“Let them be. Since this humble Daoist has not yet returned, they won’t be able to see the person they wish to meet.”
It was quite unexpected that Qingtuan Daozhang stayed until the very end.
However, few people were tactless enough to approach and disturb them today. Compared to the guests at Jing’an Houfu, those here were more mindful of their words and actions.
Gu Ruanci wasn’t worried at all. The Zhou Family must have misunderstood her intention of placing Mother in Xuandi Guan.
“It seems the Laofuren of the Zhou Family is not doing well,” Zang Jizhi remarked with a sigh.
“There’s nothing to feel sorry about…” Zhuang Hefeng made no attempt to conceal her emotions.
Over the years, her resentment toward the Zhou Family had grown by no small measure.
After seeing off Qingtuan Daozhang and Zang Jizhi, everyone was exhausted.
“Ruanci, from today onward, everyone in Dizhou will know that you are a daughter of the Gu Family, the Princess of Chaoyang County personally conferred by the Emperor. If anyone dares to question it, the entire Gu Family will stand behind you…”
Though visibly weary, Gu Congyun offered Gu Ruanci the greatest reassurance.
“Sister, I’ll protect you too. If those people from the Zhou Family still try to find you, I’ll drive them away for you.”
Gu Yuxuan even mimed a few gestures as he spoke, though his hands were too tired to lift properly.
Gu Ruanci didn’t bother with polite formalities and said directly to Gu Yuxuan, “Little brother, don’t forget that tomorrow we have to go sweep in front of Yunyang Houfu.”
“What? What does that mean?” Zhuang Hefeng was taken aback.
Seeing the sudden guilt and pleading look in Gu Yuxuan’s eyes, both Gu Yuting and Gu Yulou knew he must have gotten into trouble.
“Little brother was tricked by that scheming Ye Chengyun from the Ye Family. But he did it to protect me, so tomorrow I’ll go with him. Since we’ve been back for so many days, it’s time to formally meet the Ye Family.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhuang Hefeng’s attention immediately shifted to the latter part.
“That bunch from the Ye Family is even worse, especially that old scoundrel Ye Keguang. If it weren’t for him, none of the subsequent troubles would have happened.”
Gu Ruanci nodded. “Now that I’ve returned to Dizhou, we’ll inevitably meet sooner or later. Besides, they are the ones who did wrong. There’s no need for me to hide from them everywhere.”
“Tomorrow, let your Second Brother and Third Brother accompany you. We don’t need to bother with the filth inside the Ye Family’s courtyard, but the dirt in front of their main gate can be easily cleaned up…”
Gu Congyun understood clearly—Gu Ruanci had never intended to coexist peacefully with the Ye Family after her return.
Since his daughter wanted to do it, he would support her.
Returning to her own courtyard, even Nong Chun and Cang Xia were astonished by the piles of gifts filling the room.
However, most of the gifts were conventional, and Gu Ruanci understood the intentions behind them.
“Who sent this…”
While organizing the gifts, Nong Chun fell into deep thought.
All the gifts were recorded on the gift list, but the brocade box in her hands had no markings at all.
“Perhaps it was sent in too much of a hurry and was forgotten in the records. If we need to return the courtesy in the future, it might be considered impolite…”
After hesitating, Nong Chun placed the brocade box on the table.
“Go and organize the other items first, and register them properly,” Gu Ruanci instructed.
Gu Ruanci gently opened the brocade box and saw a lingpai with the character “Ling” inscribed on it.
Beneath the lingpai lay a letter, quietly resting.
Unfolding the letter, the first line of words made her understand the sender’s intention.
“The Little Medical Immortal, as one who has rendered meritorious service, deserves reward. Should you require assistance, take this token to the Goldstone Pawnshop in the southern part of Dizhou Cheng.”
There was no signature, but Gu Ruanci knew it was from the man who had stood with his back to her that day at Zang Jizhi’s residence.
It seemed the person she had saved that day had already proven useful.
“It’s fine, I know who it is.”
Gu Ruanci spoke plainly, and Nong Chun and Cang Xia tactfully refrained from further inquiry.
“I heard the Jing’an Houfu made a complete fool of themselves today. They used the Little Medical Immortal’s name to draw crowds in Dizhou for several days, attracting so many people, only for over half of them to be sick—dragging their families along with their illnesses to attend Zhou Qinzhu’s Ji-ji ceremony.”
At Xuandi Guan, the affairs of the Jing’an Houfu had become the talk of the town.
“Exactly. They even claimed earlier that the second young master of their household would become the Little Medical Immortal’s disciple, only to be publicly humiliated.”
“Abandoning the legitimate daughter born of the principal wife, only to fawn over someone of dubious origins—and now they’ve caused such a huge scandal, even causing Laofuren to collapse on the spot. I heard she’s already gravely ill and bedridden. A Ji-ji ceremony like this will be considered ill-omened no matter how many years pass. I wonder if those who attended regret it now…”
“Don’t even mention it. Didn’t you see how many people came directly to the temple to offer incense after leaving the Zhou Family? They must be worried they’ve been tainted by bad luck.”
These discussions nearly drove the three Zhou brothers, who had been waiting in the guest hall, to rush out and confront the speakers.
Especially Zhou Yuzhi—the more confident he had been before, the more resentful he felt now.
Unsurprisingly, he once again blamed it all on Ye Hesheng and Gu Ruanci.
“Troublemakers…” he muttered, glaring with a foul mood.
“Weren’t we supposed to anticipate such rumors? It doesn’t matter much for us, but I’m afraid it’s truly troublesome for our younger sister. Society is already harsh on women—how can she bear this?” Zhou Yuqi’s sycophantic nature still shone brightly.
Zhou Yuxiu also sighed. “Let’s not dwell on that for now. First, we must see Lady Ye and have her clarify the situation. Back then, she left without a word. All these years, we haven’t demanded she return to the Zhou Family to kneel and apologize—that alone shows our respect for her.”
The other two brothers did not object, their expressions filled with disgust whenever Ye Hesheng was mentioned.
Qingtuan Daozhang finally returned. Upon entering the temple, he had already learned that the three young masters of the Zhou Family had been waiting for some time.
“Temple Master, you’ve finally returned…”
Zhou Yuzhi stepped forward, greeting him with a semblance of humility.
Although he harbored resentment toward Qingtuan Daozhang for attending Gu Ruanci’s Renqin Yan, it was best not to show it.
“Young Masters, my apologies for the long wait. I am aware of your purpose here. However, the County Princess has made it clear: she has only just settled her mother here and wishes her to have a few days of peace. If you wish to visit, please return in a few days.”
“How heartless she is! She acknowledges the powerful Duke of Shou and his wife as her parents, yet abandons her own mother in a temple, forbidding others to see her. The Lady of the State Duke claims to have such a close relationship with Lady Ye, yet she dares not let Lady Ye attend while stealing her daughter. And now, Temple Master, you bar us from seeing her—what kind of reasoning is this?” Zhou Yuqi spoke recklessly, saying things he shouldn’t have.
Seeing Qingtuan Daozhang’s expression darken, Zhou Yuxiu quickly intervened. “Third Brother, hold your tongue!”
Qingtuan Daozhang was not angered, but instead said, “If the three of you genuinely believe you are in the right, why not go to the authorities and file a complaint against the Princess of Chaoyang County? I have been entrusted with a task and must remain loyal to my duty. I regret that I cannot comply with your request. Attendants, see the guests out.”