Chapter 21: An Unexpected Encounter

The soft moonlight cast a peaceful and serene atmosphere over Tianwu City.

At the Martial Marquis’ residence.

The study room was brightly lit by several lanterns.

Qi Yun was leaning on the desk, her small head bobbing up and down, her eyes heavy with sleep.

“Miss, when can we take a break?”

Behind the desk, Gu Ruoyi gently closed the yellowed medical classic in her hand, her slender fingers extending to lightly tap Qi Yun’s small head.

“You’re such a lazy girl, you are very cheerful during the day.”

“I’m happy to do anything with you during the day, Miss, but at night, I feel so exhausted,” Qi Yun said, her small hands grasping the edge of the desk, her big eyes blinking pitifully.

“I really don’t know what to do with you, I’ll finish this chapter and then we can rest, okay?” Gu Ruoyi said with a hint of annoyance, but her eyes were full of warmth.

“Yes, yes, yes! You’re the best person in the world, Miss! Hehe!”

“Oh, you!”

Gu Ruoyi subconsciously picked up the jade-like cowhorn comb on the desk, and a face appeared in her mind.

“Miss, are you thinking of that Young Master again?”

Qi Yun had somehow leaned in close, and Gu Ruoyi’s expression was a dead giveaway that she was lovesick!

With her secret exposed, Gu Ruoyi’s ears turned red, and she pretended to be angry, pinching Qi Yun’s face: “You naughty girl, you deserve a punishment!”

“Waaah, Miss, I know I was wrong!”

The next morning, Emperor Wu was resting and civil and military officials did not need to attend court, so they had a rare opportunity to sleep in.

Gu Ruoyi woke up early, washed and dressed simply, and then took Qi Yun to pay respects to Gu Qing.

“Are you getting used to living in the residence?” Gu Qing asked, his voice gentle, his white hair and wrinkled forehead a testament to his age.

“Father, Ruoyi is doing well in the mansion and likes it here very much.” Gu Ruoyi nodded sensibly.

Gu Qing looked at the familiar face, and his eyes couldn’t help but reveal a hint of sorrow.

I’m sorry… Xi’er.

If only he had been braver that day, and taken you and your mother with him, things would be different today.

Gu Ruoyi’s eyelids drooped slightly, knowing that her father was thinking of her mother again.

She had never blamed Gu Qing.

Her mother had told her that back then, not only Luo Prefecture, but the entire world was in chaos. Gu Qing had suppressed the rebellion and led the army to the north, and the journey was fraught with danger. At that time, the Zhen Family had not yet experienced any unexpected changes, and her mother staying with the Zhen Family to take care of her pregnancy was the best choice.

Although the rebellion was suppressed, the refugees in Luo Prefecture only increased, and the Zhen Family continued to open their granaries to provide food. For half a month, the refugees gathered more and more, and even a large family like the Zhen Family soon ran out of food.

Without food, the refugees went mad, burning, killing, and looting in the city.

Several members of the Zhen Family tried to calm the refugees, but were beaten to death in the streets, their clothes stripped off, and their bodies left on the streets.

A great fire broke out in the city, illuminating the dark night, and the refugees became like evil spirits, turning the city into a hell on earth.

After sacrificing dozens of guards and family members, the surviving members of the Zhen Family began their exile.

The world was still not at peace, and gold, silver, and jewels were not as valuable as a bowl of rice. The Zhen Family people dispersed in all directions during their exile.

Gu Ruoyi came back to her senses and saw Gu Qing’s face relax, saying, “Good, good, good, I’m glad you like it here.” He then asked uncertainly, “Do you have enough money? I’ll ask the steward to get you 100 taels.”

“No…no need, Father, I have enough,” Gu Ruoyi quickly waved her hand.

“Then…what do you want? As long as it is something you want, I’ll definitely get it for you!” Gu Qing’s tone was slightly agitated.

He wanted to make up for the years of debt he owed Gu Ruoyi.

Don’t look at him as a general who had led the army to victory over the barbarians; in reality, he was just a foolish old man, foolish to the point of not knowing how to express his paternal love.

He had asked some old comrades, but they were even more unreliable than himself. What was the point of pampering or spoiling her? His own daughter should be cherished in the palm of his hand, and even if she wanted a star from the sky, he would find a way to pluck it down for her.

“I want Father to be healthy and happy every day.”

“You…this girl…you’re just like your mother…”

Gu Qing’s eyes turned red, and old tears wet his beard.

“Xi’er, when I return from the north, what do you want? I’ll get it for you!”

“I only wish for your safe return, my lord.”

The lord had returned, but the beauty was no longer there.

“Father…” Gu Ruoyi took two steps forward worriedly.

“I’m fine, Ruoyi. You go have your breakfast first, I want to be alone for a while.” Gu Qing wiped away his tears, forcing a smile.

“Yes, Father…”

In the dining hall, Gu Ruoyi put down her bowl: “Qi Yun, let’s go to the fabric store later.”

“Are you going to make clothes, Miss?” Qi Yun’s eyes sparkled, and she had seen her mistress’s sewing skills, which she thought were better than those of famous tailors!

“My mother used to mention that she didn’t have the chance to make a piece of clothing for Father, and I want to fulfill her wish.”

“In addition to making regular clothes, we also need military uniforms for my father to wear when he is in the army, so we need to buy more fabrics.”

Gu Ruoyi felt extremely regretful in her heart. Why had she only thought of her mother’s words now? If she had thought of them earlier, she could have made the clothes earlier and made her father happy earlier.

Southern City.

These days, Gu Ruoyi had become quite familiar with Tianwu City, at least she wouldn’t get lost when she went out.

On the way to the fabric store, Gu Ruoyi was deep in thought, her head bowed as she looked at the stone pavement, her mind constantly thinking about the style and design of the clothes.

“Ah!”

Two startled cries, and the silver pouch at her waist was knocked to the ground.

Gu Ruoyi wanted to bend down to pick it up, but a large hand suddenly stretched out and picked it up instead.

“Who are you, Miss? How can you walk with your head down? Can you afford to compensate me if you hurt me?”

“This young master tells you, I…”

The two of them stood up straight and looked at each other. Shen Tengfeng held the silver bag in his hand and looked at the beautiful girl in front of him, his mouth agape.

Oh shit!

Did I meet a goddess again? !

This face, this figure, was already on par with the goddess in the Duke of State’s residence!

The four beauties of Tianwu City were about to become six!

Gu Ruoyi was also slightly surprised by Shen Tengfeng’s appearance, but only slightly.

Because she had seen Shen Yian’s otherworldly existence, and now seeing Shen Tengfeng’s sunny and cheerful demeanor, she didn’t feel that fluttery feeling anymore.

“I…I was going to keep this silver pouch, but since you’re so beautiful, I’ll return it to you.”

Shen Tengfeng’s face turned red as he handed the silver pouch back to Gu Ruoyi, looking quite shameless.

“Pfft! You’re the one who bumped into my mistress!”

Qi Yun automatically went into protective mode, standing in front of Gu Ruoyi.

“Qi Yun,” Gu Ruoyi gently patted Qi Yun’s shoulder, apologizing, “I’m sorry, Young Master. I wasn’t paying attention to the road and bumped into you.”

The other person was dressed in luxurious clothes, and it was clear that they came from a noble family. Even if she was wronged, she couldn’t afford to cause trouble for her father or the Martial Marquis’ residence.

Qi Yun saw this and reluctantly followed Gu Ruoyi’s apology, even though it was clearly the other person who had walked hastily and bumped into her mistress.

This made Shen Tengfeng feel a bit embarrassed, as it was his first time being apologized to by such a beautiful woman.

“Cough, I’m not a petty person, so…ah…just tell me your name as compensation, okay?” Shen Tengfeng turned his face away, his eyes darting around.

“Miss, this guy must be some noble’s son who’s now eyeing your beauty…” Qi Yun whispered in Gu Ruoyi’s ear, warning her.

“Stop!”

Shen Tengfeng quickly stretched out his hand to stop Qi Yun’s self-supplementation.

He was afraid that if he waited any longer, he would become some kind of flower thief in Qi Yun’s mouth.

He wasn’t blind to the fact that he was attracted to Gu Ruoyi’s beauty, but he wasn’t stupid either!

You two can appear here, and your family background must be extraordinary, right?

If he really did something stupid, he would be directly demoted to a commoner by his father.

“I may look like a dandy young master, but I’m just stunned by your beauty, Miss. I absolutely have no ill intentions. I just want to get to know you!”

After Shen Tengfeng finished speaking frankly, he saw the two women not only take the silver bag from his hand, but also retreat more than ten steps with a vigilant look on their faces.

Damn!