Han Yue’an quickly brought her into the mansion, where people were already waiting. They hurriedly followed to the rear courtyard. Gu Qingtong grew more anxious, but Han Yue’an seemed to sense her thoughts and whispered an explanation: “The Zhen Yuan Marquis heard you were going to meet Jiang Shangheng and has some words for you.”
Moreover, the Marquis’s residence has been searched, and Shen Yuqing will not come. Hiding here for a while is the best option.”
“Mm,” Gu Qingtong nodded in understanding.
Han Yue’an slowed his pace, keeping a distance from the guide, and leaned close to Gu Qingtong’s ear: “The person you’ll meet later is the Zhen Yuan Marquis and Jiang Shangheng’s birth mother, not Princess Zhuang’qiang. Be careful not to mix them up.”
“Not the princess?”
“Princess Zhuang’qiang could not bear children and adopted the eldest son of Lin Yiniang to raise as her heir. However, Jiang Shangheng is not close to the princess, and the Marquis, forced into this marriage, also has a strained relationship. Since Jiang Shangheng is away at war, you’re meeting his birth parents.”
Gu Qingtong now understood that Jiang Shangheng’s family situation was more complicated than she thought. He was not a legitimate son but an adopted son raised by his stepmother. She recalled the Marquis’s previous suggestion of the illegitimate son escaping with her from the capital.
Han Yue’an furrowed his brow like a tangled hemp flower, continuing to explain: “Although Jiang Shangheng is the eldest son, after being taken by the princess, he did not have an easy life.”
As they approached a secluded courtyard, the guide withdrew, and Han Yue’an personally pushed open the door.
Gu Qingtong recognized them as the Zhen Yuan Marquis and Jiang Shangheng’s birth mother. She entered and curtseyed in greeting.
Lin Yiniang, seemingly already aware of her and Jiang Shangheng’s situation, urgently pulled her inside: “You are the girl Shangheng spoke of.”
Gu Qingtong studied this compassionate mother, not yet forty, still elegant, with features remarkably similar to Jiang Shangheng’s. Though her clothing was not luxurious, her gentle demeanor and warm, spring-like voice seemed to have a calming magic, gradually settling Gu Qingtong’s heart.
