The three of them left the Grand Dowager's courtyard together, ignoring Shen Menglan's shouts and heading straight for Gu Yi's courtyard.
"What happened? Hey, sister, why are you crying!"
Gu Yi had been in a good mood recently. He was sitting in the courtyard, taking care of his flowers and plants. When he saw Gu Jiangyue coming, he quickly greeted her. However, the strange atmosphere among them left him rather confused.
"Sister, tell me quickly who bullied you. I'll go after them!"
Gu Yi looked at Gu Jiangyue's red - rimmed eyes and felt something was off. He grabbed the corner of her clothes, looking concerned.
Gu Jiangyue reached out and stroked Gu Yi's head. She managed a smile through her tears, bent down, and looked at him seriously. "Yi'er, we'll be able to leave here soon."
Gu Yi looked at her doubtfully and asked, "Leave... the Gu Mansion?"
Under his gaze, Gu Jiangyue nodded firmly twice. Immediately, a smile spread across Gu Yi's face.
Although Gu Yi had Gu Jiangyue's care, his life wasn't easy. There had never been a single servant in his courtyard, and he often heard the servants in the mansion gossiping about him.
"The general's son is so weak. He's good for nothing."
"Who would want to serve a dead man? It's so inauspicious."
These voices had been lingering in Gu Yi's ears since he came to the Gu Mansion. Gu Jiangyue, who had been in the mansion for so long, must have heard even more sarcastic remarks. Gu Yi had long wanted to leave this place.
"That's great, sister! We can finally leave!"
Gu Yi's eyes curved into a smile. But before he could enjoy his happiness for long, he seemed to remember something, and his expression dimmed.
"Sister, where will we live after we leave the Gu Mansion? And what should we do in the future?"
Gu Yi was right. This was indeed a question to consider. Before Gu Jiangyue could answer, Xie Jiuan tightened his hold on her hand.
"Before General Gu comes back, come with me to Bishui Yunju. Are you willing?"
Xie Jiuan was asking Gu Yi. Gu Yi hesitated for a moment. He had only gotten close to Ji Yunsheng because the latter had forced his way into his life. He didn't have much interaction with Xie Jiuan.
Gu Yi looked up at Gu Jiangyue and then at Xie Jiuan before saying shyly, "I'll go wherever sister goes."
Others might not notice, but Gu Jiangyue could tell that the estrangement between Gu Yi and Xie Jiuan had faded a lot.
"Then let's go."
Gu Jiangyue took Gu Yi's hand, and they walked behind. Xie Jiuan kept a certain distance from them. Gu Jiangyue felt her hand being gently shaken by Gu Yi. She lowered her head slightly and saw Gu Yi's curious and excited look.
"Sister, is the General Gu that the Ninth Prince mentioned just now, our father?"
Gu Yi had noticed it earlier. He was afraid that if it turned out to be a misunderstanding, it would make Gu Jiangyue sad. But after much thought, he still couldn't help asking.
"Yes, it's father. Father is still alive and will be back soon."
Gu Jiangyue's look at Gu Yi was both doting and determined. It didn't seem like a lie.
"I... I knew it. Father is so powerful. He couldn't have died!"
Hearing the definite news from Gu Jiangyue, Gu Yi was so excited that he could hardly speak coherently. When the news of Gu Yanwu's death spread years ago, Gu Yi was the first one not to believe it. Even if his father had really died, he would have to see the body before giving up.
His doubts back then were correct. Gu Yanwu was really alive. Gu Yi was so excited that he almost cried, but he held back his tears in front of Gu Jiangyue and forced a smile.
Gu Jiangyue reached out and ruffled Gu Yi's soft hair, then pulled him along to catch up with Xie Jiuan.
Zhi Yuan's head wound had been bandaged. She watched all this and silently followed beside Gu Jiangyue.
Under the setting sun, the shadows of the group were stretched long. They were bathed in a golden light and shone brightly in the fiery red. It seemed that even the country and society couldn't compare to their carefree years.
The group left the Gu Mansion smoothly. No one dared to stop them even when they got on the carriage. Gu Jiangyue didn't plan to take anything from the Gu Mansion, so their departure was quite smooth.
In the carriage, Gu Jiangyue watched the Gu Mansion getting farther and farther away, but she didn't feel much. Maybe she had been so eager to leave that her excitement had turned into calmness.
After a bumpy journey, the carriage finally arrived at the gate of Bishui Yunju. It was the first time so many people had come to Bishui Yunju.
Gu Jiangyue lifted the curtain and got off the carriage with Xie Jiuan's help. But as soon as she got off, she was shocked by the sight in front of her.
"What's this...?"
Gu Jiangyue looked at the large group of people standing at the gate of Bishui Yunju. They were wearing uniform clothes. Gu Jiangyue guessed that they were probably all the servants of Bishui Yunju.
"Welcome Miss Gu and Young Master Gu home."
Recently, Gu Yi's condition had stabilized, and Song Zhong had returned to Bishui Yunju.
Before Xie Jiuan could answer, Song Zhong took the lead and shouted. His voice was especially prominent in the quiet bamboo forest.
"Welcome Miss Gu and Young Master Gu home."
The other servants followed suit. They looked at Xie Jiuan with smiles on their faces. Xie Jiuan, unlike his usual playful self, nodded appreciatively at them.
But Gu Jiangyue hadn't been there for long when Xie Jiuan took action. With a smile on his lips, he put his hand on Gu Jiangyue's waist and pulled her into Bishui Yunju.
"I've said you'll marry me. Of course, I have to back up my wife."
Xie Jiuan whispered in Gu Jiangyue's ear. Gu Jiangyue gently slapped his hand.
"Such a show - off."
Gu Jiangyue had a smile on her face. To Xie Jiuan, her words sounded like a coquettish complaint.
Gu Yi beside them also had a big smile on his face and clapped his hands happily.
Gu Jiangyue wondered what benefits Xie Jiuan had given these servants. When she walked beside a young girl, the girl blinked and looked at Xie Jiuan before saying, "Miss Gu, we did this of our own will."
After saying that, she nodded vigorously. Xie Jiuan, seeing this, could only rub his forehead and quickly pulled Gu Jiangyue away.
Gu Jiangyue just smiled secretly and said nothing. Xie Jiuan led Gu Jiangyue to the room prepared for them.
When the door was pushed open, Gu Jiangyue was a bit shocked. The style of this room was different from that of Bishui Yunju. It was fully furnished and very suitable for Gu Jiangyue's temperament. It was so delicate that it didn't seem to be a last - minute preparation. It was extremely well - thought - out.
In fact, this room had been prepared since Gu Jiangyue's first visit to Bishui Yunju.