“But these children grew up in the mountains, naive and simple. You’ll need to be careful.”
“I know. But adoptive father, you must also be careful in the capital. If Ruan Niang tries to deal with you, you must protect yourself. Sometimes, for her own good, it’s not about covering for her, but making her abandon her evil intentions.”
Han Yue’an was surprised she would say this, frowning but deeply moved: “Tong’tong, you’ve grown up, become smarter and more composed.”
“Adoptive father, I grew up by your side, benefiting from your teachings. I couldn’t be too foolish.”
Han Yue’an smiled: “Mm, Tong’tong wait here, I’ll be back soon.”
Gu Qingtong watched his tall figure walk away, seeming slightly hunched, as if bearing a heavy burden.
She looked down at her wrist, removing the Huahaoyuequan Pavilion jade bracelet and placing it on the table: Though the road ahead is long, her heart was clear about what she wanted and what she should do.
Although Han Yue’an said he would send Gu Qingtong away in the evening, an assassin suddenly appeared in the palace in the afternoon. The assassin was not captured and even broke through the palace’s heavy encirclement. To ensure the capital’s safety, Shen Yuqing had begun house-to-house searches; they could not act rashly.
Gu Qingtong guessed this was certainly related to her. Searching for assassins was a pretext; secretly searching for her was the real intention. Shen Yuqing’s influence on the Emperor and Empress Dowager was far greater than she had imagined.
Because Han Yue’an’s courtyard was not very secluded, Gu Qingtong had to quietly move to another location after the afternoon hours.
Gu Qingtong covered her face with a light veil, sitting in the carriage, her heart in turmoil, unsure of how far Han Yue’an could hide her. Getting off the carriage, she looked up and realized she had arrived at the Zhen Yuan Marquis’s residence.
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.
Lin Yiniang hurriedly came in from outside, took a set of maidservant clothes for her to wear, and explained while leading her towards the back door.
“I heard they are remnants of the Rui Prince, but there’s nothing to hide about such a matter, so it should be true.”
Lin Yiniang walked quickly but bumped into a woman at the corner, fortunately steadied by Gu Qingtong.
“Lin Yiniang, where are you rushing to?” The woman, supported by her maid, nearly fell. Recognizing Lin Yiniang, her tone was icy.
“Princess.” Lin Yiniang hurriedly curtsied, and Gu Qingtong immediately bowed.
Princess Zhuang Qiang was draped in a black shawl, her expression grim. The dim yellow lantern light cast on her face looked eerily strange as she slowly walked to Gu Qingtong’s side: “When did this girl enter the mansion? I don’t recognize her.”
Lin Yiniang subtly positioned herself between them, lowering her eyes: “She is a maidservant named Xiao Mei from my mother’s side. Because my mother is ill, the mansion specially sent her to notify us. But I heard assassins have hidden in this area, and Yan Xiangye is suddenly searching the mansion, so I can only escort her out through the back door.”
Upon hearing that Yan Xiangye was coming to search, Princess Zhuang Qiang’s previously stern expression suddenly showed panic. She casually threw a few words to Lin Yiniang and hurried forward.
Lin Yiniang watched her leave and took a deep breath.
Outside the back door, an inconspicuous horse-drawn carriage was waiting half a street away. Gu Qingtong was urged to board, seeing three children and Han Yuan’an inside, knowing it was time to leave.
At the city gate, it was already late at night and the gates were closed, requiring opening the next day.
Moreover, with the assassination incident, the city guards were reluctant to let anyone pass. Fortunately, Fan Xiliu came to vouch and allowed Gu Qingtong to leave. Because Shen Yuqing and others were searching the Zhen Yuan Marquis’ residence, Gu Qingtong safely passed through the city gate without any pursuit.
Han Yuan’an dropped her off at the next town and returned. Gu Qingtong was left with three children and the carriage driver.
The three children, two boys and one girl, were the most outstanding among the dozen children brought by General Qia Xi. They were educated and skilled in martial arts, and had previously met Gu Qingtong.
Gu Qingtong reintroduced herself, remembering their names: the taller, darker boy was Yu Shi, fifteen years old, and the other, fair-skinned and slightly chubby, was Yu Guang, fourteen. The girl was Yu Rong, not tall, only thirteen, but with extremely sharp eyes.
They had originally wanted to follow General Qia Xi into battle, but the general refused. Upon hearing Gu Qingtong was heading to the border, they eagerly followed.
With the driver managing things, Gu Qingtong felt more relaxed. However, after two days of travel, Gu Qingtong found something strange.
She clearly remembered Yunqiong was in the south and should be heading south, but she noticed recently cut trees with tight growth rings facing forward, indicating they were heading north. Worried she might be mistaken, she asked Yu Rong.
Yu Rong, having never traveled before, hadn’t noticed. After careful observation of the roadside grass and tree canopies, she confirmed the driver was taking them in the opposite direction.
Gu Qingtong wasn’t sure if the driver was Shen Yuqing’s man but knew he wasn’t Han Yuan’an’s. Not wanting to alert anyone, they drugged him at an inn that night and hired a new carriage heading south.
This time, Gu Qingtong had the two boys drive while discussing with Yu Rong how to reach the border faster.
