The old saying holds true: experience is the best teacher.
Gu Mingyan narrowed his eyes, his gaze trembling slightly...
If he didn't take Yan'er back to the Central Plains, what would be the point of this trip?
More importantly, if time dragged on, Yan'er's pregnancy would be revealed, making it even less likely for him to marry her...
"What does the Khatun mean by this?" Gu Mingyan's expression shifted, and he asked in a deep voice, "This Marquis is the child's father. Does the Khatun not want the child to recognize me as its father?"
"That's right!" Si Ya Khatun slammed the table, her voice almost cracking. "Not only will they not recognize you as their father, but Yan'er and your Gu family will have no further connection. Hmph, you dream of snatching the child away..."
"Mother!" Han Chi Yan cried out in anger.
"Be quiet!" Si Ya Khatun's expression was stern. "If you hadn't lost your head and done unspeakable things with him, none of this would have happened. From now on, you will stay in the royal palace and rest, not allowed to step outside..."
With things reaching this point, even Han Chi Er couldn't salvage their relationship.
Upon hearing this, the old Marquis was about to step forward to argue with Si Ya Khatun, but Gu Mingyan quickly stopped him. "Father, we must consider the bigger picture!"
Since the barbarians intended to maintain good relations with the Liang Kingdom for generations, Gu Mingyan did not want to let his personal affections affect the relationship between the two countries...
If he wanted to fly side-by-side with Yan'er, he would have to find another way.
"Ahem, Marquis Gu!"
Han Chi Er coughed lightly and smiled. "From now on, our two countries will be as close as one family. To demonstrate the sincerity of our royal court, I have decided to send you a thousand sheep, two hundred cattle, and five hundred prairie warhorses. When you return, please inform the Emperor of Liang that these livestock are my gift to the Liang Kingdom..."
Gu Mingyan cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Khan. This Marquis will surely bring the livestock back to the capital!"
Not only would he take the sheep and cattle, but he also intended to take Yan'er with him...
"Alright, let the banquet conclude for today. Marquis Gu, take your father and rest. I will see you off tomorrow morning!" Han Chi Er waved his hand.
Continuing to confront Si Ya would not benefit Marquis Gu in any way...
As for the matter of the child, it would require further deliberation.
"Alright!" Gu Mingyan replied.
As he turned and brushed past Han Chi Yan, Gu Mingyan lowered his voice, "Meet me at the usual spot tonight at Hai Shi..."
Han Chi Yan: "???"
Has the Marquis not given up on her?
Meanwhile, at the old Yun family in Dashui Village.
"Jinshan, your father and I have discussed it, and we've decided to send you to the prefectural city to study in a few days..." Du Tie Shan sat cross-legged on the kang, busy pounding garlic paste.
Yesterday, Sanman returned from the county town with ten pig trotters. Niu Caixia had already thrown them into the pot to boil, and the family would have meat tonight...
Yun Jinshan pouted upon hearing this. "Shanshan's mother, can I not study?"
His little aunt had promised him that if he could pass the scholar exam, she would grant him his wish.
Du Tie Shan's garlic-pounding hand paused, and she turned to look at Yun Jinshan, scolding, "What do you want to do if you don't study? Stay in the village and farm? Jinshan, it's not that your mother wants to show off, but you are now a scholar. Finding some work is better than farming..."
"Besides, you are still young and cannot do strenuous work. Your grandfather and grandmother also cannot bear to see you working from dawn till dusk in the fields. Governor Qin wrote yesterday saying he has spoken to Dean Dai in the prefectural city. You will go there to study in a few days. With your relationship with Yiyi, Dean Dai will surely take care of you!"
Dean Dai was the old dean of the Prefectural City Confucian Academy. He was arrogant and conceited, and usually, he wouldn't think highly of ordinary students.
However, Yun Jinshan was Governor Qin's son-in-law. When he went to study at the Confucian Academy, Dean Dai would have to treat him with courtesy...
Yun Jinshan was furious but couldn't argue with Shanshan's mother. He dejectedly walked out.
Du Tie Shan shook her head helplessly. "Alas, this brat is getting harder to manage as he grows older..."
Yun Jinhe had also been busy since his return. Because Scholar Jiang was staying at the old Yun family, Jinhe could attend his lectures nearby, and all subjects were free.
Yao Jinsheng and Sun Tianxiu couldn't sit still, running around outside every day or taking Xue Ling to hunt rabbits in the mountains...
With Niu Caixia helping with household chores, Gu Shi and Du Tie Shan could also rest.
Although Zhao Xiaojie was clumsy, she was diligent and eager to learn and ask questions. She now knew how to fry "big fruits."
At dusk, the red sun slowly sank behind the western mountain of Dashui Village, and the entire sky was enveloped in the glow of the sunset, as red as the embers in a furnace...
Old Man Yun, having worked all day, was walking home from the fields with Yun Erman.
"Father, I discovered something. Do you want to hear it?" Yun Erman asked, carrying his hoe.
Old Man Yun glanced at him. "Are you trying to play coy with me? Spit it out if you have something to say!"
Yun Erman: "..."
Father, can't you speak without being so blunt?
"Father, I discovered that Mr. Jiang seems to be interested in Caixia. Just this morning, I went to the outhouse to urinate and saw them secretly chatting in the back garden..." Yun Erman said with a serious expression.
Old Man Yun's footsteps paused, and he looked at Erman. "What, just saying a few words in private means they're in a relationship? Then what's the relationship between me and Aunt Zhang if we chatted for an entire noon yesterday?"
Yun Erman: "..."
No, Father, why are you going off-topic when you speak?
"Oh, Father, I didn't mean that!"
Yun Erman quickened his steps, blocking Old Man Yun. "It's the look in his eyes, Father. I heard from my sister that Mr. Jiang looks at Caixia like a cat looking at a mouse, as if he wants to swallow her whole. Besides, Caixia is such a young widow, she has looks and a figure. Mr. Jiang definitely wants to... with her."
"Enough, enough, stop your baseless speculation!" Before Erman could finish, Old Man Yun pushed him aside and continued walking. "Whatever they want to do is none of your business! Do you also have feelings for Caixia?"
Yun Erman's expression stiffened, and his eyes darted around evasively. "No, no, Shanshan is so good to me, and now she's pregnant. How could I dare..."
"Erman, let me tell you!" Old Man Yun turned and glared at his son. "Our family doesn't believe in having multiple wives. If you do, I'll break your legs and kick you out. Do you understand?"
Yun Erman opened his mouth, swallowed twice, and said nothing.
That night, within the North Frontier King's palace.
A nimble black figure evaded the patrolling guards and, with extreme speed, infiltrated a small garden...