novelraw Chapter 1285: 1284: Li Xia's Identity
Chapter 1285: 1284: Li Xia's Identity
Chapter 1285: Chapter 1284: Li Xia’s Identity
Li Xia’s sudden decision left Bai Lu and Xiao Xue in an awkward predicament.
Wang Yongzhu glanced at Li Xia: “Have you thought it through? Following me means going to the bitterly cold Chicheng City, a thousand miles away, far less prosperous than the Capital City. Once there, your food and clothing may not even match that of a third-class servant in this manor, and you’ll have to do everything yourself. Are you still willing?”
Li Xia nodded repeatedly: “I’m willing!”
Seeing Li Xia’s resolute attitude, Wang Yongzhu didn’t say much more: “If that’s the case, then stay by my side! Tomorrow, I’ll fetch your indenture from Madam.”
“Thank you, Wife of the Heir-Apparent! Thank you!” Li Xia hastily kowtowed several times before Gu Yu helped her up to stand aside.
Only Bai Lu and Xiao Xue remained, staring at Wang Yongzhu with uncertainty.
“What about you two? Have you decided yet?”
After a while, Bai Lu and Xiao Xue exchanged a glance, then knelt before Wang Yongzhu, kowtowing three times before saying, “Wife of the Heir-Apparent, we’ve thought it over. Our whole family is in the manor, and following you would separate us from our family. We can’t bear it, so we ask—”
Before they finished, Wang Yongzhu waved her hand: “I understand. That’s enough. Gu Yu, give them Two Taels of Silver each and take them to Madam. Tell her to make other arrangements for these two.”
Bai Lu and Xiao Xue were shocked, not expecting Wang Yongzhu to agree so readily, even giving them reward money. But to be sent back to Madam so soon?
“Wife of the Heir-Apparent, let us serve you for a few more days—” Bai Lu cautiously pleaded.
“No need! I’m leaving the Capital City soon and won’t have time for you after today. Let’s end things here on good terms, as we have been master and servants once. Take care of yourselves, go!” Wang Yongzhu waved them off.
Xiao Xue tried to say something, but was stopped by Gu Yu and Li Xia, who took her away.
Gu Yu, who always centered around Wang Yongzhu, stood resolutely at the door as instructed, urging the two to quickly gather their things and head to Lady Gao.
Bai Lu and Xiao Xue, having no choice, packed their belongings while softly complaining to Li Xia: “Didn’t we agree yesterday that all three of us would stay in the manor? Why did you change your mind today?”
“Think about it, we’re almost of the age to be paired off. If we follow the Wife of the Heir-Apparent to that harsh land, what kind of good men could there be? If we’re matched with a coachman or a peasant, our lives would be ruined! Staying in the manor, offering some respect to Madam’s maids, might at least get us a proper match, right?”
Li Xia just kept her head down, helping Bai Lu and Xiao Xue pack without a word.
Bai Lu, annoyed, gave her a shove: “Don’t pretend to help at this time. Earlier, you courted favor with the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, making Xiao Xue and me look like ingrates. Why pretend now?”
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re plotting. Still clinging to that identity you had outside, thinking you’re some noble lady, right? Too good to be paired with the servants of this manor?”
“Look in the mirror, you’re just a servant like me now. It’s better to accept your fate sooner! Don’t imagine that following the Wife of the Heir-Apparent will lead to a better life. Chicheng City is no wonderland. Just don’t regret it later!”
“Xiao Xue, let’s go!” With that, she grabbed the packed bundle and shouldered past Li Xia, storming out.
Xiao Xue, too scared to speak, quickly followed with her head down.
Li Xia stood quietly in the room, motionless for a long time, as two teardrops fell to the ground, quickly dissipating.
Gu Yu, efficient as ever, didn’t face any obstacles from Lady Gao and quickly completed the handover, even bringing back Li Xia’s indenture.
Upon returning, Gu Yu quietly relayed everything Bai Lu and Xiao Xue had said.
He added with concern: “Madam, is there anything off about Li Xia’s identity? Is it alright for us to keep her by our side?”
Wang Yongzhu smiled, storing the indenture: “Don’t worry about her. She stays with me for a reason; she’ll speak when ready.”
That night passed without a word.
The next morning, instructions were given to prepare the carriage for a visit to the Gu Family.
The Gu Family was already anxious, waiting for someone to bring them.
Arriving at the Gu Family, they discovered Yang Zongbao had also been summoned, sitting awkwardly in the matriarch’s room.
The matriarch, tearful, seemed to want to reach out to him, yet hesitated.
Within the room were Gu Changqing, the Eldest Lady, Old Granny Zhang, the matriarch, Yang Zongbao, and the brothers of Gu Zikai.
Gu Changqing appeared helpless, and the Eldest Lady was bewildered.
Moreover, the Gu Zikai brothers wore faces of bewilderment, casting an expression of, “Who am I? Where am I? Is something wrong with my family’s fortune?”
Seeing Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin arrive, Gu Zikai quickly stepped forward to greet them, whispering: “What’s going on? How come a new uncle suddenly appeared? Is the third uncle not the third uncle? Is this the real one?”
By the end, he himself was tongue-tied, looking expectantly at Wang Yongzhu.
Wang Yongzhu returned a look of innocence.
It was Gu Changqing who spoke up: “Chongjin and Yongzhu are here.”
The two stepped forward to pay their respects and then sat down.
They spoke of the main business first: “The reason for gathering today is to discuss Chongjin’s reassignment. Other uncles can’t help much, but there once was an old acquaintance living in Feng County. He was talented in his youth, yet his career faltered, and domestic troubles hindered him. Now, aged and disheartened, he has given up imperial examinations, making a living as a Staff Officer.”
“If you wish, I can write a letter for you to take personally, to see if you can persuade him to assist you in pursuing your goals in Chicheng City.”
Song Chongjin was deeply moved by these words, quickly bowing in gratitude.
Then they addressed Yang Zongbao’s lineage question.
Gu Changqing, shrewd as he was, knew Yang Zongbao doubted him, so he offered evidence directly.
During this time, aside from official duties, all his efforts focused on uncovering the truth of the past.
Though many years had passed, and much evidence had vanished, persistence paid off, finally finding a sister of a maid who had once served Old Master Gu.
This maid’s sister had once been taken in by the Old Master, though never formally acknowledged, serving in his study.
Their parents were reliable servants of the Old Master, hoping that by offering their daughter to him, she might become a concubine, and by bearing him children, secure her future.
But, no matter how the Old Master tried, a child was never born.
The younger sister, then a child, only remembered that their family, well-settled in the Gu Family, suddenly moved far away, taking her sister along.
Later, it seemed, there was a child in the family, said to be her sister’s offspring.