They arrived in a boisterous throng, filled with laughter and cheer. They returned scattered and silent, weighed down by sorrow. This sudden turn of events seemed to have aged everyone overnight.
The girls who loved to laugh and revel were like flowers wilted by the autumn frost, drooping and listless.
Most of the family guards had been wiped out. Though not blood relatives, they were the ones who had accompanied them, protecting their lives.
The disappearance of vibrant lives like this was difficult for anyone to bear.
Yet, no one cried out loud.
The road that felt short on the way there now seemed immeasurably long on the way back. Yu Mingyue’s heart was equally heavy.
Only one of the Yu family guards who had come with her remained. Zhu Yu was also severely injured. Yu Mingyue gave her carriage to Zhu Yu, so she could lie down more comfortably.
As the carriage entered the city, everyone let out an unspoken sigh of relief. Looking back at the distant, flat road and the verdant green mountains, their hearts were no longer the same.
“Sister Mingyue,”
Yu Mingyue’s thoughts were interrupted. She turned abruptly and saw Gu Tingyun standing beside her carriage.
Gu Tingyun’s arm was in a sling, indicating a significant injury. He likely hadn’t rested well last night, looking somewhat haggard.
“I heard from my father that the Seventh Prince’s army cannot return to the capital anytime soon. Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to inform you as soon as there’s any news.” Gu Tingyun had only learned from Gu Bohao in the carriage and had rushed to tell Yu Mingyue as soon as he alighted.
“Thank you, Brother Tingyun, then.” Yu Mingyue curved her lips.
In fact, she had already known that morning, but she couldn’t disappoint Brother Tingyun’s kind intentions.
Gu Tingyun also smiled, “Sister Mingyue, you’re too polite. I won’t disturb you any longer. You should return to your manor and rest early.”
After speaking, Gu Tingyun gave a slight bow to Yu Mingyue. Yu Mingyue nodded, then drew the curtain.
The Yu family carriage slowly moved forward with the flow of traffic. Gu Tingyun remained standing in place, his gaze following the carriage.
“Brother Tingyun,” Xie Jia Yan rode up on horseback, “Uncle Gu is waiting for you.”
Gu Tingyun nodded quickly, “I know, I’ll be right there. Sister Mingyue’s carriage is just ahead. You’re going the same way, so you can escort her for a while.”
“Alright!” Xie Jia Yan pulled on the reins, agreed, and galloped away.
Only then did Gu Tingyun jog towards his own carriage. Gu Bohao saw his son enter and couldn’t help but shake his head, “At a time like this, you’re still preoccupied with matters of the heart. When will you focus more on important affairs?”
Last night, he and Jia Yan had been discussing matters in the study. Jia Yan, who was the same age as his son, was remarkably astute about politics and offered sharp insights. His son still had a long way to go compared to Jia Yan.
“Father, your son studies diligently every day,” Gu Tingyun spoke the truth.
While his scholarship might not match Xie Jia Yan’s, it was comparable to Ming Jing and Song Wei.
Gu Bohao sighed inwardly, “I know that, but are books alone useful in the world of officialdom? Ming Jing has gone to the Northern Bureau, and Song Wei will enter the Hanlin Academy after next year’s imperial examinations. You will also have to enter officialdom sooner or later. Have you thought about it?”
“Father promised Sister and Jing Zhan’s marriage, which means handing over the Gu family’s burden to Jing Zhan, doesn’t it?” Although Gu Tingyun had not yet entered officialdom, his background was undeniable, and he could see some things even if they weren't explicitly stated.
Gu Bohao’s face immediately darkened, “Foolish! You are the eldest son of the Gu family, the future head of the family. How can he compare to you? In terms of shrewdness, you’re not even as good as your sister.”
Youyou liked Jing Zhan, it was true, but it wasn’t to the point of desperation where she had to marry him.
Given the Gu family’s status, Youyou could marry any eligible young man from a good family in the capital if she wished.
However, what the Gu family needed most at present was to stabilize their position in the imperial court. It was precisely because Youyou saw through his intentions that she dared to propose her marriage to Jing Zhan.