She hoped to marry someone of similar means to the Zheng family, not necessarily someone who could help her family, but at least someone who wouldn't cause them any worry.
With this in mind, she became even more cautious in her actions. For example, at this moment, although she was filled with curiosity about the scenery outside, she would never lift the carriage curtain to look. Although the capital city was vast, who knew if someone might happen to see their family's convoy?
She didn't want to be affected by a bad reputation before she could even establish herself in the capital.
For a young woman, reputation is of paramount importance. Look at my sister-in-law's younger sister; because of her promiscuous behavior before marriage, she was looked down upon by her husband's family after marriage and even became the laughingstock of the entire city.
As fame lingered in her mind, her thoughts drifted back to her own turbulent fate and the kind-hearted Miss Zhao.
She was filled with boundless gratitude for her sister-in-law.
In that thorny incident, her sister-in-law handled it perfectly, managing not to leak a single word. Otherwise, she would not only have struggled to find a partner, but might have also faced relentless public criticism.
Just as Zheng Huiyi was immersed in her myriad thoughts, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
"elder sister!"
Zhao Qingyu lifted her skirt and hurried toward Gu Qinlan, who was stepping down from the carriage.
As soon as Gu Qinlan stepped out of the car, she was warmly embraced by Zhao Qingyu.
“Sister, I miss you every moment. I waited day and night for you to come to the capital after learning that you were about to move there. By the way, sister, I heard that Jindu has been captured by refugees. Are you safe and sound? I have been anxious and uneasy these days. Father and brother have sent people to Jindu many times to inquire about the situation, but to no avail. I am so anxious that I have blisters on my lips.”
As Zhao Qingyu spoke, she pointed to the corner of her mouth: "Look, the scar is still there."
Looking at the lively Zhao Qingyu, Gu Qinlan felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
Zhao Qingyu wanted to continue speaking, but Lord Zhao and Madam Zhao had already come over: "Alright, Qingyu, stop talking. Let your sister rest her ears."
Madam Zhao greeted her with a smile, tightly grasping Gu Qinlan's hand, her eyes filled with affection: "My eldest daughter is truly beautiful and charming, even more so than Qingyu described."
As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Zhao formally accepted Gu Qinlan as her goddaughter.
Gu Qinlan immediately bowed to the Zhao couple: "Daughter Qinlan greets godfather and godmother."
"Okay, okay, my good child, get up quickly."
The Zhao couple beamed with joy. Madam Zhao helped Gu Qinlan up and then put two exquisite jade bracelets from her own hand on Gu Qinlan's wrists: "These are specially chosen for you. Wear them for a while, and I'll get you some better things later."
Knowing that Gu Qinlan had lost her mother's love at a young age, Madam Zhao felt great pity for her. In addition, Gu Qinlan had once saved her own daughter's life and protected her reputation, so Madam Zhao treated her with the same care as her own daughter.
Gu Qinlan felt this sincere emotion, and her eyes couldn't help but redden: "Thank you, Mother. It's so good to have your love."
Madam Zhao immediately felt heartache and held Gu Qinlan's hand tightly.
Zhao Qingyu ran over with a smile and took Gu Qinlan's other hand.
Although Madam Zhao had accepted a new daughter, she did not forget Princess Duan and the others. She was skilled in social interaction, and her words flowed like a gentle breeze, making people feel comfortable and at ease.
Princess Consort Duan was never good at socializing, and faced with Madam Zhao's enthusiasm, she could only smile awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Fortunately, Madam Liang was quick-witted and skillfully took over the conversation, handling the situation appropriately.
The group entered the Zhao family home. The host was properly arranged in a comfortable and elegant guest room, while the servants were given other arrangements.
The Zhao family's residence was spacious enough; otherwise, with so many people suddenly flooding in, it would be difficult to know how to properly arrange things.
The Zhao family valued Gu Qinlan above all else, preparing only the finest items for her and arranging the banquet impeccably.
Both families were eager to be on good terms, so the atmosphere was naturally exceptionally harmonious.
After the lavish banquet, Gu Qinlan and Zheng Huiyi were led by Zhao Qingyu to her courtyard to continue their joyful time together.
Zhao Qingyu dismissed the maids and then hugged Zheng Huiyi tightly, her eyes filled with the joy of reunion.
"Sister Zheng, I'm so glad to see you again."
Just now, outside the door, she didn't dare to have much interaction with Zheng Huiyi. Her parents had repeatedly instructed her to completely bury that past.
Zheng Huiyi breathed a sigh of relief: "I thought you had developed a grudge against me."
Zhao Qingyu replied, "How could that be? We are best friends who have been through life and death together!"
Gu Qinlan turned to Zheng Huiyi and asked, "Have you grasped the meaning?"
Zheng Huiyi nodded solemnly: "Qingyu and I only met today."
The two girls smiled at each other, not mentioning a word about their past experiences, as if they had never happened.
The Zheng family stayed at the Zhao residence for only one night before preparing to leave.
After all, a large family of over two hundred people cannot stay in someone else's home for long.
In addition, the Zheng family's residence was not far from the Zhao family's residence.
Madam Zhao repeatedly urged them to stay, saying, "Why don't you have the servants in your household make the necessary arrangements first, and then move in once everything is ready?"
Zhao Qingyu also said reluctantly, "Yes, sister, please settle down here. Mother has prepared an elegant courtyard for you, but you haven't seen it yet."
The Zhao family sincerely regarded Gu Qinlan as their adopted daughter and specially prepared a quiet courtyard for her in their mansion so that she could live with her parents' home in the future.
Gu Qinlan was filled with gratitude, but still said resolutely, "Mother, Qingyu, the end of the year is approaching. If we don't tidy up the manor soon, I'm afraid we won't have a peaceful New Year. Once I've settled everything in the manor, I will come to kowtow to Father and Mother and formally acknowledge our kinship."
Madam Zhao grasped her hand tightly and replied repeatedly, "Alright, alright, Mother is waiting for you to come and kowtow. You've just arrived in the capital, and there are still many things to clarify. If you don't mind, Mother can send two capable nannies over to help you, how about that?"
Gu Qinlan immediately smiled and readily agreed: "That's wonderful! I was just worried that I was too inexperienced and might make some mistakes. The nanny under Mother's command must be exceptionally intelligent. I am extremely grateful."
Although she knew she could handle these matters herself, she was happy to accept the Zhao family's kindness and would repay them in the future.
Emotions are something that are reciprocal; they only grow deeper through frequent interaction.
Otherwise, even those who are related by blood may gradually drift apart.
Therefore, when Gu Qinlan and the Zheng family left, they took with them Madam Zhao's two most capable nannies.
The Zheng family's residence was not far from the Zhao family's, but its location was slightly inferior.
The Zhao family had been officials for generations; Zhao's father held the rank of a third-grade official, and his brothers also wielded considerable power in the court. Furthermore, the Zhao family's patriarch had been the tutor of the late emperor, naturally giving the Zhao family an exceptionally prominent position in the capital. The Zhao residence was located adjacent to the imperial palace, in the heart of the city.
The Zheng family was not of low status, but military officials have always been slightly inferior to civil officials. In addition, the Zheng family has always adhered to the family motto of "keeping a low profile," so although the Zheng family's residence in the southern part of the capital was not inhabited by ordinary people, it was still slightly inferior to the Zhao family.
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