Chapter 28

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“Yan Fei, ‘The Swallow Soars,’ what a beautiful name,” Gu Yuan said with a smile, clapping his hands in approval, clearly signaling his support for Gu Yan Fei.

The family patriarch had originally hoped Gu Yuan might persuade Gu Yan Fei otherwise, but seeing his enthusiastic support, he decided not to press further. Focused, he carefully added the name “Gu Yan Fei” to the records under the First Branch, noting her date of birth alongside.

Then, dipping the wolf-hair brush in ink once more, the patriarch recorded Gu Yun Rong’s name under the Second Branch, transferring her officially to the names of Gu Jian and Madam Wang as their eldest daughter, third in line within the Marquis’ Household.

“Yuan, as the eldest brother, even though Yun Rong has now been adopted into the Second Branch, she remains your younger sister. You must take good care of your younger siblings and set a proper example for them! Yan Fei, although you have faced some hardships, there are blessings yet to come.”

“…”

“We are all members of the Gu family and must remember that our honor is shared. If one prospers, all prosper; if one suffers, all suffer. You must place the family’s honor and future above all else…”

After the patriarch’s scattered words of advice, everyone proceeded to the ancestral hall in the back for the family’s worship ceremony. Inside the ancestral hall, wisps of incense smoke drifted upwards. On the offering table, rows upon rows of ancestral tablets were stacked in dense layers, tiered like rice terraces ascending into a solemn, majestic display.

The family patriarch respectfully placed the genealogical records in the hall, then led the Gu family members in bowing and offering incense. After the tedious, intricate rituals of updating the family records and sealing the ancestral hall, a full hour and a half had passed.

The sun was high, casting warmth reminiscent of summer. As everyone emerged from the hall, there was a collective sense of relief, as if they’d witnessed an intense drama unfolding from early morning.

At this moment, the looks from the other ladies and young women toward Gu Yan Fei had changed completely. Where they once saw her as reserved or overly strict with the rules, they now realized their assumptions had been quite mistaken.

Gu Yun Rong stood quietly under the eaves, gripping a handkerchief tightly, watching Gu Yan Fei and Gu Yuan up ahead, as if wanting to say something but holding back. Her gaze lingered on Gu Yuan’s sharply defined profile. She parted her lips slightly, as if to speak to him, but in the end, she restrained herself, her expression tinged with melancholy.

“Yun Rong,” Old Madam Gu said warmly, taking Gu Yun Rong’s hand as they chatted casually. “Didn’t Princess Changqing send you an invitation yesterday? Have you replied yet?”

“Not yet.” Gu Yun Rong shook her head. “The princess invited me to Jing Wang Manor in a few days for a game of polo.”

“If you’d like to go, then do so,” Old Madam Gu replied with a gentle smile. “I’ve heard that Jing Wang’s wife has a fondness for Pu’er tea. I have some aged Pu’er that’s over a hundred years old—I’ll have someone send it to you later.”

Old Madam Gu was clearly trying to make up for the grievances Yun Rong had endured today.

“Thank you, Grandmother.” Gu Yun Rong smiled sweetly, her expression radiant.

Gu Yan Fei, who was walking ahead, overheard the conversation, and her eyes grew darker. Jing Wang Manor… the place that ruined Gu Yun Zhen’s life. So, it’s “that time” already…

Gu Yuan gently patted her slender left shoulder, feeling a pang of pity for the fragile figure beneath his hand. In a tender tone, he advised, “Sister, I’m returning to the military camp now. If you need anything, just send Wutong to find me.”

Gu Yuan still felt uneasy. Everything that had happened today in the ancestral hall only confirmed his concerns. Grandmother might be a good grandmother to Gu Yun Rong, but she could hardly be considered family to his younger sister. He needed to find a way to transfer back to the capital as soon as possible. Otherwise, if anything were to happen, his sister would be left completely unsupported in the Marquis’ Household.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Gu Yan Fei nodded and said, “Go on, Brother.”

She understood Gu Yuan’s ambition. He wanted to achieve great things, dreaming of one day restoring their father’s tarnished name. She would never hold him back from that.

In the distance, a bird’s long, clear call sounded, and seven or eight sparrows flitted through the treetops, their wings rustling as they flew away. One by one, the group dispersed like the birds, each returning to their own affairs.

“Chirp chirp chirp…”

“Meow meow meow…”

Qing Guang seemed quite content with its new home. This residence was larger than the one in Dan Yang City, with more birds to chase, a bigger garden to roam, more trees to sharpen its claws on, and plenty of servants to command and play with. Best of all, the garden offered an endless supply of fish broth…

In just a few days, Qing Guang had visibly grown plumper, its fur gleaming sleekly in the sunlight. Gu Yan Fei casually snapped her fingers, and the little kitten sunning itself on the windowsill turned to look at her, yawning with its mouth wide open. Qing Guang leaped lightly onto the desk and sauntered toward her, tilting its head as it looked up at her. “Meow—”

Gu Yan Fei tucked a small talisman paper into the tiny pocket on the kitten’s collar and instructed, “Go do your job.”

Qing Guang stretched, lifting its round little hindquarters as it extended its body, looking both elegant and a touch playful, as if it were showing off. Gu Yan Fei gave a gentle tap at the base of its tail, urging it on. “Go on, now.”

“Meow, meow!” The kitten mewed contentedly, swishing its fluffy tail before bounding gracefully through the open window.

Dusk was approaching, and the brilliant sunset spread across the sky like flames, casting a vibrant veil over the lush, leafy treetops.

Qing Guang always chose the unconventional path, avoiding crowds as it darted gracefully between tree branches, eaves, and walls, occasionally startling a flock of birds from the trees. Swift and nimble, it cut through shortcuts within the estate, and soon arrived in the back courtyard of the Cihe Hall.

In one corner of the courtyard, a small grove of willow trees stood, their golden leaves dangling from the slender branches. With each breeze, the branches swayed gently in the air, shimmering like strands of gold. This sight immediately caught Qing Guang’s attention. Its bright green eyes sparkled as if it had discovered a rare treasure.

“Meow!” With a leap, Qing Guang pounced on one of the willow branches, batting at it before turning to chase another swaying branch, darting back and forth like a little furball. The glow of the setting sun and the evening breeze filtered through the lattice window, and the sound of the kitten’s playful meows drifted into the hall.

Old Madam Gu, reclining on her chaise with her eyes closed, frowned and said in displeasure, “Bailu, why am I hearing a cat again?”

The head maid, Bailu, was massaging her legs and responded respectfully, her gaze lowered, “Old Madam, it’s likely a stray cat that wandered in from outside.”

Old Madam Gu opened her eyes slightly and instructed coolly, “Have Nanny Xu handle it immediately.”

“Yes, Old Madam.” Bailu answered dutifully, her expression unchanged, as though she was long accustomed to this routine.

Everyone in the Marquis’ Household knew of the Old Madam’s dislike for cats. Over the years, many stray cats that accidentally wandered into the estate had met an unfortunate end at the hands of Nanny Xu, acting on the Old Madam’s orders. With soft, measured steps, Bailu rose, quietly withdrew from the curtained room, and carefully closed the partition door.

As Old Madam Gu closed her eyes, a drowsiness began to settle over her, unaware that a tiny kitten had nestled itself just beneath her chaise.