Whenever Gan Zhao saw Yan Shaoqing, he couldn't help but feel very satisfied with his decision. The Yan family was full of loyal and brave people, and they were also very good at educating their children and grandchildren. "Shaoqing is becoming more and more like your father's bravery. The weak little boy back then has become more and more like an adult."
Upon hearing this, Yan Shaoqing hurriedly lowered his head and kowtowed, somewhat flattered, saying, "Your Majesty, I do not deserve your praise."
Gan Zhao patted Yan Shaoqing on the shoulder and laughed heartily. As a father, he was very pleased to have such a future prince consort. "Hahaha, we will soon become a family, don't be so restrained."
"My Lord..."
Gan Zhao noticed Yan Shaoqing's expression change, and the smile on his face disappeared. He gestured for Yan Shaoqing to take two steps forward, then lowered his head and whispered a warning, "You should know what to say and what not to say. Some things, once they're settled, can't be regretted as you did before."
Yan Shaoqing had hurried back this time, while his family was away, precisely for this very matter. Not long ago, he had received news in Huayue Tower that the current emperor was about to appoint him as the Third Princess's consort. If he hadn't been worried about Yue Sheng being upset by the rumors, he wouldn't have feigned illness and refused to go. Furthermore, this marriage had come at a strange time.
Gan Zhao came to the General Zhenguo's Mansion because, firstly, he heard some rumors while traveling incognito, so he wanted to come and look after his youngest daughter's future husband; secondly, it was for the matter of Princess Qinghe.
This sister of his was different from the others; she was his biological sister, born of the same father and mother. Although many unexpected events had occurred over the years, their blood relationship would remain unchanged until the day they died. For the sake of his kingdom, for the sake of his sister, even he, far from his throne, had no choice but to descend from the throne.
"How is Qinghe doing recently?"
Yan Shaoqing lowered his head and replied, "Master Zhang has not returned since he left for the capital before the New Year. According to spies, Master Zhang has been in Mingjiang since the New Year, just like usual, and has no contact with Wang Yanzhou."
Gan Zhao nodded slightly: "She is quite well behaved. She helps me keep a close eye on her."
"……yes."
After saying this, Gan Zhao, as a father, spoke more pleadingly than before, imploring Yan Shaoqing not to harm his daughter's already fragile body and mind: "My Shuyang, although not a celestial being, and her body is much weaker than others, but in my opinion as a father, she is also an excellent girl, and she is worthy of you."
"Shaoqing doesn't dare."
Gan Zhao naturally knew that he didn't dare. If he broke off the engagement, he wouldn't be the only one who would suffer. "Well, go and get busy. I haven't been to Qinghe's fiefdom in a while, and I'm also very curious about this place she often mentioned, the place guarded for her husband. Is it really the paradise she talked about?"
"yes."
Gan Zhao and his followers disguised themselves as passing merchants and strolled leisurely in the city of Qinghe County. After a while, they were attracted by bursts of laughter coming from somewhere.
"here it is?"
Ah Si looked at the place Gan Zhao pointed at and the surrounding environment, and said with certainty: "This place should be the place in Qinghe County that takes in refugees, called Qinglongzhai."
Gan Zhao raised his eyebrows slightly. When he was young, he had never seen such a "copycat" before. "This name is very interesting. Let's go in and take a look."
Gan Zhao was about to enter the compound when he was stopped by Ah Si. Ah Si lowered his head and said very seriously, "My Lord, there are all kinds of people here. I am worried..."
"Let's see."
"yes."
Upon entering the courtyard, Gan Zhao immediately located the source of the laughter. In the spacious courtyard, the women gathered under a large tree, chatting or working. The elderly also found their own spots, either playing chess or lounging in bamboo chairs, basking in the sun. The children, all gathered around a woman, danced and jumped about, as if playing a game.
"Isn't that woman the one you brought this morning?"
“…Indeed.”
Wang Yanzhou had earlier told Tang Chen to stay out of the house, but she wasn't the type to be so reserved. Thinking that Qinglong Village was her home, she shrugged off the guards Wang Yanzhou had assigned her and happily ran over to play with the children.
Tang Chen had just finished playing "Eagle Catches Chicken" with the children and had just taken a break when these energetic young people started clamoring to play hide-and-seek. Unable to bear the eager gazes of the little ones, Tang Chen leaned against the wall and began counting: "Everyone, hide quickly! The Big Bad Wolf is coming for you!"
Tang Chen turned around and saw that the children were gone, but there were some uninvited guests of unknown identity in the courtyard. Tang Chen saw that the little mustache who had "kidnapped" him that morning had returned to Qinglong Village in the afternoon. After signaling everyone to go inside, he shouted at the top of his voice, "Loach, Loach, we don't want to play anymore. Take your friends inside. It's going to rain soon!"
When Little Loach heard Tang Chen calling him, he subconsciously jumped out from his hiding place, looked up at the cloudless blue sky, and scratched his head in confusion: "Huh?"
Tang Chen didn't say much, but just kept urging, "Hurry up, go, take your shrimp soldiers and crab generals to go play with the master."
The little loach then realized that there was someone he had never seen before in the yard. He nodded in sudden realization, and then pulled out all his friends who were hiding in the corners and watching secretly, and went to the west wing in a group.
After quickly arranging everyone, Tang Chen walked up with Aunt Lin and asked, "Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"
Gan Zhao looked at Tang Chen with approval for a moment, then asked, "Are you the one taking care of this place?"
Tang Chen didn't say anything, but said cautiously: "...If you have nothing else to do, you can leave. You don't look like you're here to donate clothes or medicine. The people living here are just people with tragic lives, so please don't disturb them."
Gan Zhao looked at the courtyard which was full of joy just now and had become very unhappy because of his arrival. He didn't say anything more, but asked Ah Si to take out a bag of silver and hand it to Tang Chen.
Tang Chen accepted it without hesitation and handed it to Aunt Lin. Aunt Lin was one of the few people here who could read besides Mr. Ouyang. Usually, if someone brought something over, she would register it and put it away.
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