Chapter 368 Arrival in Huzhou
Apart from the initial attempt by someone to trick them into getting close, the rest of the journey was peaceful and uneventful. After more than half a month by boat, the group finally arrived in Huzhou Prefecture.
Huzhou Prefecture is adjacent to Taihu Lake and surrounded by mountains. The terrain is relatively flat, rich in resources and fertile land. It has long been known as the land of fish and rice and the capital of silk.
Because of its connection with the Grand Canal, Huzhou had convenient water transportation and frequent commercial and trade exchanges with various places. A large number of merchants gathered there, making Huzhou a prosperous and wealthy place. Moreover, Huzhou had beautiful scenery and was a favorite destination for literati.
The dock was quite a distance from the Gu family's residence in Huzhou. After Meng Jinyao and her party disembarked, they rented three carriages, with two people riding in each carriage.
Meng Jinyao lifted the curtain of the car window and looked out at the bustling Huzhou Prefecture. The architectural style here was different from that of the capital. Small bridges and flowing water, white walls and black tiles, the scenery was beautiful and picturesque, and everywhere it exuded the unique gentleness and grace of the Jiangnan water towns.
Although the capital city was more prosperous than Huzhou Prefecture, there were significant differences between the north and the south. Seeing Huzhou Prefecture, which was markedly different from the capital, Meng Jinyao felt quite excited. She had been somewhat listless after being on the boat for more than half a month, but she perked up again and took a sightseeing trip along the way with a sense of curiosity and excitement.
Seeing her excitement, Gu Jingxi didn't disturb her. It seemed that taking her on a long trip was the right choice. However, after this trip, he didn't know when he would have the chance to go on a long trip again.
After a long while, Meng Jinyao lowered the curtain and said to Gu Jingxi, "Husband, Huzhou is a prosperous place. The people here must be living quite well. You can tell by their clothes. I hardly saw anyone dressed in rags."
Gu Jingxi nodded and said, "Huzhou has a good geographical location and excellent natural conditions. It has been a prosperous place since ancient times. If there were no wars to fight for Huzhou, the people could live and work in peace. Let's go out for a stroll tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao's face lit up with joy, but she quickly remembered that he had official duties to attend to, and said in a low voice, "Husband, aren't you going to investigate a case? How can you investigate a case if you come out with me? Actually, it would be fine to have Chan'er and Qingqiu accompany me."
Gu Jingxi smiled and said, "If I don't go out with you, that would be a problem. Since we're going back to our hometown to pay respects to our ancestors, let's do it properly and take you sightseeing while we're at it. As for everything else, we can do it in secret. Otherwise, people will suspect that I have ulterior motives."
Meng Jinyao nodded gently, then suddenly remembered a question she hadn't asked yet, and asked curiously, "Husband, what case are you investigating this time? It's all so mysterious."
Gu Jingxi said, "Let's talk about it when we get back."
Meng Jinyao nodded, then changed the subject: "Husband, how long has it been since you went back to your hometown of Huzhou?"
Gu Jingxi thought for a moment: "It's been more than ten years."
Meng Jinyao was surprised: "More than ten years, that's quite a long time."
Gu Jingxi smiled faintly, "It has been quite a long time, but I grew up in the capital. Although Huzhou is my hometown, I have only been back twice since I was a child. This is the third time. So I don't miss home because it has been so long. The last time I went back to my hometown, I came back with my father. The first time I went back to my hometown was when I was seven years old."
Meng Jinyao nodded, and then asked him briefly about the situation in his hometown.
From Gu Jingxi, she learned that although there were also collateral branches of the Gu family living in Huzhou, they did not live in the old house. The old house belonged to the direct line of the Gu family, but the direct line lived far away in the capital and rarely returned. Only the steward and some servants were in charge of the house.
Those members of the Gu clan who remained in their ancestral home of Huzhou were mostly those without much talent. Huzhou was a wealthy place where they could live a peaceful life. Those with ambition took the imperial examinations and became officials, while others followed in their ancestors' footsteps and joined the military, some even settling down in the capital.
These clansmen in their hometown are no longer related to the direct line of the Gu family; they are distant collateral relatives with little contact. Perhaps some of them will visit them when they return to their hometown this time.
Not long after, the carriage stopped in front of the Gu residence. The group got off the carriage, and the hired driver took the money and left.
Meng Jinyao looked up at the Gu Mansion in front of her. The white walls and black tiles, the vermilion gate, the tall gate tower was carved with exquisite patterns, and two stone lions sat on the sides of the gate, which looked solemn and majestic. A plaque made of golden nanmu wood hung above the gate, with the words "Gu Mansion" written on it.
Zhou Yun went up and knocked on the door. After a while, someone came out to open it. It was a boy of about eleven years old, dressed as a servant, probably a doorman. He peeked out and looked them over. Seeing that the couple at the head of the table were dressed in rich and noble clothes, he asked suspiciously, "Our master is in the capital and hasn't returned for a long time. Who are you looking for?"
Gu Jingxi could tell from his young age that he was a newcomer who had never met her before. Although she had sent a letter to her hometown in Huzhou before leaving home, she guessed that it hadn't arrived yet and that they had arrived before the letter.
Zhou Yun said, "These two are the Marquis and his wife. Have the steward come out."
Lord Marquis?
The doorman was a little confused, but he quickly realized that this was the residence of Marquis Changxing in Huzhou. He figured no one would dare to impersonate their lord, so he didn't dare to make them wait for the steward outside. He hurriedly and respectfully invited them into the front hall and then ran to fetch the steward.
After a short while, Steward Liu, who was about forty years old, hurried over. He hadn't received any news that the Marquis and his wife had returned to their old residence in Huzhou. He was still confused when the doorman suddenly said that the two masters had returned.
Butler Liu rushed over as quickly as possible and saw the two masters sitting at the head of the table in the hall. Although he hadn't seen his masters for more than ten years, he still recognized them. As for the young and beautiful woman next to them, he knew without guessing that she was the wife his master had married last year.
Steward Liu bowed respectfully: "This humble servant greets the Marquis and the Madam. I was unaware of your return and have failed to greet you properly. I hope you will forgive me."
Gu Jingxi said calmly, "It's not your fault that you didn't know. Our return was a last-minute decision made in a dream by our ancestors. Although we sent a letter before leaving, we arrived before the letter, so it's normal that you didn't know in advance."
After hearing this, Steward Liu was somewhat bewildered: "What does the Marquis mean by the dream of the ancestors? Could it be that there is a problem with the feng shui? I have been taking good care of the things in the old house, but I have not changed the layout of the mansion."
Gu Jingxi replied, "It has nothing to do with feng shui. It's because the anniversary of our ancestor's death is approaching. More than half a month ago, he appeared in my dream and asked me to bring my wife to pay respects at his grave. I thought that our ancestor might have some instructions, so my wife and I came back. Now, let's have someone tidy up the courtyard first."
Steward Liu replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Excellency."
Gu Jingxi then said, "You take charge of arranging everything for the ancestral worship ceremony."
Steward Liu replied again, "Don't worry, my lord, I will take care of it."
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