Chapter 627: Chapter 629: A Mother-Son Heart-to-Heart

Of course, his other brothers weren’t about to just sit around and watch Ancient Wen Heng’s family eat.

The return of Ancient Wen Heng and his family also meant that many things were waiting to be attended to.

After arranging accommodations for the traveling entourage, Xie Ruyi took a few of her sisters-in-law to help tidy up the houses. It looked like they wouldn’t be returning to Fu County today. Seventh’s courtyard definitely couldn’t house everyone, so they all cleared out their guest rooms to make space.

Not long after they finished eating, Gu Sanbu and several other clan elders arrived.

Seeing the familiar face of Ancient Wen Heng, they also found him somewhat distant, even a little intimidating.

Even though Ancient Wen Heng was doing his best to restrain it, the natural authority of his official position still overawed them.

He addressed each of the elders by their titles and had his two children come forward to pay their respects. An awkward silence fell over the room as everyone suddenly found themselves at a loss for how to begin.

"Mr. Gu, you’ve returned. Was your journey a smooth one?" Gu Sanbu was the first to break the silence.

"Third Grand-uncle, you’re embarrassing me," Ancient Wen Heng said, personally helping the man to the seat of honor. "Please, just call me Seventh. I’m more used to it."

Of course, Gu Sanbu didn’t want to grow distant from this promising young man. "Alright, Seventh. It’s just force of habit. Tell your Third Grand-uncle, how have you been all these years? Have things been going well? The journey is so long, and the clan wasn’t able to send anyone to visit you."

’The main problem is that we haven’t properly groomed anyone from the younger generation,’ he thought. ’We would have liked to send someone to be by his side to learn a thing or two, but it just wasn’t possible.’

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Everything has been fine. It was a little difficult to adjust when I first arrived, but everything went smoothly after that."

"I haven’t been able to be in the village all these years, so I must thank all you elders for looking after my family."

"Sigh, we still failed to look after them well for you," Gu Sanbu said with a sigh. "After your father injured his legs, he’s been confined to the kang. Have you been to see him?"

Standing off to the side, Li Cuicui pursed her lips. ’It’s a good thing my son is filial,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, this would give people something to talk about.’

With a somber expression, Ancient Wen Heng said, "I have already gone in to pay my respects and spoke with my father for a while. Elders, please rest assured, my brothers and I will certainly do our utmost to care for him."

"However, my time here is short, so I likely won’t be able to personally attend to him for long."

Gu Sanbu was only looking for the right sentiment; how could he dare ask the clan’s most promising member to stay at home and serve as a caregiver?

Even though he was aware of his nephew’s circumstances, he feigned ignorance.

"It’s the thought that counts. Besides, you send back so many gifts and money every year. It’s more than enough to support your parents. Let your other brothers handle the physical labor."

"You work so hard while you’re away; we can’t have you worrying about matters at home as well."

Ancient Wen Heng covered his mouth with a light cough. "I will heed the elders’ teachings. It is just a pity that my time on this trip is limited, and I cannot properly fulfill my filial duties to my father. I hope the elders can understand."

Gu Sanbu quickly addressed the others present. "We all understand. It has always been difficult to be both a loyal official and a filial son. Besides, Mr. Gu is fulfilling his filial duties in his own way. No one will have anything to say about it."

...

They dealt with social obligations until sunset, at which point Gu Yuanjin and the others arranged for several banquet tables. Only after everyone had eaten and drunk their fill did the guests finally disperse.

Seeing the weary look on Ancient Wen Heng’s face, Li Cuicui immediately said, "Let’s talk later when you have some downtime. You should go back and get some rest."

As for Jin Qianqian, she had already taken her leave and returned home with the two children much earlier, when Gu Ben Can fell asleep in his nanny’s arms.

"Mother, is Father always this disruptive?" Ancient Wen Heng asked, pressing his temples as he recalled the banging and clattering coming from the side room during dinner.

"He does it on purpose. Whenever we have guests over for a meal, he has to make that kind of commotion. Everyone’s used to it by now."

"You saw it yourself. The clan members, at most, will pop in to say a quick hello. No one wants to bother with him."

"Mother, if you’re unhappy here, why don’t you move into my courtyard?" Ancient Wen Heng felt a pang of sympathy, knowing that the mother of this body’s original owner had lived a difficult life.

’Now, in her old age, she still has to face a man like Gu Dashishi every day. It would be better for her to get away from him and live more comfortably.’

But Li Cuicui shook her head. "I know you mean well, but I’ve lived like this my entire life. Besides, I’m not the one at a disadvantage anymore. Why should I be the one to leave?"

Realizing she shouldn’t involve her son in these matters, Li Cuicui smiled and changed the subject. "Seeing you and your family doing so well puts my heart at ease."

"A person must live with integrity. Your wife works so hard managing everything for you; you must be grateful for her efforts. You can’t be heartless like your father."

"Mother," Ancient Wen Heng replied, "I understand."

"It’s just that I won’t be able to stay by your side to serve you in the days to come. If you’re willing, I could take you with me to my new post."

Li Cuicui replied, "I’m getting old. I won’t tag along and get in your way."

"Besides, your older brothers are still here. Even if I were to live with one of my sons, it wouldn’t be your turn yet."

Li Cuicui laughed, a genuinely carefree sound. "Back then, when I gave birth to one son after another, some people grew jealous and made catty remarks behind my back."

"They said that having too many sons was a burden, that our Gu family would probably end up with a few more bachelors who couldn’t find wives."

"But look at us now! ’More sons, more blessings.’ There’s real truth to that saying."

Ancient Wen Heng didn’t know how to begin arguing with his mother about her traditional mindset of valuing sons over daughters.

’Then again,’ he mused, ’he knew she was just talking. She had never once mistreated any of the girls in the family.’

"There was such a huge crowd today. I haven’t even been able to properly meet all the children in our own family," he said. "They’ve grown so much I might not even recognize them if I passed them on the street."

Hearing this, Li Cuicui sighed. "You’ve been away for years. The village has seen so many births and marriages since you left."

"Most of your own nephews and nieces are already betrothed."

"It’s all thanks to you, their uncle. They’ve all found pretty good matches."

"I didn’t have them come over to formally meet you today. I’ll have them all come pay their respects tomorrow."

Ancient Wen Heng readily agreed. Supporting his mother by the arm, he walked with her in the direction of his own courtyard. "Is there still no news of Le Tian?"

Li Cuicui’s mood immediately soured. The whole family was together, complete but for any news of her eldest grandson. "Not yet. Your eldest brother and the others often go out to ask for news, but we have no idea where Le Tian is now."

"If you get the chance, please help ask around, too. It’s my biggest regret."

"I just don’t know if Le Tian will be able to come back before I close my eyes for good. I just want to see him one more time."

It’s said that grandparents dote on their eldest grandson, and there was no lie in that. It wasn’t just Li Cuicui who constantly worried about their first grandson; even the heartless Gu Dashishi would occasionally mutter his name.

"I’ve had my subordinates keep an eye out, but it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. Finding one person in a sea of millions is no easy task."

"I wonder, has Eldest Brother sent anyone to search our ancestral home? Perhaps the boy would go back there if he couldn’t find us."

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