Chapter 362: Redeeming a Promise

d me on our wedding day, what's the point of me marrying him now and bearing the title of a nominal princess"Zhang Shi was a little confused and followed her words, asking, "What do you mean"Meng Jiny...Gu Jingxi couldn't help but laugh when she heard this.

Meng Jin Yao saw him suddenly laugh, thinking he was overreacting to sadness. She comforted him, "Husband, it's really alright. With your abilities, as long as you make some achievements, returning to the capital is only a matter of time. Just consider this as serving the court in a different place."

"Can't you just hope your husband gets better" Gu Jingxi raised his hand to pinch her cheek, shaking his head and smiling wryly. "Your husband has always been careful with his words and deeds, and he hasn't done anything wrong, so why would he be demoted"

Meng Jin Yao was stunned, then asked in bewilderment: “It wasn’t a demotion, then why suddenly leave the capital for such a distant place as Huizhou Prefecture Even if you did nothing, the journey there and back would take over a month. As a court official, how could you leave the capital for so long”

Gu Jingxi replied, "Next month is our ancestor's death anniversary. The other day I even dreamed of our ancestors. We should go back home to pay our respects."

"Return, return home for ancestral worship"

Meng Jin Yao was stunned. Last year during the anniversary of their ancestor's passing, the Gu family hadn't specifically returned to their ancestral home to visit the grave. Every year, they held a ceremony at the ancestral hall on Qingming Festival to pay respects to their ancestors. What was going on this year

Gu Jingxi nodded: "Yes, we'll leave the day after tomorrow. We can return to our hometown before our ancestor's death anniversary."

Huzhou Prefecture is the ancestral home of the Gu family. Although their ancestor was awarded the title of Changxing Marquis, and Changxing County is also under the jurisdiction of Huzhou Prefecture, their ancestral home is not Changxing County.

Ancestor was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Changxing because when he followed the Emperor Gaozu to conquer the world, our ancestor seized Changxing from a former dynasty general. Later, when Changxing was taken by the enemy army, it was retaken by our ancestor.

Changxing County, nestled between mountains and lakes, boasts a magnificent landscape and convenient transportation. It occupies a strategically important position at the crossroads of three provinces, making it a coveted territory since ancient times. The sounds of clanging swords and rumbling chariots have never ceased to echo through its history.

The ancestor had two important battles in Changxing, and both of his great achievements were related to Changxing. Therefore, after Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Changxing.

Meng Jinyao looked at him, feeling that something was amiss. She hesitated and asked, "Husband, are you really going back to your hometown to sweep the ancestral graves because you had a dream about your ancestors"

Gu Jingxi was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting her intuition to be so sharp. He didn't hide it from her and whispered, "Actually, it's not entirely for ancestor worship. This trip back to Huzhou Prefecture also has a piece of official business to attend to, but outwardly, it will be declared as a return home for ancestor worship."

When Meng Jin Yao heard that it was official business, she instinctively thought of how she couldn't do anything and worried that following him would be a burden. She said, "Husband, if you have official business to attend to, I'm afraid following you will hinder your work. Perhaps I should just stay behind."

Gu Jingxi said nonchalantly, "It won't be a problem. Besides, I finally married a wife. Since we're going back to our hometown to pay respects to our ancestors, of course, I have to bring my wife along to visit the graves."

Meng Jinyao still had reservations: “But…”

"There's no need," Gu Jingxi interrupted her, "This won't hinder me. Bringing you along can also conceal our presence. When we reach Huizhou, we'll prepare for the ancestor worship ceremony. By the way, I'll introduce you to relatives from my hometown and let you experience the local customs and traditions there. All matters will be handled discreetly, without making a fuss."

Meng Jin Yao, hearing that she still had a cover, didn't refuse any longer. A smile quickly appeared on her face. She had been talking about the places outside the capital just the other day, and now she could experience them firsthand so soon. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Seeing her joy, Gu Jingxi's mouth also curled upwards, and he said, "Just bring two maidservants. Chan'er is skilled in martial arts, so bringing Chan'er along will give me peace of mind. Having a maid with martial arts skills by your side when you're out and about is reassuring. After all, I can't be by your side at all times. As for the other maid, think about who you want to bring."

Meng Jin Yao thought for a moment, then replied: "Cong Dong gets flustered when things happen. The other one could be Qing Qiu, who is calm and collected. Of course, Chun Liu is also good, but she has been with Qing Qiu for many years and they have better understanding."

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The next day.

Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao went to Shou'an Hall to pay respects to Madam Gu, informing her of their plan to leave for the capital tomorrow to visit their ancestors.

Knowing this, Old Madam Gu speculated that her son wouldn't really believe his return home was solely for ancestor worship. This trip back home must have been for some mission.

She looked at her son and daughter-in-law, feeling a pang of reluctance in her heart, but she didn't show it. In a soft voice, she said: "The journey from the capital to Huzhou Prefecture is long, so be careful on the road. When you arrive in Huzhou, write back and let me know you're safe. Mother will be waiting for your return."

Meng Jinyao nodded and replied, "Mother, rest assured, we will be careful."

Mrs. Gu softly hummed in response, then looked at her son and instructed him, "Yao Ling, the waterway between the capital and Huzhou is much more convenient and quicker. I assume you'll be traveling by water as well. But Aya hasn't been out of the city before, so take good care of her. Prepare some medicine for seasickness just in case."

Gu Jingxi hadn't thought about this issue. Now, hearing his mother say this, he realized that he had overlooked something. He hurriedly said, "Mother, I will go to the Tai Hospital later and ask the imperial physician for some medicine to treat seasickness."

Then, Madam Gu instructed them a few more things before letting the couple go back to pack their belongings.

When Gu Jingxi left Shougantang, he told his wife what to prepare for the maidservant. After finishing his instructions, he left his house and headed to the Imperial Medical Bureau. This trip out of Beijing was estimated to take two or three months to return. He also needed to find Dr. Wen to get his medicine, and some medicine for seasickness, as well as some medicine for preventing indigestion from a change in climate.

After leaving the Imperial Hospital, Gu Jingxi went back to the Dali Temple to brief the two deputy ministers of justice, Zheng Shaosheng and Qi Shaosheng, especially Qi Yunwen.

Qi Yunwen learned that he was leaving the capital tomorrow, and was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe it and said, "Yao Ling, you don't seem like you're just going back home to pay respects to your ancestors. You're because of that case, aren't you"

Gu Jingxi nodded lightly: "Yes, didn't I tell you yesterday morning that there were doubts about the case"

"This case has some suspicious points, requiring the Dali Temple Minister to personally run a trip" Qi Yunwen frowned, feeling his abilities were being severely questioned. He continued, "For this kind of case, if we need to send someone, it should be me or Zheng Shaoqing. Could it be that you doubt our capabilities"

Gu Jingxi said seriously, "Your talents with Zheng Shaoqing are unquestionable, but you both have wives and children. For your children's education, it wouldn't be good for you to travel far. I'm just right for this task, plus my ancestors will have their death anniversary next month, so I can pay respects to them."

Qi Yunwen, after hearing this, could only feel astonished: "Gu Yao Ling, when did you become so understanding"

Gu Jingxi raised an eyebrow: "I've always been good at understanding people."

Qi Yunwen looked at him for a long time, then slowly shook his head: "Something's wrong, you're wrong. Such a taxing and laborious case that requires traveling so far, when there are subordinates available to be assigned, you, as the superior, would take it upon yourself There must be something even more difficult waiting for us to handle."

Gu Jingxi was speechless.

He thought, he didn't usually oppress his subordinates, how did this suspicion arise

If it were in the past, he probably wouldn't have made the trip. But now, he wants to find an opportunity to take Ah Yao out on a long trip and fulfill the promise he made a few days ago. Otherwise, who knows when he'll have another chanceve been his legitimate wife.To compensate his beloved, Gu Xiuming personally ordered the maid to carefully decorate the courtyard in a style that Li Wan'er would like, and also ordered the maid to buy...