know how to manage or arrange things; Jianle City was a blank slate to her.
“For Commander Sang’s story, listening for an hour a day is enough. Two hours is too much. You should focus your energy on those family genealogies and biographies of various ancestors. After I arrive in Jianle City, I will select some court reports and memorials for you to read carefully, preferably memorize them.”
“If you have any more free time, have Fourth Mistress tell you more about the Wei family, the Prince’s Estate, and especially about Mother. Before you reach Jianle City, the more you know about Mother, the better.”
Gu Yan paused, looking at Li Xiaonan’s expression, and continued with a hint of caution, “I hope Mother will sincerely accept you. I don’t want to wrong you, nor do I want to wrong Mother.”
Li Xiaonan nodded continuously.
“You’re nodding so quickly, are you dizzy? Do you really understand?” Gu Yan propped his horse whip against Li Xiaonan’s forehead.
“Of course I understand. It’s like when my brother was getting married. If my brother thought it was good, my eldest sister also had to think it was good. If one was missing, it wouldn’t work.” Li Xiaonan pushed away Gu Yan’s horse whip.
Hearing Li Xiaonan say this, Gu Yan was relieved and teased, “Didn’t you say you had to agree first?”
“It’s not me, it’s you. You just said you met Eldest Uncle and the others.” Li Xiaonan looked up at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan was somewhat surprised, then smiled, “It seems you’ve truly understood. Then I’ll be going. It will be very busy when I get back to Jianle City. If I can’t attend to you for a while, don’t overthink it. If you encounter any people or matters, it’s best to tell me. Also, Miss Shi is still writing to you? You must think carefully about her words, and it’s best to let me see her letters.”
“I will definitely tell you what I should tell you. I can’t let you see Miss Shi’s letters. I don’t want every detail of my life to be decided by you. If I’m not capable enough to be the wife of your Prince’s Estate, then I won’t marry you. I’ll just be a concubine.”
Gu Yan was choked by Li Xiaonan’s last sentence about being a concubine.
“But I think I can do it!” Li Xiaonan quickly added.
“Since you like listening to Commander Sang’s story so much, you should also learn Commander Sang’s spirit! How could you even say such a thing about being a concubine?” Gu Yan twirled the horse whip in his hand.
He really wanted to knock her hard on the head!
“It’s not that you think you can do it, it’s that you definitely can! I’m here. I’m leaving. You go back.” Gu Yan nudged Li Xiaonan with his horse whip to turn her around, watched her board the ship, waved to signal the large ship to set off, mounted his horse, and galloped north.
………………
Outside Jianle City.
Shi Wenqi, Miss Shi, watched her eldest sister-in-law get into the cart. The cart slowly moved forward. She turned back, her face darkening.
Yu Lan, the head maid who followed closely beside Miss Shi, glanced at Miss Shi’s stiff back, her heart filled with worry and unease.
Returning to the Buddhist hall, Miss Shi looked at the padded seat before the Buddha statue, stood in a daze for a moment, kicked the padded seat aside with her foot, turned, and came out, sitting cross-legged in a rattan chair under the corridor.
Yu Lan brewed a bowl of tea and handed it to Miss Shi, “Mistress, have some tea.”
Miss Shi took the tea and held it, glancing at Yu Lan.
Yu Lan’s eyes and entire being were filled with worry.
“I don’t even remember the Shi family having an ancestral old house,” Miss Shi handed the tea bowl back to Yu Lan.
“Is what Madam said true? Is that Miss Li from Pingjiang Prefecture really going to marry the Young Lord?” Yu Lan asked, truly disbelieving.
“I asked her, and you heard it too. She said no! She won’t marry!” Miss Shi finished speaking word by word, then stood up abruptly, “I need to ask her!”
Yu Lan followed too quickly, spilling tea on her hand. She put down the tea bowl and followed Miss Shi, shaking the water off her hand, “Mistress, Mistress! What are you doing? You?”
Miss Shi had already reached the table, picked up a letter, chose a pen, and instructed Yu Lan, “Grind ink.”
Yu Lan looked at the stern-faced Miss Shi and dared not say more, quickly pouring water and grinding ink.
………………
After meeting Li Xiaonan once, Gu Yan rushed back day and night, returning to Jianle City by the evening of the next day.
Upon entering the city gate, Shi Gun and about ten other servant guards escorted Gu Yan straight to the Imperial City, while the rest went back to Prince Rui’s Mansion.
Gu Yan waited outside the palace gate for a moment. A young eunuch ran out and led Gu Yan into the Emperor’s sleeping quarters.
The hall was much warmer than outside. Gu Yan strode into the hall, kowtowed, and looked up at the Emperor.
The Emperor looked much thinner than when he last saw him. In the warm glow of the room, his complexion appeared to be alright.
“Not very well, are you?” The Emperor met Gu Yan’s gaze and smiled slowly.
“Your Majesty’s complexion is very good,” Gu Yan replied with a smile.
“You rushed back so urgently…” The Emperor didn’t finish his sentence and changed the subject. “Is everything arranged with the Maritime Tax Bureau?”
“Yes! Please rest assured,” Gu Yan understood the first half of the Emperor’s sentence and felt a surge of sadness, almost bringing tears to his eyes.
“The Crown Prince has moved to the side hall. Discuss the Maritime Tax Bureau matters, you two brothers. Go,” the Emperor smiled.
“Yes!” Gu Yan replied, took a few steps back, and exited the main hall.
As Gu Yan left the main hall, he saw the Crown Prince standing by the entrance of the side hall with his hands behind his back, smiling at him. Gu Yan hurried to the Crown Prince and knelt.
“Come in and talk,” the Crown Prince reached out and pulled Gu Yan up. They entered the side hall one after another.
“The Emperor looks well,” Gu Yan subconsciously glanced at the main hall.
“He ate half a bowl more soup at noon today. The imperial physician said his pulse is slightly stronger than yesterday,” the Crown Prince smiled.
“The imperial physician always says the Emperor is overworked. If he could have a quiet retirement, perhaps he would become stronger,” Gu Yan turned to look at the two stacks of memorials on the long desk.
“I think so too. Sit,” the Crown Prince sat on the upper couch and gestured to Gu Yan. “How is the Maritime Tax Bureau? Tell me in detail.”
“Yes!” Gu Yan bowed and moved forward, recounting everything meticulously from after the Crown Prince left.
The Crown Prince listened attentively to Gu Yan’s account, leaned back against the cushion, sighed, and smiled, “First, let the porters at the wharf and the silk workshop cause trouble. From the bottom up, I think it’s very good. Does that Mr. Dongxi really have that much power?”
“We’ll know when he arrives in Jianle City. He’ll be here in five days,” Gu Yan smiled.
“Mm. Keep a close eye on him!” the Crown Prince snorted.
“Don’t worry.”
“When will Miss Li arrive?” the Crown Prince glanced sideways at Gu Yan.
“In about half a month. I told them to take their time. You know, her arrival in Jianle City is a cover,” Gu Yan smiled, meeting the Crown Prince’s sideways glance.
“Everyone in the capital is waiting for your Miss Li,” the Crown Prince clicked his tongue.
“Oh? Waiting for her for what? How do you know?” Gu Yan was stunned.
“Even my mother knows. Mother asked if I had heard of this Miss Li when I went to Jiangnan, and if I had met her,” the Crown Prince clicked his tongue again.
Gu Yan reached for his tea.
“Alright, you should go back quickly. Your mansion has a lot of things to deal with!” the Crown Prince said, waving at Gu Yan with a gloating smile.
Gu Yan pretended not to see the Crown Prince’s gloating expression and took his leave.
………………
Prince Rui was not at home, so Gu Yan went directly to see his mother, Princess Consort Wei.
Princess Consort Wei sat on the couch, clearly more serious than usual. However, the attending stewardess and the maids in the room were as enthusiastic as ever, serving bathwater and handkerchiefs like a flowing stream. Pastries and fresh fruits were arranged in abundance.
Gu Yan looked at the plate of bright red cherries placed before him and called out to Shi Gun, “Go ask if there are any more of these cherries. If there are, take some more to send to my Wei cousin.”
Shi Gun replied “Yes” and, lowering his head, turned to leave.
He was the eunuch by his Young Lord’s side and only obeyed his Young Lord’s orders. As for the Princess Consort’s wishes, he didn’t know! According to the rules, servants like them were not allowed to look around in front of their masters. If he didn’t see it, he naturally wouldn’t know!
The servants in the room couldn’t leave. They all kept their heads down, not daring to breathe loudly.
Princess Consort Wei watched Shi Gun leave and said coldly, “Your father said you’ve become sensible. Indeed, you’ve become sensible, knowing to send cherries to your Wei cousin.”
“My Wei cousin specially accompanied Miss Li on this trip. Your son is very grateful,” Gu Yan said with a smile.
“You finally mentioned this Miss Li!” Princess Consort Wei placed the tea bowl in her hand heavily on the couch table.
“Everyone withdraw,” Gu Yan ordered. The stewardess glanced at Princess Consort Wei, signaling for all the maids and servants to leave.
“The reason I didn’t tell Mother about this Miss Li is because your son hasn’t been able to properly assess her yet. Things that haven’t been decided in my heart, I didn’t dare to tell Mother,” Gu Yan looked at Princess Consort Wei, whose expression softened slightly.
“Father must have told Mother the reason for your hasty return, right?”
Princess Consort Wei nodded.
“My son’s sudden return, without a suitable excuse, would likely cause unrest among the people of Jiangnan. After much thought, my son’s marriage is the best excuse. So, I spread the word and invited my Wei cousin to accompany Miss Li to Jianle City,” Gu Yan continued with a smile.
“Nonsense!” Princess Consort Wei frowned.
“My son thought it would be good this way. By inviting Miss Li over, any aspects that I haven’t assessed properly, Mother can take a good look at,” Gu Yan continued.
“How did you tell Miss Li when you invited her?” Princess Consort Wei knitted her brows.
“I told her directly. First, the Emperor’s health is not good, so inviting her to the capital would serve as a cover. Second, to let her meet Mother,” Gu Yan told the truth.
“You could even say that to her, and you still haven’t assessed her properly?” Princess Consort Wei’s voice rose.
“Miss Li is first and foremost your son’s friend, and also a half-teacher. She has been of great help to your son in matters of the Maritime Tax Bureau,” Gu Yan looked at Princess Consort Wei.
Princess Consort Wei met Gu Yan’s gaze. After a moment, she snorted, “And you call this not properly assessed?”
“Indeed, I haven’t properly assessed her. Miss Li comes from a poor family. Whether she can manage the household affairs of our Prince’s Estate still needs Mother to take a good look. This is a major matter, isn’t it?” Gu Yan smiled.
Princess Consort Wei was silent for a moment, “What if she can’t? How do you plan to settle this Miss Li? Because of your recklessness, there is already someone living in the nunnery outside the city!”
“Oh!” Gu Yan seemed taken aback by Princess Consort Wei’s words and said after a moment of daze, “Your son hasn’t thought about it yet.”
Princess Consort Wei glared at Gu Yan, “To be so thoughtless, and your father still says you’ve become sensible?”
“I just thought that with Mother here, once someone arrives in Jianle City, I won’t have to worry about it anymore,” Gu Yan smiled at his mother.
Princess Consort Wei took a deep breath and sighed out again.
This son of hers had indeed grown up.
Princess Consort Wei’s heart was filled with mixed emotions, unable to tell if it was relief or anger.
