Chapter 47: Do You Understand The Meaning Of ‘Resting’?

Gu Heyan clearly remembered that in his previous life, Mu Zhiming came to visit him on the 21st of the 6th Lunar month together with Fu Ji’an, King Xian. Not today.

But that voice haunted him. Had Gu Heyan misheard?

Outside the door, the two were still whispering.

Mu Zhiming: “Since he hasn’t woken up yet, it’s not convenient for me to disturb him. So I will leave.”

Gu Heyan suddenly lifted the quilt off his body, ready to get out of bed.

Mu Zhiming: “I’ll come again to see him tomorrow.”

Gu Heyan stopped moving, and sat back down on the bed again in complete silence.

Aunt Liang said: “When the Young Master wakes up, shall I ask Zhongcheng to go to the Duke of Yan’s Residence to let you know?”

“There’s no need.” Mu Zhiming and Aunt Lian walked towards the courtyard as they talked. “You all have many things to do these days, so there’s no need to take care of me….”

Gu Hayan was unable to hear the next words. Instead, he was left sitting on the bed, completely frozen. Wondering if he was still dreaming.

However, hearing the tone of voice as well as the words between Mu Zhiming and Aunt Liang, who felt very cordial, it seemed as if the two were quite familiar with each other.

It turns out that 5 years ago, when Gu Heyan and Mu Zhiming said their goodbyes outside the Capital, when Mu Zhiming said that he would take good care of Aunt Liang and her family for Gu Heyan, they weren’t empty words.

—

At the same time, Mu Zhiming and Aunt Liang walked into the courtyard. In one corner of the courtyard, the parasol trees were lush and green, bathing in warm sunlight, casting a shadow on the ground.

Mu Zhiming said: “There are more than 20 soldiers from the Rong Yan Army who came to the Capital with General Gu, and they all need to be well taken care of. I will send some cooks and young servants from the Mu Residence over to help you.”

Aunt Liang said gratefully: “Thank you, Mu-gongzi. Without you, the three of us really wouldn’t know what to do.”

Mu Zhiming: “Ah, it’s because General Gu is too thrifty and simple, that he hasn’t thought about adding new servants in all these years. By the way, now that General Gu has made so many achievements, his reputation is outstanding and he is greatly appreciated by the Emperor. There will be many people who will come to give him gifts and try to make connections. You will have to work hard and keep an extra eye out for him.”

Auntie Liang sighed: “I wish we could take care of such matters for our Young Master, but we don’t know anything about bureaucracy!”

Mu Zhiming: “Actually, it’s not difficult. If someone comes to invite him to a banquet, or wants to visit General Gu, you can simply tell them that General Gu hasn’t yet recovered from his injuries, so he needs to rest. Tell them that he’s not available to receive guests for the moment. If it’s just a gift, you can receive it and make a gift list. That way, when I come to help you, I’ll count it for you and return a gift to them.”

Aunt Liang: “Thank you for taking the trouble. As soon as Young Master wakes up, I’ll tell him how much you have helped us these days.”

“No, no, no.” Mu Zhiming hurriedly waved his hand. “Don’t tell him. Just say that the three of you have been quite busy.”

Aunt Liang was puzzled: “Why?”

Mu Zhiming said with a smile: “I’m just an outsider to him, so it’s not appropriate for me to interfere in his family affairs like this. Not to mention that we’re not close friends, and we haven’t seen each other for over two years. We’re nothing more than strangers. I’m afraid he won’t be happy when he learns of my meddling.”

”
”
Aunt Liang hurried to say: “Gongzi, our Young Master isn’t such a narrow-minded person.”

Mu Zhiming smiled and replied: “I know, but the Imperial Court Officials’ intentions are really complicated. Besides, the political rivalry between the Crown Prince, King Xian, and King Su is beginning to surface. General Gu has military power and is a high-ranking officer, so many people want him by their side. As a close relative of King Xian, I don’t want General Gu to think that I’m doing all of this to woo him and lure him into King Xian’s political party. Besides, it’s no trouble. General Gu has been protecting the country and the people for so many years. It hasn’t been easy for him to return to the Capital to recover from his injuries. It’s a blessing for me to help him ease some of his burdens.”

Aunt Liang sighed: “Alas, worldly affairs sure are complicated. Since Mu-gongzi has a better understanding of the situation, I will listen to Mu-gongzi and not tell the Young Master.”

Mu Zhiming nodded and asked: “By the way, what is the condition of his injuries? Is it serious?”

Aunt Liang: “I didn’t see it, but I heard from Juan’er that he was so badly hurt she didn’t dare to look at the wound!”

Mu Zhiming’s heart tightened, feeling an unstoppable pain.

As they sighed face to face, Miss Juan came in with hurried steps: “The Imperial Palace has sent an Imperial Physician to look at Young Master’s wound.”

Mu Zhiming knew that the Emperor had sent this Physician, so he thought that it wouldn’t be good for him, an outsider, to be here. Fearing being seen and rumors spreading, Mu Zhiming said goodbye to Aunt Liang and Miss Juan then left through the back courtyard.

—

The next day, in the simple decorated courtyard of the Gu Residence, there was a constant stream of people sending congratulatory gifts. This just created an uproar in the usually silent Residence.

At first, Aunt Liang wanted to follow Mu Zhiming’s words about receiving gifts and make a list. But she didn’t know that Gu Heyan had already ordered the Rong Yan Army soldiers to block all of the people at the door, not even letting them through the threshold. It was only one day, but the story of General Gu’s unfriendly and uncaring attitude had spread throughout the Capital.

For his part, the ruthless and indifferent General Gu, who was the target of gossip in everyone’s mouths, had been distracted since he woke up early in the morning. From time to time, he would go to the courtyard to look at the door, then go to ask Aunt Liang if there was tea and cakes in the Residence. Aunt Liang thought that Gu Heyan wanted to eat, so she brought some pastries and tea to his wing room. However, Gu Heyan didn’t take a single bite.

Gu Heyan would move and bend his arm, despite it being injured. This made Xia Tianwu feel anxious and scolded him: “General, do you understand what the word ‘resting’ means?”

Around Yuzhong time1, Wen Zhongcheng knocked on the door of Gu Heyan’s wing room: “Young Master, a Gongzi came to visit you. I have taken him to the main hall.”

Hearing that, Gu Heyan immediately left the room and hurried towards the main hall.

A young man dressed in a purple-red official military uniform, and boots as black as ink, was standing right in the middle of the main hall. When he heard footsteps approaching, the young man turned his head.

Pei Hantang came forward with a smile: “Yuyi, long time no see! It’s been 5 years since we said goodbye at the outskirts of the Capital, but now we meet again. What a great time!”

Gu Heyan: “……”

Pei Hantang was surprised: “…..Oh! I didn’t expect you would rush over to give me such a warm welcome. But there’s no need to show such a disappointed expression alright?!”