Chapter 610: Chapter 612: Farewell

"...Sir," Jiang Shiniu’s hesitant voice came from outside the carriage window.

"What’s going on? Out with it." Gu Wenheng walked over and lifted the carriage curtain, and a scene that would be etched in his memory for a lifetime unfolded before him.

Not far from the city gate, the roads on both sides were densely packed with the people of Lu City.

The moment they saw him emerge, the crowd fell silent and knelt quietly on the ground.

This was the only way they could repay him. They had tried to give him gifts before, but Mr. Gu had refused to take a single coin. So today, they chose this way to send off the parental official who had brought them hope.

Gu Wenheng looked up at the sky. The predawn sky was still a hazy gray, the sun not yet risen, but he found it exceptionally beautiful.

He blinked hard several times. When he looked at the people again, his face was full of smiles. "Everyone, you’re up so early?

It looks like it will be a fine day. You should all hurry along and get to your own business.

Don’t linger here. This is the main road out of the city; it wouldn’t be good to block the way for other travelers..."

He felt he had started off speaking lightly, but by the end, he was nearly choking up himself.

"A send-off for Mr. Gu..."

"The people of Lu City send off the esteemed officials..."

"The merchants of Lu City send off the esteemed officials..."

"The officials of Lu City send off the esteemed officials..."

"The scholars of Lu City send off the esteemed officials..."

...

As the voices rose, one louder than the next, Gu Wenheng and his party fell into silence.

In the carriages behind, He Gaofei and the others were already sobbing uncontrollably.

At this moment, they didn’t feel their display was unbecoming of gentlemen; they simply couldn’t control themselves.

Gu Wenheng composed himself for a long while, then stood at the front of his carriage and gave a deep bow to the people before him. "Please, go back now..."

He couldn’t bring himself to say anything more.

With the help of their attendants, He Gaofei and the others also stood behind him, bowing deeply to these simple, honest people.

Seeing that the people were unwilling to leave, Gu Wenheng had to harden his heart. He turned, returned to the carriage, and called out to his party, "Let’s move out."

As they gradually moved away from the city gate, some people followed them from afar for a full ten li before slowly coming to a stop.

Once they were completely clear of Lu City, Gu Wenheng could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down his face as he said to Jin Qianqian, "This life of mine has been worthwhile."

Jin Qianqian gave him a light, exasperated push. "What nonsense are you talking about? A person’s life is long, and the future holds infinite possibilities. How can you say it ends here?"

"You’re right. Heaven sent us to walk this earth, so we shouldn’t fail to live up to it.

My wife, it’s just that I’ll have to trouble you from now on."

Jin Qianqian knew he was setting new goals for himself. "Don’t worry. You just do what you want to do. I’ll take care of the rest."

...

When they reached the next rest stop, Gu Wenheng noticed that He Gaofei and the other two men all had swollen eyes.

They all just exchanged glances without a word, then continued their journey after a short break.

「Meanwhile, in Lu City」

The entire city was unusually silent because of the departure of Gu Wenheng and his group.

In the Prefect’s Office, Tang Liping and his men had been sitting in silence for most of the day.

After a long wait, Tang Liping finally sighed.

"Mr. Tang, it seems our burden ahead won’t be light."

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Fang Wan, it could be said, had been wearing a worried expression all along. Gu Wenheng and his group had been too successful and had earned such adoration from the people.

This was not good news for them. With such a high standard of comparison hanging over their heads, any mistake they made would be magnified infinitely.

Wang Youtian spoke with a hint of envy, "Actually, I’m quite envious of those officials. If we could have a send-off like that when it’s our time to leave office, my whole life would have been worth it."

"Don’t even think about it," Shi Xingchen said, being more realistic. "According to Mr. Gu’s previous arrangements, as long as we maintain the course, our political achievements for the next few years are secure. But we are just enjoying the fruits of his labor, so we shouldn’t have such high expectations."

Wang Youtian said, "...I was just thinking..." ’It’s already impossible to compare, so can’t I even dream about it?’

「General Mansion」

Zhou Shixiong also sat in his study, silent for a long time.

"So this is the hearts of the people..."

***

「The Gu Mansion in Shangjing」

Xu Dawang also came to the main gate early today. Two carriages were already parked out front.

"Young Master Le Huan, the master’s letter about his return to the capital may not have reached Gaoling Village yet. When you arrive, please remember to inform the Old Master and the others first."

Seeing Gu Lehuan already in the carriage, Xu Dawang reminded him once more.

Gu Lehuan replied, "Don’t worry, Housekeeper Xu, I’ll pass on the message.

I wouldn’t dare forget something so important."

Xu Dawang said nothing. ’That’s not so certain. He’s going back to get married, a major life event. Once he gets busy, I’m afraid he’ll genuinely forget and cause problems.’

Although he didn’t know if the master had sent a letter to Gaoling Village, they still had to anticipate these minor details.

Just then, another two carriages arrived outside the Gu Mansion. Xu Dawang knew this was Miss Xu and her party.

"Then I won’t delay you any longer, Young Master Le Huan. This humble one wishes you a long and happy marriage."

Gu Lehuan quickly thanked him. Seeing that the others had arrived, he immediately ordered the carriages to depart.

They weren’t traveling alone; they had to meet up with the escort agency up ahead.

He had already written home, and his father had replied that everything was ready. They were just waiting for him to return to hold the wedding.

Gu Lehuan was filled with excitement at the thought of seeing his family, whom he hadn’t met in a long time.

After two hard days of travel, the carriages finally left the escort agency’s main route and turned onto the road to Gaoling Village in Fu County.

As they were an unmarried couple, he and Xu Nuo rode in separate carriages. However, they switched places during a rest stop midway.

After all, the Gu Mansion’s carriage had been modified and was much more comfortable to ride in.

"Miss, don’t be nervous." Sanhua lifted the curtain. Seeing the carriage turn onto a small village path, she guessed they were almost there.

Xu Nuo glanced at her. "I’m not nervous. You, on the other hand, should stop clenching your fists so tightly."

Sanhua said, "I’m just anxious. I wonder if the Gu family’s elders are easy to get along with?

You only brought Dazhuang and me. I’m afraid if something happens, the two of us won’t be able to protect you."

Xu Nuo smiled, pressing her lips together. "What gossip have you been listening to from those old women these past few days?

This isn’t a dragon’s pool or a tiger’s den. It’s not as dramatic as you make it sound."

"But I heard from the old maids that remote and impoverished places produce cunning and difficult people, and many village mothers-in-law are very good at tormenting their daughters-in-law."

Xu Nuo immediately grew serious. "It’s fine for you to say such things now, but don’t you dare repeat them when we arrive.

The Gu family is no ordinary family. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have produced a man like Mr. Gu.

Remind Dazhuang later as well: do more, talk less. Don’t cause trouble for me."

But Sanhua was still worried. "...But what if they bully us? Should we just endure it?"

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