Even after Gu Tongfu invited him into the house, Gu Tongyuan was still completely bewildered.
Wasn’t his elder brother supposed to be in prison? Why had he suddenly returned home?
Gu Tongyuan was not the only one who was stunned. Everyone in the first branch was equally confused. They had spent so many days hoping for Gu Tongfu’s return, and now that he was finally home, the whole thing still felt like a dream.
Gu Tongfu took a seat opposite Gu Tongyuan and gave him a faint, almost mocking smile.
“What was it you said just now, Second Brother? I didn’t quite catch it. Why don’t you repeat yourself?”
Gu Tongyuan was so embarrassed that he wished the ground would swallow him. His face turned red, then pale.
He had lived for most of his life, but he had never been humiliated like this!
Only then did he understand why Gu Tongfu had invited him inside. At the time, he had been so shocked that his mind had gone blank, and he had walked straight into the house without thinking.
But his surprise was understandable. Gu Tongfu had been in prison for quite some time, so why did he look so healthy and energetic? Was the food in the Governor’s Office prison especially nourishing? And why had Gu Tongfu returned home in a carriage? Did the prison guards provide transportation for prisoners as well?
Gu Tongyuan’s mind was in such a mess that he almost suspected the man sitting before him was not really his elder brother.
After stammering for a while, he finally took out the wedding invitation and placed it on the table. Then he sprang to his feet as though the chair had suddenly become too hot, cupped his hands, and prepared to leave.
But when he caught sight of the red-and-gold invitation, he seemed to remember something and regained a little confidence. With a forced smile, he said, “Now that the invitation has been delivered, I hope you will remember to bring your wife and children to attend the wedding.”
With that, he turned and left.
Gu Tongyuan’s questions were also the questions troubling everyone in the first branch.
Madam Xu held her husband and cried nonstop, repeatedly asking whether he had suffered during his imprisonment. Gu Yunrong and the others gathered around him, asking similar questions.
Gu Tongfu comforted his wife and children. After thinking for a moment, he gave them a general account of what had happened over the past several weeks.
In truth, he had not suffered much in prison. None of the terrible things he had feared had happened.
After the case was concluded, Prince Heng transferred him from the prison cell to an interrogation room, where his living conditions improved considerably, especially the food.
He had originally been in such poor health because of the damp, dark prison cell. But over the past few days, he had gradually recovered.
Seeing how surprised and relieved everyone looked, Gu Tongfu could not help sighing.
Even he found the whole experience unbelievable. He had thought that even if he survived, he would come out of prison half-dead. Yet, in the end, he had returned home in perfectly good condition.
Yu Sixian had also been spared further suffering, although he had not been as fortunate. Before Prince Heng arrived in Zhejiang, Qian Yongchang and his men had secretly tortured him.
Gu Tongfu then asked about the family’s recent affairs. When he learned that the Xie family couple had come to break off Gu Yunrong’s engagement, he immediately said, “A crisis reveals a person’s true character. It’s a good thing Doudou won’t be marrying into that family. Our little girl will have no shortage of marriage prospects.”
After saying this, he sent Gu Yunrong and the others away so that he could discuss her marriage with Madam Xu.
From Gu Tongyuan’s words and behavior, he could tell that Gu Yanyu had probably found a rather good family to marry into. Otherwise, the second branch would not have been so pleased with themselves or insisted on delivering the wedding invitation several times.
Although he had said that breaking off the engagement was a good thing, the truth was that his daughter’s marriage prospects had been affected because of his imprisonment. He felt guilty and wanted even more to find her a better husband.
However, the Gu family was not particularly prestigious. Finding a family better than the Xies would not be easy.
After Madam Xu had calmed down from the excitement of her husband’s return, she also began to worry about the matter.
She thought for a long time before asking, “What do you think of that young man from the Song family? I feel that he and his mother both seem interested in arranging a marriage with our daughter.”
Gu Tongfu knew she was referring to Song Wenxuan. He frowned slightly.
“I’ve heard that he has become rather influential lately, but he started out as a constable in the fast-response division. People don’t give him much respect in social settings. I think Doudou would be settling for less if she married him.”
He paused before continuing, “How about this? Since I’ve finally returned safely, let’s use the occasion to hold a family banquet. We can invite the relatives we usually get along with. I remember that several of Doudou’s maternal cousins are also old enough to be looking for marriage partners. We can consider them and discuss the matter carefully.”
Madam Xu thought it over and nodded.
“You’re right. If we find someone more suitable, we can consider another match.”
That evening, while the family was having dinner together, Gu Yunrong heard that the government office had already posted an official notice clearing Gu Tongfu and Yu Sixian of all charges.
She could not help asking what had happened to Wan Liang.
“His Highness has obtained an imperial decree ordering Wan Liang and the others to be dismissed from office and imprisoned,” Gu Tongfu replied. His voice lowered as he continued, “I don’t know how many officials in Zhejiang will be removed or replaced this time. Even Governor Chen Han may lose his position. I don’t know which official I’ll be assigned to serve as a clerk when the changes are complete.”
Gu Jiayan immediately caught the important part of his father’s words.
“Father, are you going to work as a clerk at the Governor’s Office?”
Gu Tongfu nodded and sighed repeatedly.
“I was truly fortunate this time. I thought I would lose my position after being released from prison and have no way to support the family. Who would have expected His Highness to take pity on me for the injustice I suffered and allow me to work at the Governor’s Office?”
After releasing Gu Tongfu and Yu Sixian, Huan Che had not only allowed Yu Sixian to return to his former military post but had also rewarded him generously for his victory at Jiaxing and promoted him by one rank.
Gu Tongfu had assumed that nothing more would happen to him. To his surprise, Prince Heng had also made arrangements for him, explaining that he had suffered unjustly while performing his official duties. He was therefore allowed to continue working as a clerk, this time at the Governor’s Office.
Being transferred directly from a county office to the Governor’s Office meant skipping several levels of the administrative hierarchy. What kind of special treatment was that?
Although he would still be working as a clerk, it was already a position that many people could only dream of obtaining.
Gu Tongfu felt that he had benefited from Yu Sixian’s good fortune. Otherwise, how could he have received such an unexpected reward?
He had even been given a ride home by government officials that day.
If he had the opportunity to meet Lord Yu again, he would certainly invite him to a proper meal. They had become acquainted through this incident, and perhaps Lord Yu had said something to Prince Heng on his behalf.
Of course, all of this was also thanks to Prince Heng’s wisdom. Otherwise, both he and Yu Sixian might have died in prison despite being innocent.
Gu Yunrong listened as her father praised Huan Che endlessly. Then she deliberately changed the subject.
“Father, Cousin Yanyu is getting married next month. Are we really going to attend the wedding?”
Gu Tongfu was successfully distracted. After considering the question for a moment, he replied, “Yes. We’ll go. Your father has his own plans.”
Gu Shuyu had returned to her parents’ home that day especially to celebrate her father’s safe return.
When she heard this, she looked at her younger sister and quietly tugged at her sleeve.
“Do you have suitable clothes and jewelry for the wedding?”
Gu Yunrong thought for a moment before answering uncertainly, “I think… I do.”
She could no longer remember whether the second branch had tried to seize the first branch’s farmland in her previous life. In any case, the two households had eventually become estranged.
She had assumed that after all the unpleasant incidents between them, the first branch would have nothing more to do with the second branch. Yet Gu Tongfu was still planning to attend the wedding.
Of course, her father was not foolish. He probably had another reason for going.
“I think those people from the second branch are simply showing off,” Gu Shuyu said. “I wonder what kind of family this Guo household, which is marrying Cousin Yanyu, really is.”
She patted the back of Gu Yunrong’s hand.
“I’ll help you look through your clothes later. My little sister is so beautiful. We must make sure you look your best.”
After being thrown into prison, Wan Liang had been thinking about one particular question.
Was his current predicament really the result of offending Prince Heng by trying to flatter him that night?
That evening, the prince had threatened to report his attempt to offer trained beauties to Governor Chen Han.
Wan Liang had been terrified for a long time afterward. But when nothing happened for days, he assumed the prince had merely been making an empty threat.
Only now did he realize that Prince Heng might actually have held a grudge against him.
Otherwise, why was his prison food so terrible?
Wan Liang held a coarse steamed bun in his hands. There was not even a drop of oil in the vegetable dish. The bun was already sour and spoiled. Even the prisoners in the neighboring cells did not receive food this bad.
Wan Liang could barely swallow it. With a miserable expression, he threw the broken bowl onto the ground and sank down onto the floor.
What surprised him most was that Prince Heng had actually taken action against him and even reported the matter to the Emperor.
Now, not only was Wan Liang in danger of losing his position. Governor Chen Han might also lose his official post.
Prince Heng had acted so quickly that no one had been prepared for it.
It was already a time when Japanese pirates were frequently raiding the southern coast, yet such a major political upheaval had taken place. It seemed the people at the top were determined to clean house.
So that was what Prince Heng had been doing all this time!
On the surface, he had appeared relaxed and carefree, but in reality, he had been secretly collecting evidence of their crimes.
Even the Grand Secretary had made no attempt to protect them!
There were two things Wan Liang could not understand.
First, why had the Grand Secretary abandoned them so easily?
They were his most capable allies in the southeastern provinces. Even if their dismissal had been ordered by the Emperor himself, the Grand Secretary should at least have tried to save them.
All of them had thought the same way. That belief had always been their source of confidence.
Besides, the person leading the investigation was only a prince in his teens. Was the Grand Secretary really afraid of him?
The second thing he could not understand was why offering trained beauties had angered Prince Heng so much.
The four women he had selected were all virgins of exceptional beauty. They had also received proper training in etiquette and manners.
Did Prince Heng simply dislike women of that appearance?
When the day of Gu Yanyu’s wedding finally arrived, Gu Yunrong accompanied the rest of the first branch to attend the ceremony.
She wore clothes and jewelry that had all been newly purchased at the beginning of spring. Her outfit was fresh and elegant, with fine silk robes and an elaborate hairstyle decorated with precious ornaments.
Although her clothes and accessories were not especially luxurious, and she wore only a light layer of makeup, her natural beauty was enough to make her stand out.
She stood gracefully, as though she had been carved from fine jade and adorned with delicate powder. Every glance and movement revealed her enchanting appearance. It was as if a beautiful celestial flower had suddenly bloomed in the room, catching everyone’s attention.
She seemed like Chang’e descending from the Moon Palace, or a heavenly maiden appearing at a banquet.
In another two years, when her beauty had fully matured, no one could imagine just how breathtaking she would become.
People around her occasionally cast curious glances in her direction, but Gu Yunrong was lost in her own thoughts.
When the groom, Guo Rui, arrived to welcome Gu Yanyu, Gu Yunrong stood with Gu Shuyu and Madam Xu among the female guests, watching from a distance.
As she watched the wedding proceed through its customary rituals, including the formal blessings and the sharing of the wedding cup, she could not help remembering her own wedding in her previous life.
Huan Che had married her according to the full ceremony for a prince taking a princess consort. Although everything had been arranged in a hurry, not a single detail had been neglected.
In fact, the ceremony had been even more elaborate and thoughtful than those held for several of his previous princess consorts. The wedding had been so magnificent that crowds of people had gathered just to catch a glimpse of it.
Most women held beautiful dreams about their weddings. Gu Yunrong had once imagined her own wedding too, but she had never dared to dream that it would be so grand.
Women often associated the grandeur of their wedding with how much their husbands valued them. Since she had been Huan Che’s special case, she had initially held great expectations. She believed that, given enough time, she would eventually find a place in his heart.
But in the end, she seemed not even to have reached the edge of it.
Looking at the bright red embroidered wedding robe Gu Yanyu was wearing, Gu Yunrong suddenly remembered the differences in opinion she had once had with Xie Jing.
At that time, she had not yet met Huan Che again and was still trying to build a relationship with Xie Jing.
Once, after attending another family’s wedding, Xie Jing had commented that the ceremony was far too extravagant. He felt that the money would have been better spent buying more property.
In truth, the family holding the wedding was quite wealthy, and the arrangements were perfectly reasonable for their financial circumstances.
Gu Yunrong had believed that as long as a family could afford it, a wedding deserved to be prepared properly.
She had asked Xie Jing whether he would hold an equally grand wedding if he became successful in the future.
Xie Jing had turned to look at her with gentle eyes and a warm smile.
“If I become successful, you’ll naturally have everything appropriate for our wedding. But I wouldn’t make it this extravagant. I’d prefer something simpler. We could use the money we save to buy an estate or some shops. If not, we could keep it to support our children’s education and future marriages.”
His answer had made her feel somewhat embarrassed, but she had still asked, “Even if you became incredibly wealthy, would you still hold such a simple wedding?”
Xie Jing nodded.
“A wedding is just a ceremony. Spending so much money on it isn’t practical.”
“But we can buy property at any time. A wedding happens only once in a lifetime. As long as we don’t go overboard, what’s wrong with making it special?”
Xie Jing still shook his head.
“There’s no need for that.”
After a pause, he added, “But if you really insist on having a grand wedding, I can make some compromises.”
Perhaps that was simply a difference in values.
Xie Jing was a very practical person, while she sometimes attached special meaning to certain things.
He might be willing to accommodate her once or twice, but could he keep doing so forever? Eventually, their differences would lead to conflict.
Yet the fact that she had noticed these differences probably proved even more clearly that she did not truly love Xie Jing.
If it had been Huan Che, she might have deliberately ignored such disagreements and convinced herself that he was the perfect person for her.
After the ceremony, the banquet began.
Gu Yunrong had assumed that this would be the moment when the second branch finally showed off its wealth.
Judging from Gu Tongyuan’s behavior the other day, she had expected at least fifty lavish banquet tables, with an extravagant selection of dishes, seasonal fruits and fine tea. There should also have been embroidered tablecloths, decorative chair covers, ornamental potted plants, and luxurious carpets.
But when everyone was led into the banquet hall, none of those things appeared.
The banquet consisted of ordinary tables, each with five kinds of fruit and five dishes. There were even several simpler tables set up along the sides.
Everyone looked at one another in confusion.
The wedding ceremony itself had been quite respectable, so why was the banquet so ordinary?
Gu Tongyuan and Madam Fang were equally shocked.
They had clearly agreed beforehand to prepare sixty-six lavish banquet tables, with another dozen or so tables serving food continuously outside.
Why had everything turned out like this?
They had already boasted about the arrangements to their relatives!
Earlier, the Guo family had said they would take care of the banquet themselves, so Gu Tongyuan and Madam Fang had not thought to ask many questions.
Wasn’t the Guo family supposed to be wealthy?
Were they deliberately trying to embarrass the second branch?
Gu Tongyuan was filled with resentment, but he could not openly complain.
As people came to offer him toasts, he felt that their smiles carried hidden mockery. Whenever he saw guests whispering among themselves, he imagined they were laughing at the second branch.
When it was Gu Tongfu’s turn to offer a toast, he spoke before Gu Tongyuan could say anything.
“Earlier, my sister-in-law visited our home twice and urged my wife to sell the rights to our farmland to the second branch. I wonder whether you were aware of this, nephew. Regardless, I must say that even if someone wishes to help, that is not the proper way to do it. Don’t you agree?”
The guests were immediately thrown into an uproar.
Even those who had not known anything about the matter could now guess most of what had happened.
Gu Tongyuan had never expected Gu Tongfu to bring up the matter in public. His face turned bright red with embarrassment.
In truth, he had never expected the first branch to attend the wedding at all.
The second branch had sent invitations repeatedly and had fulfilled every courtesy. If the first branch refused to attend, others would simply say they were narrow-minded and did not understand proper etiquette.
That was why the second branch had made such a show of inviting them. They had also wanted to provoke and humiliate the first branch.
Who would have thought that not only would the first branch attend, but Gu Tongfu would publicly expose their behavior?
Gu Tongfu’s eyes were full of mockery.
During his imprisonment, he had seen more than enough of people’s true character. He had experienced firsthand how quickly people turned their backs on someone in trouble.
He had never imagined that the second branch could behave so shamelessly.
As for the saying that family disputes should never be discussed in public, the two households had long been living separate lives. He did not mind letting everyone hear a little more about the second branch’s conduct.
Gu Tongyuan had now been humiliated twice in a very short time. His face was burning, and he could barely keep hold of his wine cup.
He was just looking for an excuse to leave when the guests outside suddenly became frightened and began running in every direction.
The noise grew louder and louder. People were shouting and screaming as they fled.
At first, those seated inside did not understand what was happening.
But when they finally heard what the people outside were shouting, their expressions changed instantly. Everyone jumped up from their seats.
The guests were shouting:
“The Japanese pirates are here!”