Chapter 29 Returning to the Capital
Gongsun Jie’s sudden return after achieving victory disrupted Gu Yu’s original plan. Gu Yu had intended to nurse Gu Qing back to health with medicinal cuisine in the coming days, after which he and Gu Mengyao could return to Yang Family Village and continue their simple life.
However, Gongsun Jie immediately announced his return to the court, bringing the general of Luoluo Kingdom, Guan Shun, back to the capital to be dealt with by the Emperor. This decision was crucial for the continuation of the war between the two kingdoms, necessitating a swift return to the capital for discussions.
While others had no major objections to returning to the capital, Gu Yu and Gu Mengyao found themselves in a difficult position. Their sole purpose for staying was to heal Gu Qing. Now, with the sudden decision to return, they were faced with a dilemma: follow or stay?
If they followed, going to the capital might bring about even more troubles. If they stayed, Gu Qing’s health was still not fully recovered. As Gu Yu and Gu Mengyao hesitated, Gu Qing, upon hearing the news of the victory, became so agitated that he coughed up blood. This ultimately led them to decide to accompany the army to the capital. Gu Yu had just managed to save his father-in-law’s life, and it would be too disheartening if any further accidents occurred due to improper care. Thinking optimistically, if Gu Qing’s health could be improved on the journey, they could then leave.
Thus, after deciding to accompany Gu Qing to the capital, Gu Yu and Gu Mengyao packed their belongings and boarded a carriage to join the army, their destination being the capital. Along the road, Gu Mengyao disguised herself in men’s clothing for convenience, which prevented her from being recognized. Gu Yu, however, lamented that he couldn’t hold his wife’s hand in public, finding the Linfeng Kingdom rather uncivilized for restricting women’s presence in military camps. This forced him to worry about being mistaken for engaging in homosexual behavior whenever he tried to express affection towards Gu Mengyao.
Frustrated by this setback with Gu Mengyao, Gu Yu became increasingly attentive to his father-in-law, Gu Qing. The taste of the medicinal cuisine he prepared grew increasingly peculiar, making Gu Qing feel as though he were being tortured every time he was about to drink it. Despite his son-in-law’s good intentions, the medicinal cuisine was truly unbearable, tasting worse than even Chinese Skullcap Root! Thinking this, Gu Qing abandoned his tough demeanor and began making excuses to avoid drinking the medicinal cuisine.
However, Gu Yu’s purpose in accompanying the army to the capital was to tend to Gu Qing’s health. Therefore, even if Gu Qing tried to evade him, Gu Yu always managed to find him, smiling as he presented a bowl of medicinal cuisine and watched his father-in-law drink it with a pained expression. Gu Qing, despite being only a vice general, had sustained numerous injuries on the battlefield. Although his external wounds had been healed, latent internal injuries remained, waiting for the opportune moment to erupt.
Indeed, after the poison within Gu Qing was neutralized, his internal injuries began to surface one by one. This consequently led to setbacks in his recovery, extending the estimated five days to over ten days without significant healing. After all, medicinal cuisine, unlike potent medicine, only aimed to gradually restore Gu Qing’s health, resulting in a slow effect. Gu Yu wished that the Pot of Benevolent Aid could produce pills for recovery; a single pill would suffice to restore Gu Qing’s health. Unfortunately, the “good deeds points” earned from treating the injured in the military camp were once again exchanged for detoxification pills after being used for a random medicine! Gu Yu thought that the Pot of Benevolent Aid should have been named the “Detoxification Pot” instead.
With no other options, Gu Yu and Gu Mengyao could only follow the army to the capital. Fortunately, Gu Qing’s health had shown significant improvement, and it was expected that he would be fully recovered within a few days of arriving in the capital. If Gu Qing, who had only been on the battlefield for a few years, had such severe internal injuries, then the old General Gongsun Jie must be in an even worse condition. However, this was no longer Gu Yu’s concern. Since Gongsun Jie disliked his wife, Gu Yu also found Gongsun Jie disagreeable and had no intention of offering him treatment.
Later, as Gongsun Jie led the army triumphantly returning to the capital, the city gates were wide open. Countless civilians stood on both sides of the streets, eagerly awaiting the army’s glorious return. “A’yu, is this the capital? It’s so prosperous!” “After all, this is where the Emperor resides, so it’s natural for it to be prosperous. Once we’re settled, we can explore.” “Mm.” Gu Mengyao exclaimed in surprise as she gazed out the carriage window. Gu Yu couldn’t help but smile, promising to take Gu Mengyao around the capital to experience its splendor.
[Gu Mengyao’s favorability +10, Space is upgrading…]
Hearing Gu Yu’s words, Gu Mengyao nodded happily in her heart. She then shifted her gaze back outside, and the adoring gazes of the surrounding civilians infected her with joy. Earlier, upon hearing the news of victory, Gu Mengyao had been too excited to sleep, only to be forcefully put to bed by Gu Yu, who sternly insisted she get some rest. While the excitement eventually subsided, as time passed, Gu Mengyao thought her excitement had faded. However, seeing the adoration on so many faces now reignited her excitement. Especially since Gu Mengyao hadn’t merely been idly waiting in the military camp; she had participated in escorting grain supplies and setting fire to the enemy’s granary, making her feel a sense of accomplishment and shared honor with the army.
However, Gu Yu, having transmigrated from another world, didn’t share Gu Mengyao’s excitement. He looked out the carriage window at the vast sea of black heads, which reminded him of the crowded train stations during the Spring Festival travel rush before his transmigration. He quickly averted his gaze, turning to look at his wife’s happy face and smiling foolishly along with her. As long as his wife was happy, he was happy.
However, with their arrival in the capital, subsequent events would soon unfold. Gu Yu felt that the time was ripe. Gu Mengyao and Gu Qing had already spent enough time together. If he continued to conceal the truth, Gu Mengyao’s emotional distress, should she be hurt, would be even more severe. He still vividly recalled Gu Mengyao’s near breakdown when she learned that Gu Qing was still alive, which sent a shiver of fear down his spine. Therefore, Gu Yu planned to inform Gu Mengyao in advance about Gu Qing having a new wife.
Originally, Gu Yu had been hesitant to mention it, thinking that after Gu Qing recovered, they would directly return to Yang Family Village, thus having minimal further interaction with Gu Qing. This would have been beneficial for both Gu Qing and Gu Mengyao. However, with their current arrival in the capital…
“Mengyao, I have something to tell you.” “?” After calming himself, Gu Yu spoke to Gu Mengyao. His serious demeanor filled Gu Mengyao with confusion, wondering why he was suddenly so earnest. Could it be bad news? Seeing his wife tilt her head in confusion, making her look adorably perplexed, Gu Yu almost decided not to say anything. But after a moment of consideration, he hardened his heart and revealed the truth. “Mengyao, your father has a new wife. She is Gongsun Jie’s daughter, named Gongsun Feifei… and they’ve just had a son.”
“Oh, I already knew that.”
“You knew that???” Gu Yu, after much internal struggle, revealed that Gu Qing had a new wife. To his surprise, Gu Mengyao remained remarkably calm upon hearing this, showing no significant reaction. Her subsequent words further astonished Gu Yu, who wondered when she had learned of this.
Seeing Gu Yu’s bewildered expression, Gu Mengyao chuckled and explained how she knew. It turned out that while at the military camp, Gu Mengyao had overheard soldiers privately discussing Gu Qing. Although their words were filled with praise for Gu Qing, they also mentioned his unusual relationship with Gongsun Jie. This sparked suspicion in Gu Mengyao, and after paying closer attention, she soon learned about Gu Qing’s current family situation. Gu Mengyao had been angry, thinking that while they struggled to find enough food and warmth in Yang Family Village, Gu Qing had established a family in the capital. Even with his amnesia, this outcome was unacceptable to her.
However, Gu Mengyao did not react with explosive anger as she might have in the past, opting instead to keep her emotions hidden. After all, a man taking a concubine was not uncommon, and only her A’yu was a devoted and good man. When the military order to escort the grain supplies was issued, Gu Mengyao decided to accompany Gu Yu, saving her from continuing to see Gu Qing, whom she found increasingly detestable. Gu Mengyao’s feelings towards Gu Qing, her father, were complex. While she sometimes wished to simply walk away, she ultimately stayed, thinking she could offer some help. Making this decision had gradually eased the turmoil in her heart, and the thrilling experiences throughout the journey had further calmed her emotions. Had she not met A’yu, she might still be consumed by anger and resentment.
Since Gu Yu’s transmigration into her life, her own life had undergone significant changes, leading to a shift in her mindset. Gu Mengyao believed that life was meant to be experienced with more interesting and novel events, and that she shouldn’t confine herself to a small world of anger. With A’yu and Qing Heng by her side, a beautiful future awaited her. Now, all she wanted was to ensure Gu Qing’s health was restored, and then she would go home.
However, unforeseen complications had arisen, and they had unexpectedly returned to the capital. During the journey back, Gu Qing had found Gu Mengyao and sincerely recounted his experiences over the past few years, withholding nothing. Gu Mengyao had not anticipated Gu Qing’s candidness, but since she already knew, she was not angry. Gu Yu’s current expression was identical to Gu Qing’s at that moment, making Gu Mengyao wonder how much worry she had caused him.
Gu Mengyao neither forgave nor refused to forgive Gu Qing. For now, she did not wish to visit the Gu Residence. Therefore, after Gu Mengyao stated her decision, Gu Yu immediately voiced his agreement. There were plenty of inns in the capital where they could find lodging, free from the rigid rules of prominent families, allowing them to do as they pleased without worrying about offending others.
