Chapter 368: Arrival at Lakezhou

rsonalities were worlds apart.Meng Jinyao nodded slightly and continued to watch. She saw Gu Xuanying with red eyes, her eyes overflowing with tears, accusingly saying, "Big sister, you did it on purp...Except for a few people trying to get close at the beginning, the journey was uneventful and no trouble arose. After half a month on the boat, the group finally arrived at Huzhou Prefecture.

Huzhou Prefecture adjoins Taihu Lake, with mountains surrounding it on all sides. Its terrain is relatively flat, its resources are abundant and its land fertile. It has long been known as the "Land of Fish and Rice" and the "Silk Capital".

Because it is connected to the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, water transportation is convenient, and there is frequent trade with various places. A large number of merchants gather here, making Huizhou Prefecture's economy prosperous and a wealthy place. Moreover, Huizhou boasts beautiful scenery, also becoming a beloved place for literati and poets.

The dock was still quite a distance from Gu Family's mansion in Huzhou. After disembarking, Meng Jinyang and her companions hired three carriages, with each carriage carrying two people.

Meng Jiny Yao lifted the car window curtain and looked out. She saw the bustling Huizhou Prefecture everywhere. The architectural style here was different from that of the capital city. With small bridges, flowing water, white walls, and gray tiles, the scenery was as beautiful as a painting, with a unique gentleness and gracefulness found only in the Jiangnan water towns.

Although the capital city was more prosperous than Huizhou Prefecture, the differences between the north and south were significant. Seeing Huizhou Prefecture, which differed noticeably from the capital, Meng Jinyao felt quite a sense of freshness. She, who had been feeling somewhat listless after half a month on the boat, regained her spirits. With a curious and excited mood, she embarked on sightseeing along the way.

Gu Jingxi saw her excitement and didn't disturb her. It seemed like taking her on a trip was the right choice. Just this time, who knows when there would be another chance to go out again next time.

After a long while, Meng Jin Yao finally lowered the curtain and said to Gu Jing Xi: "My husband, Huzhou is prosperous everywhere. The people here should be living well. Just look at their clothes, almost no one wears ragged garments."

Gu Jingxi nodded and said, "Huzhou's geographical location is excellent, with superior natural conditions. It has always been a prosperous place. If there were no wars or conflicts over Huzhou, the people could live in peace and happiness. Tomorrow, we will go out for a stroll."

Hearing this, Meng Jin Yao's face lit up with joy, but she quickly remembered that he had official duties. She whispered, "Husband, aren't you investigating a case If you accompany me out, how will you investigate the case Actually, it would be fine if Chan'er and Qingqiu accompanied me."

Gu Jingxi smiled and said, "If I didn't accompany you out, that would be the real problem. Since we are returning home to pay our respects to our ancestors, let's do it properly. By the way, I'll take you sightseeing. As for other matters, they can be handled in secret. Otherwise, those people will suspect that I have ulterior motives."

Meng Jin Yao lightly nodded, suddenly remembering a question she'd never asked. She inquired curiously, "Husband, what case brought you here this time You seem so mysterious."

Gu Jingxi said: "Let's talk when we get back."

Meng Jinyo nodded and then changed the subject: "Husband, how long has it been since you returned to your hometown in Huzhou"

Gu Jingxi thought for a moment: “It’s been over ten years.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised: "More than ten years, that's quite a long time."

Gu Jingxi pursed her lips and smiled faintly: "It's been a while, but I grew up in Beijing. Although Huzhou is my hometown, I've only been back twice since childhood. This is the third time. I don't feel homesick just because I haven't been back for a long time. The last time I went back to my hometown was with my father. The first time I went back was when I was seven years old."

Meng Jinyao nodded and then casually asked him about the situation back home.

From Gu Jingxi, she learned that although there were branches of the Gu family living in Huzhou, they did not live in the old house. The Gu family's old house belonged to the direct line of the Gu family, but the direct line was far away in the capital and rarely returned. There were only stewards and servants taking care of the house.

As for the Gu family members who remained in their ancestral home in Huzhou, they were those with little talent and chose to stay put. Huzhou Prefecture was affluent, offering a peaceful life for those seeking it. Those with ambition took the imperial examinations to serve as officials outside the province, while others, like their ancestors, pursued military careers, serving in the army. Some even established roots in the capital city.

These relatives from my hometown are distantly related to the main branch of the Gu family, being distant collateral relatives. We don't usually have much contact with them, but this time when they return home, perhaps some will visit.

Soon after, the carriage arrived at Gu Mansion's gate and stopped. A group of people got off the carriage, and the hired coachman received the silver and left.

Meng Jin Yao looked up at the Gu Mansion before her. Pink walls, gray tiles, vermilion lacquer gate, and a tall gate tower intricately carved with flowers stood majestically. Two stone lions sat on either side of the gate, looking imposing and dignified. Above the gate hung a plaque made of golden nanmu wood, bearing the inscription "Gu Mansion" in bold letters.

Zhou Yun stepped forward and knocked on the door. In a short while, someone came out to open it. It was a boy about eleven years old, dressed as a servant, probably a doorboy. He poked his head out and looked at them, seeing that the couple at the front were neither poor nor plain in their attire, he questioned, "Our master is in the capital and has been gone for a long time, who are you looking for"

Gu Jingxi saw that he was young, he must be new here and hadn't seen him before. Although he had sent a letter to his home in Huzhou before leaving, it was probably not delivered yet. They arrived before the letter.

Zhou Yun spoke up and said: "These two are the Marquis and his wife. Let the steward come out."

Master

The doorman was a little confused, but he quickly reacted. This was Lord Changxing's residence in Huzhou, and no one would dare to impersonate their lord. He didn't dare let them wait outside for the steward. He hurriedly ushered them into the front hall with respectful deference, then ran to call the steward over.

After a pot of tea had been brewed, Liu the Steward, who was about forty years old, hurried over. The Master and Madam had returned to their ancestral home in Huizhou, and he hadn't received any news. Suddenly, the gatekeeper told him that the two masters were back, and he was still stunned.

Liu the Butler arrived as quickly as he could and saw the two masters sitting at the head of the hall. Although it had been over ten years since he last saw them, he still recognized them. As for the young and beautiful woman beside them, he didn't need to guess to know she was the mistress the master had married last year.

Liu, the steward, bowed respectfully: "I greet the Marquis and his wife. I was unaware of your return, so I apologize for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive my oversight, Marquis and his wife."

Gu Jingxi said softly, “It's not your fault for not knowing. We came back because our ancestors had a dream and made the decision at the last minute. Although we sent a letter back before leaving, we arrived before the letter. It’s normal that you didn't know in advance.”

Liu the steward, upon hearing this, was a little bewildered: "What does it mean for the Marquis to say that their ancestors appeared in his dream Is there something wrong with the feng shui The old house's belongings, I've always taken good care of them, and I haven't moved anything around in the house."

Gu Jingxi replied, "It has nothing to do with feng shui. It's that our ancestors'忌辰 is approaching. Half a month ago, they dreamed of me and asked me to bring my wife to pay respects at their grave. I thought that our ancestors might have some instructions, so I returned with my wife. Now, let people tidy up the yard first."

"Yes, Lord," Liu the steward replied respectfully.

Gu Jingxi said again, "As for the ancestral rites, you should take care of all the arrangements."

Liu Guanta replied again: “Master Hou, please rest assured, I will definitely take care of it.”ghtly furrowed, she quickly changed the subject: "In general, it started with appearance, fell for talent, and remained loyal to character. I went to the study and saw my husband's manuscripts, includ...