Chapter 303: You Don’t Want Me Anymore?

“How could I bear to leave you there alone out of mere heartache?” Gu Huaizhi said as he lifted Gu Jingyun away.

Gu Jingyun’s heart shattered into pieces—this brotherhood was beyond saving!

His small eyes were filled with accusation, but when they met Gu Huaizhi’s indifferent face, his tone immediately became especially sincere: “Big Brother, I think of you all every day.”

Gu Huaizhi remained expressionless and asked, “Who brought you back?”

Gu Jingyun’s dark eyes flickered as he guiltily glanced toward the door. “The vegetable farmer goes up the mountain to deliver vegetables every five days. I hid in a vegetable basket to sneak down the mountain.”

His small face turned particularly dejected, his head drooping as he counted on his fingers. “It’s been nearly eight months since I last saw Big Brother and Sister-in-law. Now that Baozhu is back, I secretly slipped back too.”

In truth, he had overheard Elder Jiang mentioning to someone that Father had returned. Baozhu had come to the capital to see their father.

He didn’t understand—why hadn’t they called him to see their father as well?

Was studying really more important than seeing their father?

As he thought about it, Gu Jingyun’s eyes turned red, tears welling up in his eyes. “Big Brother, do you not like me? Do you not want me anymore?”

Seeing him struggling to hold back his tears, Gu Huaizhi let out a soft sigh and patted his head. “Have you forgotten my instructions? I sent you a letter a few days ago, saying I would visit you in a few days.”

Gu Jingyun shook his head vigorously and sniffled. “I didn’t forget…”

He sniffled, and said, “I just miss home.”

Gu Huaizhi took out a handkerchief, wiped his tears clean, and stuffed it into his hand. “Go see Mother. Stay home for a day. Tomorrow, Mo Yuan will take you back.”

Gu Jingyun’s eyes widened. He wanted to plead to stay a few more days.

“No room for negotiation.”

Gu Jingyun pouted, on the verge of tears.

“It’s dangerous for you in the capital. When the time is right, I will personally bring you back,” Gu Huaizhi said, his tone softening. “While you’re home for the day, you mustn’t run around.”

Gu Jingyun knew there was no room for negotiation. He nodded dispiritedly, then turned and ran into the back courtyard to find Mother Gu, and afterward, he would seek out Gu Baozhu to ask about their father.

Gu Huaizhi pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mo Yuan, stay at the residence and ensure Jingyun’s safety.”

“Master, you…”

“Mo Chen will accompany me.”

Mo Yuan then returned to the residence to guard Gu Jingyun.

Gu Huaizhi sat inside the carriage, while Mo Chen took the reins as the coachman.

“Master, are you heading to the government office?”

“Mm.” Gu Huaizhi then asked, “What’s the situation with the Marquis of Guangyuan’s residence?”

“The madam skewed Tang Qingyu’s mouth. When Princess Yongfu found out, she was furious and wanted to settle the score with you. But first, she needed to cure Tang Qingyu. She summoned an imperial doctor, but he was at a loss. Then, she sought out several renowned doctors, yet none could heal him. Only then did Princess Yongfu suppress her hatred and beg the madam for treatment.”

Mo Chen found this incredibly satisfying. “The madam refused to treat him, which made Princess Yongfu livid. But she didn’t dare to do anything, as she was still counting on the madam to cure Tang Qingyu.”

Gu Huaizhi furrowed his brows, suspecting that things were not so simple.

The Marquis of Guangyuan had given Tang Qingyu a choice: either marry Liu Baocheng or shave her head and become a nun. Keeping her mouth intact in the capital was the best option available to her.

Tang Qingyu was arrogant and naturally would never marry Liu Baocheng. She chose to enter a nunnery—but only on the condition that her mouth was healed before she left.

No matter how ruthless the Marquis of Guangyuan was, he wouldn’t completely disregard his own bloodline.

Princess Yongfu had failed to persuade the marquis—before Tang Qingyu either married Liu Baocheng or entered the nunnery as a nun, they wouldn’t dare touch Su Wan.

“How is Tang Haoyue?”

Mo Chen paused for a moment, his tone unnatural. “Princess Yongfu poisoned her mute and threw her into a brothel to serve men.”

“Let the Marquis of Guangyuan know about this.” Gu Huaizhi handed a thick letter to Mo Yuan, his tone subtle. “Deliver this to the marquis as well.”