Chapter 369: Chapter 370: Explanation

The carriage that brought them this time was a spare from the old Gu residence in Fu County. The driver knew the route well and took them straight to the Gu Mansion.

Gu Yuanshui and Gu Lehuan helped the old matriarch out of the carriage, one on each side. The gatekeeper had already received word and run off to find someone.

Soon, Jin Qianqian emerged to greet them, followed by Housekeeper Fu and others.

"Mother," Jin Qianqian called out from a distance, her two children with her.

"Why did you bring Cancan out? It’s cold out here." Li Cuicui’s eyes were glued to the two children. "We’re already at the mansion. Were you afraid I’d run off?"

Jin Qianqian gave her a sweet smile, her dimples deepening, a sight that would lift anyone’s spirits. "Mother, you must be tired from the journey. Let’s hurry inside."

"Fourth Brother, it must have been a tiring journey," Jin Qianqian said, giving Gu Yuanshui a Fuli.

Startled, Gu Yuanshui waved his hands frantically. "Not tiring at all, not at all. We’re the ones imposing on you."

Though she was the same person, for some reason, Gu Yuanshui felt she was different again. He felt inexplicably diminished in her presence.

Gu Lehuan greeted her with a "Seventh Aunt" before standing quietly behind Li Cuicui.

Jin Qianqian smiled at him, then led Li Cuicui to the courtyard that had been specially prepared beforehand.

As for Gu Lehuan and Gu Yuanshui, Housekeeper Fu led them directly to the outer courtyard to get them settled.

Once they were seated in the courtyard, Li Cuicui patted the two children’s heads and began to explain to Jin Qianqian. "I should have sent a letter ahead, but I was worried that waiting for a reply would cause too much of a delay.

Your Fourth Brother wanted to come and see if he could set up another workshop here. But I’ve already told him that if it doesn’t work out, he’s to come straight back with me."

Seeing the old matriarch rush to explain herself the moment she arrived, Jin Qianqian was again struck by the difficult position she was in.

Since becoming a mother, she understood even more deeply. ’You can’t choose between your children; they’re all your own.’

She took the old matriarch’s hand and patted it reassuringly. "Mother, didn’t we agree that you’d stay and celebrate the New Year with us? As for Fourth Brother and the others, just leave them to my husband to arrange. He’s his own brother, after all. We don’t need to worry about it."

Li Cuicui breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that Seventh listened to his wife more than anyone, so now that Jin Qianqian had agreed, she could set her worries aside.

’She had promised not to meddle in her sons’ affairs, but this time, she’d let Fourth persuade her to come and put Seventh in a difficult position.’

"As for Le Huan, he wouldn’t tell me why he came, but he can’t fool these old eyes of mine. He must have a sweetheart here.

As long as she comes from a respectable family, I’ll approve the match for him myself this time. It’ll save him from his mother’s meddling."

Li Cuicui couldn’t help but shake her head as she recalled her second daughter-in-law’s recent behavior.

It was no wonder Le Huan was so eager to get away. Otherwise, his marriage might have already been decided for him.

For some reason, Xu Nuo’s name flashed through Jin Qianqian’s mind, but she quickly dismissed the thought. ’It’s absolutely impossible between those two.’

After soothing the old matriarch, Jin Qianqian left to arrange the family banquet.

Ancient Wen Heng couldn’t believe it. Just as he was about to head home, the utterly tactless Ning Yuchen blocked his path. Seeing the man try to climb into his carriage, Ancient Wen Heng held up a hand to stop him.

"Lord Ning, I don’t believe we’re heading the same way."

’What was wrong with this Ning Yuchen? He’d been drawing a salary for ages, yet he still hadn’t acquired his own carriage. He either walked to the Hanlin Academy or constantly bummed rides off others.’

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Hong Da and Ming Feng immediately flanked him, ready to step in should their master come to blows with the man.

Ning Yuchen said, "Mr. Gu, this subordinate has something to discuss with you. I must trouble you for a ride."

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Unfortunately, my mother arrived at my estate today, and I am rushing back for her welcome dinner. Lord Ning, you had best find someone else."

"That is quite the coincidence," Ning Yuchen said. "But since this subordinate hasn’t yet paid his respects to the old madam, why don’t I accompany you?"

"It is highly inconvenient," Ancient Wen Heng said coldly, shocked at the man’s shamelessness. "My mother is exhausted from her journey. Tonight is a private family dinner."

With that, he turned to step onto the carriage stool, but Ning Yuchen grabbed him by his official robes.

"Lord Ning," Ancient Wen Heng said, his voice now laced with undisguised anger, "kindly unhand me."

"Mr. Gu, I have something to discuss with you. Let’s talk privately." Realizing he had overstepped, Ning Yuchen quickly released his grip.

"Whatever it is, say it here." Ancient Wen Heng was losing his patience with this shameless pest.

"It wouldn’t be appropriate here," Ning Yuchen said, glancing at Hong Da and Ming Feng.

Ancient Wen Heng waved a hand for them to step back. "Speak. I don’t have time to waste on you."

"Mr. Gu, you’ve been troubled by rumors lately, haven’t you? This subordinate has a way to resolve that little annoyance for you."

Ancient Wen Heng said nothing.

Ning Yuchen continued, "This subordinate has a younger female cousin, who is both charming and lovely. If Mr. Gu would only offer her the position of a wife of equal rank, all those nasty rumors out there will vanish on their own."

Ancient Wen Heng sized up Ning Yuchen. "Lord Ning, the title of runner-up truly sells you short."

"...So, what do you say? If you agree, just send an official matchmaker to my residence. I will accept on my uncle’s behalf." Ning Yuchen puffed out his chest, feeling he was doing the other man a great service.

Ancient Wen Heng retorted, "Thank you for your enthusiasm, Lord Ning, but it’s a pity. I have no need of your offer. If the young lady of your clan is so keen on becoming a concubine, I’m sure many men in Shangjing would be delighted to have her."

"Hong Da, we’re returning to the mansion." Without giving Ning Yuchen time to react, Ancient Wen Heng turned and boarded the carriage.

Hong Da and Ming Feng, who had been watching closely, had already detected the displeasure in their master’s voice.

Hong Da immediately jumped onto the front shaft of the carriage. Ming Feng kicked the mounting stool away and, with a single leap, landed behind Hong Da.

Hong Da swung the whip in his hand in a wide circle before cracking it hard against the ground. SNAP! The sound startled Ning Yuchen, who scrambled out of the way.

As the carriage disappeared into the distance, he finally snapped out of it and cursed, "Ungrateful fool."

He looked at the now-empty street in front of the Hanlin Academy, sighed, and began the long walk home.

Before he even stepped through his own gate, Ning Yuchen could hear shouting and cursing from the courtyard.

Enduring the curious stares of his neighbors, he had no choice but to brace himself and push open the gate.

"What is all this noise about now?" Ning Yuchen demanded, his eyes landing on Xiao Wanyu when he didn’t see Fang Yuan in the courtyard.

"My lord, on such a cold day, the old madam made me wash this huge tub of clothes. I was freezing and just wanted to heat some water, but she accused me of wasting firewood." Xiao Wanyu’s heart was filled with regret. ’How did my life end up like this?’

"Aren’t there servant girls? Let the maids and servant women handle these things.

Is there no distinction between master and servant in this house? If they refuse to work, sell them all." He had been visiting Xiao Wanyu’s rooms the past few days and was currently in a good mood with her, so he was willing to put in a good word.

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