An’an slept all the way until the next day.
Thus, she had no idea that her formal name had already been decided.
Gu Yi was overjoyed that Yang Yan had agreed to let the child take her surname, so she named An’an Gu Nian’an, hoping she would be safe and sound for a lifetime.
As soon as An’an opened her eyes, she saw her mother gazing at her with tender eyes and kissing her cheek: “Little An’an is awake. Mother will carry you to wash up.”
“Ah-woo ah-woo!” Yes, yes!
An’an buried her little head entirely in Gu Yi’s embrace, her heart bubbling with joy: Mother smells so sweet and feels so soft~
Just as everything seemed peaceful and serene, Xihua suddenly rushed in, flustered and panicked, her eyes red: “Madam, Madam, something terrible has happened!”
“News from the General’s Mansion says that the Old General, he… he is severely wounded, and his fate is unknown!”
“What!” Gu Yi immediately stood up, tears streaming uncontrollably, her entire body trembling faintly.
Just as she was about to hand An’an over to the Nanny, she saw the baby in her arms burst into cries.
[Take me there, hurry and take me there!! I can cure him!]
An’an cried out anxiously, refusing to leave Gu Yi’s arms.
“Xihua, quickly, prepare the carriage. We’re going to the General’s Mansion immediately!” Given the urgency of the situation, she had no choice but to bring An’an along.
Upon arriving at the General’s Mansion, as soon as they entered, they heard waves of weeping from the courtyard.
“Little sister?” Gu Tingzhou, the eldest son of the General’s Mansion, called out upon seeing Gu Yi return.
“Eldest Brother, how is Father?” Gu Yi, too distraught to care about formalities, asked with a trembling voice.
Gu Tingzhou, a grown man, had reddened eyes and a choked voice: “Father fell into an enemy trap. Though he fought desperately and won, his body is now at its limit. The Emperor specially sent an Imperial Physician, who is currently…”
“Ah-woo ah-woo!”
Gu Nian’an in Gu Yi’s arms was so anxious she wished she could speak immediately.
[Hurry and take me there, I can cure him!]
Gu Tingzhou looked at the little baby in his sister’s arms with astonishment, about to ask, when a servant hurriedly ran over: “Young Master, it’s not good, the Old General… he’s not doing well…”
All questions were instantly suppressed as the siblings immediately rushed toward the main chamber.
“Father! Wuwuwu, you can’t leave us!” The second son, Gu Tingjun, knelt by the Old General’s bedside, crying like a child.
“Father, Father, your daughter has come to see you. Please open your eyes and look, won’t you?” Gu Yi looked at her father lying on the bed, covered in blood, eyes tightly shut as if he would never wake again. Her heart filled with panic as she knelt before the bed, weeping bitterly.
The Imperial Physician stood to the side, hands hanging, sighed, and still offered consolation: “The Old General’s injuries are too severe. I regret my inability, truly…”
Before he could utter the words “beyond saving,” he was interrupted by the baby’s “ao-wu ao-wu” cries.
“An’an, this is your grandfather. Come, call out to Grandfather.” Gu Yi held An’an close to Gu Mingshan. Perhaps clinging to a sliver of hope, she said: “Father, this is your granddaughter. Please, take a look at her!”
Knowing it was all wishful thinking, Gu Yi sobbed uncontrollably.
“Ao-wu ao-wu! Ao ao ao!” Put me down quickly! I need to touch Grandfather’s face!!
An’an flailed her little hands and feet anxiously.
“An’an!” Gu Yi deliberately put on a stern face.
“Wu…” An’an struggled to stretch her hand toward Gu Mingshan.
Gu Yi burst into tears at the sight, thinking that perhaps the child didn’t understand and only wanted to touch the person who appeared to be sleeping.
She held the infant in her arms and moved a little closer.
When the baby’s tiny hand touched Gu Mingshan’s face, a faint light entered his heart.
This was a thread of vitality, infused by An’an.
However, no one noticed it.
When Gu Yi prepared to take An’an away, An’an was unwilling.
“Ah ya ya ya ya!” It’s not done yet!
Gu Tingzhou, who was standing nearby, looked at An’an and said, “Forget it, little sister. Perhaps this child has a connection with Father. Let her stay by his side for a while.”
Upon hearing her Eldest Brother’s words, Gu Yi could only weep without speaking, but she still placed An’an beside Gu Mingshan.
“Huff~” An’an relaxed and became well-behaved.
The three Gu siblings watched in amazement.
“Everyone, I shall take my leave now. The Old General’s condition is truly…” The Imperial Physician, having witnessed everything, clicked his tongue in wonder but couldn’t help offering a reminder.
Gu Tingzhou stood up to see him off. “Thank you for your hard work. Let me escort you.”
Night had fallen, but none of the Gu family members showed any intention of leaving Gu Mingshan’s room.
“Eldest Brother, Second Brother, you two should go rest. I… I want to stay here and keep Father company a little longer,” Gu Yi said, her voice hoarse and her eyes swollen from crying.
Gu Tingzhou was about to say something but was pulled away by his younger brother, Gu Tingjun.
Meanwhile, on the bed, Gu Mingshan felt his consciousness sinking into a thick fog.
“Ding—clang—” A sound like chains echoed.
“So you are Gu Mingshan?” The voice was shrill, accompanied by the clanking of chains, making it even more unsettling.
Gu Mingshan looked at the Black and White Impermanence before him and was about to speak when chains suddenly bound him.
“Your lifespan has ended. Say no more and come with us quickly!”
Despite being a general of immense strength, Gu Mingshan found himself powerless, dragged forward by the chains.
Just as he was about to step into the Hall of the King of Hell, a golden light struck his body.
Gu Mingshan suddenly felt a surge of strength.
The Black and White Impermanence dragging him paused for a few seconds upon seeing the golden light.
The White Impermanence pinched his fingers and chuckled, “Never mind, never mind. It’s that grass again.”
The Black Impermanence scratched his head, no longer maintaining his earlier stern expression. “This shouldn’t be happening. How did it suddenly come to the mortal realm?”
“Who knows? Even the King of Hell can’t do anything about this Little Grass!” the White Impermanence chimed in.
Looking at the bound Gu Mingshan, the Black and White Impermanence gave him a push, sending him out of the fog.
Before losing consciousness, Gu Mingshan faintly heard their voices: “Remember to treat that girl well. This is your fortune.”
“Cough, cough.” Gu Mingshan opened his eyes, the intense pain in his body making him cough.
Gu Yi, who had been crying by the bedside, immediately rushed forward upon hearing the noise. “Father, Father, how are you?!”
Before Gu Mingshan could speak, he fell unconscious again.
“Xihua, Xihua, go fetch the house physician! Quickly!” Gu Yi seized every opportunity and immediately gave the order.
Xihua hurriedly ran off.
When the house physician was dragged over, he was still somewhat bewildered. The Old General’s pulse had already indicated there was no hope—why was he suddenly being summoned again?
Nevertheless, he took the pulse and immediately widened his eyes in astonishment.
“This… this is truly a miracle!” the house physician exclaimed in awe.
“Stop being so mysterious and just say it!” The second son, Gu Tingjun, always impatient, couldn’t help but urge.
The house physician wiped the sweat from his brow: “Congratulations, young masters and misses. Previously, the Old General’s pulse showed only signs of decline, but now, though still weak, it no longer indicates any immediate danger to his life. With proper care and recuperation, he will recover!”
“Excellent! Thank you, physician. A reward!” As the eldest son, Gu Tingzhou immediately gave the order.
The previously gloomy and lifeless Gu residence finally regained some of its cheerful atmosphere.