Chapter 276: Mother, Do I Have a Father?

Mother Gu considered herself an ordinary woman, small-minded, prone to jealousy, and incapable of pretending as though nothing had happened.

“I would rather he come to me and ask for a divorce.” Mother Gu leaned wearily against the wall of the carriage. She sighed, as if recalling something, and said, “That would be fine too. It means he’s still alive and living well. The heavy weight in my heart would be lifted, and I could finally feel at ease. Although what happened to him hurt and saddened me, as time passed, the pain faded.”

If, after achieving fame and success, he had Lady Liu by his side, along with that child, but still made a trip to Xinghua Village—even if fate played its tricks and he still did not meet their mother and son—she would have accepted it.

At the very least, his actions were consistent with his words, showing how much he valued their mother and son.

Mother Gu took out a handkerchief and blew her nose. “If Huaizhi and Baozhu want to acknowledge him, I won’t stop them.”

Su Wan felt a pang of sorrow for Mother Gu, hoping she could come to terms with it soon. However, Gu Qingsong didn’t seem like someone who would give up so easily.

“Huaizhi feels the same way as you do.”

Mother Gu didn’t say anything further, her thoughts drifting to when Baozhu was younger and had once asked her why all her friends had fathers while she didn’t. Now that Gu Qingsong had returned, would Baozhu be happy knowing she had a father?

Upon returning to the Gu residence, Mother Gu went straight to her room.

Su Wan noticed the fabric left on the table by the secret guard, and a complicated feeling welled up in her heart.

“You didn’t go to find Mother?” Gu Huaizhi returned and saw Su Wan standing by the table, staring at the fabric with a complicated expression. He stepped forward and embraced her. “Did something happen?”

“I received word that Mother was preparing to leave the capital and encountered Prince Changxing on the way,” Su Wan described the scene at the time to Gu Huaizhi, her expression full of worry, and said anxiously, “Mother’s temperament is very extreme. The relationship between her and Prince Changxing is either pure and flawless, or if there’s a blemish, she absolutely won’t accept it anymore.”

Unless, back then, during Mother Gu’s most difficult times, Gu Qingsong had been by her side—perhaps then, for the sake of the children, she might have forgiven him.

“Mother said that if you and Baozhu wish to mend your relationship with him, she won’t stop you.”

Gu Huaizhi frowned deeply. “I’ll arrange for someone to bring Baozhu back.”

Su Wan thought for a moment and nodded. Setting aside her concerns about Gu Qingsong, she asked Gu Huaizhi, “Is everything fine on your side?”

“Don’t worry, there’s nothing to be concerned about.” Gu Huaizhi pinched her cheek, which had become so thin that there was no trace of softness. “Have you taken your medicine?”

“Starting today, I don’t need to take it anymore.” Su Wan linked her arm through Gu Huaizhi’s, and the two of them walked back to the courtyard together. “Have you eaten yet? If not, I’ll cook you a bowl of noodles.”

“I’ve already eaten.” Gu Huaizhi returned to the courtyard and instructed Mo Yuan to personally fetch Gu Baozhu back to the residence.

——

Mother Gu sat by the bedside for a while, then got up and rummaged through the bottom of a chest. She pulled out a piece of underclothing, the very one she had sewn, stitch by stitch, from fine cotton fabric during the last family reunion year they spent together.

Gu Qingsong’s clothes, those of slightly better quality, had either been altered for Gu Huaizhi to wear or sold off.

Some people pitied her and offered a few coins to buy them, which she used to purchase medicine to keep Gu Huaien’s life hanging on.

Only this piece of clothing she couldn’t bear to sell, keeping it by her side as a memento.

Mother Gu’s eyes grew hot as she continued rummaging, eventually finding Gu Qingsong’s hunting bow and arrows, as well as an old wooden hairpin he had often worn. She retrieved a piece of floral fabric, carefully wrapping these items together. She opened the door, and handed the bundle to the secret guard stationed outside.

“You know where Gu Qingsong is staying, so return these things to him,” Mother Gu said in a hoarse voice. After a moment’s thought, she added, “And go fetch Baozhu back.”

Everyone has the right to know the truth about themselves.

She couldn’t accept Gu Qingsong, but she also had no right to deprive Gu Baozhu of knowing the truth about her biological father’s existence.

“The master has already arranged for someone to fetch Third Miss.”

Mother Gu was stunned for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”

The secret guard took the items and went to find Gu Qingsong.

——

Gu Qingsong was entirely unfamiliar with the capital of the Great Zhou. Apart from the Gu family members, he knew no one, so he could only find an inn to stay in.

The waiter brought over two dishes and two jars of wine.

Gu Qingsong drank sullenly, one cup after another.

He replayed Liu Guixiang’s words over and over in his mind, each one cutting into his heart like a knife.

He knew his youngest son had passed away, but he hadn’t realized it was on that very day.

Knock, knock—

The door was rapped upon.

“Master, it’s me, Qin Luo.”

Gu Qingsong swallowed a mouthful of bitter wine. “Come in.”

Qin Luo pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Gu Qingsong’s desolate expression, he froze for a moment before quickly regaining his composure and reporting the information he had gathered. “Liu Mao has arrived in the Great Zhou, but I haven’t been able to pinpoint his exact hiding place. I’ve arranged for someone to protect Madam Liu (Mother Gu). Qin Yang has also come to the Great Zhou, but he was tied up by Madam Liu, who mistook him for a spy.”

Gu Qingsong’s brows furrowed tightly. “What’s the situation with the Gu family in the Great Zhou? When did the Regent become his father?”

“When you left Xinghua Village back then, their lives were very difficult. They never gave up searching for you. Gu Huaizhi fell ill, and his health has been poor ever since. During the provincial examination, he almost lost his life. After that, he never participated in the imperial examinations again. He left his hometown in search of medical treatment and, by chance, earned the Regent’s favor, who took him in as his godson.”

Qin Luo meticulously recounted everything that had happened since then and mentioned Gu Huaizhi’s current situation: “The Emperor Jing is unconscious, and the Crown Prince is imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court. The court is now under the control of the Regent’s faction. Recently, the Empress Dowager returned to the palace and is now opposing the Regent’s forces. He wishes to seize full control of imperial power, but there will be significant resistance.”

Gu Qingsong’s expression grew heavy as he said, “What do you mean?”

“Previously, Gu Huaizhi was in Jiangnan and had a good relationship with Cao Guangyi, the Governor-General of Liangjiang. Now that he has been transferred to the capital, he is supporting the Crown Prince and has already begun plotting to rescue him,” Qin Luo said, his expression complicated. Cao Guangyi’s influence was not to be underestimated.

Gu Qingsong tightened his grip on the wine cup in his hand. He wanted to help Gu Huaizhi, but he had no power or influence in the Great Zhou, only an intelligence network.

Given the Regent’s immense influence in the Great Zhou, they were certainly not lacking in intelligence networks either.

“Keep an eye on Cao Guangyi. If Gu Huaizhi needs anything, assist him with all your strength, no matter the cost.”

“Understood.”

Qin Luo left the inn.

Gu Qingsong could no longer drink. Regardless of whether Gu Huaizhi acknowledged him or not, he had to find a way to meet him tomorrow.

—

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Gu Huaizhi got up and changed into his court attire.

Su Wan opened her eyes, still groggy from sleep, and stared at Gu Huaizhi’s clothes, momentarily confused.

“Aren’t you just a juren? How come you have official robes? Are you going to attend morning court?”

She climbed out from under the blankets, and began tidying his official robes for him.

“My other identity is Tingyuan. I hold an official position in the court,” Gu Huaizhi explained, briefly frowning as he thought of the connection between Cao Guangyi and the Empress Dowager. He took her cold hands in his and said, “Go back to sleep for a while.”

“Alright.” Su Wan kissed him on the cheek and then collapsed back into bed with the blanket, watching as he left the room.

After lying down for a while, she found herself unable to fall back asleep, so she got up and went to the front hall.

Mother Gu was already waiting in the front hall, her complexion looking unwell.

“Mother, did you stay up all night?” Su Wan’s fingers brushed against the dark circles under her eyes.

Before Mother Gu could respond, the sound of light, hurried footsteps caught their attention. Looking up, they saw Gu Baozhu running in energetically, her voice full of life as she called out, “Mother! Sister-in-law! I’m back!”

“Sister-in-law, I missed you so much!” Gu Baozhu ran toward Su Wan.

Su Wan opened her arms and embraced her, placing a kiss on the top of her head. “I missed you too.”

Gu Baozhu giggled, letting go of Su Wan, and then dove into Mother Gu’s arms. “Mother, why did you only bring me back? Is it to celebrate Big brother and sister-in-law’s return? Brother (Jingyun) wanted to come back too!”

Mother Gu remained silent for a moment. Under Gu Baozhu’s confused gaze, she slowly said, “Your father has returned.”

“Ah?” Gu Baozhu was stunned for a moment, then quickly exclaimed with joy, “Mother, I have a father?”