Upon hearing this, Gu Yaoniang asked suspiciously, "Then why doesn't Father want to see him?"

It was as if they had some deep-seated hatred or grudge.

Yet, I also felt conflicted. I didn't want to see him, but when I did, I felt a mix of emotions—a sense of melancholy and loneliness.

Madam Gu's smile was somewhat forced: "Perhaps it's because after Lord Wang left back then, he had little contact with your father, so your father is unhappy."

She discreetly observed Gu Yaoniang's expression. Her husband was rigid and stingy, and he cared most about these empty formalities. If she said this, Yaoniang would probably believe her, right?

Gu Yaoniang found this explanation quite reasonable. However, she was somewhat shocked—Uncle Wang seemed like a kind, upright, and approachable person, but after staying at her house, he left and she never contacted him again.

I never would have guessed... he was actually this kind of person. Gu Yaoniang was slightly shocked.

The conversation between Wang Chengxian and Mr. Gu continued until dinner time.

Mr. Gu's complexion was much better than before, and a faint smile could be seen on his face. Even so, he did not invite Wang Chengxian to stay for dinner at the Gu family's house, but politely saw Wang Chengxian out.

Gu Yaoniang never knew what Wang Chengxian and Mr. Gu actually said.

After the meal, Gu Yaoniang, as usual, summoned someone to ask questions, which were nothing more than the current situation in the city, whether there was enough rice and grain, and how the disaster victims were doing.

But they received some unexpected good news—the guards who had been sent to watch over the Gu family had now been withdrawn.

Gu Yaoniang raised an eyebrow upon receiving the news. She was quite pleased.

When her parents arrived home, she secretly wondered if the Gu family had been cleared of suspicion. She never expected the good news to come so quickly.

If so, could the cooperation between the Gu family business and the imperial court take another form? The Gu family would no longer have to act with such restraint and trepidation.

Will Gu Pingsheng be able to enter the examination hall again and achieve fame and success?

Gu Yaoniang was overjoyed. She lifted her skirt and walked outside, just in time to see off the last group of guards as they left the Gu family's gate.

The person in charge was the squad leader guarding the Gu family's residence; they were acquaintances. The Gu family had been behaving well during this time, and the squad leader had simply been acting impartially without causing any extra trouble for the Gu family, so there was still some courtesy between them.

Gu Yaoniang felt cheerful, and the gloom that had accumulated in her heart for many days dissipated. Even the captain of the guards who had been watching over her home for so many days felt kind of affection to her.

She smiled and said, "Are you leaving already?"

The squad leader also saw Gu Yaoniang, gave her a slight bow, and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Madam Gu! We'll be leaving now."

Gu Yaoniang returned the greeting with a smile: "Take care, sir. See you again someday!"

The squad leader laughed heartily, turned around, and led his men out of the alley. As he walked, he waved his arm behind him and shouted, "My lady, let's not see each other again!"

Gu Yaoniang was slightly taken aback, but then she realized what was happening and smiled.

That's true! If we meet again, it's likely that the Gu family has suffered another misfortune.

-

Although the Gu family is much freer now, at night, Mr. and Mrs. Gu find it hard to find any smiles in their room.

Indeed, they had endured a long and arduous journey from Qingyun County to Shuojing, where they first suffered imprisonment, and Gu Pingsheng was unable to participate in this year's imperial examination as scheduled. Immediately after being released from prison, they heard the news of Gu Xingzhi's death.

One thing after another, it's truly hard to smile.

The couple lay in bed, eyes wide open, unable to sleep.

After a long silence, Mr. Gu finally said, "He understands."

Madam Gu sighed.

In fact, she had already had a vague guess during the day, but she felt that it was probably unlikely.

How could Wang Chengxian know about Gu Yaoniang's background? How could he possibly know?

"He said that when the Gu family suffered misfortune that day, Xingzhi may have had a premonition, so he went to find him and told him about Yaoniang. He begged him that if the Gu family really suffered misfortune, he could protect Yaoniang because she was his blood relative."

Given the circumstances at the time, if Yao Niang hadn't been his child, it would have been difficult for him to protect her even if he wanted to.

Madam Gu let out a long sigh: "But Yao Niang and the others still suffered so much."

Mr. Gu sighed: "If it weren't for him intervening before the sage, Yao Niang, you, and I would probably still be in that prison."

They should remember this.

"So, does Yaoniang know now?"

"Madam Gu asked."

Mr. Gu shook his head, realizing that his wife wasn't facing him and wouldn't see him if he shook his head. He then said, "Neither he nor I want to tell Yaoniang about this. The child is older now, and if he knew, he might find it hard to accept. It's better to leave it like this, letting him watch from a distance."

Having a daughter born out of wedlock is never a source of pride, no matter the time or place. It's best to keep it a secret unless absolutely necessary.

Madam Gu felt this made perfect sense.

The two fell silent again.

Madam Gu then said, "My lord, I still feel somewhat guilty. My second brother worked so hard to build this family fortune, and he has no children. Doesn't that mean it's all going to us? How can we accept this?"

Mr. Gu reassured him, "Don't overthink it. There's still Qiaoniang, isn't there? We don't know who she is, but maybe we don't need to worry about the business at all."

Mr. Gu had always felt that the merchant's actions were inappropriate and not the behavior of a gentleman. Of the three siblings in the Gu family, only he remained.

He used to dislike his younger brother's involvement in business, but now Gu Yaoniang is also in business. If the Gu family business falls into their hands, he will be worried about what to do. He is not cut out for it, but he also does not want his children to be too involved.

Madam Gu scolded, "Others would love to have everything, but you're the opposite, pushing everything away. I think that Qiaoniang is quite sensible; she was very polite when we were here today. I haven't heard that Xingzhi has ever been married, so at most it's just that they're mutually attracted. I don't think she'll want any of the family property."

Mr. Gu remained silent.

He suddenly said, "If Xingzhi really intends to hand this business over to Yaoniang, why not let the child be sold? Yaoyao is all grown up now and will eventually get married. The name of this business will only be a burden to her, so what good family can she find?"

Madam Gu was displeased: "What? Now that you have property, you can't get married? You old stubborn woman, you find fault with Yao Niang just because she's nice? I think our Yao Niang is good-looking, beautiful, humble and polite, smart and pretty. Only a blind person would look down on her!"

This blind fool naturally included Mr. Gu in his insults as well.

Mr. Gu quickly begged for forgiveness: "Madam! Madam! That's not what I meant! It's just that merchants are often looked down upon..."

Madam Gu snorted, "I think only you poor, pedantic scholars would look down on that! Nowadays, merchants and commoners are the same. You can become an official and have money, so why do you look down on that?"

Mr. Gu had no choice but to turn around and face the wall, pretending to be asleep, and said nothing more.