“How come they all left?”

Gu Qingyan was quite reluctant: “I still wanted to talk to Brother Xia Liu a bit.”

Pei Xuan instinctively frowned. Having only met Xia Liu a few times, he didn’t understand where Gu Qingyan had so much to say to him.

“He’s probably gone out looking for your young attendant,” Pei Xuan said.

Gu Qingyan would never have guessed that such an upright-looking person would say such things offhandedly.

“That makes sense. Brother Pei, my Anian was born strong and also has a talent for martial arts. I think if he trains more, he might even become a martial champion in the future.”

Pei Xuan was surprised: “You’re willing to let him?”

“What?” Gu Qingyan didn’t quite understand at first.

Pei Xuan said, “Zhang Nian is young and devoted to you. Staying by your side means he can protect you. If he joins the martial examinations, he won’t be able to follow you around anymore.”

Gu Qingyan immediately frowned: “Anian is a person, not a tool. He has his own life and future. How could I be that selfish?”

“Besides, I can practice martial arts myself; I don’t need others to protect me.”

A smile appeared in Pei Xuan’s eyes. This kid was truly different.

Most noble sons see themselves as superior, and even consider it an honor if guards or attendants protect them.

Few would be willing to let their attendants pursue better futures like Gu Qingyan did.

His fingers itched, and he couldn’t help but gently stroke Gu Qingyan’s hair: “If he has the heart, he could really give it a try.”

Gu Qingyan awkwardly looked away.

He always felt that Pei Xuan’s smile right now made his heart feel a little uneasy.

“Brother Pei, I’ll take you somewhere.”

Gu Qing’an grabbed Pei Xuan and started running outside. In the courtyard, Zhang Menghuai was scolding his cousin, and sure enough, Xia Liu was still instructing Zhang Nian.

“Am I seeing things? Did I just see Lord Pei being pulled away?” Zhang Menghuai exaggerated, rubbing his eyes.

Xia Liu rolled his eyes at him: “Stop pretending.”

Zhang Menghuai chuckled: “So it’s not my eyes playing tricks. Hah, didn’t expect anyone could pull Lord Pei away.”

Then he turned and saw Jiang Wan looking devastated.

Zhang Menghuai was instantly furious: “What’s with that expression? Who Lord Pei likes to be friends with is none of your business. If it weren’t for Young Master Gu’s good temper, you’d be the one unlucky this time.”

Jiang Wan looked like he was about to die from pain: “Why, why is that?”

“Lord Pei is a cold and aloof high mountain flower. Why would he be friends with someone like that?”

“No one deserves to stand next to Lord Pei. He should remain aloof, far from worldly dust. We common folk don’t deserve to be by his side.”

Zhang Menghuai’s teeth ached; he really thought his cousin had some problem with his brain.

Zhang Nian disagreed immediately: “What do you mean? What’s wrong with Brother Gu? Hmph, you’re looking down on people with dog eyes.”

Jiang Wan looked at him with grief so deep he didn’t even have the heart to argue.

Gu Qingyan didn’t notice the fans getting upset and dragged Pei Xuan to the entrance of a small eatery.

The signboard above read “Xiao He Jia” (Little He’s Home).

Pei Xuan recognized the handwriting immediately — it was Gu Qingyan’s.

“Hongdou!”

Hongdou, who was attending to customers, heard the voice and happily ran out: “Young master, you’ve come to Qingzhou Prefecture.”

“First thing, I came to eat. We did agree on that,” Gu Qingyan smiled.

“Please come in, young master, this way.”

Hongdou hurriedly but curiously looked over Pei Xuan.

“This is Pei Xuan, Brother Pei, my close friend,” Gu Qingyan introduced.

Hongdou was puzzled — this chilly, unwelcoming demeanor was hardly like a scholar.

But she didn’t ask further.

“Young master, have some tea first. I’ll bring out the good dishes,” she said, heading toward the kitchen.

Pei Xuan looked at Gu Qingyan in confusion.

Gu Qingyan leaned close and explained in his ear: “This is Hongdou. I didn’t expect that in less than three months, their eatery has become quite lively.”

This was not a restaurant, but many people were eating inside, clearly business was good.

What reassured Gu Qingyan even more was that Hongdou looked energetic and no longer carried the melancholy she once did.

“How wonderful,” Gu Qingyan sighed.

Pei Xuan glanced around the eatery silently.

After a while, Hongdou returned carrying two plates of delicious dishes.

She wasn’t alone; several women followed her, all very striking in appearance.

“This must be Young Master Gu. Thank you for saving Hongdou.”

“We’d heard of Young Master Gu’s fame. Seeing you today, you’re truly peerlessly handsome.”

“It’s your first time here, so you must try our eatery’s specialties. If you like them, come often.”

They warmly gathered around, placing dishes and snacks all over the table.

Gu Qingyan felt a little overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and quickly said, “Sisters, please don’t be so polite. Don’t let me delay your business.”

“You’re our benefactor. Even if business stopped for a day, it’d be worth it,” said the eldest, a charming woman, smiling.

Hongdou quickly stopped her: “Sister Xin’er, our young master rarely comes; don’t scare him away.”

Xin’er covered her mouth to laugh: “Alright, alright. Hongdou, you keep young master company. We’ll get back to work.”

“Young master, eat up, I’m treating today, so you have to give me face and eat more.”

After the women left, Gu Qingyan finally relaxed a bit.

Hongdou smiled and said, “The sisters said that if it weren’t for you, young master, they probably wouldn’t have left the Lu family alive, so they’ve been eagerly waiting for you. They mean no harm.”

“I know, it’s just a bit hard to get used to such warmth,” Gu Qingyan smiled.

“Young master, try this osmanthus cake. I remember you loved sweets as a child.” Hongdou said, seeing he really didn’t mind.

Gu Qingyan picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth, nodding with praise: “The taste is really quite good.”

After chewing a couple of bites, he felt a bit puzzled.

“The flavor of this osmanthus cake…”

Hongdou hurriedly asked, “What’s wrong? Is it not to your liking?”

Gu Qingyan took another bite. “No, it’s very tasty.”

It’s just that the taste was oddly similar to that osmanthus cake he had once eaten at a pavilion in Qingzhou.

That time, Gu Qingyan only ate the osmanthus cake. Even in such a tense atmosphere, he still thought that stack of cakes was delicious.

Later he found out that it was a specialty of the Hua family—Hua Changning’s osmanthus cake was famous throughout Qingzhou Prefecture.

“As long as the young master likes it. This was made by Sister Mudan; she’s best at making desserts, and the guests all say it’s excellent.”

Hongdou was very happy to hear this. “Sister Mudan doesn’t like to see many people, but she’s a good person. I’ll have her make more later so the young master can take some home and enjoy it slowly.”

“Then please thank her for me,” Gu Qingyan smiled.

He thought to himself that he was probably overthinking it — after all, the taste of osmanthus cake shouldn’t differ too much.

Hongdou glanced at the silent Pei Xuan, then stood up and said, “Young master, please enjoy your meal; I’ll go attend to the guests.”

Gu Qingyan looked at Pei Xuan and picked up a piece of osmanthus cake to offer him. “Try this.”

Pei Xuan looked at the tender yellow osmanthus cake. He hadn’t liked sweets since childhood.

“Tastes good,” Pei Xuan gave an honest appraisal after tasting it.

Gu Qingyan smiled. “Right? I think it tastes great too. No wonder the restaurant does good business— with skills like this, they won’t lack customers.”

That made him feel relieved; Hongdou and her friends were completely capable of supporting themselves.

In the kitchen, a woman in her early twenties was peeking around.

As soon as Hongdou came in, she smiled and said, “Sister Mudan, the young master really likes that osmanthus cake.”

Mudan was very happy to hear that. “If he likes it, that’s good.”

“I made a lot just now. I’ll pack them in boxes later so Young Master Gu can take them home and enjoy them for a long time.”

Hongdou nodded, then asked, “Sister Mudan, everyone else went out front earlier; why didn’t you go?”

“I don’t want to scare the young master,” Mudan said, touching her cheek.

Unlike other women, she had an ugly scar on her face.

Hongdou hesitated to speak but then said, “Young Master is different from others; he definitely wouldn’t laugh at you.”

“It’s not that I’m afraid of being laughed at, just don’t want to disturb the guests; it wouldn’t be right,” Mudan said simply.

Hongdou knew her temper and didn’t press further. She picked up the food boxes and left.

Behind her, Mudan’s eyes grew distant, but she smiled with relief.

Gu Qingyan ate quite a lot at once; even he was starting to feel a bit sick of sweets.

Pei Xuan noticed this and picked up some shredded bamboo shoots, offering them. “Even if you like it, don’t eat too much at once.”

Gu Qingyan quickly ate some, trying to suppress the sweetness in his mouth. “Brother Pei, you should eat some too.”

“What are you doing here!”

A sharp and clearly nervous voice came from the door.

Gu Qingyan frowned and got up to look, only to meet a pair of scrutinizing eyes.

It was Lu Yanjun.

Three months without seeing each other, Lu Yanjun had grown gaunt and emaciated. Once a refined and elegant scholar, now he looked gloomy and weighed down by an inseparable melancholy.

Several women in the restaurant tensed and instinctively stood behind Xin’er.

Lu Yanjun glanced around and said with a self-mocking laugh, “If I hadn’t spoken up, none of you would have been able to leave the Lu family.”

“You…” Xin’er’s face turned angry.

Gu Qingyan interrupted her, “He should be here to see me. Please, sisters, give him some space.”

“Young Master?” Hongdou became worried.

She was certain the Lu family were not good people. The young master had offended them badly because of her.

Although Lu Yanjun once had a good reputation, with Lu Yan’s tragic death and the Lu director’s suicide, no one knew if he might seek revenge.

Gu Qingyan said calmly, “Sisters, don’t worry.”

Hongdou pressed her lips and pulled the other sisters aside.

Lu Yanjun slowly walked into the restaurant, but when he saw Pei Xuan, his eyes hesitated.

“Greetings, Lord Pei. I didn’t know you were here. Sorry to bother you; I wonder if you might allow me some convenience?”

Pei Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly but didn’t take him seriously, clearly not intending to give way.

Gu Qingyan pointed to a nearby table. “Young Master Lu, what exactly do you want to say to me?”

“Rest assured, Gu Gongzi, I am not here to seek revenge,” Lu Yanjun said calmly.

Gu Qingyan raised an eyebrow, thinking that with Pei Xuan here, he wasn’t afraid of anyone coming after him.

Besides, the Lu family had been implicated before; he’d heard earlier they were planning to move home, return the spirit coffin to their hometown, and leave Qingzhou Prefecture.

But now Lu Yanjun suddenly came looking for him—he didn’t know why.

“If not for that, I and Young Master Lu would have nothing to say.”

Lu Yanjun chuckled lightly. “Gu Gongzi, do you think the Lu family got what they deserved and that it’s just punishment?”

Gu Qingyan frowned.

“Isn’t it? If the Lu family hadn’t condoned Lu Yan, there wouldn’t have been so many victims. If the Lu director hadn’t been ruthless back then, there wouldn’t have been this calamity twenty-five years later.”

“The Lu family lost only two people and still has descendants. The crimes are unsettled, but their status remains untarnished. You can still study for the imperial exams, become officials in the court, and the Lu family can recover.”

“But the Hua family is completely wiped out. No descendants remain to offer sacrifices or keep the family legacy alive.”

Lu Yanjun could see the fierce fire blazing in the young man’s eyes before him.

It was the youthful spirit burning with anger at the injustice of the world, crying out for the wronged Hua Zhao family, seeking fairness for the Hua clan.

But Lu Yanjun did not get angry; instead, he found it laughable.

“Gu Gongzi (Young Master Gu), your courage to stand against tyranny and uphold justice is truly admirable. Such a pity.”

Gu Qingyan frowned. “A pity about what?”

“It’s a pity that you can shout like this only because you rely on the backing of the Pei family—using one power to suppress another. Where is the righteousness or fairness in that?”

Gu Qingyan’s expression grew strange.

Lu Yanjun sneered coldly, “What’s that supposed to mean? Have I hit a sore spot, young master?”

Gu Qingyan looked at him and scoffed, “I used to think you were different from that mad, violent Lu Yanhé, but after hearing you today, I realize it runs in the family—both of you have the same messed-up brain.”

“As long as it serves justice, what does it matter what means I use? So you think your family can just bully others with their power and forbid anyone from fighting back? Are you the emperor or the Jade Emperor?”

“Listen, today Pei Dage is my backing. In the future, when I earn my degree and become someone others can rely on, whenever there is injustice or unfairness, I will take responsibility.”

Gu Qingyan thought this would make Lu Yanjun furious.

But surprisingly, Lu Yanjun remained calm—so calm it felt eerie.

“Well said, young master Gu. Remember these words today. I’ll be watching closely to see if, when you pass the imperial exam and enter the court, you can still hold to the beliefs you express now.”

Gu Qingyan rolled his eyes. “Then you better watch carefully and don’t choke on your anger later.”

Lu Yanjun chuckled lowly and actually said, “Young master Gu, actually, I’ve always liked you.”

Gu Qingyan got goosebumps hearing that and felt this guy had ill intentions—probably as twisted as Lu Yanhé.

But someone reacted even more strongly: Pei Xuan could no longer tolerate it, and with a flick, his teacup flew straight at Lu Yanjun.

Lu Yanjun, a scholar, was splashed all over but did not move. Instead, he turned sideways and asked, “Pei Daren, why get angry? If you don’t like it, I won’t speak further.”

“What exactly do you want?” Gu Qingyan frowned.

Inwardly, he found Lu Yanjun very strange. If he came just to say a few threatening words, that wouldn’t explain this odd calmness.

Lu Yanjun sighed, “I just think it’s a pity. We should have been friends.”

Before Pei Xuan could react, Lu Yanjun stood and bowed, “Gu Gongzi, if I’ve offended you these past days, please don’t take it to heart.”

Gu Qingyan was momentarily stunned.

When Lu Yanjun spoke mockingly, he could retort, but now that he offered a sincere apology, Gu Qingyan found it hard to respond.

“As a token of apology, I’ll give young master Gu a secret.”

Gu Qingyan pricked up his ears.

“The Qingcheng Taoist temple—there you can uncover the mystery of your origins.”

After saying this with a faint smile, Lu Yanjun turned and left.

Gu Qingyan frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

“Take what I say with a grain of salt. Better you check for yourself.”

Lu Yanjun did not stop again and slowly walked out of the Xiao family’s restaurant without looking back.

Gu Qingyan’s expression was unsettled.

He had always found it strange—though Madam Xu was a concubine, she was the concubine of Minister Li. How could there have been a child swap with the Gu family?

Madam Xu had said she had a premature birth at the Qingcheng Taoist temple and that Gu Tongsheng and his wife deliberately switched the babies.

But after returning to Meiling Village, Gu Qingyan had obtained Gu Tongsheng’s memories and trusted his character more.

Gu Tongsheng was definitely not someone who would do such a thing just for a child’s fortune.

“Qingyan?” Pei Xuan asked worriedly.

Gu Qingyan feigned casualness, “What mystery of origins? I’m not interested at all.”

Pei Xuan said, “If you want to know, I can help find out.”

Actually, after arriving in Qingzhou, Pei Xuan had wanted to investigate Gu Qingyan’s background. But as a friend, doing so without telling him would be disrespectful, so he had restrained the urge.

Gu Qingyan shook his head.

He thought about the bright check-in point at Qingcheng Taoist temple in the system.

Because Qingcheng Taoist temple was on a mountain outside the city, quite a distance from Qingzhou, he hadn’t gone to sign in.

Maybe he should make a trip there before the imperial exams.

After leaving the restaurant, Lu Yanjun got into a carriage, closed his eyes to rest, and refused to say a word.

Waiting inside, Lu Yanchi grew impatient and finally asked, “Big brother, what did you say to him?”

Lu Yanjun didn’t open his eyes, “What are you worried about?”

The sharp words made Lu Yanchi lower his head abruptly.

He was conflicted inside—worried about Gu Qingyan getting hurt, worried about the Lu family’s downfall—and the pampered young man couldn’t hold back tears.

Before they fell, Lu Yanjun’s cold voice came, “Yanchi, if one day it’s life or death between the Lu family and Gu Qingyan, which side will you stand on?”

Lu Yanchi froze completely.

“No… that won’t happen. We’re not like second brother. We won’t do anything murderous or violent. Brother Gu, he…”

Lu Yanjun suddenly opened his eyes, sharp as a sword: “Answer me. Which side will you stand on?”

Under his gaze, Lu Yanchi slowly lowered his head.

After a long pause, he hesitantly said, “Big brother, my surname is also Lu.”

Lu Yanjun smiled, but the warmth in his eyes was gone. “You must remember this—you bear the surname Lu as well.”

He closed his eyes again. “Let’s go home. Tomorrow, we’re leaving Qingzhou.”

“So soon?” Lu Yanchi exclaimed.

Lu Yanjun cast him a faint glance. “We’ve already delayed too long. If we stay any longer, something may go wrong.”

After all, Gu Qingyan’s death didn’t matter much—but if Pei Xuan died, countless people would be buried with him.

Lu Yanjun lifted the curtain of the carriage, gazing off into the distance, his eyes unreadable.

After a long while, he chuckled softly. Who lives, who dies—what did it matter to an outsider like him?

That night, Gu Qingyan tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Lu Yanjun’s words echoed in his mind, and he couldn’t help but think of them over and over. Could there still be secrets behind the baby-switching incident between the real and fake young masters?

But if it was a secret, how did Lu Yanjun know about it?

Gu Qingyan opened the map again and looked at the sign-in point within Qingcheng Daoist Temple.

Early the next morning, he couldn’t hold back—he had to go see Qingcheng Temple for himself.

But as soon as he stepped outside, Pei Xuan was already there, holding the reins of a horse, waiting at the gate. “Let’s go.”

Gu Qingyan blinked in surprise. “Big Brother Pei, how did you know I was going to Qingcheng Temple?”

And even waited for him on purpose.

Pei Xuan reached out and pulled him up onto the horse. “If it were me, I’d want to find out the truth too.”

Gu Qingyan laughed and mounted the horse with ease.

Then he explained, “After the false accusation last time, all ties between me and the Li family were severed. No matter what the truth is, I can accept it.”

“It’s just that… when there’s a mystery left unsolved, I feel like something’s hanging over me—I can’t rest or eat in peace.”

Pei Xuan adjusted him properly on the saddle. “Then let’s figure it out.”

Since it was a personal matter, neither of them brought anyone else. They rode one horse together.

Halfway there, Gu Qingyan suddenly realized something and asked curiously, “Big Brother Pei, why are we riding one horse? I can ride too—wouldn’t two horses be faster?”

Pei Xuan paused.

He hadn’t thought about it. It just felt natural to pull him onto his horse.

Pei Xuan’s face turned slightly awkward—luckily, Gu Qingyan, who was sitting in front, couldn’t see it.

Gu Qingyan had only asked casually. Soon, his attention was drawn to a passing funeral procession.

“It’s the Lu family.” The mourning banners and funeral carts moved slowly in a procession.

Pei Xuan guided the horse aside to let them pass. The funeral procession moved past them in the opposite direction.

Gu Qingyan quietly watched. There were clearly three coffins in the group.

He looked around at the entire procession. The windows of the carriages were tightly shut, with no one looking out.

After a long while, the procession had gone far, and he still didn’t see Lu Yanchi.

“Let’s go,” Gu Qingyan said softly.

He told himself he had little connection to Lu Yanchi, but for some reason, he still felt uneasy.

What he didn’t know was that inside one of the carriages, Lu Yanchi was sobbing uncontrollably. Tears streamed down his face, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop.

Yet even in the end, he never lifted the curtain to say goodbye to the person who was always on his mind.

Qingcheng Daoist Temple, being a notable landmark of Qingzhou, was bustling with incense worshippers. Although Gu Qingyan and Pei Xuan arrived early on horseback, there were already many people coming and going.

Gu Qingyan suddenly remembered—it was the fifteenth day of the lunar month. No wonder there were so many people burning incense.

At the foot of the mountain, the first thing they saw were green stone steps.

Looking up from the base, Qingcheng Temple appeared especially grand and imposing.

Horses and carriages weren’t allowed up the mountain and had to be left below. Gu Qingyan saw many fine horses already in the stables.

The two of them began climbing the stone steps together.

Gu Qingyan looked up. The stairs seemed to stretch endlessly. “So tall.”

“Can you make it?” Pei Xuan asked, slightly worried.

After all, to him, Gu Qingyan seemed like a frail scholar.

Gu Qingyan nodded, then asked on purpose, “And if I can’t?”

Without hesitation, Pei Xuan replied, “I’ll carry you up.”

Gu Qingyan burst out laughing. “Then if I get tired, I’m jumping on your back. You’re not allowed to refuse!”

“I won’t.”

Pei Xuan looked at his slender figure and thought—even if the stairs were twice as long, he could carry him all the way.

Gu Qingyan didn’t take it seriously. He wasn’t lame—why would he let someone carry him?

“Qingcheng Temple thrives on incense offerings and often takes in those with nowhere else to go. The last time my father came to Qingzhou for the imperial exam, he was short on money and brought my mother, who was pregnant with me, to stay at the temple.”

This was something he’d seen from Gu Tongsheng’s memories.

Supporting a scholar was too great a burden for a rural family.

Gu Tongsheng eventually chose to return to the countryside and become a private school teacher—forced by reality.

Beyond that, there was no other mention of Qingcheng Temple in his memories, as if their stay had only been a reluctant detour.

In contrast, Madam Xu often liked to come to Qingcheng Temple to offer incense.

Gu Qingyan vaguely remembered that when he was sick as a child, Madam Xu would always come to get protective charms from the temple. Although they never worked, she never tired of it.

Because of that, Gu Qingyan used to think she cared about him—just not in the right way.

Qingcheng Temple—what secret is it hiding?

“We’re here,” Pei Xuan reminded him.

Gu Qingyan looked up at the temple gate. This was the first sign-in point at Qingcheng Temple.

Without hesitation, he stepped onto it.