The servants of the Gu family were busy running around, but Gu Xingzhi sat calmly at the head of the table, leisurely drinking tea. In no time, a cup of tea was finished.
Gu Yaoniang was worried about Gu Pingsheng's injuries and was somewhat restless. Qiaoniang tried to comfort her, but to no avail.
By noon, the sun was high in the sky, but Gu Pingsheng still hadn't returned home. Gu Yaoniang could no longer sit still. She went out of the main hall, instructing someone to find out where Gu Pingsheng was, and had someone put on a lucky charm, intending to go out of the city to meet him.
Gu Xingzhi spoke leisurely from behind: "How old is Ping Sheng? Why are you still going to pick him up?"
Gu Yaoniang paused and turned around. She saw Gu Xingzhi sitting steadily at the head of the table, but his neck was craning outwards. When he saw her turn around, he awkwardly resumed his proper sitting posture.
Gu Yaoniang instantly understood that Gu Xingzhi's words did not reflect his true feelings.
She suddenly felt that this scene was somewhat similar.
Although her father was strict and old-fashioned, he was always, always contradicting himself when it came to her and her two children. He clearly cared and loved them, but he always put on the airs of a strict father.
She almost never showed affection or praise to Gu Pingsheng in person, especially towards him.
I used to think my second uncle was different from my father, more open-minded and less pretentious. But I never imagined that he was just like my father, unwilling to show much concern for me in front of my father.
Yao Niang couldn't help but wonder in her heart whether her second uncle cared for her more in secret than she knew, or whether he wanted to pamper her because she was a girl, and that's why he made his care and praise for her so public.
Gu Yaoniang readily agreed: "Alright then, I'll listen to Second Uncle and wait at home."
Gu Xingzhi choked, looking at Gu Yaoniang with some resentment, then at Qiaoniang.
Qiaoniang pretended not to see it. What a hypocrite! He'd never have her speak up for him!
A flurry of footsteps came from outside the door, and Gu Xingzhi immediately sat up from his chair.
Gu Yaoniang and Qiaoniang were both looking outside, but when they saw him like this, they looked at him again.
He awkwardly smoothed his robes, which were slightly uneven from standing up too quickly, and took the fan in his hand to examine it.
A servant boy ran in from outside, beaming: "Young Master has arrived!"
The three people in the hall could no longer sit still and all stepped out.
Gu Xingzhi, being tall and long-legged, walked at the very front. Gu Yaoniang and Qiaoniang, struggling to keep up with him, tried their best to follow behind.
When Yao Niang arrived at the door, she just saw Gu Pingsheng jump off his horse.
He seemed a little unsteady when he landed, and staggered. Gu Xingzhi quickly stepped forward to help him, but he had already stood firmly and handed the riding whip to the servant next to him.
He looked up at the tall gate of the Gu family mansion.
He naturally saw Gu Xingzhi, but didn't recognize him, and curiously sized up the handsome man in front of him.
Gu Xingzhi was also sizing up the young man in front of him.
They hadn't seen each other for many years. Gu Xingzhi had grown old, and Gu Pingsheng had grown up. The young man was tall and slender like a bamboo stalk, his eyes full of youthful exuberance. He stood motionless, looking at Gu Xingzhi with eyes full of unfamiliarity and curiosity.
Gu Xingzhi felt a pang of sadness. He had no children; Gu Yaoniang and Gu Pingsheng were his blood relatives. And this young man didn't recognize him.
Gu Yaoniang also stopped and looked at the young man in front of her.
He's gotten darker, taller, and thinner.
For some reason, Gu Yaoniang's eyes suddenly reddened.
Gu Pingsheng also saw Gu Yaoniang hurrying over. The young man grinned and excitedly called out, "Sister!"
He took a step towards Gu Yaoniang. But after taking just one step, his dark, shiny face contorted as if he were enduring immense pain.
Seeing his reaction, Gu Yaoniang quickly stepped forward and scolded, "Didn't you say you were injured? Why did you still come on horseback?"
Gu Xingzhi then realized what was happening, put his hands behind his back, looked at the group of people who had come to pick up Gu Pingsheng, and asked authoritatively, "What's going on? Where's the carriage?"
The servants, their faces contorted in distress, were about to reply.
Gu Pingsheng interjected first, "I want to ride the horse!"
He grinned and said nonchalantly, "It's alright, sister. I know what I'm doing! I only rode my horse after I entered the city!"
Seeing that Gu Yaoniang had already walked up a few steps, he whispered in her ear, "Sister, I just wanted to see Second Uncle, and it would be more prestigious to ride a horse. Riding a horse is much more impressive than riding a carriage! Don't ask anymore, I'm still in pain!"
Gu Yaoniang glared at him, but seeing his pitiful look, she couldn't bear to scold him anymore.
Seeing that she was soft-hearted, Gu Pingsheng asked in a low voice, "Is this handsome uncle your second uncle?"
He whispered something in Gu Yaoniang's ear, and whether by accident or design, Gu Xingzhi heard it clearly.
Gu Pingsheng's words greatly pleased him, and his already strained serious expression relaxed, revealing a hint of affection.
He coughed lightly, and Gu Yaoniang quickly composed herself, turning to Gu Pingsheng and asking, "What's wrong? Don't you know how to greet your second uncle?"
After confirming Gu Xingzhi's identity, Gu Pingsheng bowed to Gu Xingzhi and obediently called him "Second Uncle".
Gu Xingzhi looked at the tall, handsome young man in front of him with satisfaction and said with some emotion, "You've grown so much."
Gu Pingsheng chuckled and then looked at Qiaoniang beside him.
He noticed the scars on Qiaoniang's face and was somewhat curious, but he didn't show it.
Gu Yaoniang was afraid that he would impulsively call her "Second Aunt," so she quickly introduced her before he could speak, saying, "This is Qiaoniang."
Gu Pingsheng was taken aback and looked at his older sister—Qiaoniang? Not his second aunt?
Gu Yaoniang naturally understood what her younger brother meant, but she couldn't say it directly. She gave him a look, signaling him to call out to the people first, and they could talk about the rest later.
The two had grown up together since childhood, and their eye contact was very effective. Gu Pingsheng suppressed his curiosity and greeted Qiao Niang.
Qiao Niang watched the two siblings exchanging glances and found it somewhat amusing, but she didn't ask any questions.
Gu Xingzhi led Gu Pingsheng inside. Gu Pingsheng's posture was somewhat strange, but the others pretended not to notice.
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