Chapter 25: The Third Uncle Returns to the Capital Without Worries

  Gu Qingjin's fondness for peonies originated from the "Peony Fu" she had studied before crossing over, that story about peonies and the empress, so when thinking of planting flowers, the first thing that came to her mind was to plant peonies.

  Previously, the people who came to find them were all already grown and mature peony seedlings. This is the first time they sent seeds. If I'm not mistaken, peony seeds take two years to grow, right? After handing over those few seeds to Yuanyang, Qingjin's mind was on the already mature peonies every day, pondering the knowledge about peony cultivation she had read before crossing over. In this leisurely life of planting flowers and grasses every day, time slowly passed, and half a month of leisurely days flew by in an instant.

  This morning, Gu Qingjin got up and was being attended to by Yuanyang while she washed her hair. She heard the noise outside was more lively than usual and asked Yuanyang beside her: "Why is it so lively outside today?"

  Yuan Yuan replied to Gu Qingjin's question while keeping her hands busy, "In response to Miss's words, the reason why the house is so lively today is that early this morning, the steward received news that Third Master and Third Madam will arrive at noon. Moreover, Old Madam has also sent someone to instruct that you don't need to go to pay respects to her this morning, and she has excused everyone in the house from paying their morning respects today."

  Gu Qingjin was taken aback by Yuanyang's words, "Really?" The only information that appeared in his mind was that Gu Qingyao was coming back.

  Although she had already learned the news some time ago and thought about how to treat Gu Qingyao after her return, when she heard that Gu Qingyao was coming back today, Gu Qingjing still felt a little dazed, staring blankly at the youthful and beautiful face in the mirror.

  The mandarin duck saw that her own daughter was in a daze, and she didn't know why every time she mentioned the Third Master's family, her daughter's expression would become distant and silent, different from usual, and there were some things she couldn't understand, which made her feel uneasy.

  Obviously, the young lady from their own family had never seen the Third Master's family before. Was she worried that the Third Master's eldest daughter, Fourth Miss, would return? But the young lady was the eldest daughter of the Anji Marquis' manor, and even if Fourth Miss was the Third Master's legitimate daughter, she couldn't compare to the status of being the Anji Marquis' own legitimate daughter. So why did the young lady behave like this?

  She waved her hand to let the little maid who was serving in the house quietly exit, and stood guard beside Gu Qingjin like a stone statue. No matter what, she always accompanied the young lady by her side, loyal to the young lady. What the young lady liked, she also liked; what the young lady disliked, she would definitely dislike too. Anyone who wanted to harm her young lady had to step over her dead body first.

  Looking at the girl's ethereal expression and heavy look that didn't match her age reflected in the copper mirror, Yuanyang had never seen Sanlao's family before, but at this moment, she had already decided that no matter what Sanlao's family was like, Yuanyang decided that she would start disliking Sanlao's family.

  Standing quietly behind Gu Qingjin, she heard the sudden noise and commotion outside, Yuanyang looked out the window, it was so lively outside, it should be the Third Master's family returning to the mansion, Madam... no, after the Third Master returned, she should be called Eldest Madam, Eldest Madam's bright and clear voice could occasionally be heard amidst the noise.

  The mandarin duck turned around to look at the girl who was still standing in front of the copper mirror, dazed. Shouldn't she advise the girl to go out for a walk? It would be best if she went with Madame Wang to welcome Old Master San and his family. That way, she could understand why every time Old Master San's family was mentioned, the girl had such an abnormal emotional reaction. However, when she saw the girl's figure again, she felt that she herself was confused. If the girl really was in a bad mood because of Old Master San's family, wouldn't it be even more distressing for her to urge the girl to go see Old Master San and his family? Thinking this, the mandarin duck continued to quietly stand behind Gu Qingyu, silently serving as a backdrop.

  The sunset sinks to the west, and the earth is bathed in the colorful glow of the remaining light. The gentle evening breeze brings waves of fragrance mixed with flowers and trees, making people feel carefree and relaxed, and a sense of infinite beauty at sunset arises spontaneously.

  Gu Qingjin walked through the layers of courtyards with her personal maid Yuanyang towards her grandmother Shen's Chaoxia Hall, her expression was calm and contented, not a bit distracted like she was when Yuanyang saw her in the morning, and even had a faint smile.

  In the Hou Mansion, the servants who were walking in an orderly manner stopped in their tracks and bowed when they saw the Second Young Mistress approaching. They only returned to their duties after her figure had disappeared into the distance.

  Before, the second young lady let them fawn and try to please her. Since the second young lady recovered from her illness, she managed the household accounts again and thoroughly investigated the accounts during the previous period. After dealing with corrupt and cunning servants with a heavy hand, they showed respect and courtesy when facing the second young lady, from initial admiration to now.

  Gu Qingjin stepped into the courtyard of Chaoxia Yuan with Yuanyang just as she heard her grandmother, Shen Shi's voice coming from inside.

  "You've returned safely, and the Anji Marquis's household is now a complete family reunion. I - this old bones can also be at peace with the late master."

  Gu Qingjin heard Shen's voice and immediately understood that Third Uncle and Third Aunt should be in the inner room of her grandmother at this time, and Grandmother Shen's words were obviously directed at Third Uncle and Third Aunt Su. Listening to Grandmother Shen's words, Third Aunt and others should have just entered the house. She stood quietly outside the house and didn't rush to enter.

  Not long after, a soft and sweet girl's voice sounded: "Greetings to grandma."

  Gu Qingjin did not hear the voice of his grandmother, Shen Shi, inside the house. The voices that had just been chatting and laughing in the room also stopped. Gu Qingjin waited patiently, and soon a low, solemn voice spoke up: "Son has troubled you, son is unfilial, these many years without serving mother in person, son is ashamed, younger brother thanks older brother for so many years taking his place in being filial to mother."

  Could it be that Father is also in Grandmother's room? Qing Jin wondered.

  "Third brother, there's no need to say that. Eldest brother is the firstborn and will inherit the title of our Anji Marquis household. It's only natural for him to be filial to Mother." A gentle voice rose up, which was none other than Qingjin's familiar father, Gu Huaili's voice.

  "Third brother, you don't have to feel guilty, Eldest brother took good care of me. Besides, both of you came out from my belly..." This was unmistakably the voice of Grandmother Shen. After she finished speaking, it was Father and Third Uncle's voices responding in unison.

  Then I heard my grandmother's voice again, but this time it seemed to be talking to Gu Qingjin's third aunt: "You've been following San for so many years and living in a desolate place, it's not easy to take care of the family and make San step up. As a mother, I didn't choose the wrong daughter-in-law for her. Mingxuan is well-educated, has his father's style from back then, Qi is also very good, knows books and etiquette, Yao..."

  Then Gu Qingjin heard that crisp and sweet voice again: "Grandma."