Chapter 34: Seeing Grandfather Again

Having received Gu Yichen's reply, Lin Jinyan said she would not disturb the two of them playing chess and rose to return to the inner courtyard.

Watching Lin Jinyan's receding figure, An Zhixian placed a piece and asked

"Your sister is not only intelligent but also lively. However, she is so young—why is she interested in my tea plantation? Have you ever mentioned me to her before?"

Gu Yichen looked at the chessboard without lifting his head and smiled

"Never. Aside from my Yan'er, she has never gone out alone and knows nothing of other places. Now that she has met you and learned of the tea plantation, it is only natural that she is curious. Brother An, this move you just made is quite brilliant."

An Zhixian asked no more, and the two continued their back-and-forth game.

When Lin Jinyan returned to Bai Yiran's courtyard, she learned that Bai Yiran had finished writing the letter to Mount Cang Sheng. She hugged Bai Yiran's arm, showering her with sweet words that left Bai Yiran in high spirits.

As the two were chatting intimately, Qiu Ling entered and said

"Madam, Miss, the Old Master, the Master, and the Eldest Young Master have returned. They have just arrived at the front courtyard and are currently speaking with Master An, the friend of the Second Young Master."

Bai Yiran replied, "The Eldest Young Master is back too? That's perfect. Go tell the kitchen to add two more dishes—make sure to include Yan'er's favorites, the sweet date cakes and the mountain-and-sea dumplings. We will have lunch served in the Old Master's Ninghui Hall."

After giving the instructions for lunch, Bai Yiran turned around to see Lin Jinyan sitting in a chair with her head lowered, her hands clenched unnaturally tight.

Bai Yiran called softly, "Yan'er?"

Hearing her voice, Lin Jinyan looked up. Seeing the sorrowful expression on her face, Bai Yiran asked

"What is it, Yan'er?"

Lin Jinyan took a deep breath and forced a smile

"It's just that I haven't seen Grandfather and the others for a long time."

Bai Yiran smiled. "Well, you're seeing them now, aren't you? Come, I'll take you to Ninghui Hall."

Lin Jinyan agreed with a smile and followed beside Bai Yiran as they walked out. Throughout the journey, Lin Jinyan maintained her smiling facade, silently reminding herself to keep her emotions in check when she saw her grandfather and the others.

Upon entering Ninghui Hall, Gu Hongzhang had just changed into his casual attire and was sitting in the seat of honor drinking tea.

Bai Yiran paid her respects to Gu Hongzhang and said

"Father, seeing as everyone is gathered today, I have arranged for the kitchen to serve lunch here, so that Yan'er can eat with everyone."

Gu Hongzhang's hair was graying, all of it gathered into a black crown atop his head; his eyebrows and beard also showed streaks of silver. His posture was as steady as a pine tree, and he appeared vigorous, exuding the dignified aura of a soldier.

After hearing Bai Yiran's words, he looked at Lin Jinyan and broke into a smile, the wrinkles on his face revealing a kind warmth

"That is a wonderful arrangement. Qingyun and Ruizhou, go to your rooms to change; once you know they are here, you can come over. Yan'er, come to Grandfather."

With reddened eyes, Lin Jinyan stepped forward. Gu Hongzhang looked at his little granddaughter and smiled

"Your aunt said you were frightened after falling into the water, and that you woke up crying from nightmares during your fever. Are you well now? Do not be afraid, Yan'er. With Grandfather here, no ghosts or evil spirits can touch you."

Listening to Gu Hongzhang's words as he coaxed her, Lin Jinyan bit her lower lip hard to suppress the urge to cry.

She knew. She knew how much her grandfather loved her. In her past life, to ensure her and her brother's safety, he would rather have given up his military power and been exiled to the northern deserts. If he had only wanted to preserve the glory of the Gu family, it would not have been impossible for the three hundred thousand Gu soldiers to revolt.

It was all because she and her brother were in the palace, and because the Gu family had been loyal for generations. Even though the imperial family had driven the Gu family to such an extreme, her grandfather and uncle had still refused to rebel for the sake of her, her brother, and the loyalty in their hearts.

How vicious Chu Chengyao was to have unjustly executed such loyal subjects in her past life! At this thought, Lin Jinyan lowered her head, using her hatred for Chu Chengyao to hold back her tears.

(End of Chapter)