Chapter 342 The elders must not know.
The eve of the Lunar New Year that year was exceptionally cold. When Gu Shuyan went to the Yun residence wrapped in thick clothes, she was stopped at the door for the first time.
Glancing at the deserted front yard, Gu Shuyan handed the food box she had brought to the servant, then turned and hurriedly returned to the mansion.
"Miss? Has something happened?"
Seeing that Gu Shuyan's expression was not good, Mingyu felt that her mistress probably knew something.
"Get ready, we're going to the General's Mansion."
Without further ado, Gu Shuyan turned and gave a few instructions to the maids serving outside, then headed out of the mansion with Pearl and Mingyu.
"Shu'er? Where are you rushing off to?"
Gu Renjie had just returned from outside and saw Gu Shuyan hurrying out, so he asked her what was wrong.
"Brother, I need to go to the General's Mansion."
Without bothering to explain to Gu Renjie, Gu Shuyan stepped out the door.
Seeing this, Gu Renjie, who was about to enter, turned around and simply followed Gu Shuyan.
The carriage slowly headed towards General Ji's residence, giving Gu Shuyan time to properly explain to Gu Renjie why she was going to the general's residence.
"So, Shu'er is worried about Yun Yichen?"
Gu Yingjie narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Gu Shuyan, as if trying to see into the depths of her heart through her face.
Gu Shuyan didn't notice the flickering in Gu Renjie's eyes. She just lowered her head and nodded, "Something must have happened, so he didn't even have time to tell me."
Gu Renjie felt a slight pang of disappointment upon hearing Gu Shuyan's casual remark, but he maintained a composed demeanor and didn't show any unusual reaction.
"Let's go to the General's Mansion first to see if Brother Xuan has returned. We can discuss it with my eldest cousin before making a decision."
Gu Renjie's suggestion was the best solution, and Gu Shuyan nodded in agreement.
The General's Mansion was much more lively than the Marquis Yi'an's Mansion, as this was the first time in many years that they had returned to the capital for the New Year.
Two large red lanterns were hung on the dark gate early on, showing the festive atmosphere. The high-hanging plaque was surrounded by red cloth, and a large red flower was made at the top.
The maids were busy coming and going, and when they saw the Gu siblings arrive, they were quite surprised before hurriedly going inside to report to the old lady and Madam Ji.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? Did your mother send you?"
Because of the New Year, Madam Ji couldn't help but show some happiness on her face.
"Aunt, my brother and I came here to ask if Brother Wenxuan has returned yet?"
Gu Shuyan glanced at Gu Renjie, and seeing that Gu Renjie nodded, she finally asked the question she wanted to ask.
"No! I don't know what got into that brat. It's almost New Year's, and he still insists on going over there. He never mentioned going to see his grandfather before, but he's been very eager this year."
Speaking of Ji Wenxuan, Madam Ji had a headache. This child had grown up by her side since he was a child. Unlike the children of the Ji family, he did not go to school from a young age, nor did he go to the frontier like other young men. Instead, he became more and more unruly.
"Did he send any letters back?" Gu Renjie pressed.
"He did send a letter, but it didn't say anything special. It just told us not to worry, that he was doing well on the frontier."
Madam Ji felt that the words of the Gu siblings seemed to have some meaning. Could it be that Wenxuan, that brat, had caused some trouble on the frontier?
"Renjie, Shuer, tell your aunt if something happened to Wenxuan?"
Madam Ji, having lived for decades, knew immediately from their conversation that something must have happened to her son. Otherwise, why would they come here on New Year's Eve to ask her this question?
"No, we were just asking casually. With his maternal grandfather watching over him, what could possibly happen to Brother Wenxuan?"
Gu Shuyan smiled and quickly changed the subject, continuing, "Aunt, where is my eldest cousin? My brother and I came to see him about something."
Gu Shuyan's words did indeed instantly divert Madam Ji's attention. She called over her maid and asked her a couple of questions before saying, "Jin'er is in the study. You may go there!"
Upon hearing this, the brother and sister took their leave and headed straight for Ji Wenjin's study.
Watching the two figures disappear into the park, Madam Ji felt uneasy. She glanced at her personal maid, who understood and immediately turned and left.
In the study of Ji Wenjin in the General's Mansion.
Upon seeing the brother and sister, Ji Wenjin stood up from the stool.
"Why are you here?"
The Marquis's mansion had already sent New Year's gifts, so it was impossible for the brother and sister to come over on this day. Therefore, Ji Wenjin's initial thought was that something had happened.
Gu Renjie glanced at the maidservants in the room, and Ji Wenjin immediately understood and dismissed them.
Only after the three siblings were left did Gu Renjie say, "I'm afraid something has happened to Xuan'er."
"Didn't he go to the frontier?"
Ji Wenjin and Gu Renjie were completely unaware of Yun Yichen's plans. They didn't even know why Ji Wenxuan had such a deep relationship with Yun Yichen; in their eyes, Ji Wenxuan had always been just a mischievous younger brother.
Who would have thought that this seemingly troublesome younger brother was not so simple after all.
"Let me handle this matter!"
Gu Renjie had only recently learned the whole story, so it was better for her to tell the tale.
After explaining their plan and the conspiracy between the Third Prince and Xu Yunzhi, Ji Wenjin frowned, tapped the table, and finally said, "In any case, we must not let the elders know about this beforehand. As for Xun Xuan'er and the others, I'll see if I can ask the Prince Xian for help."
The wise prince that Ji Wenjin mentioned was naturally the former Ninth Prince Lu Hexuan. As Gu Shuyan had reminded him, Lu Hexuan was now behaving like a true "idle" prince, spending his days playing and listening to operas at various opera troupes.
There were even rumors that the Prince Xian was homosexual, which was why he had refused to marry for so long.
The emperor summoned him to the palace and gave him a good talking-to. But Lu Hexuan was quite blunt and said, "The matter of the royal family having children is enough for you, Your Majesty. This is my only hobby. Please don't force me to marry and have children."
The emperor was furious at Lu Hexuan's behavior, but secretly he was overjoyed.
After all, a brother who poses no threat and has no ambition is entirely beneficial to him.
Of course, these were all just idle chatter. As soon as Ji Wenjin finished speaking, before the brother and sister could react, another voice suddenly rang out.
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