Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 47: Returning to the Parent’s Home

Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Returning to the Parent’s Home

"Li’er, after we return to your parents’ house tomorrow, I plan to go to the Capital City," Xiao Yunjing said after a moment’s thought.

He’d had this plan since before the New Year; he absolutely had to find out what was going on with Li’er’s situation.

"You’re going? To investigate the Gu Mansion?"

Xiao Yunjing nodded.

Warmth spread through Gu Qingli’s heart. She had been planning to ask Wuqing to go tomorrow. This man was so thoughtful in everything he did; she was truly touched.

Gu Qingli climbed up a little and kissed him on the cheek. His face looked rugged from a distance, but up close, it was quite handsome—the kind that grew more appealing the longer one looked.

Especially his long eyelashes. They fluttered like two tiny fans, making her heart itch so much she wished she could pluck them off and stick them on her own eyes.

They were so beautiful. Why would a man need such gorgeous eyelashes anyway?

"Why are you looking at me like that? Can’t bear for me to leave?" Xiao Yunjing asked, noticing her dazed stare.

"I was thinking of asking Wuqing to go tomorrow. She’s familiar with the Capital City, and you’re not." Gu Qingli blushed, embarrassed by her own starry-eyed admiration. She quickly burrowed back into the warm quilt and said softly.

"Oh." So his wife was worried about this. Even though his wife hadn’t explicitly said she was worried about him, a little thought revealed that she clearly was.

Xiao Yunjing’s heart leaped with joy. Indeed, now that they were truly husband and wife, her heart towards him had immediately changed.

He had originally planned to tell Li’er some things about the Xiao Family. However, he decided it wouldn’t be too late to do so after returning from his trip to the Capital City. Since they were husband and wife, he didn’t want to hide anything from Li’er. This time, he wouldn’t only investigate Li’er’s situation but also his own. He had overheard his father and mother’s brief conversation last time. With his current profound abilities, he could hear anyone speaking within the Xiao Family courtyard if he so wished. He remembered his mother saying, "Master, don’t you think our third son is so much like *that person*?" Despite her whispering, he still heard it. Then his father had said, "Never mention *him* again; he is our son." His mother had then said, "We’ve been hiding for so many years; are we supposed to hide for our entire lives?" His father had retorted, "Did you forget *his* instructions?" His mother had replied, "How could I? I just pity our third son, having to live an ordinary man’s life." His father had then said, "What’s wrong with living an ordinary life? Don’t forget, that place devours people whole, not even spitting out their bones." These conversations all pointed to one thing: he was not the Xiao couple’s biological child. Combining this with events from his past life and his father’s mention of that ’place that devours people whole,’ he was certain his origins were connected to that prominent figure in the palace. That figure was ten years his senior. The year he ascended to the throne was precisely the year they had left the Capital City and moved here. He refused to believe there wasn’t a connection between these events. Moreover, in his previous life, he remembered his parents were adamantly opposed when he insisted on joining the army. Even after he became a general in the Capital City, they never went to live there with him. Furthermore, there was that time when the nobleman had tried to kill him. He hadn’t understood it back then. He had been just a general without backing; how could he have posed any threat to that man? Why would he want him dead? Now, upon closer examination, they did resemble each other, especially their facial structure and lips. They both had a rugged, imposing aura, an air of authority even without anger. And ever since that man ascended the throne, none of his own brothers had met good ends. One was dealt with today, another tomorrow, until so many brothers had been eliminated. He couldn’t believe there weren’t ulterior motives behind it all.

"Are you still going?" Gu Qingli asked again.

"Yes, I won’t be gone long. Li’er, don’t worry, I’ll be back soon." Seeing it was still early, and knowing he would be leaving the day after tomorrow, Xiao Yunjing rolled over and gently pinned her beneath him.

「The next day」

It was the customary day for married daughters to return to their maternal homes to pay New Year’s respects. Since Ms. Jiang, Ms. Yang, and Ms. Wang had no maternal families to return to, Ms. Jiang had Ms. Yang prepare New Year’s gifts early in the morning.

After breakfast, Gu Qingli went to Wuqing’s room and clearly explained everything she needed her to do. Afterward, she gave Wuqing three items.

One item was a cosmetic liquid Gu Qingli had concocted herself. Applied to the face, it could alter one’s complexion. Combined with Wuqing’s own disguise techniques, even Wuqing’s own mother probably wouldn’t recognize her.

Another was, naturally, Ginseng and a fifty-liang silver note. One should be generous when traveling or asking for favors, so providing travel expenses was essential when entrusting someone with a task.

The final item was a selection of medicinal powders: wound medicine, poisons, knockout drugs, and Anesthetics. Essentially, Gu Qingli had prepared anything Wuqing might find useful.

Wuqing accepted the items. She understood that staying by her master’s side didn’t mean she could be a freeloader. So, without hesitation, she bid farewell to Gu Qingli, shouldered her bundle, and left.

She also wanted to find out why the Dark Chamber hadn’t sent anyone to find them.

Seeing Wuqing leave, Gu Qingli came out, closed the door, and then went to call Xiao Yunjing. The couple picked up their things and headed to her parents’ house.

"Wuqing left?" Xiao Yunjing asked on the way.

"Yeah, she didn’t have anything else to do," Gu Qingli replied. Besides, she wouldn’t have anything to do if she stayed; Wuqing herself seemed to be at loose ends.

"Li’er, you truly get things done quickly," Xiao Yunjing chuckled.

"Of course!" Gu Qingli chirped.

The two chatted and laughed as they walked towards Gu Dalin’s courtyard.

Unseen by them, an avaricious gaze followed Gu Qingli’s every move.

"Sister, Brother-in-law!" As soon as they reached the courtyard, Dashuang and Xiaoshuang ran out, each taking one of their hands.

"What have you two been up to? Waiting for us?" Gu Qingli asked Dashuang.

"Yes, Mom said you and Brother-in-law would be coming back," Dashuang replied.

"So you left Mom alone in the kitchen?" Gu Qingli asked.

"No, no! We were helping. It’s just that there’s nothing left for us to do now, you see," Dashuang quickly explained with a smile.

"Here, take these." At the doorway, Gu Qingli lightly tapped Dashuang’s head and handed him the items. Dashuang quickly took them.

Gu Qingli then turned and went to the kitchen to help.

"Li’er, you’re here," Ms. Wu said, looking up just as Gu Qingli entered the kitchen.

"Mom."

Gu Qingli called out before sitting on a stool to tend the fire.

"Yes!" Ms. Wu responded with a wide smile.

"Where’s Yunjing?" Ms. Wu asked.

"In the living room. He should have gone to see Dad by now. Mom, how’s Dad’s leg these days?" Gu Qingli asked as she skillfully added a bundle of firewood to the stove.

"Oh, it’s much better." When speaking of Gu Dalin’s leg, Ms. Wu was in a particularly good mood.

"Tell Dad to be careful and not walk too much," Gu Qingli advised. On New Year’s Eve, Gu Dalin had insisted on attending the clan worship ceremony. She had been worried he might injure himself again, especially since Master Gu’s family would be there and might try to cause trouble, leading to a second injury for Gu Dalin. Fortunately, her worries had proven unfounded in the end.

Ms. Wu laughed and said, "Don’t you know your father’s temperament? He can’t sit still. Ever since he’s been able to get up, he’s been tinkering around the house, fixing this and mending that. He just won’t listen."

When speaking of Gu Dalin, Ms. Wu became much more talkative, her spirits visibly lifting.

Gu Qingli carefully observed Ms. Wu’s face. It had filled out, her complexion was rosy, and she looked much rounder and healthier overall.

Looking closely, Ms. Wu actually wasn’t unattractive at all. Now that they were living separately, life was more comfortable. When one’s mood improved, their entire demeanor and appearance naturally followed suit.