Chapter 176
After months of long journey, the atmosphere in the air has subtly changed.
The unique dry, sandy smell of the border region was gradually replaced by a moist aroma that mixed with human habitation, flowing water, and faint floral fragrance.
The official road became wider and smoother, with numerous ruts, and the villages and towns along the road grew larger and larger, with pedestrians and merchants coming and going in droves.
Su Zhelan and Mr. Su Yan rode together in the blue-draped carriage, gazing out the window at the gradually clearing, majestic, and continuous gray outline on the distant horizon, and took a soft breath.
We've arrived in the capital.
The march slowed unconsciously, and the atmosphere became solemn again. General Sheng Chi ordered the entire army to straighten their appearance and inspect their carriages.
The curtains of Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun's canopy carriage were lowered, and although there was no sound inside, an unassailable aura of majesty permeated the air.
Gu Linzhao rode his horse to guard the carriage, his expression calm, his eyes scanning the approaching city gate tower and the dark mass of officials and their entourage waiting outside the city.
The procession finally stopped a hundred paces outside the city gate. Drums and music resounded ahead as civil and military officials, led by the prime minister, stepped forward in order to greet the crown prince's carriage and the general. The scene was solemn and elaborate.
Just then, a eunuch dressed in the attire of a close attendant of the Crown Prince's palace weaved through the crowd and hurried to Su Zhelan and Su Yan's carriage. He bowed and spoke into the carriage window, "Young Master Su, His Highness has sent me to inquire. Since you have just arrived in the capital, you must not yet have a place to stay. His Highness believes that the Crown Prince's palace has many guest rooms and a tranquil environment, making it ideal for recuperation. Would you be willing to return to His Highness's residence with me, so as to avoid the trouble of searching for another place?"
Inside the car, Su Zhelan was taken aback by what she heard. Before she could answer, a cheerful yet somewhat undeniable voice rang out from outside the car window:
"Your Highness need not trouble yourself!"
Sheng Xuan had already ridden up to the carriage at some point. He first waved to the eunuch, indicating that he could go and report, then leaned over to Su Zhelan inside the carriage window, grinned, and said in a warm tone with a hint of self-satisfaction: "Zhelan! Don't worry about all that. I know the capital well! Just come back to the General's Mansion with me, I guarantee it will be more comfortable than anywhere else!"
He spoke quickly and directly, leaving Su Zhelan no room to answer or think.
However, no sooner had he finished speaking than Su Yan, who had been resting with his eyes closed inside the car, suddenly opened them and let out a disgruntled "humph," a soft but extremely penetrating sound:
"Hmph! One by one, it's not enough that they went to great lengths to lure people from the border town to the capital. They haven't even entered the city gates yet, and they're already trying to drag them into their own residences?"
His sharp gaze swept over the bustling crowd outside the carriage, and seemed to penetrate the crowd to see the Crown Prince's carriage ahead. "Ze Lan isn't going anywhere! He'll naturally come home with me!"
Mr. Su Yan’s words were full of force and carried an undeniable determination.
Just moments ago, Sheng Xuan had been all high and mighty, but after being bombarded with a barrage of words from Mr. Su Yan, he was immediately speechless and his momentum waned considerably.
He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to argue, but under Mr. Su Yan's piercing gaze that seemed to say, "You dare to talk back?", he finally sullenly touched his nose and muttered, "...What you say is true, sir." He then dared not press the matter further and moved his horse aside.
Seeing this, the eunuch from the Eastern Palace dared not say anything more, bowed respectfully, and quietly retreated to report back.
Sitting in the carriage, Su Zhelan was momentarily stunned when she heard her master Su Yan's resolute words, "Come home with me!"
He subconsciously turned to look at Mr. Su Yan beside him, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment. Go home? Go home where?
From the time he could remember, or rather, from the moment Mr. Su Yan picked him up from outside the valley, apart from traveling to practice medicine, he had only ever stayed in that secluded medicine valley.
Su Zhelan couldn't help but ask in a low voice, her voice carrying a hint of bewilderment she herself didn't realize: "Master... do you... have a place to stay in the capital?"
Mr. Su Yan was still sulking when he heard Su Zhelan's question, which was clearly filled with confusion, and he turned his head to look at him.
Seeing his apprentice's bewildered and somewhat uneasy expression, the anger on his face eased slightly. He snorted, but his tone softened involuntarily, carrying an air of "what's the big deal?"
“Nonsense! Do you think your master is some kind of savage who sleeps under the open sky and sprang from a crack in a rock?” He paused, then seemed to remember something and added, “Perfect timing, I’ll go back and take a look, and let you get acquainted with the place.”
Su Zhelan blinked, processing this sudden piece of information.
Gu Linzhao, riding alongside as a guard, overheard the entire conversation between the master and disciple inside the carriage. He heard Su Yan say, "Go back and take a look, familiarize yourself with the place."
He couldn't help but chuckle, then spurred his horse closer to the carriage window, gently lifted a corner of the curtain with the tip of his whip, and peeked inside.
With his usual mocking and amused smile on his face, he winked at the bewildered Su Zhelan, deliberately drawing out his words in a mysterious tone: "Hey kid, your master's family is really...tsk tsk, quite extraordinary~ You'll be shocked when you see it with your own eyes!"
His words were full of hints and teasing, which instantly aroused Su Zhelan's curiosity and made her even more confused—what was so special about her master's house?
Upon hearing Gu Linzhao's troublemaking tone, Mr. Su Yan, who was inside the car, immediately bristled and snapped, "You talk too much! Shut your mouth! Nobody thinks you're mute!" He grabbed a medical book from the side of him and made a move to smash it at Gu Linzhao's head as he leaned in.
Seeing this, Gu Linzhao was not annoyed at all; instead, he laughed even more heartily. He nimbly ducked his head and pulled down the carriage curtain, blocking Mr. Su Yan's "murderous" gaze. However, his laughing voice still clearly reached in, full of schadenfreude:
"Ze Lan, just you wait and see! Hahaha—"
Inside the carriage, Su Zhelan was even more confused by Gu Linzhao's nonsensical words. He turned to look at his master, his eyes almost overflowing with questions: "Master... what... did he mean?"
Mr. Su Yan slammed his medical book down on the seat and snorted, "Don't listen to that scoundrel's nonsense!"
But the more eager he was to deny and belittle it, the stronger Su Zhelan's curiosity became. He vaguely felt that his master's "home" in the capital was probably not as simple as he made it out to be.
The carriage continued its slow journey with the procession, rolling over the bluestone streets of the capital. Su Zhelan's thoughts, however, had already drifted to that mysterious "home" that Gu Linzhao had described with such fervor, and she was somewhat distracted by the bustling scene of the capital outside the window.
The army came to a complete stop outside the capital's main camp. General Sheng Chi reined in his horse and, in a calm voice, ordered the entire army to set up camp on the spot, await further instructions, and not to move without authorization.
Almost as soon as the order was given, Mr. Su Yan signaled the driver to drive away. The green-curtained carriage gently drove away from the main body of the massive army without lingering.
As the carriage passed by General Sheng Chi and his entourage, who were preparing to remove their armor, change into their court robes, and enter the palace to meet the emperor, Su Yan merely slightly opened the carriage window and nodded to Sheng Chi as a farewell. Sheng Chi returned the gesture from his horse, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect; everything was understood without words.
Sheng Xuan was busy unfastening his sword when he saw the carriage about to leave. He hurriedly stepped forward, rushed to the window, and whispered to Su Zhelan inside, "Zhelan! You go back with the master first and settle down! After I finish my audience with the emperor and relieve myself of my military duties, I will come to find you immediately!"
His tone was urgent and tinged with resentment, his eyes fixed on Su Zhelan as if afraid he would disappear from this vast capital city at any moment.
Before Su Zhelan could respond, Mr. Su Yan in the car clicked his tongue impatiently and slammed the car window shut, blocking Sheng Xuan's scorching gaze.
The carriage stopped and headed along the side road toward the other city gate, soon merging into the bustling flow of people and vehicles leading into the city, temporarily leaving the grim military camp and everything it represented behind.
The carriage with its green canopy did not head towards the ordinary streets and alleys of the capital. Instead, it traveled along the wide and smooth bluestone avenue towards the noble residential area in the west of the city.
The mansions on both sides became increasingly grand, with vermilion gates and high walls, and majestic stone lions. Pedestrians and carriages gradually became scarce, and the environment became quiet and solemn.
Su Zhelan peered curiously through the car window at the starkly different scenery outside, her doubts about her master's "home" growing ever deeper.
Finally, the carriage slowly came to a stop in front of an extremely magnificent mansion.
Su Zhelan looked up and couldn't help but take a slight breath.
Before me stood a vast mansion, its towering blue brick walls stretching as far as the eye could see. The gilded gate was wide and heavy, its large copper studs gleaming. On either side of the gate stood a pair of imposing white marble lions. Above the gate hung a plaque with ebony and gold lettering, bearing the four large characters "Tong Yu Su Mansion" in a flamboyant and elegant style.
Its grandeur was even comparable to some of the royal palaces and official residences they had just passed.
Su Zhelan was completely stunned. He turned his head blankly to look at his master Su Yan beside him, his eyes filled with disbelief and questions.
Meeting his apprentice's shocked gaze, Mr. Su Yan's face flashed with an extremely unnatural embarrassment. He coughed dryly, avoiding Su Zhelan's gaze, and mumbled, "...Yes, this is it. Years ago... my family did some small business..."
Just then, the carriage curtain was suddenly flung open, and Gu Linzhao's face, adorned with a mocking smile, peeked in. He was clearly very satisfied with Su Zhelan's reaction, chuckled, and deliberately lowered his voice, speaking to Su Zhelan in a tone that said, "Let me reveal the secret."
"How about that, kid? Stunned? Your master's family isn't just 'a little' rich, they've been imperial merchants for generations, richer than a country, ever heard of that? That's what they're talking about!" He winked mischievously at Su Yan. "Your master is a proper, pampered young master of the Su family, raised with the utmost care and privilege!"
"Gu Linzhao! Shut up! Get out of here!" Su Yan was instantly enraged, his cheeks flushed red, and he grabbed the medical book from earlier, ready to throw it at him again.
Gu Linzhao laughed loudly as he nimbly jumped off the carriage, his voice still carrying clearly: "Hahaha, Zhelan, see for yourself! This house, this grandeur, you'll see when you go inside!"
Su Zhelan sat blankly in the car, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. Wealthy beyond measure? Imperial merchant? Young master? These words were completely at odds with the image of his reclusive master in the Medicine Valley, dressed in simple robes and exuding the fragrance of herbs.
He looked at his master's rare, almost "shameful and indignant" expression, and then recalled Gu Linzhao's teasing and his master's consistent denials along the way...
A vague piece of the puzzle about his master's mysterious past, which he had ignored for a long time, suddenly seemed to become clear at this moment.
Outside the carriage, Gu Linzhao had already stepped forward and, facing the tightly closed, imposing vermilion gate, shouted in a powerful voice:
"Hey! Listen up, you inside! Your young master—Su Yan! He's returned from his travels! Open the door now!"
Not long after Gu Linzhao's powerful shout, the heavy vermilion-lacquered gate with gold studs creaked open a crack. A servant dressed as a gatekeeper peeked out, and when he saw Gu Linzhao standing by the carriage outside and Mr. Su Yan getting off the carriage, his eyes widened and his face instantly filled with unbelievable surprise.
"Young...Young Master?! Is it really you back?!" The gatekeeper's voice trembled with excitement. He hurriedly pushed the gate open completely, shouting excitedly inside, "Quick! Quickly inform the master and madam! The young master is back! The young master is back!!"
As he called out, he bowed warmly and invited Su Yan, Su Zhelan, and Gu Linzhao inside, his smile almost overflowing.
Su Zhelan followed his master and Gu Linzhao, stepping over the high threshold and into the mansion. As soon as he entered, he was captivated by the scene before him.
The mansion was completely different from the magnificent style he had imagined; it exuded a restrained and profound luxury accumulated over generations.
The courtyard is spacious, paved with smooth, mirror-like bluestone slabs; the pillars are all made of fine nanmu wood, carved with intricate and elegant patterns; the rockery and flowing water are exquisitely arranged, and the lush vegetation clearly shows meticulous care. The seemingly simple gray walls and black tiles reveal, upon closer inspection, exquisite brick carvings and paintings on the eaves; the lanterns are also made of fine silk and framed in rosewood. An understated air of wealth permeates the air, silently testifying to the extraordinary heritage of this household.
Su Zhelan was looking around curiously when she suddenly heard a series of hurried and slightly chaotic footsteps coming from the inner courtyard, accompanied by a female voice that was both tearful and full of surprise:
"Su Yan?! Is that my son back?! Where is he?!"
A woman dressed in a deep purple brocade dress, adorned with pearls and jade, and exuding an air of elegance and nobility, was being helped by a maid as she hurried almost at full speed from the other end of the covered walkway. She was very well-maintained, but her face was filled with urgency and excitement, and her eyes were slightly red.
She spotted Su Yan standing in the courtyard at a glance, quickened her pace, rushed forward, and without a word, pulled the still somewhat stunned Su Yan into a tight embrace, her voice choked with emotion:
"My darling! It's really my son who's back! Let your mother see him!" Her hands trembled as she cupped Su Yan's face in her hands, scrutinizing him from head to toe. Tears streamed down her face. "You've lost weight! You've gotten so thin! How much suffering you've endured out there! Have you not been eating properly again? Your mother has missed you so much..."
Su Yan was caught off guard by his mother's sudden, warm hug and barrage of concern. His cheeks flushed slightly, and he managed to pull himself out of her embrace with some difficulty. Standing awkwardly to the side, he whispered, "Mom... I'm fine, I'm perfectly alright..."
The woman calmed down a little, wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, and turned to Gu Linzhao beside her. Her face immediately lit up with a grateful and warm smile: "Little Gu is here too! You've had a hard journey! And thank you so much for taking care of my troublesome child! I'm so grateful!"
Gu Linzhao laughed heartily, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and said in a familiar yet respectful manner, "Madam, you are too kind! It's not hard work at all. Ayan's medical skills are superb. He has been practicing medicine and saving lives all the way here. I have learned a lot from following him!"
The woman smiled even more broadly upon hearing this, nodding repeatedly, "Good, good, good! Quick, don't all stand in the courtyard, come inside! Let's talk inside!" As she spoke, her gaze finally fell on Su Zhelan, who was standing behind Su Yan and had been quietly watching everything. A gentle hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, "And this young master is...?"
When Su Zhelan was asked by the woman, she became a little nervous. She subconsciously looked at her master, her lips moved, but she didn't say anything immediately.
Seeing that Su Zhelan was pretty and well-behaved, yet somewhat timid, the woman couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for him. She looked him up and down a few times, then suddenly seemed to remember something. Turning to Su Yan's retreating figure as he walked towards the hall, she called out, half-jokingly and half-reproachfully:
"Oh my goodness! Su Yan! Where did you 'kidnap' such a well-behaved child? He's so cute, it breaks my heart!"
Su Yan didn't even turn his head. His annoyed voice drifted over from the front, concise and to the point: "Found him. My apprentice."
Upon hearing this, the woman's eyes widened even more. She quickly caught up with Su Yan and couldn't help but start scolding him again: "Oh, you child! You're still living your own life in a daze, yet you've taken on an apprentice! Look at the little body you've raised, so thin! Have you been so busy studying your herbs that you haven't even fed the child properly?" As she spoke, she felt sorry for Su Zhelan and wanted to go see her again.
Upon hearing this, Su Zhelan quickly waved his hand, his voice soft but firm: "No! Madam, my master treats me very well..." He was so eager to defend his master that his cheeks flushed slightly.
Seeing this, Gu Linzhao stepped forward with a smile and naturally took over the conversation, introducing Su Zhelan: "Zhelan, this is Su Yan's mother, Madam Su." He then turned to Madam Su, "Madam, this is Su Zhelan, Mr. Su Yan's youngest apprentice. She is calm and quiet, and her medical skills are also very impressive."
Su Zhelan quickly and obediently bowed and greeted, "Su Zhelan greets Madam."
Seeing how sensible and polite Su Zhelan was, Madam Su was even more pleased. Her smile grew even more loving, and she repeatedly replied, "Oh! Good child, good child! Don't be so polite!"
The more she looked at Su Zhelan, the more she liked her. With a quick thought, she enthusiastically made arrangements. First, she said to Gu Linzhao, "Little Gu, you can stay in the same place as before and live with Su Yan in his old courtyard. It's been kept for you and cleaned every day."
Then, quite naturally, she reached out and gently took Su Zhelan's wrist, her tone gentle yet filled with an undeniable warmth: "Su Zhelan, right? Good child, you must have had a long journey. Come, let's go see what's going on. I'll prepare a quiet and bright courtyard just for you, and I guarantee you'll be comfortable!"
As she spoke, she turned back to Su Yan and Gu Linzhao, who were almost at the corridor, and raised her voice to remind them, "Remember to come to the main hall for dinner tonight! I'll send someone to inform your elder brothers and sisters to come back!"
After giving her instructions, she smiled and personally led the still somewhat bewildered Su Zhelan toward a different, exquisite garden path than that of Su Yan and Gu Linzhao. She kept muttering about what she wanted to provide for him, as if Su Zhelan were not a newcomer but a long-lost junior of her own family, and she treated him with the same warmth and familiarity.
Gu Linzhao watched as Madam Su enthusiastically led Su Zhelan away, then quickened his pace to catch up with Su Yan, walking side by side with him along the corridor leading to the old courtyard.
He turned his head and looked at Su Yan's slightly furrowed brows, looking troubled and helpless. He couldn't help but chuckle and nudged him gently with his elbow, his tone full of teasing: "Hey, I'm telling you, isn't your auntie great! Warm, straightforward, and easy to get along with! I like aunties like that, so frank! Hehe."
Upon hearing this, Su Yan rolled his eyes at Gu Linzhao, raised his hand to rub his temples, and said in a voice that was clearly tired and... well, a sweet burden: "That's why you don't want to come back... You're always like this when you come back, making a ruckus and it's hard to handle."
Despite his complaints, his tense shoulders relaxed slightly as he stepped into the familiar yet long-missed courtyard.
Outside the corridor were carefully tended flowers and trees, with rockeries and flowing water. Everything seemed to retain the appearance he remembered, or even more exquisite, clearly indicating that someone had been taking good care of it.
Seeing his insincere expression, Gu Linzhao laughed even harder, casually putting his arm around Su Yan's shoulder: "Come on, you're probably secretly enjoying it! Don't hold back, relax now that we're home."
As they talked, their figures gradually disappeared around the corner of the corridor, heading towards the tranquil courtyard that had always been reserved for them.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
