"Sister Meng, why are you back so early?" Madam Gu's expression turned from gloomy to bright, and she looked at Gu Yunmeng with a smile, and the aura around her became gentler.

Gu Yunyan was sent to the capital by Su Niang when she was a few months old. Madam Gu named her and raised her herself, watching her grow from a delicate and babbling baby into a bright-eyed, white-toothed, graceful young girl.

The relationship between them as grandparents and grandchildren for more than ten years was real. She loved Gu Yunmeng, and Gu Yunmeng was also very filial to her.

In comparison, that girl was just a stranger, and had no relationship with the Marquis's Mansion. She was making such a fuss, probably because she was resentful of the Marquis's Mansion! A sinister look flashed across Madam Gu's eyes.

Gu Yunyan walked over to Madam Gu and sat down, took her arm affectionately, and said coquettishly, "I miss my grandmother."

Madam Gu seemed to be fed a mouthful of honey, and she felt extremely comfortable. She asked lovingly, "Is the flower banquet at Prince Jing's Mansion fun?"

When talking about Prince Jing's Mansion, Madam Gu smiled so much that wrinkles appeared at the corners of her eyes.

Ever since the eldest brother passed away, the position of Dingyuan Marquis' Mansion in the court has been a bit awkward, with a lack of successors. The late emperor was somewhat cold towards the Gu family. The royal family and nobles in the capital have always been powerful and have seldom sent favors to the Gu family over the years.

Half a month ago, when Gu Yunyan said that Princess Changqing of Prince Jing's Mansion invited her to a chrysanthemum-viewing banquet, Madam Gu was overjoyed. Princess Changqing's chrysanthemum-viewing banquet has been held for three consecutive years, and all the young men and women who are qualified to attend the banquet are from prominent and powerful families.

"It's fun. My pot of 'Phoenix Fluttering Feathers' was chosen as the second prize for today's flower banquet." Gu Yunyan nodded with a smile as beautiful as a flower, and stretched out her hand to let Madam Gu see the jade bracelet on her wrist. "This bracelet is a prize given by the princess. Grandmother, am I amazing?"

"Very good, our sister Yunmeng has a discerning eye for talent. Grandmother will reward you with a jade pendant." Madam Gu reached out and touched Gu Yunmeng's nose, smiling from ear to ear.

Madam Gu also knew the origin of Gu Yunmeng's pot of "Phoenix Spreading Feathers". This pot of chrysanthemums was accidentally picked up by Gu Yunmeng when he met a flower farmer in distress in the suburbs last month.

Gu Yun'er has been kind-hearted and lucky since childhood.

When she was six years old, she rescued the then seventh prince, King Kang, in the turbulent Yangzhou, thus saving the Gu family's title;

When she was nine years old, she dug up a 200-year-old ginseng during an outing, which saved the seriously ill Madam Gu from the brink of death; when she was thirteen years old, the southwestern foreign countries presented the rare treasure Nine-Bend Pearl to the court as tribute, and the envoys challenged the court with the topic of "Threading the Nine-Bend Pearl", and all the civil and military officials were helpless. The emperor had no choice but to post a notice, and finally it was Gu Yun'er who took up the notice, and amazed everyone with his skill of "Ant Threading the Nine-Bend Pearl".

There are countless such incidents.

Mrs. Gu once took Gu Yunyan to Bailong Temple to ask the abbot to read her fortune. The abbot said that her fate was invaluable.

"I'm not asking for a reward, Grandmother." Gu Yun'er tilted her head and smiled sweetly, "Next time, when the chrysanthemums I raise win over His Royal Highness Prince Kang, you will reward me."

"His Royal Highness Prince Kang is there too?" Madam Gu's eyebrows moved and the smile on her face deepened.

"Yes, the prince sent me back." Gu Yunyan nodded, her eyes moving, bright and beautiful, "Grandma, the prince happened to get a few cans of top-grade Longjing tea recently. I heard that grandma likes to drink tea, so he asked me to bring a can to grandma."

Gu Yun'er's maid quickly presented a cloisonné enamel Three Gentlemen teapot.

"Your Highness is thoughtful." Madam Gu sighed happily, her mind racing: Prince Kang is truly devoted to Gu Yunyan, there is no doubt about that; the problem is the Queen Mother.

If she wants to get past the Queen Mother, Gu Yunyan must sever her ties with Fang Mingfeng as soon as possible.

"Madame Xu, you're back." Gu Yunyan looked at Madame Xu who was kneeling on the ground, as if she had just noticed her presence. She said with both surprise and concern, "Is the second sister back too?"

Nanny Xu then raised her head and replied respectfully, "Third Miss, the Second Miss is still in Danyang City."

Facing Gu Yunyan's puzzled look, Aunt Xu continued to explain: "Third Miss, you don't know, the Second Miss is really too outrageous..."

Madam Gu's expression darkened even more, and anyone could see that she was very unhappy about this.

"Grandma, my second sister has had a hard life since she was a child. She came all the way from Huaibei to a place where she is unfamiliar with the people. It is inevitable that she feels uneasy." Gu Yunyan comforted Madam Gu in a gentle voice and leaned on her shoulder affectionately. "Grandma, you have always been kind to us younger generations. Don't hold it against my second sister."

"How about this, Grandmother, why don't I go to Danyang City to pick up my second sister?"

Gu Yun'er suggested thoughtfully. Both her tone and her sweet and clever smile made people feel indescribably comfortable.

Madam Gu's expression softened slightly after being coaxed by Gu Yunyan's words. She patted the back of her hand kindly, but still shook her head and rejected it: "No. Aren't you going to go to Huangjue Temple with Princess Changqing to burn incense in a few days?"

Madam Gu weighed the pros and cons and quickly made a decision in her mind.

She sighed and said in a deep voice: "Forget it, I think the second girl is full of grievances, and her descendants are all debts. It is better for me, an old man, to go there myself."

"Grandmother..." Gu Yunyan wanted to say something, but Madam Gu raised her hand to interrupt her.

"Sister Meng, Grandmother knows that you are filial." Madam Gu touched her head, "Okay, just do as I say. You stay in the capital and I will let your elder sister go with me."

"..." Aunt Xu was stunned and pinched her thigh. The pain told her that this was not a dream: the Madam actually agreed to the second girl's rude request! Madam Gu would not be careless when traveling. The servants of Cihetang hurriedly packed up their luggage and were busy all night.

The next morning, the carriage of Marquis Dingyuan's mansion drove out of the capital and headed south along the official road.

It took four days of walking and resting along the way to reach Danyang City.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

"Old Li, open the door quickly! The Madam is here!"

A servant girl knocked heavily on the door, and the bronze knocker made the door vibrate continuously.

Old Li responded while running to open the door, and at the same time sent a little maid to the inner courtyard to inform Gu Yanfei.

Madam Gu in the carriage closed her eyes and slowly twisted the Buddhist beads in her hand.

The carriage was quiet, but the street outside was quite lively. In addition to the street vendors shouting and selling their wares, there were also passers-by walking by from time to time.

"The bailiffs are here for patrol again. Let's take another route." A rough and mature male voice shouted not far away, his tone full of resentment.

Then, another younger male voice joined in: "I don't know what happened these past two days. The yamen runners were patrolling everywhere, even at the city gates, and I was blocked at the city gate for almost an hour before I could get in."

Their voices were particularly loud, and Madam Gu in the carriage could hear them clearly.

She waved her hand to call over Aunt Xu and ordered, "Go and find out what happened in the city."

Nanny Xu quickly agreed.

(End of this chapter)