After the case of Gan Tao was concluded, Gan Li did not delay any longer and wrote a letter to the Princess, explaining that Gan Tao was willing to go to the capital to prepare embroidery for the Empress Dowager's birthday.
Half a month later, another letter arrived from the capital. In the letter, the Princess expressed her great joy and said that it was not safe for Gan Tao, a young lady, to travel alone. Since Lord Lu was also returning to the capital, it would be perfect for Gan Tao to accompany him.
Gan Tao was not at ease after deciding to go to the capital. After all, this was her first time leaving her hometown, and she was going to a place like the capital to serve a noble person like the Princess.
In a county town, people with even a little bit of status look down on others, let alone a place like the capital.
She wasn't worried about not being able to produce satisfactory embroidery, but she was worried that the people there would be difficult to get along with and the masters there would be difficult to serve.
Someone of the Princess's status should naturally be treated with the utmost respect, as if she were her master. Gan Tao was aware of this. Therefore, she had felt a lot of pressure these past few days.
Now that I have learned the contents of the Princess's letter from Ganli, and heard that the Princess, with her noble status, still thought of caring about the safety of a lowly embroiderer like me on the road, it is clear that she is a kind and approachable person. The heavy weight on my heart has suddenly lightened considerably.
"I didn't expect the Princess to care about such a trivial matter."
While she was happy, she was also a little surprised: "But is Lord Lu also going to the capital? He is the magistrate of our county. If he leaves, won't such a big county be left unmanaged?"
Previously, the county government was jointly managed by the county magistrate and the county magistrate, so that even if one of them was absent, the other could still manage.
Since the last county magistrate was dismissed, the imperial court has not appointed a new county magistrate, so the county government is now managed by only Magistrate Lu.
Gan Li had a vague guess in her heart, but she didn't say it out loud. Instead, she wrote to Magistrate Lu to ask him when he would depart.
Since the princess said this to her, she must have informed Lord Lu as well. However, Gan Tao will still need his help on her journey to the capital. Gan Li thought that it would be right for her to be polite and proactive.
Lord Lu quickly replied, instructing Gan Tao to prepare and depart early the day after tomorrow.
It was already evening when she received the reply, which meant that Gan Tao would be leaving for the capital in just one more day.
Everyone was very reluctant to part with her, but Gan Tao comforted them, saying, "It's not like I'm not coming back. Once the Empress Dowager's birthday is over next year, I'll be free in the capital, and then I'll come back."
Someone jokingly remarked, "How can you be sure? If the princess sees your excellent embroidery skills and doesn't want you to leave, then you'll become a citizen of the capital!"
"Yes, the capital is great, much better than our place."
"I'm not capable enough, otherwise I would also like to go and see. Tao'er, I really envy you."
Amidst the envious and teasing voices of the crowd, Gan Tao smiled shyly. After smiling, she said:
"This is my home. No matter when or how far I go, I will always come back."
Her voice was soft, yet firm.
Everyone sighed – Gan Tao is such a sentimental girl.
Gan Quan laughed along with everyone else, his eyes shining with hidden joy.
Since there was only one day left, Ganli told Gantao not to work anymore, but to go back, pack her things, and rest so she could continue her journey the day after tomorrow.
Gan Tao shook her head and refused: "Shopkeeper, I don't have anything to pack except a few sets of clothes. If you don't let me work now, how boring will it be for me to wait?"
After saying that, he turned around and went off to work with the others.
Gan Li had originally thought that Gan Tao was going on a long trip, perhaps to take care of other matters... but it seemed that she didn't have such plans now...
That's good. There's really nothing to miss about that kind of family. It's a good thing that Gan Tao can let go completely.
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye. After a busy midday, Gan Li asked Gan Quan to drive the carriage to take her and Gan Tao to town. The three of them stayed overnight at an inn in town, and early the next morning, they set off on the only road leading out of the county.
Before long, they saw a large procession of dozens of people approaching, with five or six carriages in the middle. Upon seeing Gan Li and the others, the procession immediately stopped.
Magistrate Lu stepped down from the lead carriage and greeted Gan Li with a smile: "Manager Gan."
"Lord Lu." Gan Li quickly led the other two to bow, and then bowed separately to Magistrate Lu: "Congratulations on your promotion, sir."
This congratulations made Lord Lu laugh heartily, but he humbly replied:
"Although I was summoned back to the capital this time, my official position has not yet been determined, and it may not be a promotion. Manager Gan, you are congratulating me too early."
"Look at what you're saying. Even if you didn't get promoted this time, you've already come to the capital. With your outstanding abilities, working under the emperor's nose, a promotion is only a matter of time."
Gan Li knew that there was a limit to flattery, and that going any further would seem too insincere, so she stopped there and smoothly pulled Gan Tao aside to change the subject:
"This is my little sister's first time leaving the county, and she has troubled you along the way. When she arrives in the capital, I would also like to ask you to look after her when you have the time."
Her flattery struck a chord with Lord Lu, and he also understood the reasons why she was allowed to go to the capital this time.
Firstly, it was he who "discovered" the ice-making technique and reported it to the emperor; secondly, it was Gan Tao's case, which involved a murder, yet he solved it in a short time.
These two matters attracted the attention of the higher-ups, and coincidentally there was a vacancy in the capital, so it was his turn.
Gan Li had contributed greatly to both of these matters. Lord Lu thought that someone as intelligent as Gan Li might have thought of this, yet he did not take credit for it at all and never mentioned his own contributions.
He's smart and knows how to get things done; there's no reason why Lord Lu wouldn't admire someone like that.
At this moment, he found Gan Li particularly pleasing to the eye, and his gaze towards Gan Tao softened considerably.
"Don't worry, if you encounter any difficulties in the capital, just tell me."
Gan Tao was flattered and quickly bowed to express her gratitude.
Lord Lu was going to the capital, and naturally the women in his family had to go with him. Gan Tao was arranged to ride in the same carriage as the head maids who served their masters. Lord Lu also thoughtfully left some time for Gan Tao to say goodbye to Gan Li.
Actually, they had already said their goodbyes at the inn. Now, the two looked at each other, and Gan Li gently patted Gan Tao's hand and whispered, "Take care."
Gan Tao's nose tingled, and she choked up, saying, "Shopkeeper, please take care of yourself too."
She paused, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke:
"Shopkeeper, if you have time to go back, please ask around about Xiao Si for me."
Seeing the worried look on her face, Ganli sighed.
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