Chapter 33: CH 33

Chapter 33: The Virtuous Consort’s summons

Memories came like a flood. In the previous life, she had ignored everything for him. The world said she was cheap, but she just smiled. She just liked Yun Ke. She had the confidence to make him fall in love with her sincerely one day and from then on, they would be like the people she had read about in novels before she had crossed over, being a couple all their life. She would astound those who had laughed at and mocked her. Yet, what had she gotten for her dedication?

Despicable. This word had finally come out of his mouth. In her previous life, he had always viewed her this way.

So, all her efforts and all kinds of flattery turned into jokes in his eyes. Maybe even her tragic ending of her own life was just her last performance in his eyes, and he just looked at it as if it were a play.

She had set herself on fire just to please others. What a great irony. 

In fact, Yun Ke had regretted saying the word “cheap”, but his pride did not allow him to apologise to a woman who had always loved him in the previous life. He turned his head stubbornly, but felt a pain in his chest. He could not help but still peek at Gu Yu Qi.

She did not cry or make trouble but sat quietly by the fire again. Her pair of beautiful eyes were surging with the jumping flames from the bonfire. However, there was no colour on her face and she just stared at the flames, never casting her eyes towards him again.

Yun Ke suddenly felt a burst of powerlessness, not from his body but from the blackness and paleness from the bottom of his heart.

Maybe he really should not have said that, but the words had already been said and there was no way to take them back. That was that, and it would be best if Gu Yu Qi did not take things to heart.

If he still had any intention not to let her entangle with him in this life, then right now he was determined to be entangled with her again.

The town god’s temple became eerily quiet and only the firewood in the bonfire made a slight crackling noise from time to time.

It was just that this strange silence did not last long. Gu Yu Qi and Yun Ke were startled by noise coming from the direction of the inn.

Gu Yu Qi jumped up quickly and ran out of the temple. Yun Ke originally wanted to grab her, but he simply shook his head and walked behind her.

“Your Highness,” A guard quickly came over and opened an umbrella to cover Yun Ke.

Yun Ke took the umbrella and waved his hand, signalling to the guard to step back.

Gu Yu Qi stood in the snow and looked at the inn from a distance. Far from there, she could see people at the intersection where the inn was located. The noise rose in waves and there was also the neighing of horses.

Yun Yi had started to move and Gu Yu Qi squeezed her fist nervously.

She did not know if he had found her missing younger brother and younger sister, if her mother and father had come back, if her plan would work or not, and if they could catch all the assassins. These worries made Gu Yu Qi’s face even more anxious.

Yun Ke did not speak but stood behind her, silently covering the little person standing in the snow with an umbrella. Gu Yu Qi did not notice and just bit her lower lip nervously.

In her previous life, she had been indifferent and cold to her relatives. However, it was different this life. Standing behind Gu Yu Qi, Yun Ke looked down at her. Since reliving her life, she had really changed a lot.

“Young Miss,” suddenly, Chun Xing’s voice came from behind. Gu Yu Qi’s body trembled and she looked back at the same time as Yun Ke. Among the snowflakes fluttering in the sky, Chun Xing was leading a group of people over with a lantern.

“Mother!” Gu Yu Qi saw a familiar figure in the crowd. Her heart suddenly relaxed and the previous fear and grievance she had suffered under Yun Ke broke out at the same time. Her tears flowed down all of a sudden. She did not care about etiquette and picked up her skirt to run towards Liang-shi.

Liang-shi opened her arms to catch the body of her daughter flying over. Holding her daughter’s body which was a little chilly from the wind and snow, Liang-shi’s heart warmed.

“Ah Nan, are you scared?” Liang-shi asked softly.

“No,” Gu Yu Qi raised her tearful eyes. She just wanted to cry bitterly in Liang-shi’s arms, cry out everything that was repressed in her heart, but she could not yet. “Where’s Father?” Gu Yu Qi looked but could not see Gu Huai Zhong’s figure.

“He’s still looking. Mother was thinking about you so I came back first. I happened to meet Chun Xing and she said you came here,” she looked at the noisy inn in the distance. There was a faint glow of fire and some smoke, “Did the inn catch on fire?” She asked in surprise, “Ah Nan, are you alright?”

“Replying to Eldest Miss, Young Miss was with His Highness the Seventh Prince the entire time, so she should be fine.” Chun Xing said.

Only then did Liang-shi see a black-clothed boy standing at the gate of the dilapidated temple.

Under the light of the lantern, snow the size of goose feathers scattered and fell lightly on his umbrella. The boy under the umbrella had icy eyes and a cold temperament and his entire body exuded a proud and aloof aura.

“This minister’s wife greets His Highness the Seventh Prince,” Liang-shi hurriedly brought Gu Yu Qi up to greet him.

“Away from home, the Madam of the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence need not be so courteous,” Yun Ke said lightly. His eyes swept over Gu Yu Qi who was hanging her head. “Has the second young master and third young miss of the residence been found?”

He was just asking casually. What did the lives of those two little brats have to do with him?

Liang-shi’s face darkened and her eyebrows furrowed, “Replying to His Highness, no.”

She had just finished speaking when she heard a guard running towards them. “Replying to His Highness the Seventh Prince, His Highness Prince Jing sends a message to Miss Gu. The second young master and third young miss of the Ding Yuan Marquis’ family have been found. His Highness Prince Jing was afraid that Miss Gu would be worried.”

“They’ve been found?” Gu Yu Qi’s heart suddenly relaxed. She stepped forward and asked, “Are they hurt?”

“Please rest assured Miss Gu, the second young master and third young miss have only suffered light superficial wounds. If Madam and Young Miss want to see them, then please come with this humble servant,” the guard said.

“That’s great! Thanking His Highness Prince Jing,” Gu Yu Qi was really relieved.

It turned out that she had not guessed wrong and that her younger brother and younger sister were really hidden in the inn.

Although Liang-shi felt a bit confused, what the guard said was true, “This lord, dare I ask, was Xiao Er and Xiao San from my Marquis’ residence really found?” She asked again in disbelief.

“Replying to the Madam of the Ding Yuan Marquis, they really have been found.” The guard said with a smile, “Prince Jing has already sent an imperial physician to examine them thoroughly. He was afraid that Miss Gu would be worried, so he had this servant come to report first.”

“It really is heaven’s blessing,” Liang-shi’s restless heart was instantly relieved by the words of the guard. She could not help but put her palms together and chant Amitabha, then she said, “Where are they now? I want to go see them.”

“Madam and Young Miss, please come with this servant,” the guard smiled and said.

Liang-shi took Gu Yu Qi and hurriedly curtseyed to Yun Ke, “Your Highness, the Seventh Prince, forgive us.” Then she took Gu Yu Qi and followed the guard. Yun Ke nodded slightly and watched Liang-shi pull Gu Yu Qi away.

It had to be said that in some aspects, Prince Jing was very talented. Gu Yu Qi worked hard to shake off the shadow that Yun Ke had brought, and she looked at the front of the inn carefully.

Although it was crowded and noisy, there was no disorder. The yamen in the county had isolated a large open space between the inn and the crowd. Each family was arranged in a designated area and guarded by the palace guards. The noble families from the capital were not like those small families. Although everyone had a bit of fear in their faces, they did not cause trouble. The madams of each family took good care of the young masters and young misses. The servants of each house also surrounded their master’s side, some were reinforcing things that shielded the wind and snow, and some were guarding the outside of the tent.

The palace had also set up tents outside and they were white with blue edges. On one of the many tents, there was a huge ‘Jing’ character on it. The guard walked over with Liang-shi and Gu Yu Qi and opened the curtain without any announcement.

Liang-shi’s heart was about to burst. When she saw the two children inside the tent, she could not care about Gu Yu Qi and rushed over directly. Holding the two children in her arms, happy and angry, her tears almost emerged.

Gu Si Yang and Gu Si Yu looked a little dazed and must have been frightened. When they saw Liang-shi and were taken into her arms, they were startled for a while. Then, the two of them grabbed Liang-shi’s skirt and burst into tears, not daring to let go.

Gu Yu Qi’s eyes were a little sore as she stood to the side.

Her mother really had a kind heart. If it had been another madam, it was likely that it would be fine as long as they had been found, and they would never act like this, even if she did not really like these two children. Yet, these two children were really innocent. If she wanted to blame someone, then she could only blame that cheap scumbag! Gu Yu Qi felt that her head was swelling, what kind of chaos was this?!

***

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“Ding Yuan Marquis’ Madam.” An old man standing next to them cupped his hands and said, “This old man is the imperial physician. Both the young master and young miss are fine, just a little dehydrated. Request Madam to please give them more sugar and saline water.”

Only then did Liang-shi notice someone next to her. She wanted to stand up but unfortunately, the two children were frightened and held onto her tightly. She could only raise her eyes and thank him, “Thank you, imperial physician.” She had rushed out and did not bring money, so she could only look at Gu Yu Qi.

Gu Yu Qi immediately returned to her senses. She poured out a few gold ingots from her purse and offered them with both hands to the imperial physician.

The old imperial physician refused to accept them and shied away from Gu Yu Qi.

“Since it’s a small token from the Ding Yuan Marquis’ Madam, then just accept it,” a cheerful male voice sounded outside the tent. Everyone in the tent looked over. A young man dressed in brocade walked in with a warm smile on his face.

“Yes, Your Highness Prince Jing.” The imperial physician no longer shied away and took the gold ingots from Gu Yu Qi’s hand. He thanked them, then walked out of the tent.

Liang-shi and Gu Yu Qi wanted to greet him, but Liang-shi was being held down by the two children and could not stand up so Gu Yu Qi curtseyed alone.

Prince Jing saw the two children hanging onto Liang-shi’s body, then he looked at Gu Yu Qi who was calm and demure. He could not help but sigh. They were only a year apart, but it was such a big difference. Was this the difference between legitimate and illegitimate bloodlines? He had also heard that there was a concubine in the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence who had entered the capital earlier than the legitimate Madam and had given the Ding Yuan Marquis a son and daughter. The imperial court had first thought that the concubine was the legitimate Madam up until the granting of the title, and had not expected that she was just a concubine.

He could not help but look again at Liang-shi. He saw that she was at the height of her youth and vigour with skin as white as snow; she was indeed a beauty. It was no wonder that her daughter had been born so beautiful. She had been born in the Liang family in Jiangnan, an aristocratic family with hundreds of years of history. It was just that their numbers had faded a little recently. However, they were not comparable to the aristocratic families in the capital, although they had centuries of heritage and amazing characters. Her father had been the guard of the battlefield back then, an old general who had guarded the borders of the Qi dynasty for 30 years. General Liang had been strict in military discipline and had fought bravely. If he had not…

In short, a daughter taught by such characters was also the best.

Liang-shi saw herself being scrutinised by Prince Jing and her face reddened slightly. She tried to stand up straight but whenever she loosened her hands, the two children would cry incessantly. She was afraid of being too noisy for Prince Jing, so she could only look at Prince Jing in embarrassment and smile wryly,, “Request His Highness Prince Jing to forgive the rudeness of this minister’s wife.” 

“No matter, no matter.” Prince Jing hurriedly waved his hand and said, “The young master and young miss of the family are frightened so naturally they would cry. This prince has ordered someone to set up a tent on the side for Madam. Madam can take the young master and young miss there to rest temporarily. This prince has also ordered people to find the Ding Yuan Marquis and return. Madam need not worry.”

“Thanking Prince Jing for His Highness’ life-saving grace,” Liang-shi was grateful from the bottom of her heart and she could not help but have a good impression of this polite young prince.

“No need to thank this prince. Speaking of which, this prince would like to thank the young miss of this residence.” After he finished speaking, he clasped his hands together and bowed towards Gu Yu Qi. This frightened Gu Yu Qi, who had been standing to the side, and made her jump. She almost broke her foot as she hurriedly knelt down, “Your Highness is overwhelming this minister’s daughter.”

“What has that girl achieved for His Highness to thank?” Liang-shi was also taken aback. Gu Yu Qi actually made Prince Jing bow down. While she was not there, what had her daughter done?

“If your residence’s young miss had not discovered the thieves’ conspiracy, I’m afraid that tonight we would all have…” Prince Jing smiled and moved his hand across his neck. Liang-shi’s eyes widened in shock and she looked at Gu Yu Qi, “Ah Nan, just what on earth happened?”

In her panic, she called out Gu Yu Qi’s nickname in front of Prince Jing Yun Yi.

Gu Yu Qi blushed suddenly, “It’s nothing…” How embarrassing. An old monster who had lived for three generations was actually called Ah Nan.

Prince Jing smiled lightly and looked tenderly at Gu Yu Qi’s pretty face, “Miss Gu should talk to Madam about the situation slowly. This prince still has some things to deal with and will come to bother Madam and Young Miss tomorrow.” After speaking, he said to Gu Yu Qi, “Your plan worked and all the assassins have been caught. The saltpetre and firewood in the wine cellar have been taken out and taken care of by this prince.” After saying that, he smiled and turned away.

Liang-shi’s jaw was about to drop off. What assassin, what saltpetre, and what wood? What was going on with the fire at the inn?

The next moment, Liang-shi had a hundred thousand questions. Gu Yu Qi could only tell her mother what happened one by one.

As she listened, Liang-shi’s eyes almost turned into spirals. She had just been away for a while, but her baby girl had done so much. For a while, she did not know whether to laugh or to be annoyed. Her daughter was so smart and she had known that for a long time, but how could she be this smart?! Liang-shi instantly felt that she was under a lot of pressure.

Gu Yu Qi saw that her younger brother and younger sister were clutching onto Liang-shi. She simply walked over and hugged Gu Si Yu. Gu Si Yu was about to cry, but then saw that it was her elder sister and closed her mouth sensibly. After all, she had studied with Gu Yu Qi before for so long. She clawed onto Gu Yu Qi like a koala. Gu Yu Qi was under a lot of weight as she was only a little taller than Gu Si Yu. Although she was quite good in martial arts, with such a big younger sister holding on, she was also unstable.

“Mother, let’s go back quickly,” Gu Yu Qi said to Liang-shi. Only then did Liang-shi recover from her dizziness. She and Gu Yu Qi carried a child each and walked to the tent that Prince Jing had prepared for them.

When they reached the tent, they had just cleaned themselves up slightly when Gu Huai Zhong came rushing in hurriedly with a layer of snow on him. As soon as he came in, seeing Gu Yu Qi and her mother hugging a child each on the bed, the battle-hardened Ding Yuan Marquis was so moved that he almost cried. He walked over quickly and spread his arms out to embrace all four people on the bed, and spoke repeatedly, “It’s good nothing happened, it’s good nothing happened.” 

Liang-shi originally wanted to push him away, but when she saw his frozen face, she could not bear to. She just said softly, “Don’t let the chill on the Marquis’ body make the children cold.” She looked at Gu Si Yang who was snuggling in her arms and at Gu Si Yu in Gu Yu Qi’s arms. The two children had been shocked and frightened. After changing clothes and eating something, they were asleep but their hands were still tightly clasping her and Gu Yu Qi’s clothes. Her heart softened. Although these children were born from Liu-shi, they were still family after all.

“Ohh. I’ll get up now.” Gu Huai Zhong jumped up hurriedly. He stood far away and shook off the snow and ice from his body. Then he sat down carefully on the bed and focused his attention on his wife and children.

Liang-shi’s face felt hot from being stared at and she could only close her eyes and pretend to be deeply asleep. Either way, Gu Si Yang refused to let go and she was too lazy to get up.

It was the first time Gu Yu Qi saw her father look at her mother with such gentle eyes. From the bottom of her heart, she could not help but sigh. If Liu-shi did not exist, her father and mother could be a beautiful couple, but unfortunately…

She could not help but sigh deeply from her heart and slowly closed her eyes. Yet, as soon as she closed her eyes, Yun Ke’s voice popped up in her mind like a demon.

Gu Yu Qi was so annoyed that she wanted to scratch a wall, but she could not get rid of what Yun Ke had said in the town god’s temple.

看起来，他是真的被自己激怒了，若是……若是这辈子还和他纠缠在一起，那可怎么办？再将自己烧死一次？她脑子又没被门夹了！

It seemed like he had really been irritated by her. If… If she was still entangled with him in this life, then what could she do? Burn herself to death again? Her mind was caught in the door again!

Gu Yu Qi had a headache all night and could not come up with a reason. It was not that she had not thought about simply forming an alliance with Yun Yi and joining forces to kill Yun Ke, the future boss. However, with Yun Ke’s character and knowing that she was also reborn, it was impossible to guarantee that he would not poison her mother.

Argh so annoying!

Gu Yu Qi was so annoyed all night and the next morning, there were faint black bags under her eyes. 

Liang-shi just thought it was the shock and fear that caused it, but did not know what had really made Gu Yu Qi annoyed.

Early the next morning, the snow had stopped. Every family brought breakfast and ate it. All the adults had been called by Yun Yi overnight and when they came back, they all had lingering expressions on their faces. Even the next day’s greetings were less enthusiastic. The madams, sons, and daughters of every residence had spent the night in tents and were not in good spirits. Everyone took to the road separately and continued to drive towards the East Mountain hunting ground in a formidable array.

Although Gu Yu Qi was curious about what the people that Yun Yi had caught had said when interrogated, there were too many people present and she could not poke around too much. She could only hold back, hug Gu Si Yu in the carriage and sleep again. Gu Si Yu had suffered fear and was now like a follower, following Gu Yu Qi wherever she went. Helpless, Gu Yu Qi had no choice but to separate from Liang-shi, otherwise it would be too squeezy with four people in one carriage.

The atmosphere on the road was a little low and it was not until evening when they approached the East Mountain hunting ground that the atmosphere became lively again.

It was not the first time Gu Yu Qi had come here and she was too lazy to lift the curtain to look outside. However, Gu Si Yu wanted to see but dared not. She had an agonised expression and could only bother Gu Yu Qi from time to time. Gu Yu Qi was helpless and could only open the curtains and tell her to be careful not to be blown by the wind.

The environment at the East Mountain hunting ground was a whole other world than that of the small town yesterday. A bonfire had long been lit in the rest area of the hunting ground that lit up the tent area so it was like daytime. The tents had been arranged neatly according to status. The Ministry of Rites had listed out the honourable participants of the Winter Hunting Festival and there was a number plate hanging in front of each tent door. At that time, they just needed to check in according to the number.

The horses brought by the nobles would be taken care of by specially designated people. Within ten li of the East Mountain, martial law had already been imposed and no one was allowed to enter or leave.

After a thrilling night, the nobles arrived at the East Mountain hunting ground and got off the carriages. Only then did they feel that they had returned to the life they should have. Although this was a hunting ground, after so many years of construction and renovation, the comfort level inside the tents was not inferior to that of their residences.

The Ding Yuan Marquis’ family was arranged to be near Prince Jing’s tent. This made the other families inevitably cast a sidelong glance at such an arrangement.

However, even if there was any dissatisfaction, they could only swallow and stomach it. All the adults in the residences knew that if it had not been for the young miss from the Ding Yuan Marquis’ family, it was likely that they would have been sent to the afterlife in their sleep last night.

Although Yun Yi was greedy for merit, he was quite pragmatic. After all, it was Gu Yu Qi who discovered the clues, not him. If he made up a lie on this, it would not be worth the loss if someone investigated and discovered the truth. Gu Yu Qi was just a little girl and even if she was pushed out, it would be nothing more than calling her clever. Even if the residences showed respect, how much respect could they show? She was just a little girl. The real grace had indeed been given by Yun Yi who had organised everyone to evacuate, caught the assassins, and protected everyone.

Gu Yu Qi already had a reputation for talent. Now unconsciously, her reputation was even louder and even the current emperor had been alerted.

After the members of the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence had settled down, a eunuch from the palace came to pass the decree and said that the Virtuous Consort had summoned her over.

Gu Yu Qi changed her clothes hurriedly, then followed the eunuch to the gorgeous big tent located in the innermost area under the envious gazes of the madams and young misses of each family.

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