Before Gu Junyan could say a word, a junior official rushed over. "Lord Gu, Lord Tao requests your presence."
Gu Liyue suppressed the panic and uneasiness in her heart, quickly bowed, and left first. Her mind was full of the Shu family. What kind of family was it? Why was her father involved with a young lady from the Shu family? All her life, the only thing she knew about her parents was that they were deeply in love. Could it be that her father once had other women?
Was it just that she subconsciously refused to believe it?
Gu Chengzhi didn't understand why his younger sister looked so pale after coming out of their elder brother's place. All the way back to the mansion, she didn't say a word, and her eyes were full of fear.
He could only say, "Did elder brother say something to you? Why did you have to go to him? If there's anything, just tell me. Even if he's the elder brother, he can't just bully people."
Leaning against the carriage wall, Gu Liyue gave a desolate smile. "Right now, I feel like Jiang Yingyue, always in a state of unease."
"What?"
Like a willful child, Gu Liyue turned her head and looked seriously at Gu Chengzhi. "Fourth brother, if there were other sisters appearing, would you..."
Gu Chengzhi laughed heartily and reached out to flick Gu Liyue's forehead. "What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think it's so easy for a second young lady to appear in our Gu family? Or do you mean that your parents aren't dead and they gave birth to another younger sister for you somewhere else?"
Gu Liyue covered her face and started to cry. If that were really the case, how could she be sad? She would only be happy to have a younger brother or sister.
Seeing her cry, Gu Chengzhi panicked for a moment and quickly supported her shoulders. "I was just joking. Don't be anxious, younger sister. You're my real younger sister. No matter who else comes, you're the only younger sister in my heart."
Gu Liyue raised her head with tears still on her face. She stared blankly at Gu Chengzhi. Perhaps when Jiang Che was with Jiang Yingyue in the Jiang family, he also made such promises? Anyway, such consolation made her feel a lot more at ease.
When they returned to the mansion, Gu Liyue had already returned to normal. If she was jealous and panicked because of someone who might not even exist, wouldn't she be just like Jiang Yingyue? Madam Jiang's sincerity towards Jiang Yingyue was at most fifty percent, while the Gu family's sincerity towards her was a full one hundred percent. How could she think that a Shu Mingzhu could make such a blood - related family bond fall apart?
Gu Liyue went to the old lady and told her about meeting Lu Jinchen today. She said that Lu Jinchen's manor had a suitable hot spring, and Yunniang could move there.
The old lady paused and hesitated. "The manor of the Prince of Liang... But you haven't married into the Liang Palace yet. If you owe a favor to the Liang Palace, I'm afraid you'll be in an inferior position in front of the Princess of Liang in the future."
Gu Liyue quickly shook her head. "It's not the manor of the Liang Palace. It's Lu Jinchen's own manor."
The old lady thought more deeply. "But you're not married yet. If Yunniang moves to his manor, there may be too many rumors, which is not good for you."
Gu Liyue smiled. "As long as my family is well, I don't care about my reputation. And it's my foster - mother moving there. What's the big deal?"
The old lady nodded. "That's right. This shows that Lu Jinchen has feelings for you. We just got the news yesterday, and today he's eager to take your foster - mother there for care."
Gu Liyue blushed at her grandmother's teasing words and only pouted. "Grandmother, are you joking like this too?"
The old lady laughed heartily and pulled Gu Liyue into her arms.
Madam Jiang took the time to settle Yunniang down. Several carriages carried people and things there. Madam Jiang was not at ease, so she specially sent her capable wet - nurse to go with them to serve. She also told Yunniang to take good care of her illness and not to worry about Liyue.
Gu Liyue stood beside Madam Jiang and watched her arrange everything in great detail. A warm current rose in her heart. Yes, she had been narrow - minded before. How could she speculate about her own family like that? When she and Yunniang came back, they all respected Yunniang very much. There was not a trace of contempt, and they didn't force her to separate from Yunniang just because she was a young lady of the Gu family.
Such a sincere family. Even if there were other sisters coming back in the future, she should be happy.
But the premise was that this Shu Mingzhu was really her father's daughter and a young lady of good character.
After Madam Jiang finished arranging everything, she rubbed her forehead tiredly. Turning around and seeing Gu Liyue in a daze, she advised, "Liyue, don't worry. Yunniang is going there to recuperate. Probably after winter, her illness will be completely cured."
Gu Liyue nodded with a smile. "Yes, I know. I was just thinking that my father's daughter should be upright, right?"
Madam Jiang didn't know what was on her mind. She just lovingly stroked her hair. "Silly girl, what's all this about being upright or dignified? The young ladies of our Gu family just need to be happy."
Gu Liyue took Madam Jiang's arm and walked into the door with her, saying playfully, "Auntie dotes on me, so I'll be a nuisance. The fresh rabbits sent from the manor the other day haven't been slaughtered yet. Auntie, give them to me, okay?"
Madam Jiang asked in confusion, "Do you want to eat rabbit meat?"
Gu Liyue quickly shook her head. "I saw that there was a little black hair on the rabbit's forehead, which is a bit like Yidianhong. So I want to keep it as a companion for Yidianhong."
Madam Jiang laughed heartily. "What's the trouble with that? If you like it, just keep it. But rabbits are not like cats. They're not very clean. You're living in your grandmother's yard now, so it's not good to keep them. I'll ask someone to raise them. I'll have your yard cleaned up in the next few days, and then you can move back with the rabbit, okay?"
Gu Liyue was happy and then chatted with Madam Jiang about how dirty rabbits were.
Until evening, Gu Liyue stayed in her eldest sister - in - law's yard, teasing her nephew who was less than one year old. Her heart was still a little uneasy, but there was no more panic.
Her eldest sister - in - law smiled kindly. "Liyue, don't make so many dolls in the future. It's tiring. You should take more rest when you have time."
Gu Liyue stroked her nephew's head and asked, "But, does Xiaobao want auntie to make a few more?"
The little guy couldn't speak yet, but he already understood what the adults meant. He immediately nodded and gave Gu Liyue a kiss.
Gu Junyan came in and saw this scene. He looked deeply at Gu Liyue, changed his outer robe with his wife's help, and then said, "Liyue, come with me."
The siblings walked all the way to the front yard and into the study of Lord Gu. Lord Gu and Gu Zhongxian were sitting inside with solemn expressions.
Seeing Gu Liyue, Lord Gu was a bit unhappy. "Junyan, why did you bring Liyue here?"
Gu Liyue quickly said, "Uncle, since this matter concerns my father, I also want to know."
Gu Junyan also said, "Father, I've thought about it. Liyue is not a child anymore. We can't protect her at home forever. She will have her own life. Instead of letting outsiders talk nonsense in front of her, it's better for us to tell her these things clearly so that she understands."