Lu received a message from the steward that the elephant, jade goblet, and phoenix-shaped golden goblet that had fallen into the hands of the common people had been found.
They arranged for people to wait for Gu Qianluo and her group at the inn where they were staying.
"Junlan, we have already sent the letter to the Gu family, why have we not heard anything after three days?"
"No rush. The Gu family is a wealthy family. They may be too busy to entertain us."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a rhythmic knocking sounded at the door, "Knock! Knock! Knock!"
The three people in the room quickly looked outside, and a moment later, a familiar voice came from outside.
"Excuse me, is this the private room of Deputy Steward Junlan?"
Gu Qianlu's brow twitched slightly; she hadn't heard Uncle Fang's voice in a long time.
She couldn't help but recall how Uncle Fang's hair had turned from black to silver, and how he had worked so hard for the Gu family. She was filled with emotion.
"You're here!" Gu Qianlu slowly opened the door, and a pair of bright, familiar eyes met Fang the housekeeper's gaze.
Fang Qi's eyebrows twitched slightly. Although he was meeting the person in front of him for the first time, he had an inexplicable feeling of familiarity.
Gu Qianlu noticed the surprise and uncertainty in Butler Fang's eyes and spoke first.
"A pleasure to meet you! May I ask what brings you to me?"
"Greetings, Deputy Steward Junlan. I am Steward Fang of the Gu family."
Yesterday, I received a letter informing me that the jade goblet and gold hairpin that my wife was looking for have been found.
Upon hearing the news, the lady was overjoyed and specially sent me to invite you to her residence for a small gathering.
"In that case, I'll have to trouble Steward Fang."
Accompanied by Gu Qianluo, the group arrived at the outside of Zuixiang Pavilion.
Zuixiang Pavilion was several miles away from the Gu residence, and the Gu residence specially sent a carriage to pick it up.
Gu Qianluo slowly approached the carriage. The familiar decor came into view, and a chill crept into her heart. She gripped the carriage handrail and walked upwards.
Zhu Ying noticed the embarrassment in her eyes, stepped forward, took her hand, and called softly.
"Junlan, I'll go with you."
"Okay." With the bamboo shadows by her side, Gu Qianlu felt a sense of peace.
A moment later, Gu Qianluo and Zhuying arrived at the gate of the Gu residence.
Looking at the familiar two large characters "Gu Mansion" in front of the gate, Gu Qianluo's heart trembled, and her eyes became moist.
Hearing that her father was ill and bedridden, and that her stepmother was in charge of the household, she had long wanted to visit the Gu family mansion.
Three months ago, because of her affair with Zhuying, the Gu family severed ties with her, and she has been homeless ever since.
Furthermore, due to the conspiracy of Lin Ruoyan and Zhang Shi of the Hou Mansion, Gu Qianluo's traces disappeared in the capital.
Gu Qianlu's expression was heavy. Her slender fingers, hidden under her skirt, clenched into fists. She thought to herself, "I will not let any of those who bully me get away with it!"
"Deputy Manager Junlan, Young Master Cuiyu, this way please."
Led by Butler Fang, Gu Qianluo and her group arrived at the main courtyard.
Gu Qianluo glanced around and saw that the interior decoration had not changed much, a sense of familiarity mixed with strangeness washed over her.
"Oh my! This must be Young Master Junlan, the deputy head of the Xiaoyao Sect, right? Come, come! Please have a seat."
A high-pitched, charming voice rang out, startling Gu Qianluo, who looked toward the speaker.
Only Madam Lu was in the main seat. Upon closer inspection, her face seemed to have more wrinkles than before. With the application of rouge, the wrinkles looked like scars on her cheeks.
"Greetings, Madam Gu!"
"Someone! Serve tea to Young Master Junlan and Young Master Cuiyu."
At Lu's command, servants from the Gu household filed in, and Gu Qianluo and Zhuying took their seats.
A look of anticipation appeared in Madam Lu's eyes. She glanced at Gu Qianluo and Zhu Ying from time to time, then smiled and lowered her brows.
"I heard that Steward Junlan has helped me find my lost treasure. I wonder if he has brought it with him today?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianluo's eyes flashed, a faint smile appeared on her lips, and she took out two mahogany boxes from behind her.
"Congratulations, Madam Gu, on finding your lost items!" With that, she presented the elephant, the jade goblet, and the phoenix hairpin together.
"Oh my! These are the two treasures I've been longing for! Thank you both for your hard work!"
Upon seeing the two treasures, Madam Lu's dim eyes suddenly lit up, and she quickly ordered her servants to take them away.
"It's not hard work! This is just a job for the Free and Unfettered Sect!"
After speaking, Gu Qianlu took out a letter of authorization from her person and handed it to Madam Lu.
"If Madam Gu finds these two treasures acceptable, please pay the reward!"
Lu's eyes flashed, and a stiff smile appeared on her lips.
"Don't worry, Manager Junlan. Our Gu family started with integrity, and you will definitely not be shortchanged on this reward."
"Uncle Fang! Bring the reward money as stated in the letter of authorization!"
Seeing Uncle Fang leave, Gu Qianluo took a set of calligraphy from Zhu Ying's hands and presented it with both hands.
"Madam Lu, as far as Junlan knows, our Tang Sect Leader once stayed at the Gu family when he was young."
"Today, we have a piece of calligraphy that the sect leader specifically instructed us to personally deliver to Master Gu."
Mentioning Gu Cixiu, a hint of sadness crept into Madam Lu's eyes, and she sighed.
"Thank you for your concern, Sect Master. Our master is bedridden due to illness, so we will temporarily take care of these calligraphic works."
"Once the master is feeling better, I will definitely give it to him."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianluo's eyes dimmed, and she pressed on, "I wonder what illness Master Gu has? Junlan has studied medicine since childhood, perhaps he can take Master Gu's pulse."
What illness did Gu's father have? He had been sick for three months, and Gu Qianlu felt a sense of surprise.
Upon hearing this, Madam Lu's eyes flickered with inscrutable emotions, and she spoke after a long pause.
"Oh dear! My husband doesn't have any serious illness!"
It's just a mental burden! No need to trouble Young Master Junlan with such a trivial matter!
Judging from what Madam Lu said and her expression, it seems that Gu's father's illness is indeed very suspicious.
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