Gu Sinian looked very serious, "In the beginning, I also thought I was hallucinating, but that white wolf even knew about my encounter with a brown bear in Tiger Tooth Mountain months ago!"
Emperor Chongwen appeared very calm, but in reality, he was extremely nervous.
What emperor wouldn't react upon hearing news that the realm would be in turmoil during his reign?
Gu Sinian stood quietly, awaiting Emperor Chongwen's decision.
After a long pause, Emperor Chongwen said, "A Nian, tell me, how should this matter be handled?"
"There are several hunting grounds in our Great Feng, we don't lack Tiger Tooth Mountain. However, since the preparations have already begun on such a grand scale, it's not good to stop now. Originally, we only planned to build simple temporary palaces, but now, we can build a few exquisite small manors, which Your Majesty can bestow upon ministers as rewards," Gu Sinian said. "Tiger Tooth Mountain has decent scenery, and there are large apricot groves at the foot of the mountain. When the apricot blossoms are in bloom, the families of ministers can come to enjoy the scenery."
Emperor Chongwen nodded upon hearing this, thinking it was an excellent idea.
"The white wolf is a mythical beast recorded in historical texts, rarely seen. Now that a white wolf has appeared within the borders of our Great Feng, it is an auspicious sign. I want to announce this to the world, so that my people know that Great Feng is blessed by a mythical beast," Emperor Chongwen said with joy on his face. "Furthermore, I want to bestow upon the white wolf the title of the guardian beast of Great Feng!"
Emperor Chongwen acted swiftly. The next day at court, he issued the decree. Gu Sinian, meanwhile, returned to Apricot Blossom Village. Even though the hunting ground would not be enclosed, the small manors still needed to be built. This was a task he had taken on, and he had to see it through.
Gu Sinian immediately informed Qi Zhenzhen about the matter, including the white wolf speaking human words. Qi Zhenzhen remained outwardly calm, but inwardly, she was overjoyed. She hadn't expected that her plan to hide and cooperate with Ye Bai, using ventriloquism to create the illusion that Ye Bai was speaking, would actually succeed in saving the beasts of Tiger Tooth Mountain.
"His Majesty the current Emperor is truly wise," Qi Zhenzhen flattered him.
"Those in positions of power are always attentive to such situations, and besides, I truly heard the white wolf speak," Gu Sinian said. "How could such an astonishing event not be taken seriously?"
Qi Zhenzhen also praised Gu Sinian. If Gu Sinian hadn't taken the matter seriously and reported it back, her method might not have been effective.
"How much longer do you plan to stay here?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"Naturally, I will stay until the construction is completed, as it is a task assigned by His Majesty, and I cannot simply abandon it," Gu Sinian said. "Does Zhenzhen mean you don't want me to stay here?"
Qi Zhenzhen quickly waved her hands, "Of course not. The presence of the Young Marquis here is a blessing for Apricot Blossom Village, and also a blessing for our Qi family."
Qi Zhenzhen felt distressed. Her mother's constant nagging was driving her to the brink of collapse.
Moreover, due to Gu Sinian's handsome appearance, young unmarried women and married women in the village often went to the foot of the mountain, watching Gu Sinian from afar and pointing. Some bolder ones, dressed up elaborately, would try to get close to Gu Sinian, hoping to catch his eye and ascend to the heavens to become a phoenix. Even Zhang Xiaoniu, because he followed Gu Sinian, was quite popular. Some people even went to the Zhang family to probe for information, wanting to arrange a marriage for Zhang Xiaoniu.
In the past, people would avoid the Zhang brothers. It was nothing like it was now. Zhang Xiaoniu grumbled to Qi Zhenzhen that he was benefiting from the Young Marquis's presence, and his status had risen significantly.
Unfortunately, Gu Sinian always maintained a cold expression when he was out, and he was unsmiling towards those people. Coupled with Zhang Xiaoniu and others blocking the way, those people could only sigh in disappointment.
The craftsmen who were working, though skilled, were a bit stumped by the requirement to rebuild the small manors. Because Gu Sinian wanted them to be built like the manor next to Qi Zhenzhen's apricot grove, as two-story structures, Gu Chengyang was temporarily assigned to the project. Fortunately, Qi Zhenzhen had already completed the blueprints and other related documents. Chang Shan could read the drawings and direct the workers without any problems.
The progress on Gu Sinian's small manors was rapid. By the time they were nearing completion, Qi Zhenzhen's side had only finished half the work. Gu Sinian asked Qi Zhenzhen if she wanted to borrow some craftsmen, but she refused. Chang Shan and the others were doing a good job, and she wasn't in a hurry, so she preferred to take her time.
Thus, Gu Sinian had no reason to stay any longer and had to return home.
Before he left, Qi Zhenzhen prepared a table full of delicious food to bid farewell to Gu Sinian. Madam Yun, who had maintained a stern expression towards Gu Sinian for months, finally showed a pleasant demeanor. In her opinion, once he left, with the prosperity of the capital, Gu Sinian would no longer be interested in her daughter.
"If there's anything, I'll have Xiaoniu send you a message. Also, I've asked Gu Qing to arrange for two people to stay here, temporarily assigned to work with the craftsmen at your place. The Marquis of Changping has sent people to search for your whereabouts, and the Marchioness will surely not be idle." Gu Sinian said.
Qi Zhenzhen understood Gu Sinian's meaning. Years ago, when the Marchioness had driven them, her mother, and her brother to the manor, and later concealed their whereabouts after they left the manor, it indicated that the Marchioness did not wish for them to return to the Marquis's mansion. Now that the Marquis of Changping's mansion was actively searching for them, it was a threat to the Marchioness, so she would certainly not want them to return.
"Thank you for your concern, Young Marquis," Qi Zhenzhen said with sincere gratitude.
"Between us, there's no need for such words," Gu Sinian said. "If you encounter any matters that you cannot handle, just send someone to the general store to deliver a message. The Qian family has its own methods of communication, and it will be swift."
Qi Zhenzhen smiled and agreed, and only then did Gu Sinian leave with peace of mind.
After reporting to Emperor Chongwen at the palace, Gu Sinian returned to the Duke's mansion.
He first went to Yan Nian Yuan to pay his respects to the Old Duchess and spent some time chatting with her before leaving.
Qin Shi was taking a stroll in the courtyard with Nanny Li. She looked up and saw Gu Sinian standing at the courtyard entrance, a smile on her face. "A Nian is back. Why are you standing there? Come in quickly!"
Gu Sinian walked up to Qin Shi and offered a slight support. "Mother's complexion has improved considerably. Have you had the imperial physician examine you again?"
"I see him once every ten days or half a month. The imperial physician says my body is recovering well, much better than they anticipated." Qin Shi was very happy. When she was poisoned, she had listened to the imperial physician's words and worried that she wouldn't live much longer and wouldn't be able to see her son get married and have children. Now, that concern was completely gone.
"Miss Xu is indeed remarkable," Gu Sinian praised.
"Yes, setting aside other matters, for this alone, Mother is very grateful to her."
Gu Sinian keenly caught the implied meaning in Qin Shi's words. "Setting aside what?"
Qin Shi hesitated for a moment, thinking that marriage was ultimately a matter directly related to Gu Sinian. She decided not to hide it and said, "Your grandmother has suggested marrying Miss Xu to you. She's mentioned it twice. Mother hasn't agreed, only saying that whoever you marry, it must be with your consent."