“Temple Master, please relay a message to Lady Ye: if she wishes to earn our forgiveness in her lifetime, she must come to Jing’an Houfu and apologize herself. If Grandmother does not survive due to her hesitation, we will hate her for the rest of our lives.”
With a grim expression, Zhou Yuxiu spoke these words before leading his two still-unwilling younger brothers down the mountain.
“Fools. With three sons like these, it would only be because Heaven forgot to open its eyes if the Zhou Family does not fall.”
Qingtuan Daozhang did not avoid the disciples present and spoke directly.
“County Princess, they have left the mountain empty-handed, but they left a message.”
At Shouguo Gongfu, Gu Ruanci soon learned what had happened shortly after the Zhou brothers departed.
“Did they threaten Mother, trying to force her to step forward?”
Nong Chun nodded and repeated Zhou Yuxiu’s words.
Gu Ruanci’s expression remained calm, like moonlight stripped of all adornment.
“County Princess, we have already spoken so plainly before, yet they still fail to understand. Is the late Madam truly gone?”
Cang Xia also felt these people were absurdly foolish.
“Because they are holding onto a grudge, waiting to see Mother and me in a miserable state, confirming that after leaving the Zhou Family, we live in utter wretchedness. Only then can they prove they were right all along.”
Gu Ruanci understood their mindset all too well, just as she now eagerly anticipated the day these people would face retribution and regret their past actions.
“They will certainly never see it…” Nong Chun said triumphantly.
How capable Gu Ruanci truly was, others might not know, but they had witnessed it firsthand over the years.
In Gu Congyun and Zhuang Hefeng’s room.
“Master, do you think those uninvited guests today truly came targeting us, husband and wife?”
Behind closed doors, Zhuang Hefeng voiced her doubts.
“Certainly not. Over the years, Ruanci has been learning her craft on the mountain, traveling to many places with her master. Although her master initially forbade us from inquiring, and Hesheng’s letters never revealed much, she must be a person of considerable ability.” Gu Congyun, having led troops for many years, possessed a sharp mind.
Zhuang Hefeng sighed. “Every time I corresponded with her over the years, she never complained. Yet, that only made me more certain she endured many hardships. After she returned, I wanted to ask her many times what she learned and experienced, but I always held back in the end.”
Gu Congyun shifted the arm she was resting on.
“It’s good you didn’t ask. If the child doesn’t wish to speak, it’s simply not the right time. Perhaps she also worries that if we knew, it might affect her plans. But judging by Imperial Physician Zang and Qingtuan Daozhang’s attitude toward her, we can be assured she certainly hasn’t learned anything bad. Set your mind at ease.”
Zhuang Hefeng turned her head and spoke sincerely, “Master, I registered Hesheng’s daughter under your name. Now that she’s back, I prioritize her in everything. If you or our sons feel uncomfortable about this, you must tell me.”
Gu Congyun, however, looked at her with affection. “Madam, wasn’t this decision made together by us from the start? Moreover, I feel honored. We always wanted a daughter but ended up with several sons. What difference is there between Hesheng’s daughter and our own? I will never forget how, years ago, Hesheng risked complete ruin of her reputation to facilitate our marriage. Without her, I would never have this family, nor these sons.”
“As for our sons, you’ve seen over the years how worried they’ve been about their sister. Every time Ruanci writes, they’re overjoyed, each more than the last. They are true siblings—what older brother would hold a grudge against a sister who has finally returned home…”
Zhuang Hefeng finally felt reassured and gently leaned into Gu Congyun’s embrace.
“Now that Ruanci is a County Princess, with this status, she should find it easier to do whatever she wishes…”
“Then let her be. When she needs help, she’ll naturally come to us.”
Early the next morning, Gu Ruanci and Gu Yuxuan finished their meal and set out with their belongings.
Gu Yulou, worried they might encounter danger, followed along, though he kept his distance, watching from afar.
Arriving at the gates of Yunyang Houfu, Gu Yuxuan set down what he was carrying and deliberately struck the prepared gong.
“I, Gu Yuxuan of Shouguo Gongfu, made a bet with Ye Chengyun of Yunyang Houfu a few days ago on whether Jing’an Houfu’s Ji-ji ceremony or our Shouguo Gongfu’s Renqin Yan would draw more attendees. The result was a crushing defeat.”
Gu Yuxuan paused before adding, “Whatever the reason for this outcome, I accept my loss.”
“Today, I have come specifically to fulfill the bet by sweeping the area in front of Yunyang Houfu…”
“I ask all present to bear witness that I, Gu Yuxuan, am a man who honors his bets.”
Gu Ruanci also spoke up: “I am Gu Ruanci, daughter of Shouguo Gongfu. This matter began because of me, and I cannot stand by and watch my younger brother bear the punishment alone. Today, I am willing to share the responsibility with him.”
The two of them swept with earnest diligence, and naturally, the crowd of onlookers grew larger.
Before long, murmurs began to spread: “Jing’an Houfu deliberately spread rumors about Little Medical Immortal to attract more people, even claiming she intended to take their second son as a disciple.”
“Exactly. I heard Laofuren collapsed during the Ji-ji ceremony and still hasn’t woken up. The young master of Yunyang Houfu paid a heavy price for this victory.”
The commoners nodded in agreement, and such talk began to sway public opinion.
Soon, the onlookers reached a consensus: Jing’an Houfu’s shameless behavior might well have been orchestrated by someone from Yunyang Houfu. Otherwise, how could Ye Chengyun have been so certain that Jing’an Houfu would win?
Moreover, the rumors about Little Medical Immortal only began circulating widely after the bet between the two young masters.
The gates of the Ye Family opened, and Ye Chengyun was dragged out by the collar.
Seeing Gu Ruanci and Gu Yuxuan diligently sweeping, Ye Chengyun felt no schadenfreude; instead, he was somewhat irritated.
Moments earlier, inside, he had been genuinely pleased to hear of Gu Yuxuan’s concession, only to be scolded by his father.
The one now dragging him out was his father, Ye Chi, the Right Vice Minister of Revenue.
“Qingran, your cousin was only joking. Why go to such lengths… You’ve been back for so many days, yet you haven’t come to visit your grandfather? This rascal has been spoiled rotten—pay him no mind. Come, let your second Uncle take you inside. Your grandfather has been looking forward to your visit for a long time.”
Ye Chi’s words were filled with warmth, his expression utterly sincere.
However, Gu Ruanci remained unmoved. She stopped and spoke with utmost seriousness, “Lord Ye, you are an intelligent man. The Emperor has already issued a clear decree confirming my identity as the legitimate daughter of the Gu family. As for the name Zhou Qingran, I advise you not to mention it again. And as for what you call ‘grandfather’ and ‘second uncle’—do you truly not realize how unworthy you are of those titles?”
Ye Chi’s heart sank. He hadn’t expected Gu Ruanci to hold such a deep grudge.
“Where is my granddaughter?”
Old Marquis Ye Keguang finally arrived, appearing both affectionate and anxious.
The moment he saw Gu Ruanci, he was momentarily stunned.
Her face bore such a striking resemblance to his late wife and his eldest legitimate daughter—it was as if they had truly returned.
“Child, come here quickly and let your grandfather take a good look at you,” Ye Keguang’s voice was somewhat hoarse.
Gu Ruanci remained unmoved, her tone icy as she replied, “After seeing me, will you be able to die in peace?”