Chapter 151: Disappearance

Gu Jingyun and Gu Baozhu, who had been downcast before, now looked at the majestic city walls with sparkling eyes full of longing.

“Sister-in-law, is this the capital? Is it really much, much bigger than Guangling Prefecture? Are there a lot of delicious foods and fun street performances inside?”

“If we walk on the streets, will we randomly encounter nobles everywhere? If we accidentally bump into them, will they, like in the storybooks, beat people to death with sticks without reason?”

Su Wan met their bright black eyes, paused for a moment, and answered them one by one: “The capital is twice as big as Guangling Prefecture, with many delicious foods and fun things to do. There are also many nobles, but not everyone is unreasonable and overbearing. So don’t run around; when you go out, stay close to your big brother and me.”

The two little ones nodded obediently.

Su Wan glanced at Jiu Ge. The closer they got to the capital, the more silent she became. The original anticipation and joy of the impending reunion had all turned into anxiety.

“Your brother has been looking for you. He’ll be very happy to see you.”

Jiu Ge bit her lip. “I know.”

“I have some matters to attend to today. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to find Jiu Yu.”

“Alright.”

When they had previously stayed in the prefectural city, Su Wan had arranged for a few of the Qi Family Army to go ahead to the capital to tidy up the house. Mrs. Hu volunteered to enter the capital early to help with the arrangements.

The carriage passed through the city gates, and Gu Baozhu, Gu Jingyun, Mother Gu, and Jiu Ge all crowded by the window to look at the capital.

The capital was bustling and prosperous, with vendors and peddlers selling an array of goods, dazzling the eyes and leaving them overwhelmed.

After traveling through more than half of the capital, the carriage stopped in front of a residence.

The group disembarked from the carriage.

The door of the house opened.

Mrs. Hu came out with a broad smile on her face. “Qi Sixth estimated that you would arrive this morning, so breakfast is already prepared. Come in quickly and eat.”

Mother Gu stood at the entrance, looking at the clean and tidy street. This alley was lined with grand residences, clearly inhabited by people of status, making her feel uneasy.

“Mother, let’s go inside first. After a long journey, you must be tired. After eating, you can freshen up and rest in your room.” Su Wan held Mother Gu’s arm and led Gu Baozhu into the house.

She hadn’t been to this residence before. It featured intricately carved beams and painted rafters, with elegant pavilions and vibrant decorations, exuding an imposing aura.

Passing around the screen wall, they reached the main hall, which was filled with exquisite treasures, each item exuding a sense of wealth.

Seeing Su Wan staring at the decorations, Mrs. Hu whispered, “Every room has a Duobao cabinet, with many of these items displayed on it.”

Su Wan: “…”

Even if she chose not to strive anymore and decided to live by selling off her family assets, she could still live comfortably for the rest of her life.

Su Wan’s curiosity about the Regent grew even stronger.

“We initially thought we would have to buy bedding, but everything was already here, all brand new. They feel particularly soft and are even scented.”

Mrs. Hu was amazed by what she saw yesterday. They were staying in the back rooms, designated for the servants, and even there, the beds had quilts so soft that lying in them felt like sleeping on clouds. She had never slept on such fragrant and soft bedding in her life, and today, she almost couldn’t get up. “We took everything out to air yesterday.”

“Thank you for your hard work.” Su Wan, feeling uncomfortable all over and wanting to take a bath, asked, “Is there hot water?”

“Yes, there are several stoves, all heating water.” Mrs. Hu went to set up breakfast.

The Qi Family Army carried the trunks inside, each placing them in their respective rooms.

Su Wan quickly finished her breakfast, went to Feiliu Pavilion to freshen up, tidied herself up, and came out to see that Gu Huaizhi was already ready and sitting in the outer room, waiting for her.

“Huaizhi, I’m going to see the Regent now. He’s given me so many valuable things; what should I give him in return?”

Su Wan was troubled. The Regent lacked nothing in terms of wealth, so it was important to give something that suited his tastes. “Do you know what he likes?”

The Regent was a man of no desires or needs; the only person he ever cared for had long since passed away.

Gu Huaizhi’s gaze fell on Su Wan’s face. Her phoenix eyes were strikingly similar to the eyes of the person in the portrait in the Regent’s study. His slender fingers touched the corner of her eye, and he said softly, “Saving his life will be enough.”

His sleeves carried the scent of sinking incense, and his fingers were cool with the autumn chill, yet the patch of skin at the corner of her eye that he touched burned with heat.

Su Wan blinked, not daring to move: “Didn’t I clean my eyes properly?”

“You’ve got an eyelash stuck,” Gu Huaizhi gently brushed with the pad of his finger.

Su Wan rubbed her fingers together. “Are you going with me?”

“Alright.” Gu Huaizhi agreed without a second thought.

The two of them left the residence together.

Mo Yuan and Mo Chen stood by the carriage, and when they saw their master coming out with the mistress, they were suddenly startled.

Was the master planning to be honest with the mistress?

Mo Chen couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat for his master.

Mo Yuan, on the other hand, felt that the master had finally come to his senses.

With different thoughts in their minds, they escorted the couple to the Regent’s residence.

The carriage stopped in front of the Regent’s residence gates.

Su Wan lifted the curtain and saw someone carrying gifts, attempting to visit but being turned away by Luo Cheng at the door. She pressed her lips together, a bit worried that she might not be able to see the Regent.

“Young lady Su!” Luo Cheng immediately spotted Su Wan, opened the gate, and strode over to the carriage. “Are you here to see the Regent?”

“Yes, I am.” Su Wan stepped down from the carriage. “I heard that the Regent is ill, so I came to visit him and also to thank him for the generous gifts he sent me.”

Luo Cheng suddenly remembered something, and the joy on his face faded, replaced by a hint of hesitation. “The Regent is not feeling well and has closed his doors to visitors. I need to ask his permission first.”

“Thank you.”

Luo Cheng noticed the carriage curtain move slightly, and Gu Huaizhi emerged from inside. Luo Cheng’s eyes flickered, and he quickly turned around, hurrying into the residence, rushing to the main courtyard at a near sprint.

“Cough, cough… cough…”

A few muffled coughs came from the inner chamber, causing Luo Cheng to pause briefly. He knocked on the door but, without waiting for the Regent to respond, pushed it open and entered.

The room was cold and quiet. The Regent, draped in an outer robe, was sitting on the couch, reviewing documents.

A bowl of medicine, now cold and untouched, sat in the upper left corner of the small table.

“Master, Young lady Su has come to visit you. She knows medicine; she’s probably here to treat you.” Luo Cheng pointed at the bowl of medicine. “Shall I reheat the medicine and bring it back for you to take?”

“I won’t take it,” the Regent replied decisively, not allowing any argument. “And I won’t see her.”

Luo Cheng looked at the Regent in surprise. Most of his face was shrouded in shadow, making his features appear especially deep and sharp. This severe illness had come fiercely, yet his posture remained imposing, though his chin had noticeably thinned.

Unable to hold back, Luo Cheng said, “Young lady Su might be hurt…”

But meeting the Regent’s cold, severe gaze, the latter half of his sentence got stuck in his throat. Suddenly, Luo Cheng’s eyes shifted, and he quickly added, “Young Master Gu is here as well. Will you see him?”

The Regent remained silent, the only sound in the room was the rustling of papers as he continued to review his documents.

Luo Cheng felt a surge of joy in his heart—this meant the Regent had agreed.

The Regent wouldn’t see Young lady Su.

If Young Master Gu brought her in, that wouldn’t be Luo Cheng’s concern!

He quickly rushed back to the entrance, facing Su Wan, but his eyes darted towards Gu Huaizhi. “The Regent wants to see you.”

Gu Huaizhi felt a stir in his heart. He took Su Wan’s hand and led her toward the main courtyard.