The steward of the Ding Guo Mansion walked quickly to a halt inside the door of the Mansion, slowing his breath before he came out with unhurried steps.
His eager gaze fell on Gu Yi’s face, but he quickly moved away for fear of losing his temper, his voice concealing an uncontrollable excitement, “Your Excellency, please come to the residence.”
The watchman came out to take the reins from Gu Yi and Xiao Si’s hands, Gu Yi lifted his feet and followed the housekeeper into the mansion.
Inside, every brick and wood was the same as the one outside the house, everywhere was gorgeous, but this gorgeousness was also filled with indescribable sadness.
The housekeeper kept his head down all the way, lest his emotions leak out, until he reached the separate parlour, then he raised his head, “Your Excellency is waiting here now, I will send someone to shout for the State Prince right away.”
Gu Yi nodded slightly and walked into the house, Xiao Si stood guard at the door, the butler returned and went out, calling out to a resourceful boy, “Ride your horse and call out to the Duke of China, tell him that the son of his late friend has come to pay him a visit in the capital.”
The boy went to the stables in the backyard, took out his horse, went out through the side door and hurried all the way to the Ministry of Officials, the day after tomorrow was the examination, and all the officials of the Ministry of Officials, big and small, were busy.
The servant found the Duke and reported in a respectful voice, “Master, the son of your deceased friend has come to pay a visit at the residence.”
The family was not taking it seriously, as the exams were coming up, and all those who had sons who were related to the family had come to pay their respects, and their family was no exception.
“Understood.”
The State Duke’s voice was calm as he finished speaking and got up, “It’s almost alright today, I’ll go back first.”
“Take care, Your Imperial Highness!”
The State Duke left the Ministry, his footsteps unconsciously speeding up as he got onto the carriage and instructed the driver, “Hurry up a little.”
The coachman raised his whip and the carriage sped up.
For the second time in his life, the State Duke’s hand was shaking a little as he held the small window, feeling that this road he had walked countless times was a little long, so long that he could not contain his excitement and jumped off the carriage to run back.
The carriage came to a halt with great difficulty, and the Prince of Determination steadied his mind, got down from the carriage and entered the house with the same steps as usual. But, still, the faster he walked, the faster he walked.
“Your Lordship ……”
The butler greeted him.
“Where is everyone?”
“In the ri ……”
Before the words were finished, there was no longer a figure of the Ding Duke in front of him.
Duke Ding Guo walked to the door and pushed it open vigorously, and as the door hit the going wall with a thud, his gaze fell on Gu Yi’s face.
“Xiao’er!”
Gu Yi stepped forward and knelt down, “Xiao’er pays his respects to Grandfather.”
Duke Ding’s large hand fell on his face, looking at the face that resembled his long-deceased daughter, old tears flowed down his face, “It’s been more than ten years, grandfather finally sees you.”
Gu Yi also had red eyes, “Xiao’er is unfilial and has made Grandfather worry for so many years.”
“It’s good that you’re alright, it’s good that you’re alright, get up.”
The housekeeper closed the door behind him with red eyes, and guarded the doorway with Xiao Si left and right.
Duke Ding helped Gu Yi up, let him sit down, and looked at him properly and carefully, for a long time, before the words came out, his voice was already choked up, “For so many years, you have suffered.”
“The countryside is very comfortable, Xiao’er has not suffered, but Grandfather, he is much older than in the portrait, it must have been difficult for him to live in the capital for so many years, it is Xiao’er who has dragged you down.”
“What silly words, if it wasn’t for grandfather’s incompetence and his failure to protect your mother back then, you wouldn’t have ended up in the countryside, grandfather is ashamed of your mother.”
Outside the door, the housekeeper tilted his head back to look at the sky and let his tears flow backwards.
It was a long time before Duke Ding’s mood stabilised, “Xiao’er, why have you suddenly come to the capital.”
For so many years, fearing that Gu Yi would be found, Duke Ding had not been in contact with him and did not know what had happened.
Gu Yi first told him about Song Wan Yue saving himself and his pestering to be betrothed to her.
“Nonsense!”
After hearing this, Duke Ding reprimanded him, “How can a marriage be a child’s play? Not to mention the fact that it is a country girl who will not be of any help to you. Listen to your grandfather, go back and withdraw from the marriage, whatever you have given us before, we don’t want it anymore, consider it as compensation.”
“I can obey Grandfather in everything else, but not in this matter. Grandfather, I have known since I was a child that I am burdened with a blood feud and have always walked alone. Only Yue’er is a light in my journey, lighting up all the dark places, and I cannot abandon her.”
“You ……”
Duke Ding restrained his slight anger, “Since you care for her so much, you should be able to think that if one day …… it might bring about the destruction of their family.”
“No!”
Gu Yi said in a categorical manner.
Looking at his firm expression, many emotions flashed through the Ding Duke’s heart for a moment, some relieved, some sour, and even more tinged with hatred.
“Since you are so sure of yourself, Grandfather will not care, tell us what you have come to the capital for?”
“Yue’er’s elder brother is called Song Si, he was the Jieyuan of Qingping Prefecture last year, and this time, if there is no accident, he will definitely be on the top of the list.”
“Does Xiao’er mean to ask Grandfather to help him again?”
“I want Grandfather to think of betrothing Cousin Yao’er to him.”
The Duke of Ding froze.
“I just said that Song Si was famous on the list, but it was actually a conservative statement; based on his learning, he could very well win the Huiyuan and take the temple exams.”
The Duke of Ding immediately understood what he meant, “You are saying that he might be recruited by the Sixth Princess as a horse in harness.”
Gu Yi nodded, “Grandfather trusts me, Song Si is not only learned, treats people well, has commitment and can cook, if cousin Yao’er marries him, she will definitely have a good life for the rest of her life.”
“Grandfather believes you, I will find opportunities for your cousin Yao’er to get in touch with him.”
“Many thanks to Grandfather, there is one more thing.”
“Go ahead.”
“Beauty’s Smile has appeared in Qingping County ……”
“What?”
Before Gu Yi could finish his sentence, Duke Ding stood up in shock.
“Grandfather, don’t panic, it’s not directed at me.”
Only then did the Duke of Ding slowly sit back down, his voice unsteady, “What’s going on?”
Gu Yi briefly told of the discovery of Beauty’s Smile from the Zhang family, “My men had been following one of them into the capital, and when they arrived at the Duke of Qi’s residence, they kept watch outside for a few days before seeing Zhang Huai come out of the residence.”
“The Duke of Qi’s Mansion?”
“Yes. I would like to ask Grandfather to settle the man quietly in these few days, keeping him would be a curse.”
“Good.”
Duke Ding thoughtlessly agreed, “I will take care of this, so you should not interfere.”
……
Half an hour later, Gu Yi came out of the house, the housekeeper personally saw him out, watched him get on his horse and then turned around and went back.
In the meantime, Duke Ding went back to his courtyard, sent someone to call over his only granddaughter, Xiao Yao, and said in the presence of Lady Ding, “Grandfather has chosen someone for you, a jieyuan from Qingping House last year, called Song Si.”
“Master ……”
The Duchess of Ding Guo instantly looked at him.