SGEIRS -Chapter 368 Arrival in Huzhou

Except for a few attempts at trickery at the very beginning, the journey had been peaceful and uneventful. After more than half a month on the boat, the group finally arrived in Huzhou Prefecture.

Huzhou Prefecture lies adjacent to Lake Tai, surrounded by mountains on all sides. Its terrain is relatively flat, the resources abundant, and the soil fertile. It has long been known as a “land of fish and rice” and a “prefecture of silk.”

Connected to the Grand Canal of the Jing-Hang, waterborne transportation is convenient. Commerce and trade with other regions are frequent, attracting many merchants. Huzhou’s economy is prosperous, making it a wealthy area. Its scenic beauty also draws poets and scholars, who often lose themselves in admiration of the landscape.

The dock was still a considerable distance from the Gu family’s residence in Huzhou. After disembarking, Meng Jinyao and the others rented three carriages, with two people per carriage.

Meng Jinyao drew aside the window curtain to look outside. Huzhou Prefecture was bustling everywhere. Its architecture was distinct from that of the capital: small bridges and flowing water, white walls with black tiles, landscapes as elegant as paintings, exuding the soft and gentle charm unique to Jiangnan’s water towns.

Although the capital was more bustling than Huzhou, the differences between north and south were striking. Seeing the distinct style of Huzhou gave Meng Jinyao a sense of novelty. Having already grown weary from over half a month on the boat, she suddenly felt energized, her curiosity and excitement prompting her to take in the sights along the way.

Gu Jingxi, seeing her excitement, did not disturb her. It seemed that taking her on this journey was indeed the right choice. Only, after this trip, he did not know when the next opportunity for travel would arise.

After a long while, Meng Jinyao lowered the curtain and said to Gu Jingxi, “Husband, Huzhou is bustling everywhere. The people here must live quite well. Just looking at their clothing, I hardly see anyone in tattered clothes.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “Huzhou’s geographical location is excellent, with superior natural conditions. From ancient times, it has always been a wealthy region. As long as there’s no war or conflict over it, the people can live peacefully. Tomorrow we’ll go out and have a look around.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao’s face brightened. Then she remembered he had official duties and whispered, “Husband, aren’t you here to investigate a case? If you accompany me outside, how will you manage your investigation? Actually, it would also work if Chan’er and Qingqiu accompanied me.”

Gu Jingxi smiled gently. “If I didn’t accompany you, that would be a problem. Since we’re back in our hometown to pay respects to our ancestors, let’s do it properly and also take the opportunity to sightsee. As for other matters, they can continue in secret. Otherwise, people might suspect I have ulterior motives.”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly, then suddenly remembered a question she had yet to ask. Curiously, she asked, “Husband, what case are you investigating this time? Why so secretive?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “We’ll discuss it after we return.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and then changed the topic. “Husband, how long has it been since you last returned to your hometown in Huzhou?”

Gu Jingxi thought for a moment. “Over ten years.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised. “Over ten years? That’s quite a long time.”

Gu Jingxi pursed his lips and smiled faintly. “It is a long time. But I grew up in the capital. Although Huzhou is my hometown, I’ve only returned twice before. This is the third time. I don’t feel homesick just because I haven’t been back in a while. The last time I returned was with my father. The first time was when I was seven.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and then asked him briefly about the current situation back home.

From Gu Jingxi, she learned that although the Gu family had some branches living in Huzhou, they did not reside in the old family mansion. The old mansion belonged to the main line of the Gu family. However, the main line lived far away in the capital and seldom returned. The mansion was maintained only by the steward and a few servants.

The family members who stayed in Huzhou were usually those without remarkable talents. Huzhou being wealthy, they could live a stable life there. Those with ambition went elsewhere to take imperial exams and serve as officials; some, like the ancestors, stayed in the military; others had settled permanently in the capital.

The relatives who remained in Huzhou had distant blood ties with the main line, and ordinary interactions were rare. Perhaps some would pay a visit when they returned this time.

Before long, the carriages arrived at the Gu residence. After paying the hired drivers, the group got out.

Meng Jinyao looked up at the Gu mansion: white walls and black tiles, a vermilion-painted main gate, a tall gatehouse adorned with intricate carvings, and two stone lions on either side, exuding solemnity and dignity. A golden nanmu plaque above the entrance read “Gu Mansion.”

Zhou Yun stepped forward and knocked. Shortly, someone came to open the door. It was a boy of around eleven, dressed as a servant, likely a gate attendant. He peeked out and sized them up. Seeing that the leading couple were either wealthy or noble, he asked, “Our master has been in the capital for a long time and hasn’t returned. Whom are you looking for?”

Gu Jingxi noticed the boy was young and likely new, never having seen him before. Although a letter had been sent ahead to Huzhou, it probably hadn’t arrived yet—they had reached before the letter.

Zhou Yun said, “These two are the Marquis and his wife. Send for the steward.”

Marquis?

The boy at first looked puzzled but quickly understood. This was the residence of the Changxing Marquis in Huzhou. No one would dare impersonate them. Not wanting to keep them waiting outside, he respectfully invited them into the main hall and ran to fetch the steward.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the steward, Liu, in his forties, hurried over. He had received no prior notice that the Marquis and his wife were returning. When the gate boy suddenly said that the two masters were back, he was still bewildered.

Seeing the couple seated in the hall, Steward Liu recognized Gu Jingxi despite more than ten years having passed. As for the young and beautiful woman beside him, there was no need to guess—she was the wife the Marquis had married last year.

The steward bowed respectfully. “Your Lordship, Madam, I pay my respects. I was unaware of your return and failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me.”

Gu Jingxi said calmly, “It’s not your fault for not knowing. Our return was sudden, prompted by the ancestral spirit in a dream. Although a letter was sent before we left, we arrived before it did. It’s normal you didn’t know in advance.”

Steward Liu looked slightly confused. “An ancestral dream? Does Your Lordship mean the feng shui is somehow amiss? I’ve taken great care of the mansion’s belongings and haven’t touched the layout.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “It has nothing to do with feng shui. The ancestor’s death anniversary is approaching. More than half a month ago, he appeared in a dream, asking me to bring my wife to pay respects at his grave. I thought there might be some instructions, so I returned with my wife. First, have the courtyard tidied.”

Steward Liu respectfully responded, “Yes, Your Lordship.”

Gu Jingxi added, “Make arrangements for all matters related to the ancestral rites.”

Steward Liu responded again, “Your Lordship can rest assured. I will handle everything properly.”