Chapter 547: Chapter 502, Rectifying the Cause_1
On the first day of the first lunar month, Daohua indeed couldn’t leave the house. Early in the morning, she first paid respects to the elders in the family, received her New Year’s money, and then spent some time amusing everyone in the old lady’s room. After everyone found their own entertainment, she returned to her own courtyard.
Once back in the courtyard, Daohua took out the remaining strawberries, selected some for seed extraction, and planted most of the obtained seeds in the space for cultivation, and a small portion in flower pots.
After completing these tasks, Daohua began preparing for the items she would need for her trip to Taohua Village the next day.
Meanwhile, opposite the Xiao Mansion.
On New Year’s Day, Guo Ruomei really couldn’t bear to let her son spend the day alone. After much deliberation, she decided to visit him only to be gobsmacked by the doorkeeper’s reply.
“Your master isn’t home? How is that possible? We saw him just yesterday,” Mei Xue suspected the doorkeeper was deliberately deceiving them and was very angry.
The lady had mustered a lot of courage to see the young master. If she didn’t get to see him, one could only imagine how disappointed she would be.
Although the doorman didn’t know Guo Ruomei’s identity, he saw her attire and bearing were exceptional and didn’t dare to slight her. He could only repeatedly apologize with a smile and assure her, “My master truly isn’t here. He left last night.”
Seeing that the doorkeeper didn’t seem to be lying, Guo Ruomei asked, “Then where did he go?”
Doorkeeper: “….I really don’t know that.”
As Mei Xue was about to say something, Guo Ruomei turned and left.
Upon returning to her own mansion, Guo Ruomei said to Mei Shuang, “Go and summon over Yangyang’s Hidden Guard for me.”
Mei Shuang nodded, “I’ll go right away.”
Before long, a Hidden Guard arrived, bowing his head. As soon as he reached Guo Ruomei, he kneeled on one knee: “Greetings, Madam.”
Guo Ruomei: “Did your master really leave?”
The Hidden Guard nodded: “Yes.”
Guo Ruomei frowned, “Where to?”
The Hidden Guard hesitated, “This…”
Seeing that he didn’t answer, Guo Ruomei didn’t press him. “You must at least tell me why he went out, right?”
The Hidden Guard thought for a moment and said, “This subordinate only knows that someone invited the master to celebrate the New Year, and that’s why he left.” After pausing, he added, “When the master left, he was in a good mood.”
Upon hearing this, Guo Ruomei’s eyebrows twitched.
She understood Yangyang’s temperament well, he was proud and disliked showing his weakness to others. During the New Year when everyone was gathering together, it made him feel even more alone and desolate. That someone managed to invite him at this time was indeed curious.
“You may go.”
Seeing that Guo Ruomei didn’t continue to question, the Hidden Guard breathed a sigh of relief and left swiftly.
Mei Xue looked puzzled, “Madam, who could have invited the young master away?”
Guo Ruomei shook her head, “Yangyang was willing to go, which shows that he has a deep relationship with that family.”
Mei Shuang furrowed her brows, “Although we haven’t closely monitored the young master in everything over the years, we know most of his interpersonal relationships. Where did such a family come from all of a sudden?”
Mei Xue took over the conversation, “The young master has always been close to the Yan Family siblings. If we keep a close eye on them, we will definitely be able to find out where the young master has gone.”
Guo Ruomei waved her hand, “Don’t inquire any further. Since Yangyang doesn’t want us to know, let’s not meddle. He’s grown up and has his own connections now. That he’s willing to put aside his pride to get close to a family, I’m also happy for him.”
Just at that moment, a maid hurried in, “Madam, the Governor is here.”
A smile appeared on Guo Ruomei’s face. She stood up and went to the door to greet him personally. Seeing Governor Guo approaching with big strides, she smiled and asked, “Brother, what brings you here?”
Governor Guo smiled, “I knew you’d be alone today and came to keep you company.”
Once they were seated inside, Governor Guo asked, “Has Yangyang not returned?”
Guo Ruomei replied, “He came back, but left again yesterday.”
Governor Guo sighed, “Yangyang has become increasingly reclusive, which is not good for him.” He then looked guilty, “As for Prince Ping supporting Madam Ma, it all comes down to the Guo Family having wronged Yangyang.”
Guo Ruomei shook her head, “Brother, what are you talking about?”
Governor Guo said, “It’s true, if the Guo Family hadn’t rejected the Jiang Family’s marriage proposal, Empress Dowager Jiang wouldn’t have suggested promoting Madam Ma.”
Guo Ruomei scoffed, “Brother, don’t flatter our own family. Madam Ma’s promotion might have had a bit to do with that, but the main reason is still that Consort Ma in the palace gave birth to a prince. The Empress has no children, and the Jiang Family wanted to draw the Ma Family in to make the prince their own.”
Governor Guo still looked self-reproachful, “No matter what, it is still a matter that started because of the Guo Family.”
Guo Ruomei’s lips curled in a cold smile, “If we really want to get to the bottom of it, we should blame Prince Ping. If he had been a competent father, how could he let Yangyang end up in such an awkward situation?”
With that, she snorted coldly.
“The Emperor seems to treat Yangyang well on the surface, but as soon as it involves imperial interests, Yangyang is still someone he’d discard without a second thought.”
Hearing this, Governor Guo immediately looked around nervously, then disagreed with his sister, “You can say that to me, but don’t let others hear you.”
Guo Ruomei sighed, “I just wanted to vent a little.”
Governor Guo fell silent for a moment, “The Emperor’s determination to reclaim military command is unchangeable. The Jiang Family saw this and that’s why they relinquished the position of Right Governor.”
Guo Ruomei scoffed coldly, “Using a Right Governor to exchange for a prince, the Jiang Family really knows how to avoid a loss. But… how could the Emperor possibly continue to tolerate the Jiang Family’s dominance? The Empress Dowager used to be lucid, but now she’s getting more senile with age.”
“Now that the Military Commission of the Five Armies is completely within the Emperor’s grasp with military power in hand, I don’t believe he would put up with the Jiang Family any longer.”
Governor Guo shook his head, “It’s not that simple. The Jiang Family isn’t foolish either. Prince Ba has been looking for opportunities to return to the imperial court. The Emperor needs the Jiang Family to check Prince Ba’s ambition. He won’t move against the Jiang Family just yet.”
Guo Ruomei’s expression turned icy, “Let them fight their battles, what does it have to do with my Yangyang? He hasn’t provoked anyone, hasn’t done anything, yet he has become a sacrifice in their struggle for power.”
Governor Guo was silent for a moment, “There’s something I shouldn’t tell you, but… I’ll tell you now. The gold mine belonging to Prince Ba, Yangyang and the Yan Family brothers found it.”
Ningmen Pass was under his jurisdiction, and during that time, although he hadn’t interfered with what Yangyang was doing, he couldn’t be kept in the dark about their activities.
Guo Ruomei’s eyes widened.
Governor Guo continued, “Also, the kidnapping of the ladies from the Jiang, Chen, Dong, and Yan families wasn’t so simple. Yangyang must have discovered something. That old fox Wu Jingyi should have returned to the capital, but now he’s still in Fenxi.”
Seeing his sister’s surprised face, Governor Guo smiled, “Yangyang is more capable than we imagined. The Emperor keeps all his merits in mind. Promoting Madam Ma was simply a strategic move. What belongs to Yangyang, no one can take away. You shouldn’t worry too much.”
Guo Ruomei frowned, “But this time, Yangyang is truly heartbroken.”
Governor Guo said, “… A man should experience things. It’s also good for him.”
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