The city gates were still bustling with people. Shuojing was the capital of the country, and many people entered and left the city every day. Some people lived in the countryside outside the city, working in the city during the day and returning to their homes in the villages outside the city before curfew at night.
The Gu family's convoy was still some distance from the city gate. Gu Xingzhi, riding on horseback, frowned as if he had noticed something was wrong, and waved for the convoy to stop.
Gu Yaoniang and Qiaoniang originally thought they had arrived at the city gate. Qiaoniang gave Gu Yaoniang a few simple instructions, lifted the curtain and was about to jump off the carriage when she saw where she was. She was stunned when she saw where she was.
The Gu family's convoy was parked in an open space not far from the city gate, but still some distance away.
She looked at Gu Xingzhi with a puzzled expression, while Gu Xingzhi raised his chin and pointed in the direction of the city gate.
Seeing that Qiaoniang was standing at the door without moving, Gu Yaoniang leaned over in confusion and looked in the same direction as her.
The city gates were bustling with people coming and going. But upon closer inspection, one could see that the soldiers guarding the gates were extremely strict, scrutinizing almost everyone entering the city. Conversely, those leaving the city were only questioned routinely before being let out.
Thus, a strange scene unfolded at the city gate—the procession leaving the city moved forward relentlessly, with almost no waiting required. Yet, very few were able to enter. Looking out through the dark city gate, one could see the restless crowds outside. Meanwhile, those leaving the city were not stopped, but for some reason, they lingered inside the city gate.
The group of people couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
Gu Xingzhi sent someone forward to inquire, reassuringly saying, "There should be no problem."
As they watched the guard approach the city gate, they discreetly handed over several small purses. The gate guards, who had initially intended to shoo them away, became much more polite after accepting the purses.
The guard from the Gu family tried to peek out of the city through the city gate, but was discovered by the guards and quickly chased away.
The guards waited to the side, hoping someone would come in from outside the city so they could find out something. But whether the guards knew what he was waiting for, or whether no one could really pass their checks, an incense stick's worth of time passed, and not a single person entered the city from outside.
The guard who went to inquire at the city gate had no choice but to return: "The guards at the city gate are very tight-lipped. They only said that they were ordered to conduct a thorough investigation, but they wouldn't say what they were investigating or why. I saw that there seemed to be a lot of people outside the city, gathered in large numbers at the city gate. I don't know why they wouldn't let them in."
Gu Xingzhi keenly sensed something unusual and immediately decided, "Let's go home."
After saying that, he turned his horse around and galloped back the way he came.
Gu Yaoniang and Qiaoniang exchanged a glance, both feeling uneasy.
-
"master……"
Wang Chengxian sat upright in the main hall, tidying up his official robes, buttoning up the cuffs one by one, and then gently smoothing them out.
Hearing his wife's soft call, he patted her hand, hesitated for a moment, then held it tightly, cupping it in his palm and gently squeezing it: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid."
Lady Wang wanted to say something, but when she met Wang Chengxian's resolute gaze, she remained silent.
-
A furious shout rang out from inside the Mingde Hall. Immediately afterwards, there was a series of clattering sounds as scrolls of paper fell to the ground.
The eunuchs standing at the door trembled slightly, but remained upright with their eyes downcast, not daring to enter easily.
Then, Emperor Zhenlong roared again from inside the hall, "Go and summon that rebellious son Zhao Yang!"
The young eunuch felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly left the Mingde Hall.
-
Before even leaving the city, she returned home. Gu Yaoniang was somewhat depressed, but she knew that something unusual was likely going on, and she could no longer act on her whims.
Each person in the group had their own thoughts as the carriage rumbled toward the Gu family residence. As they traveled, the carriage slowed noticeably, and Gu Yaoniang peeked out through a small crack in the curtain.
A crowd of people had gathered in front of a shop, so many that they had spilled onto the street. The once wide street was now surrounded, and with the addition of onlookers, it was starting to feel congested.
The crowd was noisy and chaotic, and Gu Yaoniang was momentarily confused about what was happening. She raised her head slightly and saw a lifelike money frog squatting quietly on the corner of the eaves. Only then did she realize that this was the location of the exchange shop of the Ministry of Revenue's Flying Silver Department.
The road ahead had been cleared by Gu Xingzhi's men, and the Gu family's carriage continued on its way. Gu Yaoniang suppressed her curiosity and lowered the curtain in her hand.
Having finally returned to the Gu family home, Bitao looked at the many boxes and trunks on the carriages with some difficulty and couldn't help but ask, "Madam, should we unload these?"
Gu Yaoniang helped Bizhu out of the carriage, and watched Gu Xingzhi's hurried figure walk inside, feeling somewhat unsure of what to do.
She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Let's not move yet."
It's not too late to decide whether to stay or leave once we figure out what's going on.
Just as Gu Yaoniang was about to step inside, a child came running up to her, biting his finger and asking, "..."
Gu Yaoniang stopped and looked at the child in front of her, who barely reached her thigh. The child had big eyes, and although his clothes were worn but clean, he was looking at her with great curiosity.
She crouched down and looked the child straight in the eyes: "Who are you?"
Bizhu and Bishuang were both on high alert, their fingers already curled in their sleeves, ready to pounce at any moment to protect Gu Yaoniang.
The child, oblivious to their wariness, stared wide-eyed at Gu Yaoniang and stubbornly asked, "Sister, are you Madam Gu?"
Gu Yaoniang looked into her eyes. The child's eyes were clear, and she could see her own reflection in them.
Suddenly, her heart softened, and she sighed inwardly, "Fine, I'll take the gamble," and tentatively replied, "Yes, it is."
The child was overjoyed and took out a thin letter from his pocket, handing it to Gu Yaoniang: "Sister, here you go."
Gu Yaoniang looked somewhat bewildered: "For me?"
She subconsciously glanced around. Yongyangfang was mostly filled with grand mansions and was not usually a lively place. It was no different now. Apart from the child who had suddenly appeared in front of her, there was not a single saint in sight.
The child nodded firmly, and Gu Yaoniang reached out to take the envelope, but the child hid it back and stretched out his other hand, palm up, toward Gu Yaoniang.
Gu Yaoniang was somewhat puzzled: "What?"
Seeing that she didn't react, the child pouted and was about to cry: "Sister, you're so pretty, are you going to renege on your debt?"
Gu Yaoniang's heart skipped a beat: "What do you want? Who gave you the letter? What did he say to you?"
The child sobbed, "An older brother told me to bring this to you, and then you would give me candy."
Gu Yaoniang glanced around again, but saw no one. She gestured for Bizhu to fetch some candy, and asked, "What does that brother look like?"
The child tilted his head and thought for a moment before saying, "Brother, it's beautiful! Tall!"
Seeing this, Gu Yaoniang knew she wouldn't get anything out of her.
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