They said they would return to the capital by noon, but in reality, Song Chuzhao waited at the city gate until dusk and still saw no one.
The soldiers sent out to scout reported back that General Song had brought back several carts of goods, but the vehicles had encountered problems along the way and were delayed. They had already sent people to hurry with the repairs, and they should arrive before the city gates closed.
Song Chuzhao had been standing and waiting, but when Madam Gu arrived, she couldn’t bear to have such a noble lady stand with her on the street, so she found a nearby stall to sit down for a while.
Madam Gu had brought Gu Fengjian with her. The two were companions who had shared a history of climbing walls together, but in front of Madam Gu, they pretended to be very well-behaved.
Seeing their eyes avoiding each other, Madam Gu, unaware of their guilt, thought they were shy, so she chatted in the middle, helping to liven up the atmosphere.
She took Song Chuzhao’s hand and said, “I haven’t seen your mother in a long time, and I’m a little nervous thinking about it. I wonder if she’ll still recognize me.”
Song Chuzhao immediately replied, “My mother has a very good memory. For a beautiful woman like Madam Gu, even if you were only acquaintances, she wouldn’t forget you, let alone if you were sisters in the past.”
Madam Gu burst into laughter, wanting to kiss her. “You’re such a smooth talker, child! I really like you.”
Chundong also laughed, “Our Miss is so charming, anyone who’s with her will be happy. Madam doesn’t know, Master He has looked younger these past few days. Even General Fu, when he came to the He Mansion, was made to laugh by Miss.”
Song Chuzhao thought to herself, I’m not a professional comedian. Chundong, you’re exaggerating.
Madam Gu said meaningfully, “I think you’ve forgotten that you’re a member of the Gu Mansion.”
Chundong shook her head, “It’s all the same. Anyway, I’m going to follow Miss, right? That makes me a member of the Gu Mansion too.”
Song Chuzhao tugged at her sleeve.carpreads.pages.dev
Madam Gu chuckled, “When you return to the Gu Mansion, I’ll be sure to reward you handsomely.”
Chundong said, “Thank you, Madam, thank you, Miss!”
Song Chuzhao felt awkward and shrugged at Gu Fengjian.
Gu Fengjian smiled and pushed the teacup in front of him towards her.
Song Chuzhao was puzzled and hesitantly picked it up, pretending to drink, but Gu Fengjian stopped her with a raised hand.
Gu Fengjian touched the edge of the cup, signaling her to use it… to warm her hands.
Madam Gu rolled her eyes. Even her Fifth Son was about to lose his patience.
What’s wrong with saying something?
And don’t they have hand warmers at the Gu Mansion?
Madam Gu proudly placed the hand warmer on the table and pushed it towards them, making the teacup next to it look rather shabby. She smiled kindly, “Zhaozhao, are you cold? You must have been in a hurry to leave and forgot to bring something. Here, this is aunt’s care for you.”
Song Chuzhao wasn’t actually very cold. After all, she was used to the frontier, and with her internal strength, as long as she dressed warmly, she wouldn’t have much trouble. Her gaze shifted, and seeing Gu Fengjian hiding his hands in his overly long sleeves, she pushed the hand warmer towards him, saying, “I’m actually fine. Do you want it, Fifth Son Gu?”
Madam Gu’s smile froze, and Gu Fengjian lowered his head and chuckled. He had just been looking for an excuse. He took the hand warmer, nodded, and said, “Thank you, Miss Song.”
Song Chuzhao waved her hand, “Not at all.”
Madam Gu: “…” Okay, she wouldn’t get involved.
Madam Gu continued to chat with Song Chuzhao about other things, asking many questions about He Wan’s current situation and her preferences, as a way of reminding Gu Fengjian to keep them in mind, so that he wouldn’t make a mistake on their first meeting.
In truth, she knew in her heart that He Wan was a generous and easygoing person who would never dislike her son.
As they were chatting happily, someone interrupted, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Mother laugh so happily.”
Madam Gu turned her head and said, “You’ve only ever made me angry, so of course you wouldn’t see it.”
Fourth Son Gu bowed to Song Chuzhao, greeted her with a bright smile. A tall middle-aged man followed behind him. Song Chuzhao quickly stood up and returned the greeting.
Duke Gu was wearing his court robes, clearly just returning from the government office.
He had been constantly reprimanded by Madam Gu lately, for his perpetually stern expression. She said that if he saw Song Chuzhao, he would surely frighten the young miss.
Duke Gu, remembering this, tried to soften his expression, forcing a smile. “This must be Third Girl Song,” he said.
Song Chuzhao saw his sudden, grotesque smile and her scalp tingled. Thankfully, she knew Duke Gu’s personality and replied politely, “It is this junior, Uncle Gu.”
Duke Gu was very pleased, thinking he must have done a good job. He stroked his beard and said, “Sit down, no need for ceremony. Fourth Son, go and find out why they haven’t arrived yet. Don’t keep people waiting.”
Song Chuzhao sat down, thinking to herself, those who don’t know would never guess that the people we’re waiting for are actually my father and mother.
The table was now full.
Song Chuzhao felt a strange sense of harmony amidst the Gu family. After all…
She had shared late-night conversations with these people.
But the scene seemed a little strange. She tilted her head, pondering for a long time, but couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
This sense of incongruity finally dawned on her when Old Madam Song arrived.
She… she was still a member of the Song family! How could she be sitting with Gu Fengjian?
Old Madam Song arrived in a sedan chair, her face still pale from illness. Her complexion was much worse than when Song Chuzhao had first returned to the capital. It was clear that the Song family had been facing many troubles lately.
Third Master Song and his family accompanied her.
Song Chuzhao’s elder brother, whom she had never met, was also there. He was five or six years older than her, and they were complete strangers. Song Shiwen was nowhere to be seen.
Both parties saw each other, but Old Madam Song pretended not to notice and turned her head away. Song Chuzhao tugged at the corner of her mouth. She didn’t really want to go over there either.
As she hesitated, Gu Fengjian suddenly said, “Miss Song, you’ve been waiting for so long, are you hungry? Tell Chundong to go buy you some noodles.”
Before Song Chuzhao could answer, Chundong had already run out.
So fast.
Fourth Son Gu, without any restraint, chuckled and said, “When General Song returned to the capital to visit his family, I never saw the Song family come to the city gate to greet him. They always waited at the mansion. What’s going on this time? Are you afraid of being outdone, or are you afraid that General Song will hear you complain? You’re so enthusiastic.”
Song Chuzhao snorted. Complain? She could do that too! She had her maternal grandfather and Uncle Fu. Fifth Son’s eloquence was even better than theirs.
Besides, with family and officials present, her father would definitely greet Duke Gu first. Uncle Gu, you came just in time.
Madam Gu said, “Fourth Son, why don’t you go buy yourself a bowl of noodles?”
Fourth Son Gu obediently replied, “I’m not hungry.”
Fortunately, as dusk approached, the carriage carrying Song Guangyuan and He Wan appeared.
The carriage stopped at the city gate for inspection. He Wan was the first to step out.
“Mother!” Song Chuzhao ran over quickly, taking her arm and calling out happily, “Mother, Zhaozhao misses you so much!”
He Wan raised her hand to slap her, but Song Chuzhao ducked her head and looked at her pitifully.
In the end, she didn’t hit her. He Wan feigned anger and said, “I’ll make sure you don’t run around like that again. You only know how to worry your mother.”
Song Chuzhao shook her head and said, “There won’t be a next time.” She had finally seen through Old Madam Song’s true colors.
He Wan said, “You’re still trying to argue. I’ll teach you a lesson when we get back.”
Madam Gu rushed forward excitedly and said, “My He Wan sister!”
He Wan was much younger than Madam Gu, only in her early thirties. Looking at the woman in plain clothes before her, Madam Gu felt that she hadn’t changed much since they last met. She was still like a cluster of blooming crabapple blossoms, fragrant and elegant, instantly bringing joy to the heart.
He Wan was also touched to see her. She hadn’t expected Madam Gu to come to pick her up personally. She immediately left Song Chuzhao behind and grabbed Madam Gu, calling out, “Sister Fang!”
Although they hadn’t seen each other for many years, there was no awkwardness between them when they met. They held each other’s hands and looked at each other, their eyes filled with tears.
Song Chuzhao looked at her empty hands and felt a pang of disbelief and heartache.
Madam Gu carefully observed her features, her eyes crinkling with laughter. She quickly pulled Gu Fengjian over and said, “Come, this is my Fifth Son. Take a look, are you satisfied?”
Gu Fengjian stepped forward, smoothed his sleeves, and bowed to Madam Song. “I am Gu Fengjian, the fifth son of my family. I greet Madam Song.”
He Wan carefully examined him, finding the young master to be composed and generous, humble and polite. His bearing and appearance were both top-notch. She sincerely praised him, “What a handsome young man!”
Madam Gu said proudly, “Go out and ask around. My Fifth Son is a lover of books, a man of integrity, gentle and courteous. He won’t disappoint you.”
He Wan said, “I trust the children you raise, sister.”
She knew that someone like Gu Fengjian would surely be one of the most sought-after young masters in the capital. His appearance alone would likely win the hearts of countless women. And then there was his air of refined scholarship, which was truly captivating.
Their Zhaozhao… Zhaozhao was naturally good, but the difference in their temperaments seemed a bit too great.
He Wan was a little worried. Gu Fengjian was excellent, but she was afraid they wouldn’t get along. Madam Gu seemed to sense her concerns and pulled her aside, saying, “What a coincidence. Your Zhaozhao once saved my Fifth Son. The two of them…”
Madam Gu glanced around and said, suppressing her excitement, “We’ll talk about it when we get back!”
He Wan was surprised. “There’s something like that? How come I didn’t know?”
Song Chuzhao thought to herself, she didn’t know either!
Madam Gu said, “My Fifth Son is a straightforward person. Let him tell you himself.”
Gu Fengjian looked at Song Chuzhao and smiled. “Third Miss Song, you are innocent and romantic, resourceful and decisive, daring and courageous. You have a spirit of chivalry that is rare among the women of the capital…”
Song Chuzhao’s face flushed red. She quickly waved her hand to interrupt him, saying, “Enough, enough! Stop teasing me, will you? Fifth Son Gu! You’re so boring!”
Gu Fengjian smiled faintly.
Seeing that their relationship was indeed familiar, and that their eyes met with a hint of unspoken understanding, He Wan knew that their relationship was not ordinary. For a moment, she felt a sense of gratitude for fate, and at the same time, a sense of relief.
It was a good thing that Song Chuzhao’s future husband was Gu Fengjian. Otherwise, she would have caused a huge commotion when she returned this time.
Seeing that he was being ignored, Fourth Son Gu could only scratch his nose and step forward to make himself known. “I greet Madam Song!”
Madam Gu was reminded by him that she had brought her whole family with her. She quickly smiled and introduced them. “Look at me. This is my Fourth Son. And this is my husband.”
General Song was handing over official duties to the soldiers guarding the city. He caught sight of Duke Gu out of the corner of his eye and was startled. He quickly jumped down from the carriage and strode over, surprised and honored. “Duke Gu! Madam Gu!”
The group exchanged greetings with smiles.
Song Chuzhao called out, “Father!”
Song Guangyuan looked at her and asked, “Have you been obedient?”
Song Chuzhao: “Very obedient!”
Song Guangyuan nodded and smiled, “It seems you’ve been doing well. You’ve even gained some weight.”
Song Chuzhao and Gu Fengjian fell silent simultaneously.