Chapter 37: Agreeing to Search

Those words turned the atmosphere in the room sorrowful and heavy.

Lin Jinyan felt a sting in her nose. She took Gu Hongzhang's hand and comforted him

"Grandfather, my mother and grandmother will look after each other in heaven and won't be lonely. She surely knows that you have already done your very best for my brother and me.

I think Mother would definitely want you to live a long and happy life, and for everyone in the Gu family to be safe and sound. If Mother saw you this heartbroken, she would be sad too. Grandfather, please do not overthink it; you must take good care of yourself, otherwise, who will protect my brother and me?"

Seeing this, Bai Yiran also offered consolation: "Indeed, Father. It does you no good to suffer physically and mentally like this. Yan'er and An'er are still young; they are still relying on your care."

Gu Ruizhou and Gu Yichen also stood up to offer words of persuasion.

Gu Hongzhang sighed and waved his hand. "I'm getting old. When people get old, they tend to dwell on the past. Let's not speak of it further. The important thing is to take good care of our Yan'er from now on. Yan'er wants a maidservant skilled in martial arts; Grandfather will find one for you."

Lin Jinyan smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. "Grandfather is as majestic as ten thousand soldiers all on his own; how can you be old?"

Gu Hongzhang laughed heartily. "You'll say anything just to coax me into finding someone for you."

Lin Jinyan chuckled mischievously. "Yan'er is telling the truth. Even if Grandfather didn't find someone, I would still say so."

Gu Hongzhang: "Really? Then Grandfather won't look for one."

Lin Jinyan: "That won't do; you still have to find one. You've already promised! Grandfather is a renowned Great General; how could you lie to a little child like me?"

Her playful and rogue-like manner made everyone burst into laughter. Gu Qingyun smiled and said

"Father, see? You promised her long ago. Yan'er is going to hold you to it."

Gu Hongzhang laughed loudly. "Hahaha, if she wants to hold me to it, then so be it! Who told me to have such a little granddaughter? Fortunately, although women skilled in martial arts are rare, they are not non-existent. If we keep a close eye, we will eventually find someone suitable.

Qingyun, when you go to inspect the northern suburbs camp in a few days, take Yan'er and An'er along. The descendants of our Gu family cannot be like the pampered young ladies and lords of ordinary families; seeing more of the world will be beneficial to them."

Gu Qingyun nodded in agreement. Lin Jinyan happily flattered Gu Hongzhang incessantly, coaxing him into bouts of laughter.

Once the dishes were set, the Gu family members took their seats. Gu Hongzhang scanned the room and asked

"Chen'er, where is the boy from the An family?"

Gu Yichen: "Grandfather, after you returned to your courtyard, Brother An said it would be inconvenient to disturb the family banquet, so he took his leave."

Gu Hongzhang nodded. "Though he is young, his temperament, insight, literary talent, and martial prowess are all second to none among the younger generation. It is a pity he is merely a merchant; if he entered the imperial court, he would surely achieve great things. You are on good terms with him; learn much and observe more."

Gu Yichen nodded in agreement. "Your grandson will keep that in mind."

Gu Ruizhou smiled and said, "Zhixian is highly skilled in martial arts, yet he is humble and gentle in character. Your grandson gets along very well with him as well."

Lin Jinyan listened quietly to their conversation, thinking to herself that since her grandfather held such a high opinion of this An Zhixian, the man was indeed not simple.

She only wondered whether he was deliberately befriending the Gu family for some ulterior motive, or if he was truly a kindred spirit who shared their values.

As she was thinking, Bai Yiran placed a dish in her bowl. She stopped her thoughts, gave Bai Yiran a sweet smile, and finished the meal in harmony with the Gu family.

After the meal, she spent some time chatting warmly with the Gu family. Listening to the laughter and conversation of her elders and relatives, Lin Jinyan felt a warmth spreading through her heart. Seeing that it was getting late, she summoned her maid to prepare to return to her own manor.

Bai Yiran, Gu Ruizhou, and Gu Yichen saw her to the door and watched her board the carriage.

Bai Yiran lingered by the carriage to remind her to remember to take her medicinal baths and to visit the General's Manor more often, before finally lowering the curtain and letting her depart.

(End of Chapter)