Gu Ming first went to the town and asked if anyone was going to Yan City, so that they could travel together. He was “lucky” to run into a carriage that was heading to Yan City to deliver New Year goods. The owner of the carriage was approachable, and when he heard that he was going to Yan City, he let him get on the carriage without any demands.
After five days of long travel, Gu Ming arrived in Yan City just in time when the carriage of Gu Ye and her party entered the city. A team of elite soldiers escorted them, plus the four carriages were exquisite and luxurious. The commoners gave way one after another, standing on both sides and watching the convoy. They exchanged whispers, guessing who was inside, and who could command the army at the border for escort.
Gu Ming, who was in the crowd, looked at the team of elite soldiers, and his heart boiled with enthusiasm — They looked very mighty and strong. All of a sudden, he saw a familiar figure among the cavalry. He looked once more in disbelief, and that was indeed his grandfather.
Gu Ming ran after the team, shouting loudly, “Grandpa, Grandpa!”
The noise of people on the street, coupled with the sound of horseshoes hitting the flagstone road, his shouts were drowned out. Although Gu Xiao faintly heard someone shouting Grandpa, how could he think that his grandson, who was far away in Qingshan Village, would appear in Yan City?
However, after entering the city, more pedestrians were on the streets, and the speed of the carriage team slowed down. Gu Ye quickly caught up with the team and was stopped by the last cavalry: “Who are you?”
”I…I’m looking for my grandfather…” Gu Ming was out of breath.
The cavalry brother maintained a straight face and replied coldly, “Your grandfather is not here. If you want to find your grandpa, find him somewhere else! If you disturb our Major General, you’ll have to face the consequences!”
”My grandfather’s surname is Gu and his name is Xiao. I can clearly see him in the team, ha, the one riding a horse and bending down to talk to someone in the carriage!” Gu Ming had good eyesight. He pointed to Gu Xiao’s back and informed the cavalryman.
General Gu’s grandson? The young cavalryman frowned and sized him up with some confusion. This kid had no resemblance with General Gu and his granddaughter at all. Were his claims credible?
”Wait here, I’ll go and report it!” The cavalryman hesitated for a moment, but still spurred his horse towards the team.
What? Someone is claiming to be my grandson? When Gu Xiao heard this, he immediately thought of his grandson who loved his sister the most. After hearing that she was sick, how could he stay honestly at home? He turned around and saw that the one waving at him was indeed Gu Ming.
Gu Xiao couldn’t help but blame himself. Had he known this, he would have asked someone to bring his grandson to Yan City to reunite with his sister. Yan City was five days away from the Nameless Town by carriage. Had he suffered any accident on the way, there would be no regret pill for him to take!
”Grandpa, how is my sister? Is she still sick? Where is she? Can I see her?” Gu Ming trotted all the way, reached his Grandpa’s side, and asked impatiently before he could catch his breath.
Seeing his worried eyes, Gu Xiao could not bear to reproach him for taking matters into his own hands and pointed to Gu Ye’s carriage, and said, “Your sister is in the carriage…”
”Brother— What are you doing here?” Gu Ye’s sharp, thin little face appeared inside the carriage’s window. Seeing Gu Ming, her gaze was full of surprise and amazement.
”Sister, you’ve lost weight …” The several days of worry and concern only turned into concerned admonition after seeing his sister.
Seeing his granddaughter’s little head peeking out of the carriage, Gu Xiao promptly stopped her, “Hurry up and put down the curtain. Beware of the wind. Your brother is going to get in the carriage. If you have something to say, talk inside!”
Gu Ming threw the small burden he had brought on to the carriage, gripped the handles with both hands, and jumped onto the carriage. He opened the curtain and slipped in. When he saw a strange girl inside, he paused.
”Brother, let me introduce you. This is Miss Dongxue, she has been taking care of me these days.” Gu Ye folded her legs and made room for her brother to sit down.
Gu Ming said solemnly, “Thank you Miss for taking care of my sister…”
”Young Master Gu, you’re too polite. Miss Gu and her master are the saviors of our Major General. She also fell sick for our Major General. It is my duty to serve her. She deserves it,” Dong Xue replied with a smile.
It was the first time that Gu Ming was called “Young Master”, and he scratched his head uncomfortably. Seeing that he was a little restrained, Dong Xue said to Gu Ye, “Miss, talk to Young Master Gu. This servant will go down and get some air.”
Seeing Dong Xue getting out of the carriage, Gu Ye frowned, grunted and said, “Brother, you’re naughty. How could you travel so far alone? If you were abducted on the way, won’t I feel guilty for life?”
”Don’t be angry, Sister. It’s all because I was worried about you, you know?” Gu Ming hurriedly explained, “If I was injured or sick, would you be able to stay at home?” I feel the same way as you do”
”I’m going to forget it this once. Don’t be so impulsive next time!” Gu Ye asked him about his travel on the road. Knowing that he hitched hiked with some townspeople and parted ways with them when they entered the city, she felt that he was lucky he was on the sidewalks.
Gu Ming nodded, looked at his sister’s complexion carefully, and said worriedly, “How could you be terribly sick? Grandpa said in the letter that you were in a coma for three days and three nights and almost didn’t wake up.”
”It’s not that serious. Uncle-Master said that it was because I had suffered severe malnutrition in the past, plus I was caught in the snow after rushing about in the cold wind for a few days. After taking some medicine, my fever subsided, and there is no serious problem. Uncle-Master said that it is a matter of time before my illness disease broke out, so it was better to have it cured sooner than later.” Gu Ye talked about her illness lightly. As for the danger in it, there was no need worry her brother about it.
Gu Ming retorted, “Don’t lie to me! If your illness is cured, grandpa would have brought you home long ago. Will he still send me a letter and tell me you’ll be staying in Yan City to recuperate?”
”It’s because Grandpa is so nervous about me. He got scared I guess. If you don’t believe me, go ask my master, he knows my illness best.” Gu Ye thought that after saying this, her brother would not pursue it any further.
Unexpectedly, Gu Ming nodded seriously and said, “Okay, I will ask Grandpa Zheng. What do you need to pay attention to…”
”What else is there? It’s nothing more than just eating good food and take my time recuperating! In the past few days, I have been drinking tonic every day. Now I feel like even my saliva is bitter. If I drink one more bowl, I will become a little coptis chinensis[1]!” Gu Ye was overflowing with infinite resentment about drinking the bitter medicine.
