"Kicked out?"
"How, how could it be - is it true?" Tian Susu couldn't believe it. She blinked her eyes to wipe away the tears, shocked and at a loss.
Guo Hongxuan replied nonchalantly, "Why would I lie to you?" He shook his small bundle. "Here, look! This is all I brought. My family is mad at me, and before I left, no one mentioned money. I had no choice but to put on a smug face and secretly borrow two hundred taels from my third brother."
Two hundred taels? What could that be for? Tian Susu was half-believing and half-doubting. She looked at the man's happy expression and asked tentatively, "Sir, are you joking?"
"real!"
Tian Susu picked up her handkerchief and pressed it against her eyes, wondering, "How could anyone be so happy after being kicked out of their home?"
"Hahaha~" Guo Hongxuan was so relieved that he couldn't help but laugh. He threw the bundle to the maid, sat down with his horse and sword, and explained, "You don't understand! Actually, I'm quite afraid of my second brother. He has practiced martial arts since he was young and is a strict person. When he gets angry, he will hit me, and I can't resist him. But this time, he let me go easily. He even took the whip away when mother was using the family discipline." As he spoke, he raised his hand, the back of his hand facing up, revealing several whip marks. "Otherwise, I'm afraid mother would have beaten me to pieces."
Tian Susu immediately showed a look of heartache, tears welling in her eyes. She quickly stepped closer, took the other's hand in hers, and choked out a sob, "I guess it was because of visiting my mother and helping with the funeral that the young master got beaten. Susu feels really sorry."
For Guo Hongxuan, the most difficult thing was to bear the tears of a beautiful woman. He held her hand with his backhand, full of pity, "My mother only whipped me seven or eight times, it didn't hurt. Silly girl, please accept my condolences. Don't cry. Look at your eyes, they're swollen. How many tears have you shed these past few days?"
The pear blossoms are wet with rain, which is very endearing.
Tian Susu knew how to gain a man's affection. Tears streaming down her face, she replied sorrowfully, "My mother has passed away. I no longer have any relatives in this world. Every time I think about the future, how can I not be sad? How can I not be worried?"
"What are you afraid of? I'll take care of everything." Guo Hongxuan's heart suddenly became full of sympathy for the beautiful woman, and he gently embraced the beauty in his arms. "I will keep my word. I promised Auntie that I will do my best to take care of you!"
Tian Susu leaned on the other person's shoulder, sobbing, looking weak and helpless.
Seeing this, the maidservant tactfully retreated quietly.
Tian Susu was gloomy. "My mother's last words to me, sir, don't take them to heart. We are not related, we just met by chance. I have already received a lot of help from you, and I am deeply grateful. I dare not expect more."
"Alas, you're always so reserved, but I don't want to be someone who goes back on his word." Guo Hongxuan smiled fondly and urged, "Pack your bags quickly! Let's leave as soon as possible, send Aunt back to her hometown for burial, and then we can make further plans."
"ah?"
Tian Susu was startled, her eyes widened again, and she quickly looked up and asked in surprise, "Going back to Qinzhou?"
Guo Hongxuan replied, "Yes. This was Madam's dying wish. Since I promised her, how could I not fulfill it?" He said, as if to take credit for it, "I know you're afraid of traveling far. Don't worry, I'll accompany you."
"But, but——sir, isn't he going to take the exam?"
Tian Susu wiped her tears, sat beside him, gathered her thoughts, and said sternly, "The imperial examination is important. I dare not delay your future! You must concentrate on studying. I have already made up my mind: I will deposit my mother's coffin in a temple outside the city, and when the time is right, I will transport it back to my hometown for burial."
"How can this be possible?" Guo Hongxuan felt a headache when he heard the words "exam, future" and frowned. "This matter cannot be delayed. Delaying it would be disrespectful."
Tian Susu clenched her fingers and frowned, reminding: "But the scientific expedition——"
"That's all right!" Guo Hongxuan interrupted with a wave of his hand, saying nonchalantly, "Just go and come back quickly. If nothing unexpected happens, you should be able to make it back in time for the exam."
Tian Susu was completely disapproving and wanted to object, but she noticed that the other party was a little annoyed. In addition, the other party was helping out of justice, and as a daughter, if she tried to stop him, it would seem unfilial.
She lowered her head, her eyes darkening as she asked timidly, "Transporting the coffin is Susu's family affair and shouldn't be a bother for you, Young Master. Do your mother and the others agree to your sudden departure?"
Guo Hongxuan sighed in distress, "My family doesn't quite agree, but they haven't forcefully stopped me. Don't worry, I said I'd help, and I'll definitely do it!"
"...Thank you, sir."
Tian Susu's mind turned over and over again, and finally she stood up and thanked Fu Fu, "Thank goodness you helped me, otherwise, Susu would be at a loss and have no idea how to get to Qinzhou."
Guo Hongxuan hurriedly helped her up and said affectionately, "I told you to be polite, but you never listen! There's no time to lose, young lady, go pack your luggage. I hired a few escorts before I came here to ensure your safety."
"Um,"
Tian Susu observed Guo Hongxuan's words and expressions and tried to persuade him, but Guo Hongxuan insisted on going to Qinzhou.
So, she was completely thrown into disarray, and had no choice but to return to her room, where she sat in front of the bronze mirror with an expressionless face.
"Miss, has Master Guo hired a carriage?" The maidservant hurriedly packed her luggage. "How long will we be staying in Qinzhou? Do we need to pack autumn clothes?"
Tian Susu rubbed her temples and said, "He said that if we hire a carriage, it will take one and a half months to go back and forth."
"Oh, then you don't need to bring thick clothes."
The maid opened the boxes and rummaged through the cabinets, saying happily, "I never thought that Master Guo was so deeply in love with you! He was willing to give up the imperial examinations to escort us to Qinzhou. Oh, it's really touching."
He only had two hundred taels on him, how could it be enough to spend? Tian Susu sighed in worry, "I'm certainly touched, but the consequences are unimaginable. It seems his family is very angry. They neither gave him money nor made arrangements for the trip, allowing the Fourth Young Master to hire escorts. The Guo family clearly disapproved of the trip to Qinzhou. They scolded and beat him, but it didn't persuade him. I guess the old lady was furious and kicked her youngest son out of the house."
"In my opinion, the Guo family is just angry for a while, and they will calm down sooner or later. Who would be willing to drive away their own flesh and blood, their own brothers and sisters?" The maid packed the bundle quickly, without any worry.
"Little girl, you don't understand."
Tian Susu picked up a comb and intermittently combed her hair, muttering, "That's right, family members will eventually choose to forgive and tolerate each other. But I'm an outsider. If I can't bear to punish my relatives, how can I be reluctant to blame outsiders? The Guo family is most likely convinced that I instigated the trip to Qinzhou. I'm afraid they're scolding me right now."
"That... makes sense." The maid, clutching a bundle, said vaguely, "Actually, I also think that there's no deadline anyway. The coffin can be transported back to Qinzhou at any time, so there's no need to rush. How about trying to persuade Master Guo to wait until he finishes his exams before setting off again?"
Tian Susu shook her head and replied with a wry smile, "I can't persuade him anymore. Mr. Guo is so excited and has offered to help, and he's helping with my mother's funeral. If I insist on pouring cold water on him, I would appear ungrateful and would also chill his benefactor's heart. Besides—"
"Besides what?"
Tian Susu knew it very well, but she never pointed it out. She thought to herself: Since we met, I have seen that the Fourth Young Master is lazy, playful, and just wants to get by. He lacks perseverance and determination, and is unable to study hard.
He even hated studying, but had to obey because of the strict supervision of his elders.
He was more concerned about the trip to Qinzhou than I was. First, he felt sorry for my loneliness, and second... I guess he just wanted to get some fresh air.
She wasn't satisfied with Guo Hongxuan and secretly despised him, but she couldn't find anyone better. She calmly thought: I should have been sensible and tried to persuade him instead of opposing him forcefully. If she knowingly offended him and angered her benefactor, who would she rely on for the rest of her life?
Therefore, the Oiran sighed softly, "Nothing."
"You are sighing, are you dissatisfied with my actions?"
"No."
The maidservant whispered, "I'd like to advise you: Mr. Guo is from a wealthy family, has outstanding character and appearance, and he truly loves you. You must seize the opportunity. If you miss him, you might not be able to find another one even with a lantern. Even if you do find one, what about his age? When he gets older, it will be... difficult."
Tian Susu bit her lip, examining her face in the bronze mirror, fearing she would become destitute if she lost her beauty. She grabbed hold of a life-saving piece of wood and said with determination, "I understand! The day my benefactor redeemed me, I made up my mind. For the rest of my life, I will rely on him. Even if I live a life of obscurity and obscurity, it doesn't matter. Being a concubine is better than dying in a brothel."
So, three days later, she was reluctant but pretended to be happy and grateful, and was helped into the carriage by her benefactor.
Guo Hongxuan was full of energy and inexplicably excited. He shouted, "Let's go!"
"Okay." The hired escort snapped his whip and rode forward, surrounding the carriage and coffin, heading south to Qinzhou.
At the same time, Guo Mansion
As the return journey was approaching, the servants began to pack their luggage.
As Jiang Yushu folded clothes, she asked, "The road to Qinzhou is long. Fourth brother hired a few escorts. Is two hundred taels enough for the round trip, including food and rations for the men and horses?"
Guo Honglei sat beside the low couch, playing with the twins, and replied with a straight face, "Knowing how to save is enough, but the fourth child has never been a head of household, so nine times out of ten it won't be enough. Humph, when the time comes, we'll see how he solves the problem of being short of money."
"Will the people we send disguised as escorts be discovered?"
Guo Honglei couldn't help but sigh, "Madam, you're worrying too much. If the fourth brother had that kind of alertness and foresight, how could he have been so bewitched by the courtesan?"
Jiang Yushu laughed dumbly, then said angrily, "It takes two to tango. If men didn't lust after beauty, what would be the point of having an Oiran?"
Guo Honglei raised his eyebrows and turned to look at his wife. He was about to argue when the twins came closer one after another and stood up by holding onto their father's arms. They were both interested in the hair crown and stood on tiptoe to reach out, intending to take it and play with it.
"Ah—" the twins stood side by side, the brother's voice booming, and the sister echoed: "Ah ah?"
"Stop, stop, hold on, stand still! There's nothing fun about the tiara." Guo Honglei sat up straight, protecting a child with one hand, and said helplessly: "These two children are just like Ye'er. As soon as I sit down, they pull the tiara to play."
Jiang Yushu watched from the sidelines, suppressing a laugh. "The crown is inlaid with jade. Children love anything bright or shiny."
The next moment, Guo Ye, who had just woken up from his nap, came running over and without saying a word, hugged his mother's legs with both hands.
"Hey," Jiang Yushu bent down, picked up her eldest son, who was no taller than her thigh, and asked with concern, "What's wrong? You're pouting, aren't you still asleep?"
Guo Ye rubbed his eyes and asked in a low voice, "Mom, Mammy said that you and Dad are going on a long journey again tomorrow, right?"
The child's "again" made Jiang Yushu feel uncomfortable. She sat down on the edge of the couch and explained, "Dad and Mom are going to Tuning to do some work. They will be home as soon as they have time."
"I want to go too." Guo Ye nestled in his mother's arms and pulled his brother's hair.
Guo Jiong turned his head in confusion, moved his chubby feet, and walked towards his brother.
"You can't go." Guo Honglei warned: "You have to stay home and play with your younger brothers and sisters."
Although they were rarely together, Guo Ye instinctively relied on his parents and begged, "Then, can I bring my younger brothers and sisters and we go out to play together?"
Jiang Yushu shook her head. "Mom and Dad aren't going out for fun. Besides, Tuning is too far away, and it's not convenient to take the children with you."
Guo Ye pursed his lips and stopped talking, resting his chin on his mother's shoulder, dozing off in a daze, looking unhappy.
Seeing this, the father solemnly promised: "If you behave well at home, I will bring you a set of wooden weapons when I come back next time."
"Huh?" Guo Ye's eyes lit up instantly, and he jumped onto the couch like a carp, excited and happy. "What weapon? Is it like my brother's?"
Guo Honglei nodded and was surrounded by three children. The eldest one asked questions excitedly, while the two younger ones still insisted on taking the crown.
"So, when will Mom and Dad be free to come home?"
Guo Honglei replied seriously: "It's hard to say, but anyway, I'll visit my family whenever I have time!"
"Can it be faster?" Guo Ye was full of anticipation and wished he could receive the gift immediately.
"I'll do my best."
Seeing her son's joy, Jiang Yushu turned around and continued packing, saying with emotion, "A thousand words are not as good as a gift."
Guo Honglei said with a fierce face, "Your father is very clear about rewards and punishments. If you act naughty, not only will you not get any reward, you will also be beaten."
"I'll be obedient, I will definitely be good!" Guo Ye had envied his cousin's wooden sword for a long time, so he quickly acted well and worked hard to play with his younger brothers and sisters.
A happy family of five.
The couple were busy with official duties, especially Guo Honglei, who had to return to the camp before the deadline, so the next morning, they reluctantly bid farewell to their relatives and set off from Heqin and headed for Tuning.
In late April, potatoes had already sprouted, and the fields in Tuning were lush green.
"drive!"
The wheels rumbled as we headed towards Tunin.
Although Jiang Yushu can ride a horse, her skin is delicate and tender, and her skin will be rubbed if she rides for a long time, so she usually sits in the car.
At noon, she was dozing off when suddenly her cheek was held.
"Wake up, we're at the city gate." Guo Honglei held the horse whip in his right hand and stroked his wife's cheek with his left hand, whispering, "I'm hurrying back to the camp, so I won't go into the city."
"Um?"
"Oh!" Jiang Yushu's sleepiness disappeared, and she sat up straight, blurting out: "Be careful when you return to the camp, take care of yourself."
Guo Honglei kissed her forehead and said, "I know." They whispered a few words and parted at the city gate. She returned to the county government office, and he rushed to the camp.
Half an hour later, the carriage stopped outside the corner gate of the rear yamen.
"Madam, we're here!" the coachman reined in his horse.
Jiang Yushu took a nap in the carriage and felt refreshed. She jumped out of the carriage lightly and walked quickly inside.
Soon, Cuimei heard the news and came to greet her. With her five-month pregnant belly, she happily called out from afar, "Madam!"
"Ah, you're back at last!"
Jiang Yushu slowed down her pace. "From your tone, is there something wrong?"
Cuimei whispered, "Teacher Jing is dead! Alas, his students are overwhelmed with grief and have become impulsive. They have surrounded County Magistrate Huang several times, begging him to seek justice."
"The teacher is dead?" Jiang Yushu stopped and asked in surprise, "He was fine before I left. How could he die suddenly?"
"The coroner speculates he fell into the water after drinking and drowned," Cuimei reported impatiently. "But there's a witness who insists the teacher was pushed into the river. It wasn't an accident, it was murder!"
"Has the murderer been caught?"
"No. No clues were found on the riverbank, and the witnesses never saw the murderer's face, so the authorities had no way to begin their investigation. The old instructor's students went to the government office every day crying and demanding severe punishment for the murderer, but they refused to listen and refused to leave. They made a terrible scene."
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