allonlinenovel Chapter 353 Searching
Chapter 353 Searching
He truly couldn't fathom why his nephew, who had written to say he was coming to visit them and stay for a few days, would arrive but not enter the house.
Gu Minghuai didn't want to say it, but he had indeed made a mistake, causing his uncle and aunt to stay up all night worrying about him. Just to find him, they even mobilized the people in the yamen. If word got out, his uncle would be accused of abusing his power for personal gain and using the yamen officials as his own servants.
He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to his uncle, offering a solemn apology.
“Uncle, I was young and ignorant, and I have troubled you. If this matter affects your career, I will die a thousand deaths to atone for it.”
Lord Yang sighed, stood up, patted his nephew on the shoulder, and pulled him to sit down.
“In the past, I only thought you were a bit naughty, but you are intelligent, lively, and decisive. Actually, at your age, it’s natural to love playing. If you’re not having enough fun, just tell your uncle and aunt where you are so that we elders know you are safe. We won’t detain you. Besides, you’ve been learning martial arts with your master on the mountain for the past two years, and you’ve really suffered a lot. Coming back to this bustling place, you need to relax.”
Gu Minghuai said somewhat embarrassedly, "Uncle, it's not that I'm being playful, but... but, oh dear, how can I say this? Anyway, this kind of thing will definitely never happen again. If I come to your house, I will definitely tell you where I am, so that you and my aunt won't worry about me anymore."
Seeing his nephew hesitate, Lord Yang immediately became interested. He glared at him and pretended to be angry, saying, "What is it? Don't hide it from your uncle. And why are you here dressed as a waiter from Qianzhenlou?"
After hesitating for a moment, Gu Minghuai gritted his teeth and told the truth.
"Uncle, do you remember two years ago, during the Chinese New Year, I was almost sold to a brothel to be a child prostitute?"
"You're so anxious, but what does this have to do with you at Qianzhenlou?"
"Please don't be anxious, listen to me patiently. It was by chance that I met a young girl. I've mentioned this to you before... When I came to Dushui County, I originally wanted to go to the market to buy some gifts before going home to visit my uncle and aunt. Unexpectedly, I ran into Lin Xiaotang at the market, so I took her on a boat trip on the lake. She got seasick and threw up all over me. She bought me a new dress to make up for it. I didn't want to be separated from her so soon, so I didn't tell her who you and I were. I just told her... told her that I had nowhere to go and asked her to take me in."
Gu Minghuai knew he was being absurd, and his voice grew softer and softer as he lost his confidence.
"So, you're just going to stay here as a waiter and let her boss you around?"
Lord Yang looked at his nephew speechlessly, completely baffled. This boy, who would be an adult in two years, was behaving so absurdly and childishly. He must have been driven mad by two years of martial arts training on the mountain.
Since his uncle was unaware of his own feelings and couldn't explain himself clearly in a few words, Gu Minghuai simply stopped explaining.
"Oh, Uncle, please don't ask anymore. Now that you've found me, you can rest assured. There must be a lot of official business to attend to at the yamen. Why don't you go back soon?"
Lord Yang squinted at his nephew's clothes and said, "You're not going back with your uncle? Do you still want to work as a waiter at Qianzhenlou?"
Hmph, this kid is clearly too ambitious. I wonder what kind of magic this Lin family girl named Xiao Tang has that has made this brat so devoted to staying at Qianzhenlou.
This is truly a rare occurrence!
He sighed heavily and said, "You've grown up, and you can make your own decisions about many things now. Your uncle can't control you too much. Your uncle and aunt didn't sleep a wink last night. If you want to stay at Qianzhenlou, then stay. But today you must go back with your uncle and apologize to your aunt in person."
Although she is not your biological mother and has no blood relation with you, she truly cares about you. A few days ago, when she received your letter and heard that you were coming, your aunt prepared clothes for you, tidied up your house, and prepared your favorite pastries and fruits.
Who knew you would move into Qianzhen Tower without a word? If you're sensible enough, go apologize to your aunt, and the matter will be over. Your uncle won't bring it up again.
Gu Minghuai knew his uncle was angry. He had indeed made a mistake. His uncle held an official position and was not an ordinary citizen. He had caused his uncle to mobilize a large force, even involving the officials in the yamen. If this matter got out, it would bring trouble to his uncle.
He really should apologize to his uncle and aunt.
So Gu Minghuai stood up and solemnly bowed to his uncle.
"Uncle, I know I was wrong. I'll go back with you to apologize to Aunt. I promise I will never let you and Aunt worry about me again."
Lord Yang stood up, patted his nephew on the shoulder, and softened his tone.
"It's not that your uncle is blaming you, it's just that your uncle couldn't find you for a long time and was terrified. If something really happened to you, how could your uncle explain it to your parents?"
After saying that, he took his nephew's wrist and walked out, the gesture was very intimate, indicating that he had already calmed down.
When the two went downstairs, they saw guests in the lobby on the first floor. Only then did Lord Yang subtly release his nephew's wrist.
Gu Minghuai originally wanted to inform Xiaotang, but then he thought that if the little girl knew that his uncle was Lord Yang and that his story about being homeless was a lie, she might be so angry that she would kick him out. So he held back.
The waiters in the lobby were not familiar with him and did not ask him anything when he left. Gu Minghuai followed his uncle all the way back to the Yang residence.
Madam Yang, accompanied by two servants, stood at the gate of the mansion, eagerly awaiting her arrival. Upon seeing her husband and nephew, she immediately went forward to greet them.
"Husband, when I heard that you had found Minghuai, I was finally relieved. Fortunately, Minghuai is a lucky child and returned safely. I was so worried. I have already sent someone to prepare tea. You should go back and rest."
Gu Minghuai stepped forward and bowed to his aunt, saying, "Aunt, I made you worry all night. I was wrong, please forgive me."
Madam Yang immediately said, "My child, why are you being so formal with your aunt? Your aunt has never blamed you. As long as you are well, your aunt is at ease. Did your uncle scold you again? Tell your aunt, and your aunt will scold him for you."
As she spoke, Madam Yang took his hand and led him into the mansion, leaving her husband behind, as if Gu Minghuai were her own son and her husband were dispensable.
This scene made Lord Yang doubt himself greatly. In the end, how did he become the one who was wrong?
That's really funny!
Lord Yang shook his head and followed them back to his residence.
Madam Yang first served a table of dishes. Gu Minghuai said that he had already eaten breakfast. Madam Yang then asked the servants to serve a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup. Lord Yang had been looking for his nephew all night and had not eaten breakfast. When he saw that his nephew had eaten, he was immediately displeased.
"You heartless brat! You ate it all yourself without even asking if anyone else had eaten. You're such a selfish person!"
Gu Minghuai suddenly realized that his uncle hadn't eaten breakfast while searching for him, and his aunt at home must have been worried sick and hadn't eaten well either. So he immediately changed his mind.
"Actually, I'm not full yet, I'm still a little hungry. I can eat some more with you guys."
Madam Yang smiled secretly, first placing a piece of food on Gu Minghuai's plate, and said, "These are all your favorite dishes, but your aunt doesn't know you've already had breakfast, so I won't give you any more. Help yourself to how much you can eat. This is our home, so don't be shy."
Then, she served her husband some food, saying, "My dear husband, you've worked so hard, losing sleep over Minghuai. Now that we've found him, you can eat in peace. Please eat more."
Gu Minghuai was very quick to follow suit. He immediately started serving his uncle food, just like his aunt had done, and soon the bowls in front of his uncle were piled up like a small mountain.
A smile finally appeared on Lord Yang's face. "You little rascal, hurry up and eat. If you keep piling food on your plate, your uncle will be stuffed to death."
Madam Yang chuckled softly, feeling that having a child in the house made it much more lively.
After eating for a while, Gu Minghuai suddenly remembered that he hadn't seen his two cousins today. He asked, "Uncle and Aunt, where are my two cousins?"
Madam Yang said, "Those two are troublesome. They're always a nuisance at home. Your uncle sent them to the academy. They get two days off at the end of each month and won't be back until then."
"Then my timing is unfortunate; I can't catch up with my two cousins this time."
Lord Yang said, “Those two rascals are different from you. You are physically strong and have good physique, making you a good candidate for martial arts. The key is that you are also willing to join the army. Your two cousins can’t endure any hardship and are idle all day long. If they go to the army, they will probably desert when war breaks out. So I sent them to the academy. If they don’t study hard, I will definitely break their legs with a stick.”
He gets a headache whenever he talks about his two sons, and he seems quite disappointed in them.
Gu Minghuai knew that his two cousins were not playful and good-for-nothings. It was just that their uncle had high expectations for them, and since they were still young, they were inevitably a bit playful, which their uncle naturally couldn't stand.
He said, “Uncle, my two cousins can read at the age of three and compose poems at the age of five. They are quite literate and talented at such a young age. Given time, they will surely surpass their parents. Uncle, please don’t be too strict. If anyone is not good enough, it is me. I don’t want to study. The only way I can go is to join the army. As for worrying, my father is much more worried than you and my aunt.”
Lord Yang scolded, "You brat, you still have the nerve to say that? Alright, don't try to comfort your uncle. If you can't eat, don't force yourself. What kind of behavior is it to keep poking around in the bowl with your chopsticks?"
Gu Minghuai put down his chopsticks, his eyes darting around, and suddenly he had an idea. He said mysteriously, "Uncle, Aunt, I'm only staying for a few days this time. I don't know when I'll be able to come back again. Life in the army is tough. How about I treat you to lunch at a restaurant today?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Yang immediately became interested and said, "Okay."
Her husband was busy with official duties every day, and because of his status, he had never taken her to a restaurant alone. It would be great if her nephew could invite her and her husband to a restaurant for dinner. Of course, she couldn't let her nephew, a mere child, pay for it. As long as her nephew could get her husband to come along, she could also go out and relieve her boredom.
Lord Yang's first reaction was to refuse.
"Nonsense! Your uncle is the magistrate of Dushui County. Which restaurant would dare to charge me? Do I look like a corrupt official who dines and dashes?"
When Mrs. Yang heard her husband say this, a clear hint of disappointment flashed across her eyes.
Not wanting to disappoint his aunt, Gu Minghuai immediately said, "Uncle, I'll take you to a restaurant. They'll take your money, and I promise you won't be branded a corrupt official!"
"Is it the Thousand Treasures Pavilion?"
"That's right, that's the place. Their food is quite different from other restaurants. If you and your aunt try it, you won't be disappointed. Moreover, the people in their restaurant are honest and upright, and they will definitely accept our money honestly."
"Are you really going to be an official your whole life and never dine at a restaurant again? The chefs at home only cook the same old dishes. It's good to go to a restaurant occasionally for a change of pace and to relax. You can do as I say today. It's just a pity that my two cousins won't be able to enjoy this."
Originally, Lord Yang did not want to go, but after his nephew's visit, he was going to join the army and make contributions in the future. He would not have time to stay for a while again, so going to the restaurant together for a meal was a way of saying goodbye to his nephew.
So he nodded and said, "Okay, you arrange it. The money will be withdrawn from the accounting office."
Gu Minghuai immediately waved his hand and said, "My nephew invited his uncle and aunt to a restaurant for a meal. How can we let them spend their money? I have money, so uncle doesn't need to worry."
The Gu family was considered a prominent family in the capital. Gu Minghuai was the eldest son of his younger brother. Although he had been away from home for a long time, he was not short of money.
Lord Yang said, "It's good that you have this intention. Why argue so clearly with your uncle? Once you're back here, treat this place as your own home."
In the end, Gu Minghuai still didn't go to the accounting office to withdraw money, because he was no longer a child.
My uncle went to the yamen to handle official business, and he stayed at the mansion to keep my aunt company and chat with her to relieve her boredom. When my uncle returned from the yamen, it was already noon. He then led my uncle and aunt to Qianzhenlou by carriage.
The Qianzhenlou Restaurant was packed with guests and bustling with activity.
Lord Yang has always preferred quiet, and seeing such a bustling restaurant, he almost turned around and left.
Seeing his uncle frowning, Gu Minghuai immediately explained, "Uncle, there's a good thing about this restaurant being lively. What does it mean when there are many people? It means the food here is delicious. Think about it, there are several restaurants in this county. When have the other restaurants ever had such good business?"
Madam Yang's eyes lit up immediately, and she said with a smile, "Yes, husband, Minghuai is right. There must be a lot of people here because the food in the restaurant is unique. Now that you mention it, I really want to try their food right away and see what makes it so special."
Seeing that his wife and nephew both wanted to go in, Lord Yang had no choice but to suppress his discomfort and follow them into the restaurant. He opened his folding fan to cover his face, afraid that the guests would recognize him.
……
After breakfast, Lin Xiaotang asked Gu Minghuai to go to the front to do odd jobs and help out, but he disappeared in the blink of an eye. She was puzzled and felt as if she had seen a ghost.
She asked several of the staff working in the lobby if they had seen Gu Minghuai. The staff said they didn't know the new young man and didn't think much of it. One of them told Lin Xiaotang that he saw Gu Minghuai go out with someone in the morning and he never came back.