The Gong family of Longzuo.
"Young Master, Young Mistress has arrived—"
After Gong Liuming brought Yun Wei back to the Gong family, he was immediately summoned to the courtyard of the old lady of the Gong family.
The old lady Gong had a full head of silver hair and wore a headband embroidered with jade. The dragon-headed cane placed next to her was intimidating to look at.
"Grandson/Granddaughter-in-law pays respects to the Ancestor."
Gong Liuming and Yun Wei knelt down obediently, and for a long time, Old Madam Gong did not call them to get up.
Because of her weak body, Yunwei's forehead was soon covered with cold sweat.
“Grandmother, Wei’er has only recently miscarried. I’m afraid the cold air from the ground might affect her future offspring.” The one who spoke was Madam Gong Sun, the matriarch of the Gong family and the eldest daughter of the Sun family.
"Get up."
Old Madam Gong slowly rose, leaning on her cane. The next second, she slammed her dragon-headed cane down heavily on Gong Liuming. "You couldn't even protect the child in your wife's belly when I asked you to do it yourself. What use are you?"
"Grandmother, it is your grandson's incompetence."
"You are incompetent. Not only could you not protect your child, but you also made the Gong family a laughing stock." The old lady Gong's chest heaved with anger. "Now everyone knows that the Empress Dowager of Dayu has been protecting Wei'er's child very well. As soon as you went there, the child was miscarried."
"Grandma, calm down." Gong Liusheng stepped forward to help Grandma Gong up. Seeing her beloved grandson speak up to persuade her, Grandma Gong's expression improved considerably.
"Mother, calm down. Don't upset yourself." The head of the Gong family also spoke up. "Madam, why don't you take Wei'er back to rest?"
When only a few people remained in the room, the head of the Gong family continued, "Ming'er, tell me about the Yun family and the Empress Dowager of Dayu."
"Yun Zhi was taken to Dayu. The Yun family is completely finished. Only Yun Hui is left in Luoming."
Even though they had received advance notice, the people present still couldn't help but gasp upon hearing Gong Liuming's words.
"It was once a powerful family, yet it was destroyed so easily... What about Yunmo?"
"Father, Yunmo went to Dayu with them..."
"Foolish!" Upon hearing this, the head of the Gong family slammed his hand on the table. "What good can come of recognizing a thief as one's father?"
"What did your wife say?" Old Mrs. Gong asked, immediately touching on a point that Gong Liuming found difficult to address.
"Your Majesty, I have no way of knowing the specifics of what happened to the Yun family. As for the Madam, she... she remained silent, only saying that the Yun family's fate was their own fault."
Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Old Madam Gong's eyes.
"It seems that there are other things about the Yun family besides the matter of assassinating Madam Yun back then that we don't know about." Old Madam Gong's expression improved a lot. "Your wife was here just now, so Grandmother was a bit strict, but Grandmother did it all for your own good."
"Grandson understands the good intentions of his grandfather."
"You should spend more time with Wei'er and coax her to tell you about the Yun family. You still need to pay attention to the child's situation. I don't want to see a second miscarriage like this."
"Grandson understands."
Grandma Gong and the head of the Gong family exchanged a glance. The most troublesome matter still lay with Yun Zhi.
Yun Zhi's imprisonment in Dayu has always been a threat.
The Gong family wasn't the only ones with this idea; the Qin and Sun families were also extremely concerned about Yun Zhi being imprisoned in Dayu.
In just a few days, the place where Yun Zhi is being held has been the site of six assassination attempts.
"No wonder Yun Zhi wanted to bite his tongue and commit suicide."
Gu Qingyan couldn't help but click his tongue; this was clearly an attempt to kill Yun Zhi.
Upon hearing this, Wei Ruo twitched the corner of her mouth. "This is a good thing. Your Majesty, it means that those aristocratic families can no longer sit still, and there is a bigger conspiracy behind Yun Zhi."
Beneath Fushan Cliff lies a hidden paradise.
......
On the other side, Lingzhou.
Gu Lin and Jiang Yu were traveling incognito. As soon as they arrived in Lingzhou, Jiang Yu's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lingzhou has changed so much. It's completely different from what I saw four years ago."
“Ayu, take a closer look. Do you see any familiar faces here?”
Gu Lin and Jiang Yu walked side by side down the street. Suddenly, Jiang Yu stared at a vendor by the roadside, "Isn't this...?"
The vendor clearly noticed Jiang Yu as well, and his expression changed as he tried to kneel down to pay his respects. Gu Lin quickly stopped him, saying, "Since I'm traveling incognito, there's no need for such formalities."
The group entered a private room inside the teahouse, whereupon the vendor knelt down.
"Greetings to the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager."
"Aren't you one of the secret guards of the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion...?" Jiang Yu was still a little confused. "How come you're here?"
"Your Majesty, there have been frequent battles in recent years, and we wounded guards are sent to Lingzhou by the Emperor to recuperate. Here we live just like ordinary people."
The vendor's eyes were filled with gratitude as he said these words.
For secret guards like them, there's no choice but to risk their lives or die.
But the emperor was kind and gave them a way out.
"How many people like you are there in Lingzhou?" Jiang Yu's eyes widened in shock. Ayan had actually made such a decision.
"More than two hundred people."
The merchant smiled innocently, all his murderous aura vanishing. "We also like being in Lingzhou, where we can protect the old Marquis and his wife. Those bandits and outlaws don't dare to bother the people of Lingzhou."
"Seeing you two so peaceful and happy makes me very happy," Jiang Yu smiled. "Are you married?"
"Your Majesty, I married two years ago and had a son this year."
The vendors were visibly embarrassed when these things were mentioned.
"This is my heartfelt gift; please keep it for the child." A gold nugget was handed over by Jiang Yu, and the merchant quickly waved his hand, "This humble subject dares not accept such a great favor from Your Majesty."
"Keep it."
Gu Lin also spoke up. He could see that Jiang Yu was moved, and he was afraid that Jiang Yu would also like to meet the other guards who were also being trained here.
Finally, the merchants left with deep gratitude. Jiang Yu said gently, "A-Lin, if Father and Mother knew that these people were protecting them, they would surely be at ease."
"yes."
The sun was already setting when the two stood by the grave.
Gu Lin and Jiang Yu knelt before the two graves and solemnly kowtowed three times.
"Father, Mother, your child has come to see you." Jiang Yu smiled. "I brought someone with me today, someone you are also familiar with. I have some important news to tell you: I am going to marry him."
"Gu Lin greets Master and Master's wife."
Gu Lin said earnestly, "Rest assured, I, Gu Lin, hereby swear that I will treat A Yu well for the rest of my life, stay by her side, and grow old with her."
A gust of wind blew by, seemingly in response.
"Father, Mother, I have found someone I love very much. You don't need to worry about me in the afterlife."
The two held hands tightly, their faces beaming with happy smiles.
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