Chapter 28
Yanfei
“Yanfei, swallows in flight. What a nice name.” Gu Yuan smiled and clapped. He was obviously supporting Gu Yanfei.
The Patriarch originally wanted Gu Yuan to persuade Gu Yanfei, but seeing him say this, he stopped persuading her. He focused on adding the words “Gu Yanfei” to the name of the eldest branch and wrote her birthday.
Then, the tip of the brush dipped into the inkstone again. The Patriarch changed Gu Yunrong’s name to the second branch, under Gu Jian and Madam Wang. As the eldest daughter of the two, she was third in line in the Marquis Mansion.
“Yuan’er, you’re the eldest brother, so even if Rong’er was just adopted to the second branch today, she’s still your sister. You have to take good care of your siblings and be their role model!”
“Yanfei, although you’ve had some hardships in the past, you’ll receive blessings in the future.”
“…”
“We are all members of the Gu family. We have to remember that we are bound together for good or ill. You all have to prioritize the family’s glory and future…”
The Patriarch gave some instructions, then everyone went to the ancestral hall at the back.
Smoke curled up from the ancestral hall. Layers and layers of memorial tablets were placed on the altar. They were placed step by step like terraces, magnificent and dignified.
The Patriarch respectfully placed the memorial in the ancestral hall and led the Gu family to kowtow and offer incense.
After a series of complicated procedures, it was already an hour and a half later.
The sun was high and warm as summer.
When everyone came out of the ancestral hall, most of them were relieved. They felt as if they had watched a climax early in the morning.
At this moment, the ladies from the other families were looking at Gu Yanfei differently from before. They were thinking too much.
Gu Yunrong stood quietly under the eaves and looked at Gu Yanfei and Gu Yuan in front of her with a handkerchief in her hand.
Her gaze landed firmly on Gu Yuan’s well-defined side profile. She opened her mouth slightly, as if she wanted to say something to him. In the end, she held back and her expression was a little lonely.
“Rong’er,” Madam Gu held Gu Yunrong’s hand lovingly and chatted with her, “Didn’t Princess Changqing send you a post yesterday? Did you reply?”
“Not yet.” Gu Yunrong shook his head. “Princess Changqing invited me to play polo at Prince Jing’s Manor in a few days.”
“If you want to go, go ahead.” Madam Gu smiled and said, “I’ve heard that Princess Consort Jing likes black tea. I have a century-old black tea here. I’ll get someone to send it to you later.”
Madam Gu wanted to make up for the grievances she had suffered today.
“Thank you, Grandma.” Gu Yunrong smiled obediently.
Gu Yanfei, who was walking in front, also heard this. Her eyes darkened as she thought to herself, Prince Jing’s Manor… The manor that ruined Gu Yunzhen’s life turned out to be “at this time”.
Gu Yuan gently patted her slender left shoulder, her heart aching for the bone under her palm. She reminded her, “Sister, I’m going back to the military camp. If you need anything, get Wu Tong to look for me.”
Gu Yuan was still worried. Everything that had happened in the ancestral hall today had verified his thoughts. His grandmother might be Gu Yunrong’s good grandmother, but she could not be considered his sister.
He had to think of a way to transfer back to the capital as soon as possible. Otherwise, if anything happened, his sister would probably be alone in this Marquis Mansion.
Gu Yanfei came back to her senses and replied, “Big Brother, go ahead.”
She knew that Gu Yuan was ambitious. He wanted to make a name for himself and dreamed of washing away the stain on his father one day. She would not stop him.
One or two long birdsongs sounded in the distance. Seven or eight birds flapped past the treetops and flew away.
The crowd scattered like birds, each to its place.
“Chirp chirp chirp …”
“Meow, meow, meow…”
Qing Guang was quite satisfied with its new home, which was bigger than the house in Danyang City. There were more birds to play with, a bigger garden to run in, more trees to sharpen its claws, more servants for it to enslave and order around. And there was an unlimited amount of fish soup to drink in the garden…
It had only been a few days, but Qing Guang had visibly gained weight. Its fur was glossy under the sun.
“Snap!”
Gu Yanfei casually snapped her fingers. The kitten, who was squatting on the window sill and sunbathing, turned to look at her and yawned.
Qing Guang hopped lightly onto the desk and sauntered toward her. He cocked his head at her. “Meow—”
Gu Yanfei stuffed a talisman into the small pocket on the cat’s pocket and instructed, “Go to work.”
Qing Guang raised its round bottom and stretched. It was both elegant and coquettish.
Gu Yanfei gently patted the base of its tail and urged it, “Go.”
“Meow, meow!” the kitten purred contentedly, swishing its fluffy tail and leaping briskly out of the open window.
It was almost dusk. The gorgeous sunset was like a burning flame piled up in the sky, covering the dense and rugged canopy with a colorful veil.
Qing Guang had never taken an ordinary path. It avoided the crowd and nimbly shuttled between the branches, eaves, and walls. Occasionally, he would startle a group of birds among the trees.
It ran fast and lightly, taking a shortcut through the residence. In a short while, it arrived in the backyard of Benevolent Harmony Hall.
In a corner of the Benevolent Harmony Hall, there was a small willow tree. Golden willow leaves hung from the drooping branches. When the wind blew, the golden willow branches swayed back and forth in midair.
The sight caught its attention instantly. Its green eyes glittered as if it had seen a rare treasure.
“Meow!” Qing Guang leaped out and slapped a willow branch with its claw. It turned around and chased after another willow branch that was swinging.
The evening wind and sunlight spilled into the house through the bay window, and the cat’s cry was carried in with the wind.
Madam Gu, who was leaning on the beauty couch, closed her eyes and said unhappily, “Bai Lu, why is there another meow?”
The maidservant, Bai Lu, was massaging Madam Gu’s legs. She lowered her head and said obediently, “Madam, a wild cat outside must have sneaked in.”
Madam Gu opened her eyes and instructed calmly, “Get Granny Xu to deal with it quickly.”
“Yes, Madam,” Bai Lu acknowledged respectfully, her expression indifferent. Or rather, she was used to it.
Everyone in the residence knew that Madam Gu did not like cats. Over the years, Madam Gu had gotten Granny Xu to kill many stray cats that had accidentally entered the residence.
Bai Lu got up as quietly as she could, stepped back from the green gauze cabinet, and carefully closed the door of the partition.
After Madam Gu closed her eyes, she felt a strong sense of sleepiness. She had no idea that there was a little kitten under her couch.