SGEIRS -Chapter 363 Leaving the Capital

Seeing him remain silent, Qi Yunwen assumed he had guessed correctly and said irritably, “Gu Yaoling, since you’re not speaking, I’ll take that as your tacit agreement. I told you something was off. Now tell me, what exactly is it that requires our attention?”

Gu Jingxi gave him a glance, part exasperated, part amused, and said, “Qi Mobei, don’t judge a gentleman by a petty mind. What could possibly be my business?”

Qi Yunwen rolled his eyes at him, clearly not believing that he had nothing to do. He pressed further, “If it’s really nothing, why do you need to go in person? Either I or Zheng Shaoqing could handle it.”

Gu Jingxi’s voice was calm as he replied, “I’ve always been considerate of my subordinates. I wouldn’t burden you with these laborious and troublesome tasks. With a considerate superior like me, you should feel secretly pleased.”

Qi Yunwen stared at him for a long while. Seeing that Gu Jingxi truly didn’t seem to be leaving him with some huge problem, he reluctantly believed him, thinking today the sun must have risen from the west.

Just as Gu Jingxi was about to leave, he thought better of it and reminded him, “Mobei, this time I’m leaving the capital only to pay respects to my ancestors back home. As for everything else, don’t let the news leak out—not even to Zheng Shaoqing.”

“Why?” Qi Yunwen frowned slightly, puzzled. “Could it be you suspect Zheng Shaoqing? He usually acts impartially and is a man of integrity.”

Gu Jingxi shook his head faintly. “At present, he seems fine. But there are certain connections on the family side. The fewer people who know about this, the better, so as not to alert the wrong people.”

Qi Yunwen nodded. “Those people will probably still guess that your trip to Huzhou Prefecture isn’t so simple.”

Gu Jingxi nodded in agreement. “The case is closed. Their guard will be down. As for everything else, let them think what they will.”

Qi Yunwen said, “I wish you a smooth journey and an early return.”

Gu Jingxi replied with a short “Mm” and said nothing further, leaving the Dali Temple to go home.

Qi Yunwen sighed. He had assumed this trip would fall on his own shoulders, but unexpectedly, Yaoling had volunteered and even confronted that person directly. Whatever storm this would stir, it wouldn’t be small. Those people had better not have done anything wrong—or there would be consequences.

Changxing Marquis Manor

Upon learning that even Chan’er could accompany her mistress to Huzhou Prefecture while she, as a personal maid, could not, Ningdong immediately approached her mistress to raise the matter.

Meng Jinyao spoke gently, “Ningdong, you are my confidante. I feel at ease only with you at Weiruixuan. You should take care of everyone in the courtyard while we are away. Don’t let them run amok. Besides, this time the Marquis and I are going home to pay respects to our ancestors; it’s not like we’ll never return. Once the ancestral rites are done, we will come back.”

Ningdong, realizing her importance, immediately brightened. “Rest assured, Madam, I will keep the courtyard in order for you and the Marquis.”

Meng Jinyao instructed, “First, help me gather some commonly used clothes and jewelry. Nothing too much—keep it simple.”

Ningdong nodded and immediately went to attend to it.

Seeing how easily pleased Ningdong was, Qingqiu smiled softly, thinking the girl was like a child.

Meng Jinyao asked with a smile, “Qingqiu, what are you smiling at?”

Qingqiu replied, “Madam, Ningdong was just sulking, saying you didn’t care for her anymore and wouldn’t take her on a long trip.”

Meng Jinyao chuckled. “The journey is long and arduous, but keeping her at home doesn’t mean I don’t care. Either you or she must stay at home.”

Qingqiu’s smile remained. She understood her mistress’s intentions. Compared to Ningdong, she was more composed. She had been brought along because of her reliability, but that didn’t mean she was more favored. In her mistress’s eyes, Qingqiu and Ningdong were equally important. Chan’er had been brought along as well because of her martial ability, to protect her mistress if anything happened.

After a while, Qingqiu said, “Madam, I’ll help pack as well.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “Go ahead. Pack the Marquis’s clothes for the journey and some of his commonly used items.”

Qingqiu responded, “Yes, Madam.”

Meanwhile, the Gu family’s main and second branches knew about Gu Jingxi taking leave to pay respects to his ancestors. Initially, they were puzzled, but upon hearing that he had dreamt of his forebears and realized he hadn’t visited them in years, they understood. Seizing this opportunity, he would pay respects and honor his ancestors, which was entirely normal.

Filial piety is foremost. Even deceased ancestors must be respected and remembered.

Their forebear was a founding meritorious official. If he appeared in dreams before his death anniversary to have descendants pay respects, the emperor would naturally approve—otherwise, it would seem inhumane.

The Night Before Leaving the Capital, Meng Jinyao, too excited, couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning in bed.

Gu Jingxi, disturbed by her restlessness, couldn’t sleep either. He decided to pull her into his arms and, meeting her smiling eyes, asked, “So happy, huh?”

Meng Jinyao smiled. “I’ve never left the capital in my life. Now that I get to see the world outside, of course I’m happy.”

Gu Jingxi tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and said warmly, “A two or three-day boat trip is fine, but a half-month journey will be exhausting. You might be completely drained before even reaching Huzhou. Now I wonder—am I taking you there to show you the world beyond the capital, or just to wear you out?”

At his words, Meng Jinyao’s expression froze, then quickly replied, “Of course it’s the former. Seeing the world outside can never be wearing. For example, if I want to see the view from a mountain peak, I have to climb to the top despite the hardship. To see something different, one must pay the price.”

Gu Jingxi chuckled softly. “You’re good at comforting yourself.”

Meng Jinyao shook her head. “I’m not comforting myself. I’m stating the truth.”

Gu Jingxi leaned down to kiss her cheek, smiling. “Alright, alright. All true. But it’s late now. Sleep early, or tomorrow I’ll have to drag you out of bed myself.”

Fully awake, Meng Jinyao pleaded, “Husband, I can’t sleep. Tell me a story?”

Gu Jingxi agreed to his little wife’s request. To prevent her from getting too excited, he thought for a moment and told her an incredibly boring story.

His gentle voice, slow and soothing, was like a monk chanting scriptures—more effective than a lullaby.

Before long, Meng Jinyao fell asleep in his arms.

Hearing her steady breathing, Gu Jingxi looked down and saw her asleep. He stopped speaking, planting a kiss on her fair cheek. With her soft warmth in his embrace, he soon fell asleep as well.

Early Morning the Next Day, Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao set off at dawn, with their family seeing them off.