Chapter 15 Mission to Ye City (Part 4) This farewell... until we meet again...
Stepping out of the main hall, a chilling sensation washes over you.
Although the flowers and trees in the courtyard were withered, Guo Jia felt as free as a bird that had broken free from its cage, completely at ease.
He held Deng Jie tightly, showing no intention of leaving the Yuan residence immediately. Instead, he enthusiastically led her towards the spacious central courtyard of the Yuan residence.
"Say yes, but wait a moment."
Guo Jia revealed a relaxed smile completely different from before, "Now that I've finally made it to the Yuan residence, I'll definitely take you to see the wonders here!"
He led Deng Jie to the artificial pond in the central courtyard, which was filled with hot spring water.
The hot spring water steamed up, creating a warm, white mist that resembled a fairyland.
Several elegant, snow-white cranes were leisurely strolling along the edge of the pond.
Sometimes it stretches its neck to the sky, sometimes it lowers its head to preen its feathers, displaying a noble and dignified demeanor.
Deng Jie was drawn to the strange bird and couldn't help but approach to look at it, holding his breath and gazing intently.
"I brought you here specifically to see these domesticated cranes!"
Guo Jia spoke with sarcasm, his laughter clear and bright. He glanced around at the nearby attendants and chuckled in a low voice, "You can see if this is just like Yuan Shao's personality. He's ambitious and loves to build gilded cages to bind others and himself."
Seeing her husband's beaming face, Deng Jie was also infected by his good mood and smiled slightly. "But I'm wondering... can this divine bird be used in medicine?"
Guo Jia was amused by her, "So you're saying that Yi really only cares about medicine? Just now you were able to explain the properties and principles of medicine, as well as the 'disharmony between ruler and subject' incisively."
Deng Jie quickly waved his hand, "At the time, I was only thinking about how to explain the principle of drug interactions so that they could understand the harm of this prescription. The rest... was all Fengxiao's own interpretation!"
She paused, secretly glancing at Guo Jia, and lowered her voice, "But that Xu Ziyuan... I do have designs on him."
Previously, Mr. Gongze said that he sent someone to assassinate you and framed my brother. I... don't like him.
Upon hearing this, Guo Jia burst into laughter and tightened his grip on her hand: "Hahaha! Good! Jia also dislikes him very much!"
Your series of accusations of "discord between ruler and subject" and "great wealth accumulation" in court, especially that last phrase "those with good intentions," were simply the greatest consolation I could receive today—it was truly satisfying!
The two were chatting and laughing as they strolled along the gravel path, and were about to reach the corridor leading to the mansion gate.
The voice was so familiar it was almost repulsive.
Both of them turned around unhappily, and it was indeed Xu You.
"Mr. Ziyuan, what advice do you have for me?"
Xu You stepped forward and gave a perfunctory bow, saying, "Thank you both for your help with the matter in the hall."
If it weren't for your wise and virtuous wife speaking out and pointing out the swindlers in the market, we would have almost embarrassed our lord and tarnished my reputation!
His words were laced with sarcasm, “To express my gratitude…” He pulled a scroll of silk from his sleeve and handed it to Guo Jia.
"This item will likely interest Fengxiao."
His smile held a hint of malice. "This is a scroll of letters left behind by the young lady of the Xun family back then. She probably left in a hurry with Fengxiao and was too embarrassed to take it with her. By chance, I found it and have kept it until now."
Now that the item has been returned to its rightful owner, the two of you can now appreciate together the deep longing of Lady Xun, who feels as if three months have passed since she last saw her."
He glanced at Deng Jie and said, "Fengxiao is known for his romantic escapades and is admired by beauties everywhere. I never thought that it was his wife who had the ability to make this playboy submit."
Deng Jie was furious at his appearance, but Guo Jia remained calm, took the silk scroll and placed it in Deng Jie's hand. "This is interesting. I knew nothing about this. Would you be interested in taking a look, Madam?"
Deng Jie gently turned the silk scroll around. "How about... I write one when I get home?"
Guo Jia was taken aback, then chuckled, "Do you need it?"
Deng Jie chuckled and said, "I don't need it?"
Xu You watched the couple flirting and teasing each other as if no one else was around, then snorted awkwardly and angrily, turned around and left.
"What a despicable act!" Deng Jie muttered under her breath as she watched Xu You's retreating figure. This was the first time she had expressed her disgust for someone so bluntly.
Guo Jia put his arm around her shoulder, patted her, and laughed, "Isn't that right?" He then glanced at the silk scroll in Deng Jie's hand, "You really don't want to look at it?"
Deng Jie raised his eyes and chuckled lightly: "Do you want me to see it, or do you want to see it yourself?"
Guo Jia shrugged. "Not really interested."
Just then, a beautiful woman walked towards them, and they met face to face.
She wore an elegant yet luxurious light blue blouse with a curved hem, a dark blue belt around her waist, and a string of green jade pendants hanging from her waist.
Her hair was tied up in a bun, with gold leaf and flower hairpins dangling from it.
Her eyebrows were as delicate as crescent moons, and her eyes shone like autumn water. Her lips were rosy, and her nose was like jade. She looked to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, yet she had already blossomed into a woman of refined and otherworldly beauty.
Deng Jie stared in disbelief, inwardly marveling at how, despite her young age, she already displayed the refined elegance cultivated by a noble family. Just as he was wondering which young lady from the Yuan family she was, Guo Jia stepped forward to greet her: "Miss Zhen."
"Mr. Guo?"
Lady Zhen stopped in her tracks, and the two maids behind her also stopped. "It's been a long time. I heard that you went to see Minister Cao."
"Indeed. Today I have brought my wife to visit Lord Yuan."
Guo Jia raised his hand in a salute, then turned and led Deng Jie forward, saying, "Say hello, this is Miss Zhen, the fiancée of the second young master of the Yuan family."
Deng Jie snapped out of his daze, looking slightly embarrassed, "Miss, are you really...?"
Seeing that she was about to blurt out the word "beauty," Guo Jia quickly covered her mouth and interjected, "Miss, it's been a long time since I've seen you. You've lost most of your childishness... You're... you're probably of marriageable age!"
Madam Zhen covered her face in embarrassment, "Yes... the date has already been set..."
The moment she looked up, her eyes caught sight of the silk scroll in Deng Jie's hand. She exclaimed "Eh!" and reached out to take it. Deng Jie was slightly surprised and handed it to her.
"Does the young lady recognize this scroll?" Deng Jie asked hesitantly.
Guo Jia's brows relaxed, and the corners of his lips curved slightly; he already had some idea of what was going on in his mind.
"This is Qingzhou silk, with a brocade woven with cloud patterns underneath..."
As she spoke, Madam Zhen began to examine the item. "It is indeed so. Where did you obtain it, Madam? Could you return it to me?"
"Still?" Deng Jie was taken aback, turned to Guo Jia and blinked in question. Guo Jia gestured for her to continue listening.
The calligraphy copybooks that the teacher transcribed by hand when he taught me calligraphy were originally kept in my own residence. However, I couldn't find a few volumes of the Book of Songs, but I unexpectedly found them here.
The gentleman was skilled in calligraphy and often said that this silk, with its supple and resilient texture, best showcased the expressive power and charm of his brushstrokes.
As she spoke, she rolled out the contents of the scroll, saying, "This scroll is a copy of 'Zheng Feng: Zi Jin'."
"Green are your robes, deep is my longing. Though I do not go to you, will you not send me a message?"...Unexpectedly, the gentleman himself left and never returned.
Guo Jia chuckled, “Don’t worry, Miss Xun. She is now Madam Xun. She married Chen Changwen right after she left, and she is probably doing well in Xuzhou now.”
He glanced at Deng Jie and said, "Since it belongs to the young lady, it should be returned to its rightful owner. Keep it safe and don't let it be stolen again."
"Theft?" Zhen's eyes flashed with doubt.
Guo Jia stepped forward, bowed his head, and said softly, "Mr. Ziyuan... cough."
He stopped speaking again, glanced at the two maids behind her, and pulled Deng Jie to take his leave.
Madam Zhen nodded and bowed her head to see the two off.
As they left the Yuan residence, Deng Jie grabbed Guo Jia's arm and exclaimed in panic, "You...were you just openly trying to sow discord between her and her?"
Guo Jia pursed his lips, suppressing his smile, "She was only nine years old that year, and she helped us uncover Xu You's embezzlement ledger at the Zhen residence. What didn't she know?"
This is merely a reminder: since you've married into the Yuan family, shouldn't you be wary of outsiders on behalf of your husband's family?
Deng Jie was stunned. "At nine years old, he could..."
She recalled Zhen's elegant and refined yet serene appearance, "This Miss Zhen is truly intelligent."
However, I still sighed inwardly, realizing that I really couldn't be bothered to think about these complicated matters.
Seeing her downcast expression, Guo Jia moved closer to her and pulled her into his arms. "I didn't deliberately start the fire; I was just going with the flow."
Don't worry too much. Everyone has their own destiny. We just need to do our best to complete our own tasks.
Deng Jie nodded wearily and leaned into her husband's arms.
The next day, just as dawn broke, Guo Jia and his wife's carriage was ready, and their accompanying guards were also fully prepared to depart.
Simple luggage was piled on the shaft of the cart, and the driver was rubbing his hands together, his breath steaming in the air.
"Guo Fengxiao!"
Guo Tu's voice came from behind.
The two turned around and saw him walking towards them with his hands in his pockets, looking displeased.
"Brother Gongze? It's truly rare to see you here. Have you come to see me off? Or to thank me?"
Guo Jia released Deng Jie's hand and turned to walk towards him.
Guo Tu snorted, "Who sent you this? Come back and return this ridiculous thing!"
As he spoke, he tossed a scroll of bamboo slips from his sleeve. Guo Jia caught it, and seeing the familiar bamboo slip patterns, he didn't open it. With a slight smile, he tossed it back.
"This is Jia's heartfelt wish; how can Brother Gongze betray it?"
Seeing Guo Tu rush to hold it, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
Inside was a letter he wrote to Guo Tu six years ago before he left.
Brother Gongze, please take heed:
"Pay off the debt with good deeds, don't ask for more!"
At that time, he combined the case of the grain clerk's embezzlement with the case of Gongsun Zan's espionage, and handed it over to Guo Tu to enjoy all the credit, while he only asked Guo Tu to help investigate Xu You.
In the end, it was Zhen who made the greatest effort in resolving Xu You's matter. Before leaving, Guo Jia realized that he had indeed overestimated Guo Tu, and could only jokingly say that he was repaying the kindness of Guo Tu's family for extending credit for grain.
"Perfect, it matches the scene today."
How about this? Jia has traveled a long way to deliver another merit to you, brother. Could it be that you've come to give Jia ten years' worth of grain as a gift?
He turned around and greeted Deng Jie, took the bamboo slip Deng Jie gave him, and handed it to Guo Tu, saying, "My wife is worried about the harm caused by the false prescriptions among the people in the city, so she wrote down a method to detoxify, which I am also giving to you."
"Although this prescription is simple, it clears heat and detoxifies, and its medicinal properties are mild. I hope that Mr. Gongze will spread it?" Deng Jie stepped forward and bowed.
Guo Tu took the bamboo slips with a subtle expression, glanced at them, slowly raised his hand, and gave the two a slight bow, saying, "I understand, thank you for this matter."
After finishing, he couldn't help but sneer, "Don't be so smug. Even without your meddling, Xu Ziyuan's rift with the lord would only grow stronger."
Guo Jia nodded lazily, "Alright, you decide."
He grabbed Guo Tu's wrist and said, "After this parting... if we meet again, we will surely be enemies."
Although Guo Tu didn't look at him, his expression shifted slightly. Deng Jie noticed a fleeting glint in his eyes. "Don't worry. I will keep it a secret from my father and do my best to plan for our lord... to see my brother off."
He shook off Guo Jia's hand, raised the bamboo slip in his hand and waved it, "I will use this slip to offer sacrifice to you at that time."
Upon hearing this, Guo Jia laughed heartily, "Excellent, excellent, this suits my taste perfectly."
Brother Gongze, rest assured, Jia will also save a cup of libation wine for you!
Their eyes finally met, and the mutual dislike they had shown in their youth transformed into a tacit understanding of serving their respective masters.
Without saying another word, the two bowed deeply to each other and solemnly bid farewell.
Deng Jie sat inside the carriage and felt a slight jolt as it slowly began to move.
She closed the lattice window, shutting out the street scene outside, leaned against Guo Jia, and muttered softly, recalling their cold conversation, "I really don't understand you people..."
"how?"
"There must be some affection between you and Mr. Gongze, right? How can you say such heartless words of parting?"
"Is there?" Guo Jia also leaned his head against hers, closed his eyes to rest, and stopped talking.
The wheels rolled over the frozen stone slabs, making a monotonous sound.
The carriage departed from Ye City, a place that had witnessed both humiliation and brief victories, and embarked on its journey south to Xuchang.
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